Those audio alerts are federally mandated in North America, and Kia is not permitted to offer a way to turn them off. Before 2023 the sound was much, much louder (and obnoxious), and Kia did offer a disable function for European models that could be retrofitted to North American models. So far we have not heard of any such switch for the 2023.
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Disable back up warning chimes
I searched here and did a general google search and cannot find anything specific to 2023 Niro. Is there a way to disable the back up chimes? It's not particularly loud but I don't like disturbing my neighbors if, for instance, I have to go somewhere at 3 in the morning (which admittedly doesn't happen often) and, well, I just think they aren't absolutely necessary. Anyway, I found how to do it on 2022 (and earlier?) Niros but nothing for 2023 (and as I understand it, the 2023 Niro is much revamped from the 2022 model so there might be an easier way now?). Thanks
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Darn, but thanks for the speedy reply.
I have been around 2022 and 2023 Toyota PHEVs/EVs, Teslas and none have them have back up audio alerts even close to the volume or obnoxious tone of the Niros. Toyota and Tesla (and probably other manufacturers) just use increased volume of the forward movement virtual engine sound as the reverse alarm which is not as annoying or disturbing as the KIAs/Hyundais. That being said, the reverse sounds of the non-KIA/Hyundai vehicles don't really seem to grab the attention of pedestrians/drivers like the KIAs.
It would seem more effective if the back up audio alert speaker were located at the rear of the vehicle with the sound directed rearward just like delivery vehicles. Still would be obnoxious, but better when trying to back out of parking space in a crowded lot.
The aforementioned VESS bypass switch apparently was available on EU models until the 2021 model year. EU mandates then took effect. Doubtful that there will be an easy crash pad panel swap solution for the 2023 and later (2nd gen) Niros.
Permanently disabling the VESS pretty much can drain your finances if you are involved in an injury accident which could have possibly been avoided/minimized with the VESS system functioning properly. I would think prudent and rare use of a bypass switch like @FredO mentioned in post 99 of this thread would be better than permanently disabling the system.
It would seem more effective if the back up audio alert speaker were located at the rear of the vehicle with the sound directed rearward just like delivery vehicles. Still would be obnoxious, but better when trying to back out of parking space in a crowded lot.
The aforementioned VESS bypass switch apparently was available on EU models until the 2021 model year. EU mandates then took effect. Doubtful that there will be an easy crash pad panel swap solution for the 2023 and later (2nd gen) Niros.
Permanently disabling the VESS pretty much can drain your finances if you are involved in an injury accident which could have possibly been avoided/minimized with the VESS system functioning properly. I would think prudent and rare use of a bypass switch like @FredO mentioned in post 99 of this thread would be better than permanently disabling the system.
My 2022 Bolt was nowhere near as loud as the 2022 Niro, and in fact was almost identical to my '19 Niro. No idea why the Kia engineers made the sound so loud and obnoxious in 2020, but they did. By all accounts the 2023 Niro is back to more "normal" levels.
Loved that "LOUD ASS" backup beeper on my old 2020 Niro.
It's basically sounding "get the fork out of the way."
Light sound coming out of my 2023 Niro.
Guess I have to add an aftermarket device.
Should have stripped the part off the old Niro.
It's basically sounding "get the fork out of the way."
Light sound coming out of my 2023 Niro.
Guess I have to add an aftermarket device.
Should have stripped the part off the old Niro.
Your view of that 2022 backup beeper puts you in the minority categoryLoved that "LOUD ASS" backup beeper on my old 2020 Niro.
It's basically sounding "get the fork out of the way."
Light sound coming out of my 2023 Niro.
Guess I have to add an aftermarket device.
Should have stripped the part off the old Niro.
Get one off an old school busLoved that "LOUD ASS" backup beeper on my old 2020 Niro.
It's basically sounding "get the fork out of the way."
Light sound coming out of my 2023 Niro.
Guess I have to add an aftermarket device.
Should have stripped the part off the old Niro.
REALLY…..Federally MANDATED for a personal use vehicle? I call….BuIIschittt!Those audio alerts are federally mandated in North America, and Kia is not permitted to offer a way to turn them off. Before 2023 the sound was much, much louder (and obnoxious), and Kia did offer a disable function for European models that could be retrofitted to North American models. So far we have not heard of any such switch for the 2023.
Well, you called it wrong. Here is a link that summarizes the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration amended rule. Here is a link to one of the NHTSAs requirements.REALLY…..Federally MANDATED for a personal use vehicle? I call….BuIIschittt!
You’re correct. I keep forgetting that I now own a Hybrid(quiet car)!
I unpluged the noise maker and that quieted it down. It's behind the upper grille in the center. No lights or warning bells either
I own a 23 PHEV Niro and the backup chime is far from “loud”. I find the spaceship sound when moving forward at low speed to be much louder, but certainly not so loud as to annoy my neighbors. And most of them are old and crotchety. Disabling these safety features for vanity reasons seems silly…. to me.
I’ve posted this before, but the leaf blowers in my neighborhood are way louder than the sounds from my Niro. However when the Beastie Boys come on Sirius, that’s a different story.
I’ve posted this before, but the leaf blowers in my neighborhood are way louder than the sounds from my Niro. However when the Beastie Boys come on Sirius, that’s a different story.
Correct. Kia came to their senses with the '23 models and reduced the volume level on the alert. The 2020-2022 models were terrible.I own a 23 PHEV Niro and the backup chime is far from “loud”.
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