I have a 2006 F150 Supercrew that makes a crackling noise in the dash when I get to about 55 mph and will continue intermittently at cruising speeds. The best way I can describe the sound is like going through huge swarms of large bugs that are splattering on the windshield. Has anybody had this problem and what might it be?

 

Plastic dashes when hot or cold seem to do this. Going that fast often does it. Mine would do it for a while in this area, then nothing and move from time to time. Seems temperature sensitive. That's my guess anyways.

 

My dash has always done this when changing extreme temps. In cold weather when I turn the heat on and defrost and in hot weather when the a/c is cooling the interior down. Once it reaches operating temp, it stops. I have always figured it was the plastic dash parts expanding and shrinking.

 

Thanks for the input but I am doubting the temperature extreme explanation. The last couple days have had temps from the upper 50's to the low 80's which doesn't seem very extreme to me. I'm going to try and keep digging.

 

I have the same exact problem. It use to only do it occasionally now it never stops. mine is located on the passenger side behind the airbag close to the windshield and in the corner. it is driving me crazy. kind of sounds like a styrofoam cooler. I stuck my hand back there to see if I could find something loose. it went away for a day now it is back. I have had numerous Fords but the lack of interior quality on the new really bites. Let me know if you find anything. I will continue to seach....

 

Just a FYI to the guy in another thread who suggested using silicone spray on the exterior cowl by the windshield. It worked my crackling noises are gone!!!

 

Yea you would be surprised by how loud something sounds inside when the problem is outside

Check both inside and out