Diagnose Car Sounds With AI. Know What That Noise Means.
Not sure how to diagnose car sounds on your own? Upload a recording to our free app to diagnose car sounds and get AI-ranked likely causes in seconds. Add your OBD-II fault code too, and we'll cross-reference both signals — what your car sounds like and what your car's computer reports — for a sharper read.
Think "Shazam" — but for diagnosing car sounds.
Your car already gives clues. We combine them.
A mechanic listens to the sound. A scanner reads the code. Carithm brings both together.
Traditional diagnosis
- Sound alone can have many possible causes
- OBD codes only detect electronic faults
- Early mechanical problems can be missed
Carithm approach
- Analyzes vehicle sound patterns
- Uses OBD-II codes as additional evidence
- Ranks possible causes and checks
OBD-II reporting has been required on U.S. passenger vehicles since model year 1996 under EPA onboard diagnostics regulations, but as NHTSA's own recall data shows, a large share of mechanical issues are never electronic and so never trip a fault code at all — which is exactly why sound matters as its own signal. The connector and most generic, emissions-related codes carry over to EOBD, the equivalent standard used across the UK and EU, and to comparable systems in Australia and Canada — though manufacturer-specific codes can vary by region and model year. Either way, the diagnoser itself runs in any browser worldwide, so car sound analysis works the same wherever you're driving. See how the car sound diagnoser reads both signals →
Common Car Noises & What They Usually Mean
Not sure what to call the sound? Start here to diagnose car problems by sound, then confirm it with the diagnoser below.
Why is my car making a buzzing noise?
A buzzing noise often points to a loose heat shield, a failing accessory belt tensioner, a worn wheel bearing, or a vibration in the dashboard trim or exhaust system. Speed-dependent buzzing usually means a rotating part; buzzing that only happens at idle more often points to a belt, engine mount, or an electrical component like a relay or blower motor.
Diagnose this buzzing noise →
Why is my car making a rattling noise?
Rattling is one of the most common noise complaints and one of the widest in terms of possible causes — loose heat shields, worn suspension bushings, a failing catalytic converter, loose exhaust hangers, or something loose in the cabin or trunk. Rattling that changes with engine speed usually traces back to the engine or exhaust; rattling over bumps usually points to suspension or the underbody.
Diagnose this rattling noise →
Why is my car making a humming noise?
A humming or droning noise that increases with speed is a classic sign of a worn wheel bearing or uneven tire wear. Humming from the drivetrain area can also point to a differential or transmission issue, especially if it changes under acceleration versus coasting.
Diagnose this humming noise →
Why is my car making a squeaking noise?
Squeaking is most often brakes — either wear indicators doing their job, or glazed pads. It can also come from a dry belt, a strut or suspension component, or a door/window seal. Squeaking that only happens when braking almost always means brakes; squeaking over bumps usually means suspension.
Diagnose this squeaking noise →
My car is making a ticking noise — why is my engine ticking?
A ticking noise from the engine bay is commonly low oil pressure, a lifter or valvetrain tick, or an exhaust leak near the manifold — these vary widely in urgency, from harmless to serious, which is exactly the kind of case worth cross-referencing sound against a fault code if you have one.
Diagnose this ticking noise →
Car making noise when turning?
Noise on turns usually points to CV joints (a clicking or popping sound turning one direction), power steering (a whining sound tied to wheel angle), or wheel bearings (a growl that shifts side to side as you turn). Which direction it's worse in is a strong clue to which side is affected.
Diagnose this turning noise →
Why does my car squeal when I start it?
A squeal right at startup — especially in cold weather — usually means a glazed or slightly loose serpentine belt struggling to grip the pulleys until things warm up, or a failing tensioner or idler pulley. It's rarely urgent on its own, but a belt that's slipping enough to squeal is also a belt that's wearing faster than it should.
Diagnose this startup squeal →
Why is my transmission making a whistling noise?
A whistling or whining noise tied to engine RPM rather than road speed often points to low or degraded transmission fluid, a failing pump, or early torque converter wear. Whistling that changes with road speed instead — even with the car in neutral — is more likely a wheel bearing, tire, or wind noise rather than the transmission itself.
Diagnose this whistling noise →
Diagnose Car Sounds Right Here
Record a noise from your engine, upload a clip, and get possible causes. Have an OBD-II code? Add it to combine both signals. This is a preview of the full Carithm Car Sound Diagnoser app — open it directly for the best experience.
Carithm provides possible causes and diagnostic guidance. Always confirm repairs with a qualified technician.
Built For Drivers Who Diagnose Car Sounds Daily
Start testing today as a driver. Partner with us if you want to bring AI diagnostics into your workshop, fleet, or automotive product.
Catch it before the route does
Drivers or dispatch record a noise the moment it's noticed. No app rollout — it runs in the browser they already have. Diagnose a fleet vehicle's sound →
A faster first read
Give advisors a quick starting point on a noise complaint before committing a bay and a technician's hour to it. Run the diagnoser on an intake noise →
Screen before you price
Check trade-ins and incoming inventory for developing mechanical noise before a car goes on the lot.
