Assistance with cause of driver side rattle only above 55 mph

[jcgraff]

I have a 2015 Genesis Sedan 3.8. In the last few months at 55 mph and above there is quiet but regular rattle heard mostly by the driver’s left ear. It is hard to localize whether it is coming from the door (would have to be the rear part and low), under the seat with reflection, or the area of the driver’s seat belt pillar.

It does NOT rattle with hitting bumps, whether at low or high speed. So, I am thinking this is something that resonates at 55 mph and above.

It’s loud enough, though, to be annoying as it is a wonderfully quiet and smooth vehicle otherwise.

I do not think the car has a bad tire or needs alignment because of how smoothly it drives at speed and does not pull.

I’ve taken off the door cover and didn’t see anything, but much more serious disassembly would be required to see down low.

I suspect this is something the dealer would also have trouble diagnosing and eliminating, so am hoping that other owners have had this problem and can make some recommendations.

Thanks!

 

[Husam]

Inspect the drive shaft

 

[arcman]

Driver's side door or body gaskets loose anywhere? Wind could cause fluttering. I've been here for four years and don't recall anyone having a similar issue. Could be the driveshaft but I'd think it would be more noticeable in the center of the car. Mine rattles at 28-30mph.

 

[jcgraff]

Since posting, I noticed over the weekend that there is an inner door gasket that was worn through in the middle at the rear of the door about half way up so it could be flapping at 55 mph and above when there's enough air pressure that it can pass through the outer door seal and get to the inner one. I told my son yesterday to try a piece of tape over it to see if the sound stopped, but haven't heard back from him about the results. Sure hope it fixes it as replacing the gasket would be a relatively easy fix compared to any other possibility.

I know what a driveshaft sounds like, and this doesn't seem to be that.

But, it is hard to tell where the rattle is coming from. I told him we should take a stethoscope with us and try to find where it is coming from, but he had to leave for his home before we could do that. He will be back in a few days and will use the stethoscope if the tape doesn't stop the rattle vs. flapping sound.

Thanks to both of you for the input.

I'll post with what we find out.

 

[5.0KDM]

I had a similar rattle. It turned out to be the outside trim around the windshield. It was starting to chip the paint away!

Finally fixed a rattle!!

I initially thought it was coming from inside the door card or the windshield but it ended up being the trim along the windshield as you can see from the pics it was actually taking some paint off. Thank god too bc it has gotten so loud and I have a 3hr trip home.

genesisowners.com

 

[jcgraff]

Thanks for the tip. Will check it out. He had the windshield replaced recently so it cold be the trim!