New to hybrid have question

[dldjtad]

I have been driving over 50 years and never owned a Hybrid; I have also worked in the automotive field for over 40 years, am retired about 9 years.
My question is: I have a 25 hybrid Lariat AWD, 4K tow, 1500 miles from a dead start almost every time I hear a click/ mild thud coming from under the vehicle, you can almost feel it on the floorboard, is it the transmission engaging, is it normal, having delt with so many rattles and noises over the years am worried a transmission or axle or driveshaft or is it normal. The average person may not even notice it but I do.
So before I go to the dealer and ask them to look at it, I know what they're going to say, leave it we will look at it, there parking lot scares the hell out of me, you know what I mean if you the type that parks in the furthest spot from the store to stay away from everyone. Please tell me its normal!

I have nothing like that happening with my vehicle.

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[MaverickMark]

I have been driving over 50 years and never owned a Hybrid; I have also worked in the automotive field for over 40 years, am retired about 9 years.
My question is: I have a 25 hybrid Lariat AWD, 4K tow, 1500 miles from a dead start almost every time I hear a click/ mild thud coming from under the vehicle, you can almost feel it on the floorboard, is it the transmission engaging, is it normal, having delt with so many rattles and noises over the years am worried a transmission or axle or driveshaft or is it normal. The average person may not even notice it but I do.
So before I go to the dealer and ask them to look at it, I know what they're going to say, leave it we will look at it, there parking lot scares the hell out of me, you know what I mean if you the type that parks in the furthest spot from the store to stay away from everyone. Please tell me its normal!

My hybrid is a 23 front wheel drive. It doesn't do that, it's smooth. Maybe it's something in the AWD system?

 

[Benilla]

It's a 25 larait AWD hybrid with 1500 miles. I drove a eco FX4 for 3 years no noises .

In that case, see if they have the FWD hybrid to test drive. That'll at least narrow down where the cause of the issue is

 

[jcs]

This only happens the first foot the vehicle moves like something is taking up slack, like maybe transfer case or transmission or axle it could be normal.

Probably the engine damper, it looks like a manual transmission clutch and it is meant to do that, to damp or pick up the slack between the engine and the electric motors. My 2025 does that and has gotten louder and does it all the time and I can feel it in the floor. I'll take it to the dealer for an oil change and have them check it.

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

Since I don't have AWD I won't be able to help beyond this:

This is sounding more and more like it is related to the 2025 AWD hybrid.

 

[gooberfingies]

I have a '25 Lariat hybrid with AWD and 4k tow as well and it makes similar sounds to what you're describing. When I first turn it on and it's parked and the engine is running to warm up, it almost sounds like it's making crunching sounds, I can feel it in the gas and brake pedals too. Once I take off it goes away. I've already brought it in for a service (oil change/several point inspection) and it went well, I just assume that it's supposed to be making those sounds. I feel like if it was a serious problem it wouldn't stop making those sounds once I start driving. Could be the heavier duty transmission cooler that comes with the 4k tow as well. Maybe I'm being too lenient with it and should have the dealership check it out lol

 

[HeyBales]

Probably the engine damper, it looks like a manual transmission clutch and it is meant to do that, to damp or pick up the slack between the engine and the electric motors. My 2025 does that and has gotten louder and does it all the time and I can feel it in the floor. I'll take it to the dealer for an oil change and have them check it.

OP shared in later post this is starting out in EV mode - so no ICE running, so no damper involved.

Yours on the other hand - good call.
There was a good thread a ways back since this obviously can happen - about poster doing a seating process that fixed it. IIRC (and probably don't) - it was some style of highway entry punching it, or passing on highway, routine, based on prior vehicles with new damper and normal seating process.

 

[AutobahnSHO]

Pop the hood and mash the gas and see if the engine moves "lots"- might be motor mount(s)?

 

[Onceaneagle]

My wife's 2024 Escape Hybrid AWD had the same noise. It was the half shaft sticking on the AWD but not with FWD. It was delivered that way despite Louisville knowing it was a problem. Dealer knew what it was per a tech bulletin. The solution was longer bolts (had to order them, 3 days wait) that secured the half shaft, and liberal amounts of lubrication. Over 4k now and no more issues. We will see if the noise returns.

 

[h1k3rb]

If theres no one behind you isn't that what you should do, I do 90% local driving. Am in no rush, I don't hold up traffic if there is any, I never drive in rush hour, did that for 50 years no more, paid my dues.

If maximizing mpg is the primary goal that's one way. My goal is to drive my hybrid like any other vehicle, the way I've always driven depending on how I feel at the time. Basically, I don't beat the pi$$ out of it and I don't baby it. So in mostly Normal mode I can get both great performance and stellar mpg.

 

[Finnster]

It's so minor would be impossible to video or audio, the passenger doesn't hear or feel it. I was thinking there are lots of guys with similar truck they might hear the same noise, it's only from a dead stop feels like something is taking up slack for a second then fine while driving.

My 25 Hybrid 4K tow (@500 miles) does pretty much the same thing! I notice it mostly at very low speed when the gas engine jumps in to help on acceleration.
If you call up the EV Coach screen on the dash, it may help you to see what is going on. I don't see it as a problem.

 

[WJOHNM]

My 25 Hybrid 4K tow (@500 miles) does pretty much the same thing! I notice it mostly at very low speed when the gas engine jumps in to help on acceleration.
If you call up the EV Coach screen on the dash, it may help you to see what is going on. I don't see it as a problem.

I think it's normal a lot of you guys we're Right, I turned everything off AC/radio/closed windows etc. got to a big parking lot the noise only happens when the engine engaged from a dead stop, it must be a clutch or something when engine comes on from stop, I don't think the average person would notice it. Thanks for all the replies on this subject, and one of the guys said the hybrid makes a lot of different noises he was so right if you turn down the radio and drive it a few days in silence. I will mention it my first oil change.

 

[Cherokee]

I’ll be out farting around the yard and my 24 Ecoboost will click and thump at me now and then. Been sitting there all day or a few days.

I figure it’s bored and wants to go run down a few mountain switch backs:’P

I got the extended warranty, I could care less what it’s up to.

 

[h1k3rb]

I think it's normal a lot of you guys we're Right, I turned everything off AC/radio/closed windows etc. got to a big parking lot the noise only happens when the engine engaged from a dead stop, it must be a clutch or something when engine comes on from stop, I don't think the average person would notice it. Thanks for all the replies on this subject, and one of the guys said the hybrid makes a lot of different noises he was so right if you turn down the radio and drive it a few days in silence. I will mention it my first oil change.

Mine 'chatters' slightly when going from coasting to slight acceleration at lower speeds, notice it roughly between 10-35 mph before road and wind noise become too great. Very subtle and the truck runs great so not concerned, unless something changes. I'll mention it when I go in for my first oil change and they can do the 'airbag light' recall too.

 

[dochawk]

OK, what was the last ford that *didn't* have a whole bunch of things clunking on and off under the hood in normal use?

'55 (non-overdrive), perhaps?

My '83 cougar was downright amusing going up a steep grade (805 exiting on Texas Street in San Diego) as the various clutches cut in and out.

my wife's maverick is nothing by comparison!

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