Hi everyone,

I’m hoping someone here might have encountered a similar issue with their Octavia Mk3 facelift (mine is a 2019 DSG, EU version, dual-zone automatic climate control).

I’ve been chasing down a light creaking/squeaking noise that comes from behind the steering wheel, somewhere near the instrument cluster area. This only happens under very specific conditions:

• Early morning or late evening, when it’s humid and outside temperatures are between 15–22°C

• After driving for minimum 5–10 minutes, when the car is warmed up

• When maneuvering at low speeds, especially when parking or reversing, sometimes when turning the steering wheel

• Only when the climate control is set to heat (cabin temp set slightly above ambient)

• The noise stops immediately if I press the “OFF” button on the climate control

• Changing blower speed or air direction does NOT stop the noise

• The noise does NOT appear when cooling, nor when it’s hot outside (>30°C)

What I’ve done so far:

• Replaced the V158 temperature flap motor (original part)

• Verified and retightened all mounts and screws around the flap motor and HVAC casing

• Lubricated flap gears with silicone spray

• Replaced the auxiliary belt and pulleys (just to rule that out)

• Performed HVAC flap calibration multiple times — no errors

• The blower motor seems fine — the sound feels like it comes from above/behind the steering wheel, not from the passenger side

My theory is that this might be some sort of thermal expansion or slight vibration of HVAC components or flaps, possibly worsened by humidity.

Has anyone else experienced something similar? Could this be related to the V213 direction flap motor or perhaps movement of the HVAC box itself under vibration?

Any advice, suggestions, or shared experiences would be greatly appreciated!

I’m attaching a few videos where you can hear the sound and see how and when it occurs.
I want to emphasize again — it happens most often at low speeds and stops immediately when I press the “OFF” button on the climate control.

It seems to me like it’s coming from the driver’s side, somewhere behind the steering wheel, but honestly, I’m no longer sure about anything.
My mechanic can’t find any faults or the cause of the problem.

Thanks in advance!

here are more videos

Edited 16 July, 202516 Jul by Soldjer330

anyone?

I would be looking at the electronic power steering. I've heard Golfs with that exact noise before. I think that what happens is that the electronics which control the effort mechanism begins to fail and I've noticed that when you return from right back to centre it seems to be quite slow and usually then comes with that whining noise.

ty, i will start with that