[Adam Highlander]

Guys,
I bought Highlander 2019, when speeding more then 60 mph, I started hearing an annoying wind noise coming from the windows side, the dealer replaced weather stripping but still the same,
Toyota sent their Engineer to check, he admits the noise, so he drove another Highlander and found the same, his response was ”this is the car design” Toyota called me and said they will do nothing for me or the car, they will just take my notes for the future design, but reading more on this it seems this is a well known issue even in older Highlander.
So whoever made my mistake and bought Highlander, sorry you have to live with it, lesson learned “Donot never ever by Toyota cars”
Now I wonder what else I could do with Toyota to make them responsible for their bad car design.

 

[kcripper]

Didn't you notice this when you did the test drive? I don't think you not liking their response justifies a "don't ever buy BUY a Toyota". Sorry, but I think this is on your failure in spending enough time driving it before making a $40000 purchase. Sorry, but I call them like I see them. I could gripe about the crappy cupholder that won't hold anything except a massive Big Gulp. But that doesn't mean that Toyota's suck. We could all buy a Rolls Royce and we'd probably find something we don't like about them, either. No vehicle is perfect. But they are really good.

 

[Adam Highlander]

Didn't you notice this when you did the test drive? I don't think you not liking their response justifies a "don't ever buy BUY a Toyota". Sorry, but I think this is on your failure in spending enough time driving it before making a $40000 purchase. Sorry, but I call them like I see them. I could gripe about the crappy cupholder that won't hold anything except a massive Big Gulp. But that doesn't mean that Toyota's suck. We could all buy a Rolls Royce and we'd probably find something we don't like about them, either. No vehicle is perfect. But they are really good.

When test driving it, I didnot speed up to more than 40-50 mph (then that was my mistake which I should live with it), but does that justifies them not fixing what seems an old reported issue (after reading more on this I came to know it is an old issue)
When a company donot take customers feedback seriously then I am questioning buying from them, in addition their prices are not cheap at all.

 

[meatwad74]

there are a few threads discussing this issue. I have it too. and apparently a few have it in the 20 model too. I have other issues too with with my 18 xle.
looks like a combination of design, lower quality, and manufacturing issue. some say it was the side mirror assembly but that was re=designed in the 20 model and some people still report the wind noise. I feel it comes from upper left edge of window
toyota is doing a lot ofstuff to cut costs and/or bring down mpg. my hood vibrates, and the stock tires don't have good traction. after grappling with a few morons who need not have even replied if they were going to write something personal and stupid, I got a few answers. tires are in fact slimmer and less traction to reduce mpg. probably cheaper too. hood weight was reduced for same reasons too.

 

[scipper77]

To hopefully save some research of the threads that address this issue I will offer the super abbreviated solution.

There is a spot under the passenger side mirror where 2 chrome trim pieces come together. Air enters there and makes noise as it goes through the door cavity. Put a small piece of clear tape over the gap and the noise should go away. Because the noise is from air passing through the door the sound may not come from the location where the air is entering. In any event, this is a simple and free solution to try so try it.

I think that you could take it a step further and try putting some silicone or whatever you think may work under the trim but that would require removing the trim and hoping for the best.

I have not personally done any of this but I plan to at some point. My Highlander only makes the noise when there is a strong side wind blowing into the passenger side.

I hope this post is helpful.

 

[Adam Highlander]

there are a few threads discussing this issue. I have it too. and apparently a few have it in the 20 model too. I have other issues too with with my 18 xle.
looks like a combination of design, lower quality, and manufacturing issue. some say it was the side mirror assembly but that was re=designed in the 20 model and some people still report the wind noise. I feel it comes from upper left edge of window
toyota is doing a lot ofstuff to cut costs and/or bring down mpg. my hood vibrates, and the stock tires don't have good traction. after grappling with a few morons who need not have even replied if they were going to write something personal and stupid, I got a few answers. tires are in fact slimmer and less traction to reduce mpg. probably cheaper too. hood weight was reduced for same reasons too.

