What noise does a failing turbo make?
Jessica Wood
Updated on January 13, 2026
A loud whining noise – Often, a failing turbocharger will make a loud, distinctive noise when under boost - a bit like a dentist's drill or police siren if compressor wheel damaged. If you start to hear this noise from your engine, it's definitely time to have it checked out!
What does a failing turbo sound like?
Loud noises: If your vehicle has a bad turbo, you may hear loud noises that sound like whining or screeching. So if your vehicle is running and you hear a loud whining sound that increases in volume as the problem goes unfixed, this is most likely to do a turbo problem.How do I know if my turbo has blown?
What are the signs of a blown turbo?
- The car has noticeable power loss.
- The acceleration of the car seems slow and noisy.
- The car doesn't easily maintain high speeds.
- There is smoke coming from the exhaust.
- There is an engine fault light on the dashboard.