What is this strange noise from inside the cabin...72-80 MPH?

[PAPAB]

My FS AWD is 2.5 years old, 50K miles and has this strange noise that does not come on at regular times..on the interstate and at speeds around 72 to 82. The noise is just for 15 to 30 seconds or so. Sounds like a high pitched howl. Nothing to do with HVAC,Speakers,FSD and windshield. It seems to be coming from the interior roof panel at the roof lights near the hazard switch. If I press upward with my hand, on the ceiling I can change the tone/pitch. It is as if it is a vibration underneath the roof panel and not wind noise? I will be indebted to you with many thanks if you can solve this. Tesla can't figure it out...as I can not replicate it at will! it seems to happen around noon or in afternoon as it gets hotter..not as much in the morning.

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[Limes2]

From your video and you said it is coming from the interior up and center area where the camera housing and backup shifter selector is:

My guess is that it's the camera fan.

 

[PAPAB]

Interesting guess! (There's a fan there?) But it only happens at 72 to 80 MPH? And only intermittently? Not constant sound like a motor/

 

[Limes2]

You said it happens when it gets hotter, so maybe the fan is failing at the higher temps? I've had fan bearings fail on PCs and appliances that sounded like this. I would post your video in the Tesla app and request service.

I did that on a earlier Tesla I had and they were able to diagnose the problem from my video (control arms needed to be replaced) from the squeaking sound.

 

[CyberGus]

Interesting guess! (There's a fan there?)

Yup. there's a fan.

https://service.tesla.com/docs/Cybe...UID-43665804-4C50-4E53-A925-8662960EE074.html


There's even a Service Bulletin to cover a noisy fan condition:

https://service.tesla.com/docs/Serv...SB-24-10-006_Rework_Windshield_Camera_Fan.pdf

"Condition
On some Cybertruck vehicles, the windshield camera fan mounting bracket does not meet Tesla specifications and might cause the windshield camera fan to emit a buzzing or rattling noise.

Correction
Upon customer complaint, install shims on the windshield camera fan, and then test the fan. If the noise persists, replace the windshield camera fan."

If you want to replace the fan yourself, it's only forty bucks.

https://parts.tesla.com/en-US/catal...nce=b685e77a-0f90-4a81-a1a5-3f3417542754&vin=

 

[AverageJoe]

Just started having this issue yesterday. Thank you @CyberGus and @PAPAB trying to add to my mobile service that got rescheduled to next week.

 

[PAPAB]

I have a 2nd service appointment tomorrow for Tesla to try to fix the strange sound. The first time they pulled the upper windshield weatherstrip-(after I had told them that was not the issue as I had put blue masking tape over that area to see if it still occurred-and it did!) I'll try to relay what happens tomorrow-hopefully a fix!

 

[RDMSguy]

It sounded like a chimpanzee at first. But the fan is definitely more likely.

 

[PAPAB]

This past Thursday (7/23/26) took FS AWD to Tesla SC for 2nd time..in 4 weeks...and they could not find anything with the sound...they said can only fix if it was making sound while at the SC. Even though I had mutiple videos and showing that pushing up on roof panel changed the tone of sound.. They did remove the panel and could not find anything wrong. Gave me a 'Fast Pass' for 30 days(no not for Disney) if I can come back by the SC when the sound is occurring, they would work me in. Disappointed.

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