Hybrids are so quiet, so they are designed to make noise at low speeds to warn pedestrians, especially blind people.

Quiet hybrid and electric cars must make noise under new U.S. safety rule

New hybrid and electric cars are required to make noise when traveling at low speeds so that pedestrians, especially those who are blind or have poor eyesight, will hear them coming, under a new rule released Monday by the Obama administration.

www.pbs.org

Next time you are in a parking lot, listen for the sound from another hybrid.

The sound should be noticeably louder when the vehicle is in reverse gear vs drive.

 

I notice the same thing on my 2023 Crown. It is my first hybrid. I have had the car for 6 months now and am getting used to it. I am guessing it is the charging system. The car is so quiet at low speeds when the engine isn't running, that even quiet sounds are noticeable.

 

 

I noticed something today, which may or may not be related to the whine.

When I got home and put it into park this evening, I noticed that the parking brake button in the center console was illuminated red. I'd seen this before, but can't specifically remember if it's been on while driving.

If the parking brake has been on the whole time since I picked up the car at the dealer a couple weeks ago, could that explain the whining? I have not touched that button before, because I didn't even know what it was, until looking it up in the owner's manual this evening.

I'll see if the parking brake is on tomorrow while driving. Just a thought.

 

If the parking brake has been on the whole time since I picked up the car at the dealer a couple weeks ago, could that explain the whining? I

I suggest you watch the video posted above.

 

I suggest you get familiar with the Owner's Manual.

 

Love the 'whining' in my hybrid - I think it sounds cool.

 

As the owner of a new hybrid Corolla, yes, the sound is anxiety producing. I don’t know why they couldn’t make a sound similar to that of a gas engine instead of this whine that puts one on edge. I may have to trade the car in.

 

As the owner of both a 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid XSE and a 2024 Corolla hybrid LE, of all the reasons to consider trading it in, the sound of the Pedestrian Alert Noise, would be the absolute lowest on my list.

In fact, it sounds like it's working perfectly as a noise that gets your attention. Since that's exactly what it's designed to do: alert pedestrians to be aware!
Pro tip: you'll stop being anxious after a couple days of driving it.
Enjoy the great gas mileage you're going to be getting instead. For there's another anxiety inducing sound you won't be hearing much of: the sound of the gas station pump filling and filling and churning up the $.