What Causes the Honda Accord to Make a Buzzing Noise at High Speeds?
4 Answers
The reasons why the Honda Accord makes a buzzing noise at high speeds: it could be tire noise; or a resonance phenomenon occurring in the body position. Below is an introduction to the Accord: Body dimensions: The Accord is a mid-size car under Honda, with a wheelbase of 2830mm, and length, width, and height of 4893mm, 1862mm, and 1449mm respectively. Powertrain: The Accord uses two engines in total, which are the low-power version 1.5-liter turbocharged engine and the high-power version 1.5-liter turbocharged engine. The low-power version 1.5-liter turbocharged engine is matched with a CVT transmission. The high-power version 1.5-liter turbocharged engine has a maximum power of 143kW, equipped with VTEC technology and direct fuel injection technology, and uses an aluminum alloy cylinder head and block, matched with a CVT transmission.
Last time I drove my Accord on the highway, I also encountered this kind of humming noise. After careful inspection, I found it was a tire issue. When the speed exceeds 80 km/h, uneven tire wear or unbalanced tire pressure can easily cause this kind of noise, especially if the front wheel alignment is off, it becomes more noticeable. However, it could also be due to worn wheel hub bearings—these things tend to hum when spinning fast. I suggest first checking the wear condition of all four tires to see if there's any uneven wear. If the tires are fine, it's best to go to a shop, lift the car, and spin the wheels to listen for bearing noise. Don't underestimate this sound—if left unchecked for too long, the bearings could fail, and the wheel might even come off. Safety first!
My old Accord also made a humming noise when driving fast, and later I found out it was due to a loose underbody shield. At higher speeds, the airflow hitting the loose shield caused resonance and noise, especially common in older cars with lower ground clearance. Another possible cause could be issues with the half-shaft; an unbalanced drive shaft due to wear can also produce a humming sound at high speeds. Additionally, aging or broken exhaust pipe hangers can lead to resonance noises. It's recommended to first check the condition of the underbody shield and exhaust pipe by getting under the car and shaking them to see if they're loose. If these parts are fine, then it's likely necessary to inspect the drivetrain. In such cases, it's best not to drive too fast as it could lead to more serious failures.
A buzzing noise at high speeds in the Accord is mostly related to rotating components. The most common cause is worn wheel bearings, where friction noise increases with speed. Another possibility is excessive play in the driveshaft universal joints, creating a buzzing sound when rotating. It could also be vibration noise caused by warped brake rotors or improperly installed brake pads. You can perform simple checks yourself: coast in neutral on a flat road—if the noise persists, it's not an engine issue; then lightly apply the brakes—if the noise disappears, it's likely due to the brake rotors. If it's a bearing issue, replace it promptly to prevent hub overheating and safety risks.
