What could cause a high-pitched whine from the power steering pump in my Honda?

[LarryH]

I’ve got a 2015 Honda Accord that’s started making a faint, high-pitched whining noise from the front end whenever I turn the steering wheel at low speeds or while parked. It seems to get a bit louder when it’s cold outside. The power steering fluid level looks okay, but I’m worried it might be the pump beginning to fail. Has anyone else dealt with this kind of sound before?

[Brian_S]

I had a similar faint high pitched whine years ago on a Honda. It showed up at low speeds when turning and was louder when the car was cold. Fluid level looked fine, but the pump was wearing out. Replacing the power steering pump took care of it for me.

[Evelyn.D]

Sometimes it isn’t the pump at all; the belt or a worn pulley can make a squeal as you steer. A quick visual check of the belt and pulleys helped me narrow it down when the sound didn’t change with fluid level.

[JohnXM]

I checked the system, added a bit of fluid, and even tried a quick bleed by turning the wheel back and forth with the engine running. The noise barely changed and I still wasn’t confident, so I left it to the shop.

[Nathan42]

Could this be something else entirely like a rack issue or a hose rubbing somewhere? I keep thinking the pump is the most likely culprit, but the cold weather clue keeps nagging at me.