A few months back, you bought a brand-new Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Even though you’ve driven it for 3,000 miles, it’ll still be new with no mechanical issues. You went to a shopping mall in your new SUV.
When you reverse your car to park it, a loud noise suddenly starts coming from it. It sounds like a metal hitting another metal.
What could that be? Is it a mechanical issue? But how’s that possible, as it’s a brand-new vehicle that has only run for 3,000 miles? It must be shocking.
But more shocking is that this horrible noise is actually a safety feature. Now, you must be scratching your head and are even afraid of driving your Highlander. Don’t worry, I’ll clear all your doubts in the article below.
A Toyota Highlander Hybrid Owner Shared the Real-Life Experience of Facing This Horrible Noise Issue
Let’s start the article with a story of a Toyota Highlander Hybrid owner, named Pat, who faced this issue in her 2024 Highlander Hybrid model.
She experienced the issue while driving to the store. She had loaded the groceries and put her car in reverse; she suddenly heard a loud noise coming from her SUV. Pat said, “It sounds like metal is scraping against another metal.”
When she put the car in drive and moved forward, the noise stopped. And reaching home, when she again put the car in reverse, the same horrible noise started coming.
She was worried about the unusual noise and immediately took the car to the authorized Toyota dealer. Pat explained her problem to the service advisor: “Every time I put my car in reverse, it starts sounding horribly.”
The service advisor checked it out, and it was really happening. Instead of fixing the issue, the service advisor chuckled and said, “Not to worry; this is normal for the Highlander Hybrid. They all do that.”
Pat left the service centre in disbelief. Later, she decided to take advice from other owners on the Toyota Highlander Owners Club Facebook page, hoping to find answers to her problem.
Pat even posted a video clip of her Highlander Hybrid making the noise while reversing.
But there also, everyone said the same thing, “Not to worry; all the Toyota Highlander Hybrids do that.” “The noise is alarming, and it will not damage the car.”
Pat reconfirmed, “Is it true, or do I need to go to another dealer?” The owners again said, “They all do it—don’t worry.”
Why are Toyota Highlander Hybrid Vehicles Making Noise?
A Highlander owner, named Bob Parsons, explained that the strange noise we’re hearing is nothing more than a built-in noise maker that mimics the sound of a piston engine. He claimed all the EV and Hybrid models have this noise maker.
When you put the car in reverse, the noise maker turns on to alert pedestrians that your vehicle is turned on and may be in motion. It also activates when your car is in EV mode and travelling below 18 miles per hour.
If there is no noise maker, your vehicle will be completely silent, and pedestrians would have no idea if the car is either nearby or moving, leading to injuries or deaths.
It’s a safety feature.
According to Bob, Toyota must have recorded this horrible noise in a junkyard and installed it in its Highlanders.
Is it True that Toyota Highlander Hybrids have a Noise Maker as a Safety Feature?
I’ve searched the entire internet and didn’t find any official confirmation from Toyota itself that they have installed any noise maker as a safety feature in its Highlander Hybrid cars. In fact, there is a feature called Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection that seems to be similar to this noise maker.
The only difference is that it doesn’t make a horrible noise; it pumps the brakes when it recognises a collision is going to happen.
However, there are only forums where Highlander owners have claimed that the strange noise coming from cars when put into reverse is actually a noise maker, alerting pedestrians and others nearby to ensure their safety.
They said the noise is generated by a speaker located at the front of the vehicle. Some claim it sounds like a metal scraping another metal, while some describe it as resembling a spaceship or an orchestra.
What Should You Do If You Hear a Noise While Reversing Your Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
As there is no confirmation that Toyota is installing any noise maker in its car, you should immediately take your vehicle to the mechanic if you’re hearing a noise while reversing. However, we also can’t ignore thousands of owners, including the service advisor, saying there is nothing to worry about, as it is just a safety feature.
It’s so confusing!
In the case of Pat, she should speak with the service manager, as the service advisor was offering poor customer service. He was making fun of her problem and just told her not to worry about it.
Pat should look for another Toyota dealer.
What could be the Reason a Car makes noise While Reversing?
There are several potential causes of your car making noise when you put it into reverse.
- Damaged engine or transmission mounts: These mounts are the critical components that secure the engine and transmission to the vehicle’s chassis while absorbing shocks. If they are damaged, they can cause a clunking or knocking noise when the car is put in reverse.
- Issues with the Reverse Gear: If your vehicle is making a whining or grinding sound, it could indicate wear or damage to the reverse gear.
- Exhaust System Issues: Sometimes, a loose or damaged exhaust component can rattle against other parts of the vehicle when put into reverse.
- Worn Brake Pads: One of the common reasons for your car making noise while reversing is worn brake pads. There are wear tabs in the brake pads, which are designed to make a squealing noise when the pad material is worn down.
How could it be fixed or prevented?
The first step is to identify the exact cause of the issue, including when the noise is occurring, its type, and any other symptoms your vehicle is experiencing. For this, you have to take your car to the mechanic.
He will visually inspect your car and reveal any wear or damage that is causing the noise. If you want to prevent this issue, regular maintenance and timely repairs are essential.
Can this Issue Permanently Damage your Car?
Yes, it can lead to permanent damage if you don’t fix the underlying issues causing the noise. As I have mentioned above, some common causes of such noises are worn brake pads, damaged engine or transmission mounts, or a faulty exhaust system.
If you neglect these issues, it can escalate and result in more severe and costly repairs. For example, problems with the engine or transmission can lead to life-threatening damage to your vehicle.
Similarly, a faulty exhaust system can cause additional stress to other parts of your car. So, it is advisable to take your vehicle to the mechanic as soon as you start experiencing these issues.
Wrapping Up
There is no such noise maker that Toyota has installed in its Highlander Hybrid cars as a safety feature. Your vehicle may be facing a real problem, such as a damaged engine or transmission mounts, worn Brake Pads, or issues with the reverse gear.
If you’re hearing a horrible noise in your car when put into reverse, you should immediately take it to the mechanic.
But what about those Toyota owners who say there’s nothing to worry about this issue? It’s just a noise maker installed in Highlander Hybrid models that sounds horrible when your car is reversing.
It is to alert pedestrians that a vehicle is nearby to prevent accidents or injuries. As there is no official statement from the automaker itself, I’ll stick to the fact that there must be an issue with your vehicle.
However, it is also not possible that your car ran into a problem after driving just a few miles. How confusing is this all? Please let me know in the comments section what your opinion is on this situation.
If you’ve recently purchased a Highlander Hybrid and are noticing strange sounds or mechanical concerns, you may have made the wrong choice.
Check out this full guide on the Toyota Highlander years to avoid.
Sources: Torque News, Faith’s Toyota, HowStuffWorks, Auto Chimps
