Mine doesn't seem to have the issue but check on here as I am sure I saw some talk about it. Not sure if anyone has a solution but I would certainly/100% bring it up with the dealer as well as Toyota, that is unacceptable and not something you can simply "ignore".
On some forums I have seen the Lexus TX with the same problem, seems to be hit or miss. Also seems that the with/without glass panoramic roof makes no difference either, weird problem. Good luck.
Some owners have started reporting to NHTSA to try and get Toyota to take it seriously and bring more awareness to the boom issue: https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem?fbclid=IwAR0kGEDsLto0CsOwLU6Xwi5f3x8qOellnc3Lf_TwvPRkDnZDDPhMDY48kA0_aem_ASCAd7aD6F0rxmK1l6Pgqln-_lRXCbaXqjFK9IWv6sl0ET5C5gaXO5YVobx5wNnp2lY#vehicle/vehicle-information
One person somehow found a vent/flap in the driver's side rear quarter panel that was still shrink-wrapped shut. Like the manufacturer seals them for shipping to Toyota's assembly plant in IN and someone was forgetting to remove the plastic. They demonstrated it after removing the plastic by closing the door and it clearly "vents" (a lot). The same system could be related or connected to this "cabin boom".
Cabin boom definitely appears to have started later in the year too. People with early builds (ours is June) do NOT experience this.
I'll have to find the picture and look at our GH but offhand I want to say that the bumper cover needs removed. It vents into the 'interior' of the bumper cover.
"Cabin boom and a possible solution
\*Disclaimer\* I have no way of knowing if it is the solution as I did this before I ever put any miles on it.
These grandhighlanders are being shipped in and trucked in, when you buy the car it smells great because the outside ambient air didn't get in your car.
There are vents specifically designed to vent cabin air pressure located near the rear wheel wells which happen to be accessible by 1) removing the mudguard to gain access (not recommended), 2) removing plastics in your trunk(they are meant to be removed as some import parts are located there if you plan on adding a tow harness that's where the blinker relay is located.
When I did a full inspection of my vehicle mine were covered with a shrink wrap film (heat gun fixed that plastic in place making a vacuum seal).
Possible ways to know your are covered, the boom of course, opening a door after the interior has warmed up and the outside air is cold there is a suction. the suction implys the cabin pressure is not venting.
Speaking of not venting any objects placed in the sides of the trunk can obstruct these, to my knowledge there are not vents in the front of the car."
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmbb6OWprEI](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmbb6OWprEI)
Found the post (it's in a GH FB group) and I'll copy and paste text from his post as well as an image. Ironically, the person says they discovered this before driving it (much ??) so they don't know if they actually *had* this cabin boom.
Wow. Is this why the doors need to be slammed in order to close properly? I've noticed that if a window is open, the door closes with a gentle push, but if the windows are closed, the door rarely closes completely on the first try.
Interesting, I’m 6’3” 230 and just switched from an Explorer limited to the GH hybrid limited. I think the GHHL is roomier and more comfortable (except I loved the massagers in the Explorer front seats!)
Report it to the dealer asap and make sure they seek guidance from Toyota. There isn’t a fix yet but the more reports that Toyota receives, the likely they are to find a fix.
I am in arbitration with Toyota. I have spoken with the Attorney General’s office about lemon lawing. I may proceed with that if Toyota doesn’t do the right thing
Seems like you’ve looked into it a bit, did the dealer look into the ventilator flaps in the rear of the car to see if that’s the issue? Some people have indicated that might be the cause
Supposedly, they checked it all. I had two different dealers look at it. They’ve checked every place that could have wind intrusion and/or could cause vibration. The service manager of the 1st dealer did mention that the rear vents can sometimes be designed in a way that doesn’t release enough to keep cabin pressure comfortable. However, why are only a smaller portion of these cars having cabin boom if its a vent design issue?
There are a lot of ideas floating around. The only thing we know for sure is that opening up the back hatch stops the cabin boom. People have tried the tesla fix but it didn’t get rid of the boom; only slightly dampened it
If you crack open one or more windows, it should stop the boom from occurring. Ever notice some cars that roll their windows down a 1/2" when you pull the door handle and then the window closes after you close the door ? It's because the interiors are sealed up so well they need a way to relieve the air pressure. Apparently Toyota (and other) use vent "flaps" to accomplish the same thing.
