2026 Lariat Ecoboost Rear Drone Noise

[Maverick77]

Have just over 300 miles on my new 2026 Lariat with the 2.0 and factory 19" tires. My son and I took it on a short trip this past weekend and when I was doing 70MPH, the drone noise coming from the rear of the cab was awful. I installed an app on my phone to get a rough idea and the app was hovering around 90db, which I believe is about 20db higher than other vehicles. I would not call this a scientific test, but our ears thinks the reading could be right. My son agrees that it sure sounds like exhaust more than tires. Coming from a F-150, I was spoiled, but I also have an Equinox and that is much quieter. I installed the Mabett underbody cover kit for the rear opening afterwards, and did not see anything abnormal. The exhaust does look like an afterthought by a Ford engineer that was trying to finish up the design at quarter to five on a Friday. Does this sound normal with the 2026 Ecoboost Lariats? I have watched tons of YouTube reviews and never heard anyone complain about drone noise coming from the back of the cab. I have some sound deadener material coming from Amazon but reaching out before I go through the trouble. Temps are too cool yet for installation.

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[Chops]

The drone might be coming from going 70mph during engine break-in?

Ford recommends varied driving while keeping rpm’s lower. City driving for miles on end is perfect.

The current EB exhaust system is very well designed with a Helmholtz resonator built in near the tailpipe. OEM exhaust is very quiet and drone-free compared to aftermarket exhausts. First hand experience

Does your truck have the new Gas Particulate Filter? My 2025 does not. Although I can’t imagine the GPF causing a high speed drone…

If you are going to drive 70mph plus during break in - try to keep the rpm’s down Don’t go above 3500-4000 rpm until your over 1000 miles to be safe.

Expect to hear “Modern EB engines do not need engine break in!!!” They don’t need it - but they benefit greatly from it. Especially long term…

 

[Finnster]

I would consult the dealer before adding any sound insulation to the truck! This sounds like an actual problem with the truck!

 

[Maverick77]

Dealer's vehicle fetcher drove it over 100 miles on 4 lane roads so I'm afraid that we're too late. I try to vary my speeds and RPM's for the first 1000 miles and drop the oil and engine filter between 1000 & 1500 miles. Please excuse me as I climb under my desk for shelter. I am old school with the 4000 mile or so oil changes. I do keep the RPM's down which appear to run just under 3000 RPM's on the highway. This transmission behaves so much better than the 8 speed I had in a 2017 Colorado or a 10 speed in a F-150. The 2.0 rattles more than my old 2.7, but nothing unusual about that. I have a 1.5T in an Equinox with 70 less HP.

I confirmed when I purchased this vehicle that it did not have the GPF as that would have been a no go. It was ordered and shipped to a Wisconsin dealer. I noticed the other day the so-called resonator.

 

[Maverick77]

I was hoping to get confirmation from other 2.0 owners that this is not normal. I test drove a 2026 Lariat at the dealer before deciding to purchase a Maverick. Wrong color. I was only able to drive it a short distance and top speed was probably 40 MPH. I only recall the engine noise from under the hood, and can't recall anything from the back. I have heard so many service responses in the past about everything being normal unless something is actually physically broken.

 

[Johnkn]

Were any windows partially down or cracked when experiencing the noise?

Are you certain they were all completely up?



.

 

[Chops]

Dealer's vehicle fetcher drove it over 100 miles on 4 lane roads so I'm afraid that we're too late. I try to vary my speeds and RPM's for the first 1000 miles and drop the oil and engine filter between 1000 & 1500 miles. Please excuse me as I climb under my desk for shelter. I am old school with the 4000 mile or so oil changes. I do keep the RPM's down which appear to run just under 3000 RPM's on the highway. This transmission behaves so much better than the 8 speed I had in a 2017 Colorado or a 10 speed in a F-150. The 2.0 rattles more than my old 2.7, but nothing unusual about that. I have a 1.5T in an Equinox with 70 less HP.

