Hello! Just joined the site today after buying my first Toyota last week - 2012 Highlander Limited w/ navigation. Within minutes of driving off the lot I noticed a creaking/clicking sound that seemed to be coming from the windshield or windshield-dash junction. Thought it might be due to new car settling, but it has persisted over the past week. Intermittent sound when riding on smooth surfaces, not necessarily worse over bumps. Called the dealer who suggested I come in next week to have it checked. Has anyone else experienced this with their new vehicle? Other non-Highlander forums through Google suggest there might be an issue with the windshield bolts. Other than that, I'm loving this car!
I've had similar symptoms since onset of cold weather on my 11'SE. It seems to be more likely to occur when cold and does not seem to occur when the weather is warmer. It seems to be coming from the driver's side of the windsheild. I am in the Boston area as well so I suspect we have similar weather conditions. I had driven about 14k miles before the noise started.
to TN!
same noise here, there are a few threads covering it in the problem & solution sticky. I had read it has something to do with how the windshield wiper assembly connects to the firewall causing the creaking in the winter. But its never cold enough down here in the south long enough for me to get frustrated enough to get it fixed. I typically ignore it, so I can't comment on the solution
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2008 Black Highlander Limited FWD
Nav (with override), Rear DVD | 900+ Watt Sound System | Headlight & Fog HID Projector Retrofit | LED Interior/Puddle Lights | Rattletrap Sound Deadener | Dueler HL Alenzas 255/55R19's |Updated Modification List
Like Sweeney said you can find links at the bottom of the Common Problems and Solutions sticky thread, but also this thread probably contains the most material regarding the windshield rattle and associated rattles/fixes. Unfortunately you have what seems to be the most common problem and/or complaint with the Highlander, and the fix is not one set thing as you'll read. I have the rattle in both my Highlander and my Avalon, and both only rattle when the air temperature gets into the low 50s and below. Thank goodness I live in a fairly warm climate so that the rattle doesn't come around very often.
BTW, to Toyota Nation!
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2008 Highlander Base 4WD
2002 Avalon XL
1987 Suzuki Samurai 4X4 - Treading where no Jeep can follow....
I have an '08 and had one sound from the driver's mirror which they fixed by wrapping the wires behind the mirror in foam tape. Other sound I identified was the grills for the speakers. I popped them out and put a little silicone paste lube on all the posts and any contact edges. Seemed to work out just fine. Been quiet ever since. What you might do is find a safe place to drive with a surface that might encourage the noise, then have a friend move around the front area putting pressure on various places and see if the pressure silences the sound. If it's from outside the cabin then that's it's happy hunting for the dealer's tech guy and whoever will be riding on the hood or in the engine compartment!
Personally, I cannot believe that Toyota has not dealt with this issue. My 2009 has it and although the dealer did some work to reduce the noise, mine comes and goes. When it comes though, anyone in the vehicle with me will no doubt here some choice superlatives escape my mouth!
__________________ 09 Black HL Sport, loaded Cdn version: AWD, bk leather int.
Mods: tinted windows; upgraded headlight and fog bulbs; bug deflector; Ichiba 15mm bolt on wheel spacers, Pioneer FH-P8000BT head unit; Blaupunkt underseat sub, Viper 5901 security/auto start, stainless dual exhaust tip, upgraded horns.
Personally, I cannot believe that Toyota has not dealt with this issue. My 2009 has it and although the dealer did some work to reduce the noise, mine comes and goes. When it comes though, anyone in the vehicle with me will no doubt here some choice superlatives escape my mouth!
Even though I mostly love both my Toyotas, it's the consumer/owner feedback disconnect Toyota has that has left me extremely wary about buying another. This stuff people relate how Toyota supposedly monitors these forums in order to glean information from owners......is nothing but pure propaganda, pure horse dump. These forums alone offer a bevy of information for Toyota to fix the issues with their vehicles and incorporate fixes into following model years.......but they don't. It's a sad thing to watch.
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2008 Highlander Base 4WD
2002 Avalon XL
1987 Suzuki Samurai 4X4 - Treading where no Jeep can follow....
Windshield noise. Ok a week after I bought a 2012 HL there was a cold morning in NC. I went outside to start the car and pull it in the garage to warm up when I noticed this weird creaking noise. Kind of sounded like frost on the wind shield was cracking or something. It only occurred while driving and after pulling away from my house went on for about three miles until the car warmed up.
