High pitched noise at 55-60 mph

[bmurph]

I have noticed a high pitched noise coming from my vehicle at highway speeds. It does not start until the vehicle reaches a speed of 50-60mph. Any help is much appreciated.

 

[peterk9]

I have noticed a high pitched noise coming from my vehicle at highway speeds. It does not start until the vehicle reaches a speed of 50-60mph. Any help is much appreciated.

If seems to be coming from the lower windshield area it could be the cowl.

Peter

 

[613GT500]

Could also be your side mirrors, as the gap bewtween the mirrow cap and body can act like a whistle.
A member on here had his replaced and eventually filled with silicone and it went away.

 

[peterk9]

I forgot about the mirrors. The cowl would likely create more of a buzzing sound. The mirrors seem to be a more plausible explanation. There is a thread on that; http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=382554&highlight=whistling+mirror

Peter

 

[BKFord]

Just bought new Explorer. High-pitched whistle at speeds 55 and above. Cannot figure out source. It is loud and very annoying. Anyone?

 

[peterk9]

Just bought new Explorer. High-pitched whistle at speeds 55 and above. Cannot figure out source. It is loud and very annoying. Anyone?

Welcome to the Forum.
Your thread was joined with this one on a similar issue.
If it turns out not to be the cowl, which would be my first guess, it could be the mirrors. The Forum has a handy 'Search' feature in the upper right that members can use to find existing threads on various topics. Good luck.

Peter

 

[Ptgilbert5]

My 2017 makes a whistle at about 60 mph. It is present with the AC on and the Vents set to the dash. Goes away as soon as AC is off or Vent position changed. Dealer tried adjusting weather stripping on left side of windshield but it did not help. For now, I turn up the radio.

 

[peterk9]

My 2017 makes a whistle at about 60 mph. It is present with the AC on and the Vents set to the dash. Goes away as soon as AC is off or Vent position changed. Dealer tried adjusting weather stripping on left side of windshield but it did not help. For now, I turn up the radio.

Have you tried taping down the cowl or seeing if it is loose? That could be the problem.as a few members have discovered. It's possible that turning the AC ON/OFF could affect the wind flow enough to cause this. Just a guess.

Peter

 

[Magnetic_EX]

I'm currently living this nightmare.

2017 Ex limited. Anytime speeds are 60-80km and above I get a loud whistle like noise. Tried taping everything all around the windshield and mirrors as mentioned here before resorting to taking it to the dealership.

Since then, brought to the dealer. They literally taped off every moulding crack and seal on the exterior. Dealer went ahead and replaced the windshield and it's still there.

I have a video just to find somewhere to upload it. See if we are all experiencing the same noise.

 

[Magnetic_EX]

Let's see if this link will work

 

[Ptgilbert5]

Let's see if this link will work

This is EXACTLY what I'm hearing.!!! For me, the noise goes away if I turn off AC or switch it away from dash vents (but that's not a fix!). Trying to get it to the dealer again ..they don't have an opening until mid September and then I'll have to arrange for a ride as they need it for the day. Going to be a pain but if and when they fix it I will post a reply.

 

[peterk9]

This is EXACTLY what I'm hearing.!!! For me, the noise goes away if I turn off AC or switch it away from dash vents (but that's not a fix!). Trying to get it to the dealer again ..they don't have an opening until mid September and then I'll have to arrange for a ride as they need it for the day. Going to be a pain but if and when they fix it I will post a reply.

see post #8

 

[Magnetic_EX]

Shutting the ac off doesn't help for me. Noise still there.

 

[Magnetic_EX]

Update for those with this noise issue.

Dealer has had the truck for 1 week.
Swapped the windshield. No improvement.
I'm really upset with the windshield being replaced unnecessarily.

They went onto diagnose the whistle noise as the air plenum box not having a tight enough seal where the air comes into the cabin. Toggling the air re-circ makes the noise better but still audible. They tried to silicone the gap and say the truck was fixed.

I'm not impressed with the dealership calling and saying it was fixed only to still have the noise still there. They attempted to return the vehicle with a cracked "A" pillar moulding and the truck was dirtier then I left it.

So the next step is to have the dash removed to have the air box replaced and hope that solves it.

Sad to say as much as I have enjoyed the truck previously, this has left a bad taste on me as to the lack of customer service or care from both Ford the company and the dealership itself.

 

[Ptgilbert5]

Update. My dealer verified my noise issue and replaced the cowl grille. I’ve driven it for a day and so far the whistle noise has been rectified.

 

[Magnetic_EX]

My last update.

Dash removed from vehicle to have the airbox replaced. Noise is still there. Ford still can't fix it.

After not having my Ex for a month due to it being in the shop I traded it in and bought and different brand truck.

Thanks for the help guys. I'm out.

 

[thefranchise713]

Man, sorry to hear this ending. Mine has been frustrating me to tears as well as of late--if not for a really great dealer that has gone above and beyond and then some, I'd have made the same move a month ago.

What did you replace it with?

 

[peterk9]

Update. My dealer verified my noise issue and replaced the cowl grille. I’ve driven it for a day and so far the whistle noise has been rectified.

As I've mentioned several times in various posts, this seems to be the most common problem with the later model years. Glad to hear it's fixed.