I confirmed when I purchased this vehicle that it did not have the GPF as that would have been a no go. It was ordered and shipped to a Wisconsin dealer. I noticed the other day the so-called resonator.

Sorry - didn’t realize I was preaching to the choir

My EB’s first 80 miles were driven by a “fetcher” too. Probably in Lobo Mode trying to drift it! Oh well, what can you do.

Hopefully your drone is something simple like tires that will quiet down after a bit of wear.

 

[Bdesign]

just drove my Lobo 600 miles at 65-80mph. it has 2300 miles on it. no drone no issues to date. Been lucky- no recalls have affected my truck.

 

[Carlitos_92]

I was hoping to get confirmation from other 2.0 owners that this is not normal.

Doesn’t sound normal - but then again, neither does a ridiculously short oil change interval.

 

[BLUEOVALRACER]

I haven't noticed it with My 2025 but at cold high idle the exhaust on My 2025 almost sounds like it vibrates and sounds weird.

 

[Maverick77]

Were any windows partially down or cracked when experiencing the noise?

Are you certain they were all completely up?



.

Windows were definitely up all the way. I even lowered them slightly and closed them to reseat the glass into the seals. I get the usual wind noise around the doors that I am very much used to. Tonight I drove halfway home with my tonneau cover open 3/4 of the way and closed it the rest of the way when it started to lightly rain. At 70 mph, the decibels might have dropped a hair. Tonneau cover is an aluminum MX4. I'm going to run it up my ramps tomorrow and take another look. Tires are 19" in which I wish were 17's like my Equinox. Tires are Wranglers which I had on my F150 on 18" wheels and did not notice anything obnoxious in the noise department. To my son and I, it is exhaust. Having the rear seat up made a difference which I forgot to mention earlier. I will see what I can find on the ramps. If everything is solid, then I am not afraid to try dampening under and behind the rear seat as everything is easy to reach.

 

[Maverick77]

Doesn’t sound normal - but then again, neither does a ridiculously short oil change interval.

I always like the early first oil change to get the factory oil out as I usually keep my vehicles for years. My last Ranger was driven 13 years with no mechanical issues. Lots of short drives in Wisconsin weather for the 4000 mile oil changes. Otherwise I would stretch the oil changes out more. My F-150's 2.7 Ecoboost's oil level slightly increased on the dipstick in the winter. Blackstone Labs confirmed fuel in the oil samples, so shorter changes.

 

[Chops]

Doesn’t sound normal - but then again, neither does a ridiculously short oil change interval.

The sound of a ridiculously short oil change is the sound of one hand clapping.

Ommmm…

 

[Cancunbadlands]

Windows were definitely up all the way. I even lowered them slightly and closed them to reseat the glass into the seals. I get the usual wind noise around the doors that I am very much used to. Tonight I drove halfway home with my tonneau cover open 3/4 of the way and closed it the rest of the way when it started to lightly rain. At 70 mph, the decibels might have dropped a hair. Tonneau cover is an aluminum MX4. I'm going to run it up my ramps tomorrow and take another look. Tires are 19" in which I wish were 17's like my Equinox. Tires are Wranglers which I had on my F150 on 18" wheels and did not notice anything obnoxious in the noise department. To my son and I, it is exhaust. Having the rear seat up made a difference which I forgot to mention earlier. I will see what I can find on the ramps. If everything is solid, then I am not afraid to try dampening under and behind the rear seat as everything is easy to reach.

Lariat? Rear window? Sealed?

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

Having the rear seat up made a difference which I forgot to mention earlier.

Was the seat bottom folded up, or the seat back folded down? Also, what bothers you about the exhaust system design, that you made the Friday @ end of day comment? I'm on my 3rd 2.0EB Maverick, none have had a drone, so I would definitely get it on a lift and see if something is mis-installed/adjusted. Maybe the tailpipe is hitting the rear bumper? Some people have experienced melting of the bumper cover, so it's worth a look back there.

HRG

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