Your Car Is Making A Strange Noise. Find Out Why.
Car making a strange noise? Upload the recording and let AI analyze possible mechanical causes. For a deeper diagnosis, add your OBD-II fault code and combine two signals: what your car sounds like and what your computer reports.
Think "Shazam" — but for the noise your car is making.
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.
Common Car Noises & What They Usually Mean
Not sure what to call the sound? Start here, 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 →
Hear What Your Car Is Trying To Tell You
Record a noise from your engine, upload a clip, and get possible causes. Have an OBD-II code? Add it to combine both signals.
Carithm provides possible causes and diagnostic guidance. Always confirm repairs with a qualified technician.
Built for drivers, workshops, and automotive teams
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.
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.
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 it works
Three steps, done from a phone or a service desk.
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
Frequently asked questions
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.