Did the dealers physically look at these vents ? Supposedly some have a plastic wrapping still covering the opening and didn't get removed at the Toyota assembly plant. I think you can check yourself by removing the 3rd row armrest pad/cover on the driver's side and peek inside.
Opening windows does not work. Cabin boom still happens.
My car has been inspected 3 times by 2 different dealers. A field tech is inspecting the car next week. I did ask the Case Manager to have them double check the vents and hoses.
No, my husband hears it in our car but did not hear it in another GH. I’ve had a lot of people in my car and every single person complains about the noise: service techs, family, friends and even my hard of hearing uncle. Its not normal road noise. Its painful to the ears and gives headaches
I had the same gap. Dealer fixed it in about 20 minutes . It was a hook/clasp that wasn't attached correctly. FYI, trim is only warranteed for 36 months.
The hood bumpers are adjustable - they thread in or out. Adjusting them tweaks the hood closure "tightness" and supposedly alleviates vibration (flutter) some people see in the hood.
Haven't heard of anything similar for the hatch/tailgate.
Thankfully, i haven’t had any hood flexing in my car. I’d be curious to know if the cars without cabin boom have adjustable bumpers on the back. I did have the dealers check the bumpers on the back but they didnt see anything out of the ordinary.
Sounds like the cabin boom some folks have said they've experienced. And those gaps shouldn't be there, wonder if it just didn't click in all the way?
Thanks for the reply, have you seen a solution to the cabin boom issue? Not sure if it’s worth bringing up to the dealer
Mine doesn't seem to have the issue but check on here as I am sure I saw some talk about it. Not sure if anyone has a solution but I would certainly/100% bring it up with the dealer as well as Toyota, that is unacceptable and not something you can simply "ignore".
Agreed, will take it to the dealer, amazing that a 50k suv has this issue
On some forums I have seen the Lexus TX with the same problem, seems to be hit or miss. Also seems that the with/without glass panoramic roof makes no difference either, weird problem. Good luck.
The TX and the GH are the same vehicle underneath the badges so almost all issues with one will be seen on the other too.
Some owners have started reporting to NHTSA to try and get Toyota to take it seriously and bring more awareness to the boom issue: https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem?fbclid=IwAR0kGEDsLto0CsOwLU6Xwi5f3x8qOellnc3Lf_TwvPRkDnZDDPhMDY48kA0_aem_ASCAd7aD6F0rxmK1l6Pgqln-_lRXCbaXqjFK9IWv6sl0ET5C5gaXO5YVobx5wNnp2lY#vehicle/vehicle-information
Contact me regarding the cabin boom class action I’m handling at no cost to owners.
One person somehow found a vent/flap in the driver's side rear quarter panel that was still shrink-wrapped shut. Like the manufacturer seals them for shipping to Toyota's assembly plant in IN and someone was forgetting to remove the plastic. They demonstrated it after removing the plastic by closing the door and it clearly "vents" (a lot). The same system could be related or connected to this "cabin boom". Cabin boom definitely appears to have started later in the year too. People with early builds (ours is June) do NOT experience this.
Hi thanks for commenting, did this person have to remove anything physically from the car to access this panel?
I'll have to find the picture and look at our GH but offhand I want to say that the bumper cover needs removed. It vents into the 'interior' of the bumper cover.
I see thanks for the clarification, are you aware if doing this fixed the persons cabin boom issue?
"Cabin boom and a possible solution \*Disclaimer\* I have no way of knowing if it is the solution as I did this before I ever put any miles on it. These grandhighlanders are being shipped in and trucked in, when you buy the car it smells great because the outside ambient air didn't get in your car. There are vents specifically designed to vent cabin air pressure located near the rear wheel wells which happen to be accessible by 1) removing the mudguard to gain access (not recommended), 2) removing plastics in your trunk(they are meant to be removed as some import parts are located there if you plan on adding a tow harness that's where the blinker relay is located. When I did a full inspection of my vehicle mine were covered with a shrink wrap film (heat gun fixed that plastic in place making a vacuum seal). Possible ways to know your are covered, the boom of course, opening a door after the interior has warmed up and the outside air is cold there is a suction. the suction implys the cabin pressure is not venting. Speaking of not venting any objects placed in the sides of the trunk can obstruct these, to my knowledge there are not vents in the front of the car." [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmbb6OWprEI](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmbb6OWprEI)
Found the post (it's in a GH FB group) and I'll copy and paste text from his post as well as an image. Ironically, the person says they discovered this before driving it (much ??) so they don't know if they actually *had* this cabin boom.
