Hi, I own a XC60 T5 from 2012, the one with the 2.0 litre Ford EcoBoost engine. If I accelerate hard on an uphill for example, when the engine is under load, I get this crackling sound that stops immediately after I take my food of the gas pedal. It sounds like it comes from the exhaust somewhere. I have already checked the heat shields, but they are fine. Could it have something to do with the catalizer? Thanks Chris

 

I have read that eventually the passenger side motor mounts might need replacing on our XC60s.

Maybe check those?