The Lemon IndexA hum or drone that grows with speed most often comes from a wheel bearing or the tires.
Fix soon. Usually drivable. Get it checked soon: a failed wheel bearing can let a wheel come loose.
A worn wheel bearing. Then: uneven or cupped tire wear; a worn differential.
Owners describe this in 2,435 complaints to the U.S. government, most often on the Ford Explorer.
Cars owners report it on most
Complaints describing this symptom, by model, all years. Raw counts, not a failure rate: popular models get more complaints.
Model years that report it most
| Model year | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 Ford Explorer | 62 | 2% |
| 2018 Toyota C-HR | 25 | 8% |
| 2006 Honda Civic | 19 | 1% |
| 2018 Honda Accord | 18 | 0.9% |
| 2003 Ford Explorer | 15 | 1% |
| 2010 Ram pickup | 12 | 1% |
| 2019 Honda Accord | 10 | 1% |
| 2004 Kia Sedona | 9 | 4% |
| 2005 Honda Odyssey | 9 | 1% |
| 2008 Honda Civic | 9 | 0.9% |
| 2007 Honda Civic | 9 | 0.7% |
| 2019 Toyota Highlander | 9 | 2% |
Each row is that model year's record in NHTSA complaints, not the history of any one car. Share = complaints describing this symptom out of every complaint we hold for that model year (shown when the year has 50+ complaints).
Where it makes up the biggest share
2018 Toyota C-HR · 8% 2002 Ford Explorer · 2% 2010 Ram pickup · 1% 2003 Ford Explorer · 1% 2006 Honda Civic · 1% 2019 Honda Accord · 1% 2018 Honda Accord · 0.9%
Model years with 150+ complaints in our data and 10+ describing this symptom, ranked by share. A high share means owners of that year who complained often mentioned it.
The details
Common causes of humming noise while driving
- A worn wheel bearing
- Uneven or cupped tire wear
- A worn differential
- A failing transmission or CVT
- Aggressive tire tread
General causes, not a diagnosis. A shop should confirm the cause with tests before replacing parts.
Is it safe to drive with a humming noise while driving?
Fix soon. Usually drivable. Get it checked soon: a failed wheel bearing can let a wheel come loose.
Get help right away if the noise turns into grinding; the steering wobbles.
Of the 2,435 complaints describing it, 3% mention a crash, 2% say the car was towed, 1% mention a fire and 1% report an injury.
What the complaints show
The parts owners filed these complaints under: power train (34%), suspension (16%), steering (11%), electrical system (11%). A complaint can list more than one.
Median odometer reading when owners reported it: 56,000 miles.
Most reports by make: Ford (441), Chevrolet (305), Honda (211), Toyota (195), Dodge (175).
What owners say it cost to fix
Repair bills owners named in complaints that describe this symptom (4x4 & axles, steering, suspension, transmission repairs): the middle half ran $800 to $3,100, typical $1,500, from 61 bills.
Each figure is one repair bill as an owner wrote it in a complaint, not a quote for your car. Prices vary with the part, the shop and the year.
Related symptoms
Uneven tire wear Car shakes at highway speed Clicking noise when turning Clunking noise over bumps Car pulls to one side Steering wheel hard to turn
Quick answers
What causes humming noise while driving?
A hum or drone that grows with speed most often comes from a wheel bearing or the tires. Common causes: a worn wheel bearing; uneven or cupped tire wear; a worn differential; a failing transmission or CVT; aggressive tire tread.
Is it safe to drive with a humming noise while driving?
Fix soon. Usually drivable. Get it checked soon: a failed wheel bearing can let a wheel come loose.
Which cars have this problem most?
In complaints to NHTSA, owners describe it most on the Ford Explorer, Ram pickup and Honda Accord. These are raw counts, so popular models rank higher; complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
How much does it cost to fix?
In 61 repair bills owners named in complaints describing it, the middle half ran $800 to $3,100. The right repair depends on the cause.
Counts: NHTSA owner complaints whose text describes this symptom (we matched owners' own wording, then read samples to check the matches). A complaint is an owner's report, not a diagnosis or proof of a defect. Causes and advice are general information in our own words, not repair advice for your car. Every symptom · Engine code lookup