Why Is My Car Squeaking When I Go Over Bumps? What Maker Bulletins Say

A car that squeaks over bumps is making a suspension noise, and maker service bulletins show the cause depends on the model: a front lower arm bushing on a Toyota Corolla, a stick-slip bushing on a Mazda CX-9, a bonded rubber bushing that Audi greases, a stabilizer bar bushing on an Audi TT and a Tesla Model S, or a bumper stop on a Nissan Rogue. This guide lays those bulletins side by side, shows how the makers pin down the noise, and explains why one maker says to grease a part while another says not to.

Why Is My Car Squeaking When I Go Over Bumps?

Eight maker bulletins hosted on NHTSA’s technical service bulletin pages describe squeaks, creaks or knocks over bumps, and they name bushings, a stabilizer bar and a bump stopper as the source. A bulletin applies only to the models and build dates it lists, so treat the table below as a map of possible causes, not a diagnosis of your car.

The tool above is here because the Toyota bulletin says a mechanic’s stethoscope or similar tool may be used in place of its ChassisEAR listening tool to find the source of the noise. The same bulletin describes a technician test drive over a speed bump or uneven surface.

What Maker Bulletins Say Causes Squeaks Over Bumps

Bulletin	Vehicles	Noise described	Cause named	Maker correction
Toyota T-SB-0068-20 (July 9, 2020)	2014 to 2019 Corolla	Squeak over speed bumps or uneven surfaces	Front lower suspension arm rear bushing	Replace the lower arm assembly that makes the noise
GM PIT5563B (April 15, 2020)	2013 to 2017 Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse; 2013 to 2016 GMC Acadia; 2017 GMC Acadia Limited	Rattle or creak at slow speeds over bumps or broken pavement	May be the front lower control arm front bushing	If diagnosis cannot pinpoint the noise, replace that bushing on the noisy side
Mazda 02-001/20 (January 2020)	2016 to 2020 CX-9	Creak over bumps; clunk from the front coil spring; pop from the bump stopper	Stick-slip at the lower arm bushing, at the strut bearing and coil spring, and at the bump stopper	Modified bushing, coil spring protector and greased bump stopper, depending on VIN
Audi 2043424/13 (October 12, 2022)	A3, S3, RS 3, Q3 and A3 e-tron Sportback (listed years)	Creaking or squeaking on uneven roads	Rear bonded rubber bushings of the front lower control arms touch at their kidney-shaped slits	Grease the slits with lithium grease
Audi 2010330/4 (July 19, 2013)	2004 TT	Front stabilizer bar noise over bumps	Bushing sleeve separating from the stabilizer bar	New version of the stabilizer bar
Nissan NTB18-083 (December 7, 2018)	2014 to 2019 Rogue and 2017 to 2019 Rogue Hybrid built before September 20, 2018	Squeak or creak over speed bumps, more noticeable in cold weather	Front suspension bound bumper	Replace the bound bumper on the noisy side; no lubricant
Tesla SB-20-31-001 (July 24, 2020)	2019 to 2020 Model S and Model X	Squeak over road imperfections	Front stabilizer bars with improperly vulcanized bushings	Replace the stabilizer bar
FCA 02-005-23 (July 15, 2023)	2023 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300 built February 8 to 9, 2023	Knock or rattle over bumps	Front lower control arm bushings under cured	Inspect; replace the arm if rubber bulges from the bushing

Source documents: Toyota bulletin T-SB-0068-20, Mazda bulletin 02-001/20 and Nissan bulletin NTB18-083 (the others are GM PIT5563B, Audi bulletins 2043424 and 2010330, Tesla SB-20-31-001 and FCA 02-005-23, all on NHTSA’s technical service bulletin pages).