Thanks for the information, personally I will call Texas General Attorney to file a customer protection case, I urge all guys experience issues with Toyota Highlander to file a case, more cases will surely make a difference, just search the net for your State general attorney you could call or file online.

 

[Adam Highlander]

To hopefully save some research of the threads that address this issue I will offer the super abbreviated solution.

There is a spot under the passenger side mirror where 2 chrome trim pieces come together. Air enters there and makes noise as it goes through the door cavity. Put a small piece of clear tape over the gap and the noise should go away. Because the noise is from air passing through the door the sound may not come from the location where the air is entering. In any event, this is a simple and free solution to try so try it.

I think that you could take it a step further and try putting some silicone or whatever you think may work under the trim but that would require removing the trim and hoping for the best.

I have not personally done any of this but I plan to at some point. My Highlander only makes the noise when there is a strong side wind blowing into the passenger side.

I hope this post is helpful.

Thanks a lot, although the noise is more on the driver side, someone mentioned installing Air deflectors and it did the job for him, what I noticed is that when I am putting the driver “s window little down then it is the same noise quality but much louder , I fold the mirrors in snd didnot notice any difference then it seems not the sode mirror design.
I will try your fix on both side and see, will update all, but still frustrated with Toyota denying having issues with wind noise.

 

[2016_XLE]

Guys,
I bought Highlander 2019, when speeding more then 60 mph, I started hearing an annoying wind noise coming from the windows side, the dealer replaced weather stripping but still the same,
Toyota sent their Engineer to check, he admits the noise, so he drove another Highlander and found the same, his response was ”this is the car design” Toyota called me and said they will do nothing for me or the car, they will just take my notes for the future design, but reading more on this it seems this is a well known issue even in older Highlander.
So whoever made my mistake and bought Highlander, sorry you have to live with it, lesson learned “Donot never ever by Toyota cars”
Now I wonder what else I could do with Toyota to make them responsible for their bad car design.

I have a 16 SE. Same issues. To the turd above that commented about the test-drive, when I test drove mine, it wasn't an issue until a month or two later - after purchase. I bought the SE with 16K miles. There are many threads on the topic and it's been an issue for years with Toyota. To the guy that suggested taping parts of the door, I tried tape in several places - both driver and passenger door and nothing helped. What you'll find is that some have the issue and it bugs the crap out of em (like me) and others that either don't experience it or simply can't point blame on their Toyota because it would cause cognitive dissonance of their purchase...You'll find quite if few of them here.

In short, the issue is real, but you won't find a solution. That said, you can either live with it or trade it in for another brand - which I'll likely do at some point. No rush for me, but it bugs me to no end. The HL is a decent car that is reliable as we all know, but it's not a luxury vehicle and has flaws. I'll go back to a MDX sooner or later.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

 

[Adam Highlander]

I have a 16 SE. Same issues. To the turd above that commented about the test-drive, when I test drove mine, it wasn't an issue until a month or two later - after purchase. I bought the SE with 16K miles. There are many threads on the topic and it's been an issue for years with Toyota. To the guy that suggested taping parts of the door, I tried tape in several places - both driver and passenger door and nothing helped. What you'll find is that some have the issue and it bugs the crap out of em (like me) and others that either don't experience it or simply can't point blame on their Toyota because it would cause cognitive dissonance of their purchase...You'll find quite if few of them here.

In short, the issue is real, but you won't find a solution. That said, you can either live with it or trade it in for another brand - which I'll likely do at some point. No rush for me, but it bugs me to no end. The HL is a decent car that is reliable as we all know, but it's not a luxury vehicle and has flaws. I'll go back to a MDX sooner or later.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

Thanks a lot, what bothered me is Toyota not admitting the noise issue, I am amazed how some guys are fine with that, we are working very hard to pay Toyota for our purchase.

