NHTSA Complaint #10524619 — 2013 TOYOTA PRIUS

WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE A LOUD BEEPING IS HEARD INSIDE THE CABIN. WE AREN'T SURE OF ITS PURPOSE AS THE BEEPING CANNOT BE HEARD OUTSIDE OF THE CAR IF THE WINDOWS ARE UP OR IF THE WINDOWS ARE DOWN AND THE RADIO IS ON. THE BEEP CAN ONLY BE FAINTLY HEARD OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE IF THE WINDOWS ARE DOWN AND THERE IS NO OTHER NOISE. BECAUSE THE BEEPING IS SO LOUD IN THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER CANNOT HEAR SHOUTS, SCREAMS OR OTHER DISTRESS SIGNALS TO ALERT THEM OF A HAZARD WHEN BACKING UP. THE BEEPING IS LOUD AND CONSTANT AND IS NOT AFFECTED BY THE NEARNESS OF AN OBJECT, AS WITH OTHER VEHICLE BEEPING BACKUP SYSTEMS. THE LOUD BEEPING CREATES A HAZARD BY DISTRACTING THE DRIVER AND NOT ALERTING PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. *TR