Lemberg Law is investigating numerous consumer complaints about rumbling noises that relate to the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander. Some complaints describe it as a typical cabin air pressure problem stating that it causes severe ear pain, headaches, nausea, and disorientation. Many consumers describe it as a “cabin boom.” Some Toyota agents confirm they can hear the sound, but most state it’s part of the vehicle’s design parameters.
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What’s The Issue?
Some people talk about this issue as a rumbling noise. Others call it a cabin boom. Some owners call it annoying. Others call it overwhelming. And then there are those who are even more specific. They say it’s a “reverberation noise,” also commonly referred to by other owners as “boom or acoustic boom.”
Whatever the level of noise, or its description, it’s definitely an issue for many owners of the 2024 Toyota Grand Highland. These problems are aired and discussed in complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and on several forums. It also appears to be related to cabin pressure.
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Complaint Summary
Complaint Category
Number of Complaints
Unknown Or Other
26
26
Power Train
18
18
Air Bags
17
17
Fuel/propulsion System
11
11
Vehicle Speed Control
11
11
Structure:body
10
10
Engine
9
9
Suspension
6
6
Electrical System
5
5
Visibility/wiper
4
4
What Are Owners Experiencing?
Someone who had owned a 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander for just two days shared what happened on the Toyota Nation forum. “We test drove a Grand Highlander Limited FWD and when a GH Platinum AWD came, we bought it without a test drive. Just driving off the lot, an immediate annoying booming sound was noticeable at any speed. It presses against the ears. It is almost painful — like driving next to a loud boom-box car if you know what I mean. Next week I am bringing it into the Service Dept, but this thread makes me think I’ll be driving with noise-canceling headphones for the next 10 years. My opinion? It is the AWD.”
People on the forum weren’t surprised because many had heard similar reports. But there were a few who offered predictable advice, for example, “Moral of the Story: Never, ever buy a vehicle without test driving it first!”
This is, of course, just one experience. But there are many more where this one came from.
Complaints
A large number of the complaints lodged with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander relate to this ominous rumbling noise. They are listed as either suspension and/or unknown or other issues.
An owner from Florida states that the cabin boom noise was evident from the first day of ownership. “Noise is a low bass frequency below 30hz that reverberates throughout (the) entire vehicle, causing severe ear pain, headaches, nausea, and disorientation. The only way to tolerate driving this vehicle is to wear airplane pressure earplugs, which poses a safety concern for not being able to hear surroundings while driving.” This owner’s suggestion is that this “cabin boom” comes from the suspension. But all the Ford staff ”denied any problem, stating this was ‘normal for this new vehicle,’ and refused to investigate or try any diagnostics.”
An owner from Massachusetts maintains it is commonly called “boom or acoustic boom.” He states that “The entire cabin vibrates as if a shock wave is being sent through it.” It mostly happens when there are small to large bumps. When traveling on a highway over 50 mph “there is a constant pressure within the cabin that significantly affects the ears and makes me nauseous and gives me a dazed-like feeling. Every person that has been in my vehicle has asked me what was wrong with it. A Toyota service tech told me they didn’t find anything wrong with it, but I still can’t drive it for more than 20 minutes without feeling sick.”
An owner from Washington states that at speeds under 30 mph cabin air pressure builds in the cabin and creates a bass sound or “cabin boom”. The pressure hurts the occupants’ ears and has made them sick after riding in the vehicle.
What Should You Do if Your Grand Highlander Has Cabin Noise?
Does your 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander have rumbling noises that sound like “cabin boom?” If so, you may be eligible to join Lemberg Law’s new class action investigation.
All you have to do is fill out a contact form or call our Helpline. It’s not going to cost you anything because the law says the automaker (in this case Toyota) must pay the legal bills for lemon law cases. We will evaluate your problems free of charge, and decide if you are eligible to join our investigation.
About the Author:
Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions.
He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."