 

[meatwad74]

this one fellow on the 2020 forums who bought a 20 limited reported the same issue. except worse, like giving him a headache. he managed to exchange it and his new car doesn’t have the issue. seems like a quality control issue to me big time.
you can ask how he did it. maybe he was in the return window or what sort of relation he has with the dealer. I know he exchanged in a few days

 

[Adam Highlander]

1. this one fellow on the 2020 forums who bought a 20 limited reported the same issue. except worse, like giving him a headache. he managed to exchange it and his new car doesn’t have the issue. seems like a quality control issue to me big time.
   you can ask how he did it. maybe he was in the return window or what sort of relation he has with the dealer. I know he exchanged in a few days

   It did pass the time, in addition I onot have any connection but after Corona wave comes down I am filing a complain to the Attorney General against them , surely this issue is not for all Highlanders thus it is as you said a quality control issue.
2. Thanks

 

[mtmurat]

Highlander wind noise solution!

I've had the wind noise issue in my 2008 Highlander since 2009. Yes, it sounds like its coming from the left front window area and has driven me nuts for years.

My car buddy and his son visited this weekend and set about discovering the source. They did!

The noise is coming from underneath the left side of the car. The plastic undercover panel has gaps in it and the closest attachment bolt allows lots of play when tight. This panel vibrates and makes the noise at various speeds, really noticeable around 70mph. (Just reach under there and see if anything is moving around, thats it).

To confirm this, my friend simply took several pieces of folded cardboard and stuffed them in three places under the car to keep that panel from moving around. THAT DID IT! I have been driving it all over this past week and its now quiet as can be.

I ordered various body connectors and clips and will get under there to make the fixes permanent. I will post pics when I do.

 

[Relee1]

Guys,
I bought Highlander 2019, when speeding more then 60 mph, I started hearing an annoying wind noise coming from the windows side, the dealer replaced weather stripping but still the same,
Toyota sent their Engineer to check, he admits the noise, so he drove another Highlander and found the same, his response was ”this is the car design” Toyota called me and said they will do nothing for me or the car, they will just take my notes for the future design, but reading more on this it seems this is a well known issue even in older Highlander.
So whoever made my mistake and bought Highlander, sorry you have to live with it, lesson learned “Donot never ever by Toyota cars”
Now I wonder what else I could do with Toyota to make them responsible for their bad car design.

I have a 2019 Highlander and it is as quiet as a mouse. I have a hard time with a Toyota engineer saying "this is in the car design," and then doing nothing for you. I can understand your frustration, because normally, this is a pretty quiet car. I can't imagine any engineer saying an irritating noise in a new car is a product of a "car design."

 

[mtmurat]

I have a 2019 Highlander and it is as quiet as a mouse. I have a hard time with a Toyota engineer saying "this is in the car design," and then doing nothing for you. I can understand your frustration, because normally, this is a pretty quiet car. I can't imagine any engineer saying an irritating noise in a new car is a product of a "car design."

The art of troubleshooting is dying. Most mechanics can’t see beyond “throwing a replacement box” at a problem 😞

 

[k2hutchi]

seems fixed, no cost. Will report back if the noise appears again.

 

[Manterj]

I have been trying for 2 years to resolve the wind noise issue with my 2020 Highlander - dealer and Toyota tell me this is a "normal characteristic of the vehicle" finally pinpointed the area, took an air compressor and tested with me sitting inside. the area marked in red is where it got noticeably louder inside the vehicle when the air hit this spot. Now I need a solution .

 

[dchobo]

I have been trying for 2 years to resolve the wind noise issue with my 2020 Highlander - dealer and Toyota tell me this is a "normal characteristic of the vehicle" finally pinpointed the area, took an air compressor and tested with me sitting inside. the area marked in red is where it got noticeably louder inside the vehicle when the air hit this spot. Now I need a solution . View attachment 410507

You may want to post this in Gen 4 forum.

I would try to remove the black triangle piece and try to put some foam/tape inside to seal off the air... dealer should be able to do this under warranty.


Sent from my SM-G973U1 using Tapatalk

 

[Penzfan]

Gorilla Tape…😉