It has not happened since, so what was it? I always park outside and we have had numerous frosty mornings without reoccurrence.
My driver side and passenger windows won't go down when it is cold either. Even with very light frost they remain stuck until the car is warmed up. Strange.
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2012 HL Base V6 4X4 Classic Silver Metallic. W/ Tech, Cold, and Towing package. Camry Horns Low/High, Michelin LTX M/S 245/65/17 including spare, Factory Trailer Hitch and Harness, Toyota Color Keyed Fender Flares, Door Molding (install in spring)
I've never had that problem with the windows not going up or down, even when the car had 3-4" of snow on top of it.....might be worth mentioning to the dealer at your next service
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2008 Black Highlander Limited FWD
Nav (with override), Rear DVD | 900+ Watt Sound System | Headlight & Fog HID Projector Retrofit | LED Interior/Puddle Lights | Rattletrap Sound Deadener | Dueler HL Alenzas 255/55R19's |Updated Modification List
Thanks for all the input! I have an appointment at the dealer in a couple days. Hopefully they'll be able to sort things out and I'll never hear those sounds again. Will post an update either way.
Fixed! They isolated the noise to a loose/defective clip in the headliner at the junction with the windshield. Replaced it and the noise is gone! I'm thrilled to have her back in mint condition.
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"Daphne"
2012 Highlander Limited V6/4WD with Navigation
Magnetic Gray Metallic - Black leather
Last edited by NittanyBez; 02-11-2012 at 06:55 AM.
Reason: content change
Even though I mostly love both my Toyotas, it's the consumer/owner feedback disconnect Toyota has that has left me extremely wary about buying another. This stuff people relate how Toyota supposedly monitors these forums in order to glean information from owners......is nothing but pure propaganda, pure horse dump. These forums alone offer a bevy of information for Toyota to fix the issues with their vehicles and incorporate fixes into following model years.......but they don't. It's a sad thing to watch.
Hey TrailDust. I just popped back over to see what's going on. Over on the Explorer forum Ford has 2 people dedicated to answering questions and contacting area service reps to address customer complaints/problems. One person looks after the vehicle as a whole and the other looks after what they refer to as In Vehicle Technology (MyFord Touch & Sync) issues. These people not only constantly monitor the forum but they interact with the customer and have been very helpfull. Ford has acted on some of the most common issues with their latest model and have also set up a website that invites owners to leave suggestions as to how to improve upon the current Explorer.
Happy motoring to all.
Peter
__________________ Lease Transferred - Canadian '09 HL Ltd, Classic Silver Metallic with Nav, ash interior, body side moulding, hood deflector, Camry trumpet horns, Philips X-Treme Power bulbs, Toyota 3 piece rubber floor and cargo mats.My 2011 Explorer Limited has arrived.
Hey TrailDust. I just popped back over to see what's going on. Over on the Explorer forum Ford has 2 people dedicated to answering questions and contacting area service reps to address customer complaints/problems. One person looks after the vehicle as a whole and the other looks after what they refer to as In Vehicle Technology (MyFord Touch & Sync) issues. These people not only constantly monitor the forum but they interact with the customer and have been very helpfull. Ford has acted on some of the most common issues with their latest model and have also set up a website that invites owners to leave suggestions as to how to improve upon the current Explorer.
Happy motoring to all.
Peter
Thanks, Peter, that's good and interesting to know. Great to know Ford understands not only the importance of customer feedback, but also the need to actually implement corrective measures to some of those issues. Will Toyota ever comprehend that simple aspect of their business model?
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2008 Highlander Base 4WD
2002 Avalon XL
1987 Suzuki Samurai 4X4 - Treading where no Jeep can follow....
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to TN!
Thank goodness I live in a fairly warm climate so that the rattle doesn't come around very often.
...is nothing but pure propaganda, pure horse dump. These forums alone offer a bevy of information for Toyota to fix the issues with their vehicles and incorporate fixes into following model years.......but they don't. It's a sad thing to watch.
My 2011 Explorer Limited has arrived.
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