Hi everyone,

I'm new to the forum, new to Defender – and to Land Rover in general. I've previously owned a BMW SUV, a couple of Grand Cherokees, and a Wrangler. My current vehicle is a 2025 Defender P400 S, which now has around 7,000 km on the clock.

Over the (extended) weekend, I did a ~2,250 km road trip (~1,400 miles), and I have to say, I’m very happy with the vehicle – it drives superbly.

That said, I noticed something odd during the trip and was hoping to get some insights. On three separate occasions while starting to pass another vehicle, I heard a brief “clank” right at the start of acceleration. It wasn’t loud, but definitely noticeable. From what I’ve read, the central differential can engage under acceleration, so I’m wondering if the noise could be related to that.

Is this a common or known behavior? Or something I should have checked?

Thanks in advance!

 

Where did the noise come from? Was it coming from the engine, or more from behind the engine and below the floor? If its the latter, it could be that clutch pack in the transfer case engaging to send torque to the front axle. However, I didn't notice any noises when I drove around in a Defender with the Active Driveline AWD system for a week. Another thing you could do is pull up the 4x4i screen and watch the center "differential" and see if it makes the noise when it locks.

 

I'd call it more of a "thump" noise in my 2025 P400. I've put over 4000 miles on mine this month and I feel it too when accelerating at highway speed. Not sure if it is the center differential locking or the transmission kicking down a gear. Seems to happen more when accelerating gently. I don't feel it when I slap the shifter left into sport mode then mash the accelerator to go around and pass the idiot tying up the left lane.

This clank/thump was discussed before, and we concluded it was "normal" behavior and nothing to worry about.

 

I have a 2020 p400 SE. 118k miles and it’s had the clunk since it was new.

 

I had a similar issue with a noise turned out to be the rear differential. In particular the locker was loose, had a new rear differential installed under warranty. No more noise. I have the extended warranty for mine it is my first Land Rover and I was just being careful glad I got it. It’s been at the dealer for 3 weeks now and I am having withdrawal symptoms. I miss it.

 

I’ve been experiencing something similar as well. 2025 P400, 7k miles. I would describe what I’ve been hearing as more of a “chirp” than a “clink” when accelerating (with a downshift) at highway speed. Just started happening maybe three weeks ago. No change in performance whatsoever, just a strange new noise. Seems to be coming from up front, under the hood. So is that differential noise? Or something from the turbos?