Vote for Us in the Best of Arizona Business Awards!

6 Strange Noises Your Car Makes and What They REALLY Mean

Cars speak to us, but not in words, of course. The moment you hear something unusual — an unfamiliar clunking, snapping, whine or squeak — your vehicle is trying to tell you something. Here at Good Works Auto Repair, we believe the more drivers know about the sounds their car can make, the better they can decide when to schedule an appointment for service and when they can wait. Below are six common strange car noises, what they likely mean, and how urgent it is to bring your car in for service.

Related podcast: What’s That Noise? Your Guide to Spooky, Scary Car Sounds (and What to Do About Them!)

6 Strange Car Noises: What They Mean and When to Schedule Service

1. High-pitched squeal at startup or when you turn a corner

Possible cause: Worn serpentine belt, belt slippage because of weak tensioner, or old dry belt (especially in hot climates like Tempe).

Urgency: Medium-to-high. If the belt fails while driving, you may lose power steering or alternator output.

Schedule service if: The squeal happens often, especially when turning, using AC, or accelerating.

2. Metal-on-metal grinding when you hit the brakes

Possible cause: Brake pads worn completely down to metal backing; rotors could already be scored or damaged.

Urgency: High. Continuing to drive in this condition can damage the rotors, calipers, and increase repair cost significantly.

Schedule service if: You hear grinding (rather than just squealing) even once. It’s not “just” a brake pad — it’s already moved into the danger zone.

3. Clicking or popping when turning, especially during acceleration

Possible cause: Often a failing CV joint (on front-wheel or all-wheel drives), or a worn outer drive shaft boot causing contamination.

Urgency: Medium. It may not stop you from driving immediately, but you risk complete joint failure and potential loss of drive.

Schedule service if: The click or popping sound is consistent, especially during tight turns, and gets worse with speed.

4. Persistent knock or tick from engine bay (especially with a cold start)

Possible cause: Low oil pressure or oil level, exhaust manifold leak (which can sound like a tick), or worn internals.

Urgency: Very High. Engine internals are fragile. Ignoring this could lead to major engine failure.

Schedule service if: The ticking doesn’t fade after warm-up, if you see oil pressure warning or the engine light, or if it gets louder.

5. Hiss or whistling under hood or near wheel wells while accelerating

Possible cause: Vacuum leak, cracked intake hose, leaking exhaust manifold gasket, turbo/boost leak (for turbo engines).

Urgency: Variable but important. Might only affect performance and fuel economy, but could also point to exhaust leak (which can be dangerous).

Schedule service if: You notice hissing, especially on acceleration, if check-engine light is on, or if you smell exhaust in the cabin.

6. Rattling under car or in front when idling or driving slowly

Possible cause: Loose heat shield, loose exhaust bracket, failing motor mount(s), or under-car trimming dragging/touching.

Urgency: Medium. While not always immediately catastrophic, these can lead to bigger issues like exhaust damage, or vibration problems.

Schedule service if: The rattle begins at a specific speed or when you accelerate, or if you feel extra vibration. This is best to fix promptly.

Why Are Strange Car Sounds So Important to Pay Attention To?

When you hear strange car sounds, you may be hearing the very first symptoms of an issue that could get bigger quickly. At Good Works Auto Repair, our motto is: catch the issue early, fix it right, avoid bigger auto repair bills down the road.

When you schedule a visit at Good Works Auto Repair:

• Try to reproduce the sound and make a note of when it happens (startup, acceleration, turn, braking, idle).
• Record a short video or audio if possible — hearing the sound helps the technician.
• Describe any other symptoms (dashboard lights, vibration, smell, performance shift).
• Ask for a full inspection of the suspected area but also a general check-up — often noises link to more than one issue.
• Discuss prioritization: what has to be fixed now, what can wait a little, and an estimate for repair

The bottom line is that strange car sounds aren’t just “annoying.” They’re your car’s early warning system. Whether it’s a squeal, a grind, a hiss, or a rattle, noticing it and addressing it early can save you money, downtime, and frustration.

At Good Works Auto Repair in Tempe, AZ, we’re ready to listen, diagnose, and fix those strange car sounds so you can drive with confidence again. Don’t wait until the noise turns into a breakdown — schedule your appointment today.