Suspension System Components and Squeaks

Control arm bushings

Five of the eight bulletins point at a front lower control arm bushing. Toyota’s covers the rear bushing of the front lower suspension arm on 2014 to 2019 Corollas and says the squeak may occur when driving over speed bumps or uneven surfaces. GM’s PIT5563 series says the noise over bumps may come from the front lower control arm bushing on the Enclave, Traverse and Acadia, and the wording changed over time: the 2017 version says bushing, and the March 2020 revision says the front bushing.

GM’s April 2020 revision also adds that the torque sequence of the bushing is critical to resolving the issue, and says to follow the service procedure as written. The FCA bulletin gives a visible inspection sign for the 2023 Challenger, Charger and 300: the bushing is bad if there is rubber bulging out from the bottom area of the bushing, checked on flat, dry ground with the suspension loaded.

Stabilizer bar and its bushings

Two bulletins name the front stabilizer bar. Audi says the noise on a 2004 TT may be caused by the bushing sleeve separating from the bar, and that the noise is generated when the bar moves up and down. Tesla says some 2019 and 2020 Model S and Model X front stabilizer bars have improperly vulcanized bushings that squeak over road imperfections. Both bulletins are limited to the models they list.

Bump stoppers, coil springs and strut bearings

Nissan’s NTB18-083 traces a squeak or creak over speed bumps on the 2014 to 2019 Rogue to the front suspension bound bumper, and says it is more noticeable in cold weather. Mazda’s CX-9 bulletin adds a clunk from the front coil spring, caused by stick-slip between the front strut bearing and the coil spring, and a popping noise from the bump stopper when driving through gutters.

Grease Here, No Lubricant There

The bulletins give different answers on lubricant, depending on the part and the model.

• Audi (A3, S3, RS 3, Q3): after removing both front lower control arms, technicians evenly grease the kidney-shaped slits of the bonded rubber bushing with 0.1 g of lithium grease, part number G 052 150 A2, applied with a paintbrush to the marked area only.
• Mazda (2016 to 2020 CX-9): before installing the new bump stopper, technicians apply rubber grease to an area on the shaft. Mazda’s production fixes were a changed bushing coating to reduce friction and prevent stick-slip, coil spring protectors, and a modified bump stopper with grease added.
• Nissan (2014 to 2019 Rogue): the bulletin says in capital letters not to apply lubricant to the bound bumper to resolve the squeak; the fix is replacing the bumper on the side that makes the noise.
• Toyota (2014 to 2019 Corolla): the bulletin hints that applying soapy water to the suspect arm rear bushing may temporarily diminish the noise and help identify the source. It does not call that a repair; the repair is a new arm.

None of these bulletins describes spraying a general lubricant at a squeaking suspension as a fix, and the Audi and Mazda greasing steps happen with the arms or the strut apart. Nissan’s bulletin says plainly not to apply lubricant to its bound bumper.

Identifying the Location of the Squeak

The makers share one idea: reproduce the noise, then work out which corner and which part. These are the clues the bulletins themselves give.

• Speed and weather: Mazda says its CX-9 creak happens at roughly 12 to 25 mph (20 to 40 km/h), when the road is wet or after the vehicle has been washed, and gets more noticeable as the bumps get higher. Nissan says its Rogue noise is more noticeable in cold weather. Audi says the TT stabilizer bar noise may only be present when the vehicle is warm or only when it is cold.
• One wheel or both: Nissan’s flow chart has the technician drive over a speed bump with both wheels, then the left wheel, then the right, and keep track of when the noise is heard. In the chart, a noise with both wheels (not only one) means the bulletin does not apply, and a noise with only the left or right wheel leads to replacing the bound bumper on that side.
• Listening tools: Toyota and Mazda use a ChassisEAR; Nissan’s chart attaches its leads near each stabilizer bar bushing clamp bolt and to each front strut top nut. Toyota says a mechanic’s stethoscope may be used in place of the ChassisEAR.
• Duplicate it first: Audi’s bulletin says to try to duplicate the condition exactly and, if you cannot, not to perform the bulletin. Toyota’s says that if the squeak is not coming from the front lower suspension arm rear bushing, the bulletin does not apply and diagnosis continues in the repair manual.