Catch it between rentals
Spot developing issues on high-turnover vehicles before the next customer does.
How To Diagnose Car Sounds In 3 Steps
Three steps, done from a phone or a service desk. Whether you'd call it diagnosing car problems by sound, using an app to diagnose car sounds, or just diagnosing your car sound the old-fashioned way with a good ear, the process is the same — capture it, compare it, act on it.
Record or upload
Capture the noise close to its source. Add an OBD-II code too, if one's available — it's optional but sharpens the read.
Cross-reference
The recording is compared against known mechanical sound patterns, alongside the code if one was provided.
Get a ranked read
Likely causes, an urgency read, and what to check first — before shop time gets committed to it.
Building the future of vehicle diagnostics
Carithm combines acoustic AI with OBD-II intelligence — giving automotive businesses a new way to triage vehicle problems faster.
Reduce first inspection time
Detect issues earlier
Improve vehicle checks
Integrate AI diagnostics
Built By An Engineer, Tested In The Field
Not a corporate product team — one engineer who wanted a faster answer than "bring it in and we'll take a look."
Shaunauk Basu
Founder · Mechanical Engineering Student
I'm a mechanical engineering student, and I built Carithm's car sound diagnoser myself — the acoustic matching, the OBD-II cross-referencing, all of it. Before opening it up to drivers and workshops everywhere, I ran it through pilots with automotive service centers across the Middle East, checking the AI's ranked causes against what technicians actually found on the vehicle. That field testing is what shaped how the diagnoser weighs sound versus fault codes today. It's still an early-stage tool, and it's not a replacement for a qualified mechanic — but it's built from real workshop feedback, not just a lab dataset.
Frequently asked questions
How do I diagnose car sounds?
Record the noise as close to its source as possible — engine bay, wheel well, or cabin, depending on where it's coming from. Upload the clip and the AI compares it against known mechanical sound patterns to return a ranked list of likely causes. Add an OBD-II fault code if you have one, and it'll cross-reference both signals for a sharper read.
Diagnose car sounds now →
Is there an app to diagnose car sounds?
Yes — Carithm is a free app to diagnose car sounds that runs entirely in the browser, no download or signup required. Record or upload a clip on any phone, tablet, or desktop and get AI-ranked likely causes in seconds.
Open the car sound diagnoser app →
How can I diagnose car problems by sound?
Most mechanical issues have a distinct acoustic signature — a squeal, a grind, a knock, a hum. Diagnosing car problems by sound means matching what you hear against those known patterns. Carithm automates that matching and ranks the likely causes, so you know what to check first before committing shop time.
Diagnose car problems by sound →
Can I use my car's sound to diagnose an issue myself?
Yes. Record the sound and upload it — the app uses the car sound to diagnose the likely issue for you, no mechanical background needed. It's not a substitute for a hands-on inspection on anything serious, but it turns a vague car sound into a ranked, specific starting point instead of a guess.
Use your car sound to diagnose the issue →
Does Carithm work in the UK, Europe, Australia, and Canada?
Yes. It runs in any browser, so it works the same way in the US, UK, EU, Australia, and Canada — no region-locking. Most generic OBD-II codes carry over to EOBD, the equivalent standard used across the UK and EU, and to comparable systems in Australia and Canada. Manufacturer-specific codes can vary by region and model, which is exactly where sound analysis carries the most weight — it doesn't depend on the code at all.
Diagnose your car sound now →
Can AI diagnose car problems?
AI can analyze vehicle sounds and combine them with OBD-II information to suggest possible causes. It is designed to help identify likely issues faster, but final repairs should always be confirmed by a qualified mechanic.
Can AI identify a car noise?
AI can analyze vehicle sound patterns and suggest possible causes. Carithm combines sound analysis with optional OBD-II information to provide additional context.
What is this car noise my vehicle is making?
Upload a recording of the sound and Carithm will analyze the audio to identify possible mechanical causes and recommended checks.
Can this be used across a whole fleet or multiple locations?
Yes. Since it runs in any browser with no installation, dispatch staff, drivers, or technicians at any location can record and submit a sound the same way — wherever your operation is based.
Does adding an OBD-II code actually improve accuracy?
It narrows the range of likely causes. Many mechanical noises — worn belts, bearing wear, suspension knock — never trigger a fault code, so sound alone often has to do the work. When a code is available, cross-referencing it against the sound gives a tighter, more specific read than either signal on its own.
Do our technicians need to install anything?
No. The diagnoser runs directly in a browser on any phone, tablet, or desktop — nothing to install or roll out across a team.
Is this built for individual car owners or for businesses?
The underlying tool works for either, but this page and workflow are set up for teams — fleets, workshops, dealerships, and rental operators — who are triaging noise complaints across more than one vehicle.
Which vehicle makes and years does it support?
It's built around mainstream makes and models used worldwide. If you run a specific fleet mix and want to check fit before rolling it out, reach out and we'll take a look.
Is there a cost for higher-volume business use?
The diagnoser is currently free to use. If you're looking at consistent, higher-volume use across a fleet or multiple branches, contact us directly and we'll talk through what that looks like.