transmission clunk

[keenMachine]

2020 GT, When I shift from REV to DRV, after about half a second, there is a soft clunk. I'm pretty sure it's from the transmission. Louder the first time when the car is cold, but you can kinda hear it all the time just after a shift to DRV. It's not loud, but I can hear and feel it.
Is this normal or should I try to get the dealer to look at it before warranty is up?
thanks for any help.

 

[Snicklefritz]

that by itself isn't concerning. worsening clunk or any shifting issues then get in to have it diagnosed. what kind of warranty do you have left?

 

[oddball]

Right now it's a NVH (noise/vibration/harshness) complaint. Go to the dealer and have it checked out. Later on this may turn into a transmission failure or driveline failure. At that time having a history of the issue will help with warranty claims. Especially if you're near then end of the warranty - having a history of the issue while the warranty was active gives you a way to say it needs to be fixed if the severe failure happens after warranty end.

It shouldn't clunk unless you have an aggressive TCU tune. It could be something inside the trans went bad. It could be one of the various rubber isolators in the drivetrain have torn or failed. Or it could be that you have an incredibly sensitive butt. Who knows?

 

[lil_lurking_stinger]

Right now it's a NVH (noise/vibration/harshness) complaint. Go to the dealer and have it checked out. Later on this may turn into a transmission failure or driveline failure. At that time having a history of the issue will help with warranty claims. Especially if you're near then end of the warranty - having a history of the issue while the warranty was active gives you a way to say it needs to be fixed if the severe failure happens after warranty end.

It shouldn't clunk unless you have an aggressive TCU tune. It could be something inside the trans went bad. It could be one of the various rubber isolators in the drivetrain have torn or failed. Or it could be that you have an incredibly sensitive butt. Who knows?

This is a common problem, specifically with the AWD Stinger variants. Some people have had their entire transmission/differentials replaced due to numerous complaints like this. Others have had better luck with changing their transmission & diff fluids.

It’s 100% something in the transmission or differential causing this issue.

As for the severity… who knows. Kia doesn’t seem to care though because it’s definitely one of the top 5 Stinger complaints.

Most test driving a Stinger and noticing that prob wouldn’t buy it either (that’s how I got mine used for really cheap actually… they couldn’t sell it because everyone complained about the clunks & hard downshifts.) but Kia discontinued them so who cares lol.

 

[5tinger]

Try holding the brakes harder when your shifting. When it's cold the pads don't grab hard enough and shifting between R and D will cause a little jolt.

 

[noblesteed]

I have the same problem. I haven't gone to the dealer about it because it only occurs when the car is cold. I'm sure they will tell me there's nothing wrong or I caused it. After warming up the car, the sound is greatly diminished or completely gone. The car is shifting fine even when cold, but I'm definitely watching it since I'm at 40k and I'm the second owner.

 

[Plakchup]

I think I remmeber having experienced this back when I had my 20 GT rwd and 21 GT1 rwd when I would just park the car and put it in park or reverse. Would be this very noticable loud clunk like tranny just hit a wall or something. Warm or cold. Did not sound good!

But in my 23 GT2 AWD never once had an issue. Am glad I didn't hold on to my previous stingers. Prevented some major headaches. Both were 100% stock nothing touched at all and rarely driven hard.

 

[keenMachine]

I know the service manual says no service to transmission fluid, but has anyone ever tried a different fluid if this is a common problem?
I once had an eagle talon with a terrible shifter. Changed to a special fluid and it was awesome after.