I have had my car at the dealership a couple times now for a few rattles, the engine noise (squeal), and the creaking door panel problem. The door panel problem is certainly the most bothersome.

If you could, push gently and then firmly against the driver's side door panel on and above the aluminum trim piece. Can you hear a creaking sound? I am trying to see how many people experience this in their TLs, and I have checked 3 new TLs and 2/3rds don't make the sound. I am also convinced that my dealer didn't replace my door panel because it still creaks, and the Meguiar's leather conditioner I had applied weeks ago was still on the armrest portion of the "new" door panel.

 

If anyone searches for this same problem, there is a solution.

The Dealership had to reinforce the panel with a strip of foam around the upper clips. The difference was night and day. No noise, no flexibility in the door panel.

Only hitch was that it took a replacement panel (made the problem worse), the involvement of the District service manager, and 3 visits to the service department.