When buying a new car, most of us consider affordability and reliability first, followed by how it looks and feels.
But while we may count cupholders and sit in the backseat, most of us probably won’t take a moment to check out one feature that a new Toyota Corolla owner says is causing her lowkey embarrassment: the horn.
She didn’t think much about the horn until she found herself smashing it when someone cut you off in traffic.
In a TikTok with over 90,300 views as of this writing, Amanda Freeman (@amandafreeman0629) delivers a message for Toyota.
“Tell me why in my new 2026 Corolla, that I have a horn that sounds like this,” Freeman begins.
She beeps to demonstrate. The sound is indeed softer sounding than many other horns, not nearly as jarring as Jake brake or a truck horn.
“Please tell me why I’m going down the road and somebody pulls out in front of me and then and only then, do I learn that,” she shares.
“What the [expletive] am I supposed to do with that?” she adds.
In a caption, Freeman continues, “Just pissed off every time I honk the [expletive] horn.”
Now she’s looking for something aftermarket.
“Let me go find a new horn on Amazon,” she concludes.
Gallery: 2026 Toyota GRMN Corolla
“Beeping In Lower Case”
People who identified themselves as Toyota employees piled on in the comments.
“As a Toyota dealership employee we are mad too,” one wrote.
Another joked, “Toyota sales rep here. Did you try yelling out the window?”
Many agreed that the Toyota Corolla’s horn sounds foolish and wimpy.
“Meep,” one jibed.
A second added, “You beeping in lower case.”
“You got a bicycle horn,” a third said.
Yet another Toyota Corolla horn detractor said, “Nothing will humble you quicker in the moment of road rage than realizing you have a clown car horn. I’ve also been a victim.”
One suggested she try to accept her fate as the clown horn lady.
“You gotta have confidence with it. I have a 2025 Corolla and I am laying on that meep meep horn I don't give af,” they said.
Can You Change Your Car Horn?
If you really can’t stand your horn, you can buy a replacement. It’s considered an easy task to DIY
You only need a few things, per Your Mechanic. These are a new horn assembly, ratchet or wrench, safety glasses, and protective gloves.
To begin, locate the horn assembly. It’s typically on the radiator support or behind the grille. Then disconnect the battery. Next you’ll remove the electric connector from the horn and training fastener with the wrench or ratchet. Once off, the horn can be removed and pulled out of the vehicle.
Installing a new car horn starts with mounting it and putting it into position. The fastener needs to be reinstalled and tightened until snugged with the wrench or ratchet. Next the electrical connector gets reinstalled. The last step is reconnecting the battery.
That’s all it takes to transition from clown horn to something with a little more oomph.
Motor1 has contacted Freeman via TikTok direct message and comment on the post. This post will be updated if she responds.
