Hey folks, hoping someone can shed some light on this. My 2017 Outback has started making this faint, high-pitched whistle that seems to come from the dash area when I’m going over 45 mph. It’s not the radio, and it’s not the vents as it happens with the climate system completely off. I can’t for the life of me pinpoint where the air is getting in. Has anyone else dealt with a mystery noise like this?
That noisy high pitch would drive me nuts too and it happening around highway speeds makes me think dash area trim is vibrating. A loose panel or vent blade could be the culprit.
Analytical take the dash is a little orchestra of panels so a tiny gap near a seal or under the dash could whistle once you hit faster wind. Try pressing along trims and nearby plastic to see if anything changes when you drive.
I am not sure if I am hearing wind noise or a real leak but the dash area can act like a wind tunnel at 45 mph plus so there may be a resonance rather than a hole.
Maybe look at it as a resonance puzzle rather than a leak hunt the dash is a collection of chambers and seals that can make a whistle when air rushes by.
One quick test is to try a piece of light tape on suspect seams while someone else pushes the accelerator to see if the sound shifts; if you hear it change you found a spot for further inspection.
If you still cannot pin it down a shop visit to check dash clips vent rails and seals is worth it even if the noise seems minor.