We purchased a 2021 BMW X5 45e from the dealer brand new in 2020. The car has been great since then! Though recently, when we turn the climate control system on, a loud grinding noise (like very very loud) starts coming from the engine compartment. There is also a weird whistling noise from inside the cabin. The grinding noise comes and goes but now anytime we turn any climate control function on, the grinding noise and/or the whistling starts. The whistling is rather quiet but sounds like the evaporator is being starved of refrigerant, which is odd because it happens even when the A/C is turned off. Taking it to the dealer soon so I will update when they fix it.

Update from Feb 15, 2022: Update February 15th 2022:

We just got the car back from the dealer. It has been nearly a month since they got the car. They quickly diagnosed the noise and found the A/C compressor to be defective. Getting the parts took almost a month but once they arrived it was not too bad of a turn around time. We had a loaner vehicle. The A/C compressor failed internally and sent metal shards throughout the A/C system, including into the high voltage battery. The dealer performed a clean-out of the entire system and also replaced the condenser. Thankfully this was under warranty, because had it not been, it would have cost $8600 dollars!!! Hopefully this issue does not come back.