My Toyota Highlander Hybrid With 2,800 Miles Started Making a Horrible Noise When It’s in Reverse, the Dealer Says, “They All Do It, Don’t Worry”

Imagine owning a 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. You purchased it new, and you've only put 2,800 miles on it. It's still new, even though it's a year and a half old. 

So, it shouldn't have any mechanical issues. 

However, one day, you are driving it to the store, and when you come out, you load the groceries and close the door. Your driver's window is down, you put the car in reverse, and you hear a loud noise coming from your SUV.

"What could that be?" You mutter to yourself, perplexed and worried about the unusual noise.

The noise is loud; it sounds like metal against metal. You put the car in drive, go forward, and the noise stops. So, when you get home, you put it in reverse again in your driveway—the same horrible sound.

You are now afraid to drive your Highlander. So, you call the Toyota dealer and make an appointment to take it in to have it checked out.

When you arrive at the dealer, the service advisor asks about the problem with your Highlander. "Wow, you only have 2,800 miles on it?" He exclaims. 

Yes, and it's never made this noise before when I put the car in reverse.

He says, "Okay, get in, put in reverse, and let's check it out." There it is, you say, as the sound reverberates inside the Toyota service drive. 

Now, the service advisor chuckled and said, "Not to worry; this is normal for the Highlander Hybrid. They all do that."

You're left in disbelief at the dealer's nonchalant response.

Well, I am afraid to drive it because it could damage the car," you say with bewilderment. 

No, don't worry, they all do it, he says. 

We don't need to go any further; drive it, and don't worry.

You drive away, shaking your head. 

That's what likely happened to Pat as she drove away from the Toyota dealer. Next, she sought advice from other owners on the Toyota Highlander Owners Club Facebook page, hoping to find answers to her problem.

She says, "We have a 2024 Highlander hybrid. Suddenly, it started making a horrible noise, like metal scraping on metal, and it was particularly loud when in reverse. It's not possible to hear when in the car unless the window is down. I took it to the Toyota dealer this morning."

They said, "Not to worry; they all do that."  We replied, "The noise is alarming, and we don't want to damage the car."  

They, again, said, "They all do it—don't worry."  

That seems very peculiar. Is it true, or do we need to go to another dealer?  (Various family members also have 2024 hybrids—a Crown, a van, and a 2023 Venza.  None of them has experienced this alarming noise).

We are the original owners, and it only has 2,800 miles on it. It shouldn't be doing this. 

"The only answer that makes sense is we just missed it since it can't be heard inside the car, but it can be heard with the window down. It's hard to believe we just missed it, but we did."

Pat even posted a video clip of her Hylander making the noise when she put it in reverse. The noise is loud and disturbing. 

So, What's Up With Pat's Highlander Hybrid?

Another Highlander owner has it figured out. 

Bob Parsons says, "The dealer was correct. All EVs and hybrids, including the Toyota Highlander, have a built-in noise maker to mimic the sound of a piston engine."

This is to alert pedestrians that your vehicle is turned on and may be in motion. The noisemaker turns on in reverse and also activates when the car is in EV mode and traveling below 18 miles per hour.

Without this noisemaker, the car would be entirely silent. Pedestrians would have no idea if the vehicle is either nearby or moving, and there would be deaths and injuries.

I believe Toyota recorded the sound by visiting a junkyard and asking for their worst possible car that barely runs. They recorded the sound now for us all to enjoy.

Bob is only partially correct.

It's not the sound of a piston engine that Pat’s Highlander Hybrid is making. 

The noise that the Pats Toyota Highlander Hybrid makes is an artificial sound that some have described as resembling a spaceship or an orchestra, according to Reddit posts.

It's a safety feature. 

When a Toyota Highlander Hybrid is put into reverse, it produces a distinctive sound that serves as a safety feature, alerting pedestrians and others nearby to ensure their safety. 

This sound is generated by a speaker located at the front of the vehicle and is amplified when the car is in reverse. It's designed to compensate for the quietness of the electric motor when the vehicle is operating in reverse. 

It's not a mechanical issue but rather a system designed to be noticeable by pedestrians walking behind the car. This sound effect may be more pronounced in certain situations, such as when the vehicle is in an enclosed space or when the temperature is cold. 

Pat's dialogue with the Toyota dealer raises a question.

Why would a Toyota service advisor not inform a customer about a safety feature on their vehicle? He dismisses the customer's concerns and laughs at her. He could have been making fun of her in front of another Toyota advisor. 

What should Pat do now?

She should escalate the issue up the chain and speak with the service manager. The advisor was offering poor customer service by dismissing her concerns. He thought it was funny and just told her not to worry about it. 

It would have taken him only a few more minutes to describe the feature and what she was hearing. Pat would have gone away, thanking him for letting her know. 

Now, Pat should look for another Toyota dealer and take her business there. 

What Would You Do?

Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

Check out my Toyota Highlander story: I’m Shocked That A Customer Just Traded A 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander With Only 3,300 Miles For A 2025 Nissan Rogue

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news, covering owner stories, and providing expert analysis, ensuring that you are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on X @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Pat