High pitched whine in my 2017 Impreza LI

Does the noise go away when the stereo is turned off?

Sadly no the whiny noise continues whether the radio is on or off. The Subaru service manager said that he found a technical service bulletin that addressed a similar concern. He has ordered a new audio amplifier. OK, I will display my ignorance...I hear the whine whether radio is on or off, so why do they feel that a new audio amp will fix the problem????

I do not know why they think this. If you can pull the fuse for the radio and the noise goes away then you know it is the radio. I can't say what else might be on the radio circuit but this is worth a try.

I know exactly what your issue is and the dealership didn’t fix your problem. Under the passenger front seat you will find an amplifier. That needs to be replaced. There is a bulletin for Audio Amplifier Concerns GEN 3 Harmon Kardon Audio Units tell them. Also make sure you they install the newest software. It should be REL 18.43.20. You can check this yourself by going to your home screen on your radio, hit settings, scroll all the way down to system information. Select that and a window will pop up and show you the software version. If it’s not REL 18.43.20 go tell the dealership that they need to update it. It’s possible your car falls under the recall notice for radio update too. That recall is titled HK audio unit reprogramming for rear view concerns. When the 2017s were released there was a recall right away for the back up camera not working. This is piggy backed off that recall. Hope this helps you. Go tell the dealership that they misdiagnosed the issue and didn’t look at the amplifier and the service bulletin on it that outlines your exact complaint. I would also call Subaru customer relations and let them know you now have to make a 3rd probably 4th trip to the dealership to finally fix this. They will have to order your amp and it takes 2-3 days. If you call Subaru they will contact the dealership that failed to fix it right the first time and probably get the dealership to give you a loaner vehicle to use while they keep your car waiting for amp to come in saving you multiple trips to the dealership. Sorry to hear your frustration. Where I work I would have fixed it your first trip in. As for the software update every 6 months Subaru is to be releasing new software for your audio unit. Next release due late summer. But every time you’re getting service done ask them to check your software and ensure it’s up to date. Let me know if you have anymore questions about your car

Hello again, so the amplifier was replaced and yet the high pitched whining noise continues

sounds like a bad alternator. That car has a variable voltage alternator in it and if the regulator goes bad on it, it can cause back feed into the audio system

I am taking it back to Subaru service tomorrow as the service manager wants to hear the noise himself. A service rep did observe noise himself prior to new audio unit being put in. I appreciate your thoughts and will share them tomorrow.

Ask the Service manager if there is an open Techline case. Request the case number. If I were you I’d call Subaru Customer relations with that case number and ask if an FSE can look at the vehicle. You can ask the service manager if they have contacted their field engineer about this.

I have the exact same problem and have taken the car into service 5 times yet they claim it’s normal cvt noise. How can we get them to fix the issue whether it’s a bad radio, a bad amplifier or bad alternator?

Just took my wife's 2017 Impreza sport with the Harman kardon system to dealer I have the same sound coming from the car. they told me that they couldn't duplicate the sound but the sounds still continues has anyone found a solution? The car has never done that before.