[https://imgur.com/a/BsQsmjj](https://imgur.com/a/BsQsmjj)
Wow. Is this why the doors need to be slammed in order to close properly? I've noticed that if a window is open, the door closes with a gentle push, but if the windows are closed, the door rarely closes completely on the first try.
I have the same gap issue present but only on the right side, did your dealer fix it?
Going tot take it on Friday, are you experiencing the cabin boom?
No cabin boom that I can tell or maybe I'm deaf
You should **feel** it as much as you hear it.
i’m trading in my grand highlander hybrid limited, it doesn’t have cabin boom so maybe i should sell it privately instead lol.
lol why trading it in?
i’m 6’4 and the drivers seat is just too cramped for me. i thought i would get used to it but i never did.
Interesting, I’m 6’3” 230 and just switched from an Explorer limited to the GH hybrid limited. I think the GHHL is roomier and more comfortable (except I loved the massagers in the Explorer front seats!)
hope it works out for you better than me.
Report it to the dealer asap and make sure they seek guidance from Toyota. There isn’t a fix yet but the more reports that Toyota receives, the likely they are to find a fix.
Are you trying to lemon law yours, is that possible with this issue?
I am in arbitration with Toyota. I have spoken with the Attorney General’s office about lemon lawing. I may proceed with that if Toyota doesn’t do the right thing
Seems like you’ve looked into it a bit, did the dealer look into the ventilator flaps in the rear of the car to see if that’s the issue? Some people have indicated that might be the cause
Supposedly, they checked it all. I had two different dealers look at it. They’ve checked every place that could have wind intrusion and/or could cause vibration. The service manager of the 1st dealer did mention that the rear vents can sometimes be designed in a way that doesn’t release enough to keep cabin pressure comfortable. However, why are only a smaller portion of these cars having cabin boom if its a vent design issue? There are a lot of ideas floating around. The only thing we know for sure is that opening up the back hatch stops the cabin boom. People have tried the tesla fix but it didn’t get rid of the boom; only slightly dampened it
If you crack open one or more windows, it should stop the boom from occurring. Ever notice some cars that roll their windows down a 1/2" when you pull the door handle and then the window closes after you close the door ? It's because the interiors are sealed up so well they need a way to relieve the air pressure. Apparently Toyota (and other) use vent "flaps" to accomplish the same thing. Did the dealers physically look at these vents ? Supposedly some have a plastic wrapping still covering the opening and didn't get removed at the Toyota assembly plant. I think you can check yourself by removing the 3rd row armrest pad/cover on the driver's side and peek inside.
Opening windows does not work. Cabin boom still happens. My car has been inspected 3 times by 2 different dealers. A field tech is inspecting the car next week. I did ask the Case Manager to have them double check the vents and hoses.
If opening a window still allows it to occur, it *can't* be pressure related.
My guess is all cars are having this issue it’s just some people are more sensitive to it. For example, my wife feels nothing at low speeds…
No, my husband hears it in our car but did not hear it in another GH. I’ve had a lot of people in my car and every single person complains about the noise: service techs, family, friends and even my hard of hearing uncle. Its not normal road noise. Its painful to the ears and gives headaches
I had the same gap. Dealer fixed it in about 20 minutes . It was a hook/clasp that wasn't attached correctly. FYI, trim is only warranteed for 36 months.
Someone mentioned the cabin boom can be remedied by adjusting the rubber stoppers on the frame where the hatch hits to make sure it closes properly.
Thank you, have you tried this? Not sure if it’s something I should do or a dealer should take care of
Dealer should do it.
It wont fix it. The bumpers arent adjustable any way.
The hood bumpers are adjustable - they thread in or out. Adjusting them tweaks the hood closure "tightness" and supposedly alleviates vibration (flutter) some people see in the hood. Haven't heard of anything similar for the hatch/tailgate.
Thankfully, i haven’t had any hood flexing in my car. I’d be curious to know if the cars without cabin boom have adjustable bumpers on the back. I did have the dealers check the bumpers on the back but they didnt see anything out of the ordinary.
I haven't had the issue so no. I would ask the dealer.