Good day everyone. I purchased a 2016 Ford Escape, 1.6L Ecoboost last week.
Around the 2nd day I noticed that the engine makes a whining/buzzing sound directly corresponding to the transmission rpm. I have asked other owners and get told that it's just the Ecoboost and the 1.6 is just louder cause of the direct injection.
Here are two videos I took to capture the sound. These are spot on to the sound level I hear in the cabin and outside. Outside we can hear the vehicle from some distance which leads me to believe that it's not normal. I'm still on the dealerships 30 day warranty as it's a new purchase from them (not a ford dealer).
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Inside cabin

You Tube

Outside noise level(normal direct injection sound?)

You Tube

 

I had a 2016 turbocharged 1.6L that I traded in on a 2017 turbocharged 1.5L and neither of them made a noise like that. I think you would be prudent to get the noise checked out before your 30 day warranty expires. I do not think it is normal. How many miles on the car?

 

Hey. So it turned out to be the alternator.

 

Glad it turned out to be relatively harmless. I've had to have the battery replaced already in my 2017 SE. They told me it was a $300 battery which the dealer replaced under warranty.

 

AFAIK direct injection causing more engine noise is a diesel "thing", never heard of it in relation to a gas engine.

Glad you've found it.