Anybody got a late model Rav4? Later than 2016? Ever heard a sound in the passenger cabin resembling the beat and pulse of a locomotive, sometimes so strong it sounds like the cab is going to shake apart? Want to get rid of it?

Close the open rear window.

Seriously. I made a Monday service appointment for our 2019 Rav4 because that's what it sounded like inside the cab last week once it was moving over 35 mph. It turns out there's an aerodynamic anomaly that causes it when one or both rear windows are open at least a couple inches.

This happened originally on our 2016 and I forgot about it. But then it happened in a much more subdued way last week on our 2019. I inspected the wheels and wells but couldn't see anything so I made the appointment. Then two days ago I had it out and the noise was gone. WTF? Then I took my wife out in it last night for a test ride, and that's when the light bulb went on. I remembered seeing one rear window open just an inch or two, which happened by mistake. And then I closed it. I never connected the window to the noise because it was winter, there shouldn't be any open rear windows, and the gap was so small the effect was much more subtle. It sounded like a tire or wheel problem.  If the window is open all the way it makes the cab almost unbearable.

I took a third 2019 Rav4 out today and clearly demonstrated it again. I'll bring this to the service desk's attention tomorrow. And our lease rep.

10 minutes ago, 45Doll said:

It turns out there's an aerodynamic anomaly that causes it when one or both rear windows are open at least a couple inches.

This has happened on every SUV I’ve ever seen. Three Jeep Grand Cherokees, a Nissan Vogue, and others.   Usually a very loud 2hz Wup Wup Wup Wup. 
Cracking the front window makes it go away. 

2 minutes ago, voyager9 said:

This has happened on every SUV I’ve ever seen. Three Jeep Grand Cherokees, a Nissan Vogue, and others.   Usually a very loud 2hz Wup Wup Wup Wup. 
Cracking the front window makes it go away. 

Really? Well now I don't feel so bad. I thought this would be a scarce 'problem'.

And you're right about the front window.

4 minutes ago, voyager9 said:

This has happened on every SUV I’ve ever seen. Three Jeep Grand Cherokees, a Nissan Vogue, and others.   Usually a very loud 2hz Wup Wup Wup Wup. 

Yep, all our vehicles do it too, I hate when someone cracks a back window..,

4 minutes ago, voyager9 said:

Cracking the front window makes it go away. 

or closing the back window that's causing it..

13 minutes ago, Sniper said:

or closing the back window that's causing it..

Or not driving the car at all, if we are going to go all Walmart Crazy. 

22 minutes ago, voyager9 said:

This has happened on every SUV I’ve ever seen. Three Jeep Grand Cherokees, a Nissan Vogue, and others.   Usually a very loud 2hz Wup Wup Wup Wup. 
Cracking the front window makes it go away. 

Ditto..the wind buffeting makes me feel like I'm gonna blow an eardrum out..

Well, well, well... there is misery in company. 

liberty does it too.

friend's edge did also.

I had this with my Hyundai Sonata...  Figured that out right quick.

 

Wind buffeting is very common with any 4 door vehicle. My 08 colorado and my buddy's 09 tacoma both do the same as did my wife old 04 Saturn ion.

SCIENCE!

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a15344069/explained-that-weird-throbbing-when-you-open-one-car-window/

Ill open the back window a hair. Just to piss my wife off

1 hour ago, fishnut said:

Wind buffeting is very common with any 4 door vehicle. My 08 colorado and my buddy's 09 tacoma both do the same as did my wife old 04 Saturn ion.

I can't remember this happening with any sedan we ever owned. But then again I can't say I drove around with only the rear window(s) open.

It definitely never happened in a sedan with the front windows. Starting with my 442.

Ironically, I had a locomotive that sounded like a RAV4 at speed.

17 hours ago, 45Doll said:

I can't remember this happening with any sedan we ever owned. But then again I can't say I drove around with only the rear window(s) open.

It definitely never happened in a sedan with the front windows. Starting with my 442.

Not every vehicle does it. Most sedans seem not to. Most SUV/hatch shaped boxes seem to. There are exceptions to both.  I had a 2005 suabru legacy and it did it. 

On ‎1‎/‎26‎/‎2020 at 7:39 PM, Golf battery said:

Ill open the back window a hair. Just to piss my wife off

She's got acreage and access to excavating equipment.  Be careful!

I had the same issue with my 2008 VW Passat. Now I have a 2 door, so no more rear windows.

On 1/26/2020 at 4:14 PM, voyager9 said:

This has happened on every SUV I’ve ever seen. Three Jeep Grand Cherokees, a Nissan Vogue, and others.   Usually a very loud 2hz Wup Wup Wup Wup. 
Cracking the front window makes it go away. 

We have a winner....

Every single SUV we’ve ever had too.  Plus the Crewmax version of a Tundra.