Skip to main content

Here’s The Reverse Gear Noise Explained on the New RAV4 Hybrids

Do you hear an angelic-like noise coming from your new Toyota RAV4 Hybrid when you put it in reverse? Don’t worry, it’s not your gears grinding.

A “back-up beeper” is the sound your car makes when you put it in reverse. This sound is played on the outside of the car to alert pedestrians that this vehicle is backing up. Usually, you see this on commercial vehicles like dump trucks and construction vehicles as a safety protocol. It was first invested by the Japanese in the 1960’s and has now found its way to your everyday vehicles. Even my 2012 base model Toyota Prius who has seen its end has this beeper.

On my car it’s a simple “beep.” Most cars do not have them but the reason my Prius has it is because of its hybrid drive train. When a hybrid backs up, it also uses the electric motor to put it in motion until the gas engine kicks in. Because of this, the car does not make any exhaust noise and could be dangerous to dogs, people, or little kids. To combat this, automakers who make electric and hybrid vehicles but the back-up beeper as a feature so that people can hear the car backing up because of the low noise level.

Here’s The Reverse Gear Noise Explained on the New RAV4 Hybrids

However, that noise has evolved from a very mundane beep to now an angelic and speed progressive sound which plays on the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. You can also find this sound on some Lexus models as well. But can you believe that some owners actually think that this sound is a transmission problem? Should Toyota maybe address this?

Jessica Michelle posted on Facebook’s Toyota RAV4 Hybrid group saying,” is there a way to subdue the opera choir sound my 2020 has when I put it in reverse? It’s always had it so I’m guessing it’s on purpose to make sound when backing since it’s so quiet?”

Now yes, this vehicle is a hybrid so naturally it would come with a back-up beeper. However, I think that the fact that Toyota changed from the traditional “beep” to the now angelic whine should’ve been re-visited a few more times before production. For instance, If the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is my first hybrid car with a back-up beeper, nine times out of 10 there is going to be a chance of me thinking that there is some sort of problem with the transmission when I put it in reverse if my dealer had not disclosed that this sound is normal beforehand.

There is no way to turn it off unless you hack into your car or jailbreak it however it should not be too loud and luckily, it isn’t an annoying sound. Check out the YouTube video linked in this article to see just how angelic and beautiful this sound is. Most cars have a simple beeper that gets annoying like my 2012 Prius however I think that this new sound is very interesting. In a Tesla, you can change your horn sound without having to change the actual horn. I hope that someday we can change our back up beeper noise to fit our desired sound. If that were to happen, expect to hear a bunch of funny sounding cars backing out of the mall parking lot.

What do you think? Is this sound annoying to you? Let us know in the comments below.

Harutiun Hareyan is reporting Toyota news at Torque News. His automotive interests and vast experience test-riding new cars give his stories a sense of authenticity and unique insights. Follow Harutiun on Twitter at @HareyanHarutiun for daily Toyota news.

Comments

Doug Fitzsimmons (not verified)    July 10, 2023 - 6:10PM

It's a very very annoying sound. we just bought a 2023 RAV4 Hybrid, and it makes this annoying broken-transmission hell-sound while backing up, and also when going forward very slowly. i.e. with the electric motor driving the car. Electric cars and hybrids were supposed to be very quiet. This is anything but. I am going to look into disconnecting it. it should be pretty easy to do.

Mike lewis (not verified)    August 24, 2023 - 9:35PM

I was an auto mechanic all my life and never hear a noise like that. “ Angelic “? Hardly. I was considering another Toyota Rave4 but this noise is a deal breaker for me. I understand the need for a reverse warning but a simple beep would have been fine.

Percie (not verified)    October 18, 2023 - 4:26PM

The sound is awful. I also get people telling me there's something wrong with the transmission. The sound was not disclosed when I bought the car and I don't remember reading anything about it when I did research on the RAV4 hybrid. This is yet another annoying sound this car makes, and with other problems I'm having (adaptive cruise control failing) I'm starting to really regret the purchase.

Tina M Hoffman (not verified)    December 18, 2023 - 8:34AM

The noise from my 2024 RAV4 is not a beeping nor is it angelic sounding. Almost a loud reeving. I don’t think it sounds right!

Mary Lee Shelley (not verified)    January 4, 2024 - 4:37PM

The back up sound is more of a screech than an angelic sound. This noise is also happening at slow speed. It is annoying and embarrassing..we have had multiple people tell us something is wrong with our car. I wish it could be significantly subdued.

Ken (not verified)    January 15, 2024 - 10:00PM

This reverse noise is extremely annoying!!!!!!!!. It sounds like a grinding AC clutch bearing gone bad. Toyota needs to go back to a reverse beeper as it sounds like a mechanical issue!!!!

Dave (not verified)    January 20, 2024 - 7:45PM

I recently bought the 2024 Rav 4 hybrid. No one at the dealership told me about this " angelic " noise while putting it in reverse. I pulled into a drive through today and the person at the window said. " what the heck is that noise?" Told him it's a hybrid and it makes that noise in reverse. Now being concerned myself, I thought I better look into it. This "angelic " noise sounds like metal rubbing against metal and its loud. But, I'm ok with that as long as that's all it is. A backup warning sound.

Alton Dunn (not verified)    April 18, 2024 - 10:32AM

Thank you for explaining this. Very interesting! My wife wanted me to take our new car back to the dealer because she thought something was wrong. I could barely hear it because of my hearing aids.

Michael (not verified)    May 4, 2024 - 2:51PM

Thanks for addressing this sound in Reverse. I don’t know if I would call it Angellic, but it sounds Ghostly and annoying to me.
We just bought the Rav4 Hybrid and was about to return to the dealership for repair. Your video was very informative and it
illustrated the sound perfectly.
Thank you for posting.
Michael