The thud sound is a bushing in the rear. There is a TSB for it. Take it in to your dear and they will address the issue.

 

Is that the T-TT-0400-16 - "Rear trailing arm noise." TSB? I was trying to find the details on it, but couldn't, so did not know if it was related.

 

After much digging - I found this...

Some 2014 – 2017 model year Highlander and Highlander HV vehicles may exhibit an abnormal
squeak, squawk or groan type noise from the rear suspension when traveling over uneven roads,
or when the vehicle comes to a complete stop, which may become more pronounced in colder
ambient temperatures. The abnormal noise may be caused by the rear trailing arm bushing.

An updated Rear Trailing Arm Assembly is available. Follow the Repair Procedure in bulletin 0211-17 to
address this condition.

Updated part numbers 48760-0E070 and 48780-0E080

This repair is covered under the Toyota Basic Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 36 months
or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle’s in-service date.

 

ORed...good find. Maybe it'll get moved to..Read Me..Offical TSB etc forum. Unlike others, my TA's ok. Tnx.

 

I'm getting the rear trailing arms done. 06/17 build (that's a June I think, not week 6). I initially thought it was play on the rear brake pads.

 

I've got an appointment on Sunday / Monday for them to look at three things...

1) This rear trailing arms done - well, they are going to "investigate it" but I found the PDF of the actual
2) The transmission sounds like a tea kettle blowing steam when in Reverse gear
3) Cooling fan makes a chirp noise when winding down (noticeable especially after you turn it off from running either AC or the defroster)

Lots going on with this car - going to also ask for an EnTune update - because it periodically just resets when driving (right after you turn it on).

 

Also - the thid key fob they found did indeed work - so, now I have three keys

 

Does this issue cause damage to the vehicle or is it just an annoyance? Does it get worse over time? My Highlander is exhibiting these symptoms and I'm wondering whether to bring it up at my next checkup. My concern is having the dealer rip things apart to fix it and inadvertently introducing other issues in the process. Unfortunately, my experience tells me a hands off approach is best--the more work that gets done, the more chances other things get broken or not reinstalled properly.

 

You know, that's a good question. So far, to us, it's just an "annoyance" - but, the loud pop (over the radio) and the feeling makes it seem that letting to go on longer will lead to something else going wrong, so, we are taking it in.

I've attached the PDF copy of the TSB about it for your records.

 

I had the trailing arms done (apparently a $900+ warranty job)

Noise still present as I left the parking lot so turned around and compelled a technician to road test with me.

The clunk/thump sound occurs when the Highlander comes to a complete stop. There is absolutely no noise over bumps, crests, cornering, or in all other driving conditions. We also made sure to check that it’s not because of installed child seats, bag of lug nuts, tonneau cover, etc…

We also rode in a new Highlander off the lot and the noise heard on the other car was similar, but a lot “tighter”. I can describe the noise on mine as being louder and having a bit more resonance, and has been there since new (July 2017).

I am wondering if there is some play in other suspension components ie., shock mounts. We almost have to make the Highlander bob the front end to make that sound.


Anyway, they are reaching out to the mothership for more advice.


They had initially said, "we performed the TSB as instructed, and if it still sounds like that, then that's what it is supposed to sound like". Yeah we are not taking that.

 

Interesting.

We had the TSB done and it has not made the noise since then - though, it also has not been as cold as it was when it was doing it originally, so, there's that. We go back this Saturday to replace the cooling fan motors since those apparently went bad - I blame the leaking upper radiator hose - but who knows.

We are about at the end of the warranty - so my guess is that "clunk" will happen again next winter - when the warranty is no more.

Frustration is boiling because every time we present a problem that you know and I know isn't normal, they simply say they compared it to another Highlander it the noise was the same. We traded in a '13 for this one that was dang near bullet proof and never once had an issue - but, this one it seems is just junk...

 

We are about at the end of the warranty - so my guess is that "clunk" will happen again next winter - when the warranty is no more.

FWIW..Don't know what your "clunk noise is"? You should have gotten an r/o on each issue/complaint etc during dealer svc. Even if warr. expires, if same noise continues & something breaks that would have been covered under oem warr. doesn't mean your totally SOL. Gets complicated after, but mainly depends on how far owner is willing to pursue if need be.

btw..mine diff., but no issues with weird noises, even on rare times I go over speed bump to fast. Do hear clunk, but thats p. brake being fast released., Anyhow, hope outcome for u will be better. :dunno:

 

Update: Mine apparently turned out to be the parking brake drum/cable. Whatever they did, it's much better now.

 

I was experiencing the loud clunk or thunk sound in the rear when reversing. Brought it in and it seems that a coupler is not freeing up. The techs then also found a squeak noise in the rear and are fixing that by replacing the rear control arms. Thank goodness I caught it all under warranty, or else it'd be a $3,800 repair.

My work order attached.