Loud clunking sound when vehicle goes from D to R or R to D

[sherryKangz]

Hi,

I got a new 4Runner Limited three weeks ago. And, I started observing a loud clunking sound when the vehicle goes from D to R or R to D. Vehicle has 400 miles on it. I haven't made any modifications to the vehicle. Is this sound normal?

I have found couple of threads regarding the same problem. But couldn't find anything helpful.

Please suggest what should I do?

Thanks!

 

[Cymon]

Hi,

I got a new 4Runner Limited three weeks ago. And, I started observing a loud clunking sound when the vehicle goes from D to R or R to D. Vehicle has 400 miles on it. I haven't made any modifications to the vehicle. Is this sound normal?

I have found couple of threads regarding the same problem. But couldn't find anything helpful.

Please suggest what should I do?

Thanks!

The sounds are not normal unless you are not at a complete stop when shifting, then yes they are. If they are made when you are completely stopped and then shift take it in to the dealer...it's only 3 weeks old.

 

[sherryKangz]

Thanks for replying.

I am observing the sound when vehicle is at complete stop. Vehicle also moves a little bit (3-4 inches) along with the sound when it goes from R to D.

 

[spencenasty]

I get the same thing. 32k miles.

 

[sherryKangz]

I get the same thing. 32k miles.

Did it start recently or has it been since day one? Did you contact anyone regarding it?

 

[spencenasty]

Did it start recently or has it been since day one? Did you contact anyone regarding it?

I want to say I noticed it really early on, but I asked my dealership when taking it it for a squeaky rear seat and they just said it was normal.. I didn't really go back and forth only because I had a trip to go on for the weekend and didn't want to not have a vehicle if they wanted to keep it.

 

[sherryKangz]

I want to say I noticed it really early on, but I asked my dealership when taking it it for a squeaky rear seat and they just said it was normal.. I didn't really go back and forth only because I had a trip to go on for the weekend and didn't want to not have a vehicle if they wanted to keep it.

Thanks!

 

[sherryKangz]

The sounds are not normal unless you are not at a complete stop when shifting, then yes they are. If they are made when you are completely stopped and then shift take it in to the dealer...it's only 3 weeks old.

Sure, I will take it to the dealer. Do you know what generally happens in cases like this?

 

[HazemA]

Not sure if it's the same as you're describing OP, but after I reverse and put the vehicle into drive, I get a popping noise that almost sounds like a spring that got shot off. It also doesn't happen 100% of the time, but maybe closer to 50%.

 

[sherryKangz]

Not sure if it's the same as you're describing OP, but after I reverse and put the vehicle into drive, I get a popping noise that almost sounds like a spring that got shot off. It also doesn't happen 100% of the time, but maybe closer to 50%.

From what I have been reading online it seems like most people get it when vehicle is cold and it becomes fine after few miles of driving.

Did you contact the dealer?

 

[Cymon]

Sure, I will take it to the dealer. Do you know what generally happens in cases like this?

If the techs can recreate it and it is considered "not normal" they will hopefully make it right. The only reason why I mentioned the complete stop is because I'll get a thud if I switch too quick. I don't hear any sounds that I haven't had in other AT vehicles when I come to a complete stop, switch gears and then accelerate.

 

[HazemA]

From what I have been reading online it seems like most people get it when vehicle is cold and it becomes fine after few miles of driving.

Did you contact the dealer?

I have during a service but they mentioned they found nothing abnormal.. in layman's terms, they don't care and didn't look to find it. I have low faith in dealers wanting to actually diagnose problems that aren't easy to reproduce or constantly there.

I'm only at 10K on a 2016 so my big thing is I will keep bringing it up and have the service dept document it in my service file so that if I have any trouble out of warranty, they take care of it.

 

[sherryKangz]

I have during a service but they mentioned they found nothing abnormal.. in layman's terms, they don't care and didn't look to find it. I have low faith in dealers wanting to actually diagnose problems that aren't easy to reproduce or constantly there.

I'm only at 10K on a 2016 so my big thing is I will keep bringing it up and have the service dept document it in my service file so that if I have any trouble out of warranty, they take care of it.

That's a good point. Thanks!

 

[HazemA]

No problem. Your thread actually reminded me to go into the dealership tomorrow and try to document some things that need to be addressed at some point because I am installing my lift on Tuesday and want to avoid anything being blamed on the suspension change.

 

[audiciter]

The only time I've ever had it happen was when I parked with my front tires pushed a little too firmly against a parking block at work. Not sure if it was slack in the driveline, but just felt like some binding from me being smashed up against that block with my tires.

Do either of you park in a lot with blocks? Maybe parking on an incline/decline?

 

[renau001]

If you can get a video/recording could help to show them when you take it in so they can't just say they couldn't recreate the problem. I imagine the first obvious check the dealer would do before anything else is ensuring you have proper transmission fluid level. There is a procedure for this that involves getting the trans fluid in the proper temp range and pulling an overflow plug from the bottom of the fluid pan.

 

[Envy]

I would check your transmissions fluid level just to ensure its up to the mark. Having low fluid could cause this.

 

[Patriot12]

OP, are you sure it's not the brakes shifting in the normal operation when going from R to D and vice versa?

 

[sherryKangz]

The only time I've ever had it happen was when I parked with my front tires pushed a little too firmly against a parking block at work. Not sure if it was slack in the driveline, but just felt like some binding from me being smashed up against that block with my tires.

Do either of you park in a lot with blocks? Maybe parking on an incline/decline?

No, I don't have parking block. I was also thinking if it could be the inclination in the parking lot. But it doesn't look like that's case either.

 

[sherryKangz]

If you can get a video/recording could help to show them when you take it in so they can't just say they couldn't recreate the problem. I imagine the first obvious check the dealer would do before anything else is ensuring you have proper transmission fluid level. There is a procedure for this that involves getting the trans fluid in the proper temp range and pulling an overflow plug from the bottom of the fluid pan.

I have scheduled an service appointment. I will make sure I video record it. That's a great idea. Thanks for the suggestion!

I would check your transmissions fluid level just to ensure its up to the mark. Having low fluid could cause this.

I hope it's something as simple as fluid level. Let's see what the technician says.