Porsche Panamera 4s - Whistling Sound
 

Hello

Bought a 2011 Panamera 4s in Nov 2012 and I am hearing a faint to loud whistling noise when I go over 45 mph. It doesn't happen all the time, but when I pass through certain roads the whistling will occur - weird. So I tried a few things. All four windows down - still whistling. Sunroof opened - no whistling. Took it to dealer and they replaced the molding between car and hatchback - didn't work. Looked at sunroof and they said everything is fine. Will give my car back to them tomorrow. Has anyone experienced this problem? If so, was there a fix? I really like this car, but the whistling is irratating. Thanks.

It's a well-known issue and there's no fix for it.

I thought the problem was specific to the turbo models. Perhaps I remembered incorrectly.

The AWD models specifically.

I haven't noticed this issue in mine. Just guessing...I don't have satellite radio; could it be a satellite radio antennae that's the cause?

It is more like an electronic whine... Kind of like when you get feedback in an audio system. Seems to be most prominent around 40 to 45 mph. I've been meaning to get an audio sweep generator in there to get the approximate frequency of the whine. Kind of hard to do while driving solo though. Drives me crazy sometimes, because it can be LOUD!

There is an unofficial fix for the whining noise that plagues all AWD models of the Panamera. This stems from a campaign to reroute a hose that now induces sound from the AWD drivetrain into the cabin.

If you private message me, I can give you my service manager's contact info and he can instruct your dealer on how to approach the issue.

The fix is not a 100% fix, but it does help to tone down the high pitch sound of the noise. I still hear it in my car but at least it isn't as high pitched as it was before, but still very irritating.

PM sent. My service tech identified the same cause for the noise over the summer last year, I was told Porsche was working on a fix - some type of extension to the hose/vent in order to keep the high frequency sound from coming in the cabin. However I have heard nothing else for 6 months. The sound is extremely irritating, closing the air vent on the immediate right of the PCM screen also helps - that is how the sound is coming into the cabin.

Sad this is still not resolved (officially).

FWIW, we own an AWD P car (six cylinder) and happily we don't have the high pitched whine discussed here.

Man, I hope I haven't jinxed myself! LOL!

Not sure if you have the Panamera, but I've driven all the AWD cars in the current line up and no other Porsche model makes this noise. When I've spoken to customer care at Porsche North America, they tell me that it's a "normal operating noise" that that their is nothing to fix.

But if you don't have a Panamera, you don't have anything to worry about. I'm a 6-cyl Cayenne loaner and I don't hear any noise from the front drivetrain.

Hi chrisamgyeung, could you please email me details of the partial fix? I have a 2013 GTS with the same problem and its driving me crazy. Thanks!

Shai
trendm at gmail dot com

As you all may have read elsewhere, a simple fix or I should say a simple way to decrease the noise is to close the center passenger side air vent. Worked for me, drove me insane in my GTS, don't notice it now.

Thanks. Will try that.

There is a multithread on High pitch nouse started by me w/video. Mine sounded the same but Was different. Went away With bootlid seal change. I have occasionally a fainter whine in certain windy weather conditions, but that disappears With pressing Sport Button. Investigate First which whine it is With tricks mentioned in the ole thread.