ABS System self test clunk on every Tacoma — is yours this loud and clunky?

Apparently 3rd gen tacomas have their ABS system self test at the 3-5 mph mark, which manifests as a clunk sound. This only happens once on every startup, then doesn’t happen again until the system is restarted.

I thought this was a suspension problem at first, but then I realized it triggers at a certain speed and never again until I restart the engine. So it has to be ABS, but for me it’s strangely loud. It’s hard to hear while on the gas, but when letting off right at the 5 mph mark it’s audible and very loud.

Strangely enough, there are relatively few forum posts about this when it’s supposedly on every Tacoma. Anyone else experiencing this?

right now I’m at 4 days with the Tacoma and 2,200 highway miles, so not many starts so far. Maybe the ABS needs to break in?

 

I have a 2013 RAV4 that does this. Almost every 3rd drive I seem to notice the ABS clunk. Has happened for years and thankfully never led to issues. I know other owners of various Toyota cars who have mentioned it. I think its just a Toyota thing. "Normal characteristic of the vehicle" as a dealership would say, lol. Oddly, I've never noticed it on my Tacoma, though.

 

same, i've never noticed this on my 2016, so I wouldn't consider it normal

 

I have not noticed such a clunk but I have an OR that has the different ABS/TS system.

 

What makes you think that’s actually an ABS test? Any ABS computer controlled test I’ve come across before will work in one of two ways, #1 actually lock and pulsate the brakes (used to bleed some abs systems from computer), #2 check the speed sensors on each wheel. (Done on most vehicles at startup and first movement).

I can’t see how and real ABS test can actually be performed while driving and without drivers knoladge, so apart from your post which makes it sound like a guess it’s ABS, do you have any real information?

BTW I have no such clunk. I have heard a clunk, maybe 5 or 5 times in 30k miles while slowing at about the speed you mentioned, and it’s definitely not the ABS system, it’s the diff.

 

Normal
Just drive..
On edit:
Some people refer to it as a moan.
A fart
Clunk is kind of a harsh analysis..

 

I've got it. 2022 SR5 2wd. I was concerned at first but I've talked to other Toyota owners and all have the same noise.

 

every car i've had since 2000 makes that clunk shortly after driving off the first time of the day. it sounds like a solenoid hitting something hollow. i'm just guessing what the test is but it sounds like a single pump pulse and with cold calipers, stuck pads, they get kicked a little by the pulse (clunk). for whatever reason, passenger front always seems the loudest

 

Drive it until the wheels fall off. End.

 

I did a thread asking about the noise last week. My gf 16 trd pro 4runner makes the noise and I haven't heard it on any of our other Toyotas. I bought an 18 trd pro last weekend and I noticed the same noise. I asked the tech what it was and he told me about the abs self check.

 

i get clunks sometimes starting out from a light. i just assume it's the pads rattling around...hopefully

 

No clunks on my truck except for when the wife smacks me on the head.

 

Strangely erotic....Fifty shades of Toyota...

 

17.6k miles on my ‘22 Tacoma SR5 trail edition and front passenger side still clunks shortly after I begin to drive after starting the truck. I upgraded the suspension and still clunks so safe to say it has nothing to do with suspension.

I engage the parking brake every time I park and our driveway is on an incline where the rear is sitting slightly higher than the front. I wonder if that somehow contributes to how loud the ABS clunk is.

 

Mine clunks everytime I first start to drive off. 3-5mph is the same speed range I notice this sound. All my friend's Tacomas do the same.

 

Mine does it, soon as i start moving after startup. 22 dblcab 4x4 sport.

 

I’ve had my 23 sr5 for about a month and have a clunk sound from front passenger side after I back out of my drive way and start moving forward in drive. Good to know it’s nothing abnormal.

 

Never noticed a clunk, but the abs controller makes a horrid noise when angaged...anyone know why this is?

 

Not so much on my Tacoma but the Tundra does the ABS clunk after startup at 6mph each and every time.