What could cause a high-pitched noise when accelerating in my Honda Civic?

[JacobT]

My 2017 Civic has started making a high-pitched whining noise that seems to come from the front end, but only when I’m accelerating. It’s not the tires and it doesn’t sound like a belt squeal, it’s more constant and changes pitch with the engine RPM. I’m worried it could be something with the transmission or a bearing, but I’m really not sure where to start diagnosing this kind of sound.

[Stephen.M]

I had something like that on my Civic a couple years back. It started as a high pitched front end whine that only showed up when I pressed the gas. It wasn’t belt squeal and it didn’t feel like a tire issue. It turned out to be the water pump bearing and swapping the pump quieted the noise.

[Jerry_T]

If you’re chasing it, keep an eye on the belt area too. A dry or worn tensioner or idler pulley can whine and the pitch shifts with engine load. Sometimes people jump to transmission and bearings, but the belt drive path is worth a quick listen.

[ScottEG]

Question: do you hear it only when you’re actually moving in gear with the pedal down, or also when you rev in neutral?

[Andrew14]

I once had a front wheel bearing start to sing; at speed it would whine and changes in acceleration didn’t always line up. When the shop replaced the hub, the noise dropped but it wasn’t a miracle. If possible have someone feel for play and listen at the hub with a stethoscope.