What a Service Bulletin Does and Does Not Tell You

• It is for professionals. Mazda’s consumer notice says the instructions are for skilled technicians and not for do-it-yourselfers, and that customers should not assume a bulletin applies to their vehicle. Nissan says to see your Nissan dealer to find out if a bulletin applies. The Tesla bulletin says its instructions should only be performed by trained professionals.
• It covers named vehicles. Mazda splits the CX-9 into three VIN ranges that need different parts, and Nissan excludes Rogues built after September 20, 2018. Dodge limits its bulletin to vehicles built on February 8 and 9, 2023.
• Warranty terms differ. Toyota says its repair is covered under the Basic Warranty for 36 months or 36,000 miles from the in-service date. Audi lists 48 months or 50,000 miles and says that outside any warranty its bulletin is informational only. Audi calls the 2004 TT bulletin informational only and not applicable to any Audi warranty.
• Labor times are shop allowances. GM lists 0.5 hour for the front lower control arm bushing replacement. Toyota lists 0.9 hour for the left lower arm and 1.8 hours for the right. FCA lists 0.2 hour to inspect both sides, 1.7 hours for one side with alignment and 2.0 hours for both sides with alignment.
• Alignment can be part of the job. Nissan says to check the front wheel alignment and adjust as needed after the bumper replacement, and FCA includes an alignment in its replacement operations.

Related Suspension Guides

• Car makes noises after a pothole
• What bottoming out means
• What a car shock absorber is
• What struts do on a car
• Sway bar links
• How long a car suspension lasts
• Does going over speed bumps hurt your car

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common cause of a car squeaking when going over bumps?

None of the maker bulletins read for this guide ranks causes by how often they occur. They do name specific parts on specific models: front lower arm bushings (Toyota Corolla, Mazda CX-9, Audi A3 and Q3, and GM and Dodge models in the table), stabilizer bar bushings (Audi TT, Tesla Model S and X), and a front suspension bound bumper (Nissan Rogue).

How can I tell if the squeak is coming from my suspension?

The bulletins describe a pattern, not a home test. Toyota and Mazda tell technicians to test-drive over a speed bump or uneven surface with a ChassisEAR listening tool, and Toyota says a mechanic’s stethoscope or similar tool may be used instead. Nissan’s flow chart asks whether the noise is a squeak or creak while going over speed bumps, and whether it occurs with both wheels or only one. A shop with those tools is the dependable way to locate it.

Is it safe to drive with a squeaking car?

The bulletins read for this guide treat these squeaks as noise concerns and do not say whether driving is safe. The Audi bulletin tells technicians to duplicate the condition exactly before doing the repair. Have the car inspected by a qualified technician.

How often should I get my car’s suspension checked?

None of the bulletins read gives an inspection interval. Your owner’s manual and maintenance schedule are the place to look for one.

Can I fix the squeaking myself?

Maker bulletins say no to a do-it-yourself reading. Mazda’s consumer notice says its instructions are for skilled technicians and should not be performed by do-it-yourselfers, and Nissan’s says its bulletins are for qualified technicians, not do-it-yourselfers, and to see a Nissan dealer to find out whether a bulletin applies to your vehicle.

What This Guide Does Not Cover

• Repair prices; ask a shop for an estimate.
• Step-by-step repair procedures, torque values or lubricant choices for a specific car; use your owner’s manual and your maker’s service information.
• Brake, tire and wheel-bearing squeaks, and suspension parts for which no maker bulletin was read here, such as ball joints, sway bar links, shocks and struts.

Conclusion

Maker bulletins tie a squeak over bumps to a specific part on a specific model: a lower arm bushing, a stabilizer bar bushing or a bump stopper. The makers also disagree on lubricant, with Audi and Mazda greasing named parts and Nissan saying not to lubricate its bound bumper. Note when the noise happens and at which corner, then take the car to a qualified technician or your dealer, who can check whether a bulletin applies to your VIN.