Dashboard noise (plastic creak) in dashboard at low speed acceleration

[WallaceMI]

Hi
I have the iForce Max Premium TRD Off-Road and noticed when I accelerate from low speed I hear some type of plastic creak noise (0-40mph maybe).
First I thought some plastic piece has too much play but I can't pin point it do anything inside the interior. I already tried the wheel well plastic splash guard shimming that was recommended but this didn't do the trick. I also put extra WD-40 silicone on the rubber seals. No change.

Following observations:

1. Creak noise is faint and only noticeable when radio is off
2. Only noticeable between 0-40mph (noise might be still there at higher speeds but at 40+mph the engine / tire noise drowns it out I assume)
3. When I start the car and the engine is cold I don't hear it. <- hence I think it's something inside the engine bay
4. Creak is only noticeable after a few miles when the engine warmed up.
5. It's currently pretty hot in Michigan so A/C is on as well blowing cold air

My current suspicion are:

• Something under the hood starts rattling when it's hot and transmit it to the interior.
• My TRD Off-road has the Under Hood Acoustic Lining which makes a lot of noise when pushing it by hand (I may try to remove the liner to see if this makes a difference)
• Something related to the A/C after it's cooling all the pipes for a while (no clue if this has anything to do with it)

Does anyone has that issues and any idea what I could check? I will try to take a video but during my first try you can't really hear it on the video.

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[WallaceMI]

 

[WallaceMI]

Was able to get a video of it but it sounds a bit different in real life imho but you get the idea.

 

[Tarekith]

There’s a few of us here with this issue, and no one has been able to figure out what it is yet.

https://www.4runner6g.com/forum/threads/noise-above-30mph.6880/

Someone on the Tacoma forums with the same issue had it diagnosed as being a bad solenoid in the purge bypass valve, but I have no way of confirming if that’s the actual cause.

 

[WallaceMI]

Thanks for the reply. Mine appears to be slightly different. E.g. mine creak noise is only noticeable while accelerating. No when coasting or even braking.

 

[WallaceMI]

ChatGPT gave some good ideas to check (I like the A/C check):

1. A/C compressor load test
Since it's hot and you're running A/C:

Try this experiment:

• Drive until the noise appears.
• Turn A/C completely OFF.
• Drive another 2-3 minutes.
• Then accelerate several times.

If the noise changes significantly, you're probably dealing with:

• A/C line movement
• Compressor mounting/bracket noise
• Refrigerant line contacting the firewall
• HVAC expansion/contraction noises

The A/C compressor adds a noticeable load to the engine at low speeds and can create noises that sound surprisingly interior-like.


2. Engine torque test while stationary
When the engine is fully warm:

• Put vehicle in Drive.
• Hold brake firmly.
• Briefly apply light throttle (don't overdo it).

Then repeat in Reverse.

If you hear a similar creak:

• engine mount
• exhaust contact point
• heat shield
• intake duct
• underhood trim piece

becomes much more likely.

3. Check the hood insulator
Your suspicion isn't crazy.

The hood insulator on many vehicles can:

• expand when hot
• flutter slightly
• rub against retainers

Since yours makes noise when pushed by hand:

Try removing it temporarily and driving.

It's a 15-minute experiment and costs nothing.

4. Exhaust heat shield
This one fits your symptoms surprisingly well.

Why:

• Silent when cold
• Appears after heating up
• Occurs under load
• Sound transmitted through firewall

Look around:

• turbo heat shields
• catalytic converter shields
• exhaust crossover areas

Even a slightly loose shield can make a faint plastic-sounding creak rather than a metallic rattle.

However, I would rank it as a moderate probability, not my top suspect.

ChatGPT ranking for your specific symptoms
Based on everything you've described:

1. A/C line, compressor, or HVAC-related component
2. Exhaust heat shield/contact point expanding when hot
3. Cowl panel/windshield base plastic
4. Engine mount or mount bracket transmitting noise
5. Hood insulation panel
6. Loose interior dashboard trim (least likely)

 

[Nodak]

check the speaker grilles. our 2016 taco was notorious for squeaks in the dash area. apparently the clearance between the "A" pillar and the speaker was so tight that it would rub depending on temp.
here is a pic when i was isolating the noise, once i did this the noise went away.

our 2018 tundra had a rear passenger seat that would rub the corner of the cab and squeak when the temp got to much.

our 23 tundra has a squeak but not sure where its coming from, but then again its very faint and easily masked with the radio

havent had a sound yet from the 25 4R but then again, i dont hear the noises like i use to, so that might help

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