2025 2.3 Start-up CLUNK

[Ron Quixote]

Trying to figure out if this behavior is normal. On my 2025 2.3, I get a LOUD clunk from the engine bay about 1/4 of the time on start-up. It’s not the engine. It might be the transmission. It almost feels like there’s some part with some kind of clutch (trans?) that has 4 positions, and depending on which position it’s in, the clunk is anywhere from non-existent, to a distant thud, to a CLUNK that you can actually feel if your right foot is on the dead pedal.

Here’s a Reddit thread discussing it. It seems recent, and related to 2025s:


Our local dealer sucks and I’m reluctant to take it to him quite yet. I’d rather get some insight on what’s going on first. Is anyone else experiencing this?

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[superj]

No idea here. Hope its nothing serious though. Maybe a duct flap like the ine guy says in the reddit link?


I couldn't hear anything in his video, even playing that through my hraring aids on full volume

 

[Ron Quixote]

No idea here. Hope its nothing serious though. Maybe a duct flap like the ine guy says in the reddit link?


I couldn't hear anything in his video, even playing that through my hraring aids on full volume

If it’s a duct flap, it’s made of cast iron and slamming closed. I’m pretty worried about it. The “hard clunk” version of it sounds like a rod is trying to escape the engine (it’s not the engine, tho).

 

[stuartmunto]

Maybe to isolate any air ducts making that sound, try turning off the air con system before shutting down the engine. That way when you start up next time the air con system won’t be active. Just try to isolate as much as possible to try to find where the sound is coming from?

Really can’t hear much on the video unfortunately

 

[Texasota]

My 2026 XLT 2.3 (1000 miles) does it. It is most definitely not an HVAC issue. I’ve noticed it twice. I suspect transmission.

 

[Ron Quixote]

My 2026 XLT 2.3 (1000 miles) does it. It is most definitely not an HVAC issue. I’ve noticed it twice. I suspect transmission.

It’s weird that this started cropping up on 2025s and, now, 2026s. Sounds like either a software change/issue, or an mis-manufactured part. I too suspect it’s the transmission. It’s violent, not like a duct or vent closing.

 

[saxdogg]

I read somewhere other than this forum (maybe the above reddit thread) it might be the transfer case shifter doing a "mode check" but not sure I buy that....shouldn't be any driveline bind that would cause that xfer case noise at startup...would be nice to hear if anyone gets solid info on it or a software update.

You could try a KAM reset (battery unhook) and see if it goes away temporarily during relearn...that might narrow down if tranny or not.

 

[SLJ]

My new 2025 2.3 does it about once a week. It's like the tranny is still in a gear when in park and shut off and when the engine starts the truck jerks and then the tranny finds neutral.

 

[Jason B]

First thing I'd check is motor mounts. Maybe one of those $60/hr union workers forgot to tighten a bolt, or two.

 

[h1k3rb]

Yeah, my 2025 occasionally does it too. Seems like it's coming from behind the trans, like the driveshaft turning a bit and causing a clunk near the rear end. Otherwise no other symptoms.

 

[ericsmr]

Don’t have this issue but following in case this does pop up for me, recently had some Tran issues with rough shifting

 

[Johnnypedals]

I get the same clunk occasionally on start up. Following this to see if anyone has an answer. Definitely feels like it is in the driveline.

 

[superj]

First thing I'd check is motor mounts. Maybe one of those $60/hr union workers forgot to tighten a bolt, or two.

this was exactly the issue on my 2017 nissan titan. except not only did they not tighten it fully, they also cross threaded so it wouldn't go down and the stud had to be cut off so a new one could be welded in place.

so hope its not that issue. thats a pull the engine/trans assembly to fix since i doubt the dealer would just pull the engine

 

[Texasota]

First thing I'd check is motor mounts. Maybe one of those $60/hr union workers forgot to tighten a bolt, or two.

Good thought, but if it was motor mounts I would expect the clunk to be repeatable on nearly every startup. This clunk is very intermittent.

Our Rangers can be started with the transmission in neutral. I’m betting that the clunk will not happen when starting the engine that way. I’m going to make this a habit for a while to verify.

 

[Toadlex]

My new 2025 2.3 does it about once a week. It's like the tranny is still in a gear when in park and shut off and when the engine starts the truck jerks and then the tranny finds neutral.

Ditto! on on start up after a long rest. I don't drive it everyday so it's always a surprise.
I have 1340 miles, 3 months in and I have heard it at least 10 times. I will listen carefully to see if it moves around.

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