26 OT + and I have had the "clunking" noise since day 1 (2 months, 3K/miles). I didn't realize it at pick up, just drove it out of the nice smooth parking lot onto the highway (purchased in NC and drove it home to NH). At first I chalked it up to lack of knowledge on E-KDSS suspension, but now I'm certain something isn't right. From reading on this site and others, I'm guessing it's sway bar links and going to have dealer look at it when I bring it in for my first oil service in 2-3 weeks which will put me at right about 5K/miles.
2026 OT Front clunking noise. (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Hoffy1337
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Did they check your steering rack for any loose nuts/bolts?
It is one of the hardest issues to figure out. Mine is on and off so in order for the dealer to hear it
it has to be a time where its happening. That said if mine is making that noise I stop the car turn it off then back on and boom its gone its like at start up that system EKDSS does engage perfectly.
I had the front end re torqued I asked the dealer if they can look at some CAR log file see if there is any errors on start up on that system. they said on our test drive we feel the car is driving normal.
IF anyone figures this out please post
it has to be a time where its happening. That said if mine is making that noise I stop the car turn it off then back on and boom its gone its like at start up that system EKDSS does engage perfectly.
I had the front end re torqued I asked the dealer if they can look at some CAR log file see if there is any errors on start up on that system. they said on our test drive we feel the car is driving normal.
IF anyone figures this out please post
Hello everyone I just wanted to update you on what solved the problem for me. I just upgraded from a 2024 OT to a 2026 and noticed the rattly/clunking suspension right away. I went to the dealer today at 250km and had the tech drive the car and thankfully he also heard and felt the issue in the steering wheel. I told him to check KDSS and sway bar based on the comments here (thanks!). He found that the KDSS system had low/no pressure on one side. He repressurized that side and test drove it and it was repaired! I drove it home and it is fixed no more rattle or clunk. to summarize have them check the pressure in the KDSS system***
Can you post the service invoice please
I think the solution is resetting the pressure system with the EKDSS. Just went on a test drive with the shop, foreman, master tech and he had a GX overtrail that had a similar issue with the clunking and looseness and told me that it is not the swaybar end links and he is confident that it’s the EKDSS pressure reset. I’ll post the work order and invoice once I get the vehicle back and if it fixes issue.
Yes as I stated above that KDSS pressure imbalance is exactly the issue. Mine is now driving perfectly and the same as my 2024.
Here are the tech notes from my invoice - "Tech Cause: Confirmed guests concern, found loose feeling in steering wheel when hitting bumps in theroad (man hole covers, small pot holes) and can feel a rattle more apparent in the front. Inspected KDSSsystem for leaks but only found sweating at this time with no obvious leaks present. Scanned for codes butdid not find any codes. Hooked up KDSS gauge SST and found no pressure in the system.Tech Comments: Performed full KDSS fluid bleed and found air present in the actuators. Ran vehicle onhoist at full pressure and verified pressure holds with no signs of leaks. With vehicle on ground, set systemto 3MPa (422psi) and let the vehicle sit for 15 mins to inspect for leaks but none were found at this time.Took vehicle for roadtest and found vehicle now drives much better with original concern now gone.Recommend re-inspection of KDSS system at next service (6 months or 8000km).
Here are the tech notes from my invoice - "Tech Cause: Confirmed guests concern, found loose feeling in steering wheel when hitting bumps in theroad (man hole covers, small pot holes) and can feel a rattle more apparent in the front. Inspected KDSSsystem for leaks but only found sweating at this time with no obvious leaks present. Scanned for codes butdid not find any codes. Hooked up KDSS gauge SST and found no pressure in the system.Tech Comments: Performed full KDSS fluid bleed and found air present in the actuators. Ran vehicle onhoist at full pressure and verified pressure holds with no signs of leaks. With vehicle on ground, set systemto 3MPa (422psi) and let the vehicle sit for 15 mins to inspect for leaks but none were found at this time.Took vehicle for roadtest and found vehicle now drives much better with original concern now gone.Recommend re-inspection of KDSS system at next service (6 months or 8000km).
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Nice job Bud. Way to stay on top of it and curing the problem. Congrats.
I have also had this issue....or something very similar since day 1 on my 26 OT. I'm happy to see there might be a fix since I was resigned to the fact that this might just be "normal" although I know it shouldn’t be. I'll bring this fix up at my next service (10K) and hope it works for me as well.
I was worried the same and was regretting changing to the ‘26. After they rebalanced the KDSS it drives like a totally different vehicle. It’s how it should be
I too had this issue on my 2026 Overtrail. My 2024 OT did not have this issue. Based on the comments from this thread pointing to an E-KDSS issue, I decided to experiment. I took my OT through my neighborhood site development area and in 4-low, flexed my truck until I lifted a rear wheel, and verified my front sway bar was allowing full articulation (E-KDSS working). I drove through the construction area in 4 low and fully flexed my suspension several times, lifting and stuffing wheels. Afterwards, returned to 4-Hi and went for a ride down a country road that typically makes my truck sound like the front end is going to fall apart.....zero noise over all of the bumps. So....does a new GX need to have the suspension flexed and E-KDSS engaged to balance out the system? I have less than 1000 miles.
Great post. I have saved your attachment..just in case. 
I think mine is just the skid plate. They tighten it up and the clunk goes away. However, it has come back in the past. I had it tightened last week. We’ll see if it returns.
Edit: It did return but now seems to have mostly resolved. There may be some merit to it being a break-in thing. Who knows?
Edit: It did return but now seems to have mostly resolved. There may be some merit to it being a break-in thing. Who knows?
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Hey everyone,
I have a 2026 GX 550 Overtrail and had the same issue:
BUT since the reset, the ride feels significantly rougher over bumps. Even small road imperfections feel much harsher than before. This is all while driving in Comfort mode.
Has anyone else experienced this after the eKDSS pressure reset? I’m honestly starting to prefer the old clunky-but-floaty ride over this much harsher feel.
I have a 2026 GX 550 Overtrail and had the same issue:
The same eKDSS pressure reset procedure was performed on both sides, which seems to have fixed the clunking.
BUT since the reset, the ride feels significantly rougher over bumps. Even small road imperfections feel much harsher than before. This is all while driving in Comfort mode.
Has anyone else experienced this after the eKDSS pressure reset? I’m honestly starting to prefer the old clunky-but-floaty ride over this much harsher feel.
Even though we could not reproduce the issue at the dealership, I convinced the shop foreman to keep the truck and try it again in the morning when the temps are cooler. This was the second time I had taken them on an extensive test drive without being able to reproduce, but my dealer is at a lower elevation, in the dessert, and 20-25 degrees (F) warmer at any given time. He agreed and they let me keep their IS350 (with <250 miles...) while they tried to reproduce. He did acknowledge the clunk within a couple days and opened a case with Lexus, referring to the printout (YOUR repair order) I had sheepishly handed him. He told me when we test drove at pickup that they shot him down when he provided that and insisted he troubleshoot the issue independently, so he used chassis ears pointed at the KDSS and they approved the bleed procedure. And that does appear to have solved the issue. Yay!
It's only been a few warmer days here since I got it back but it does appear to be resolved. Really appreciate you contributing your experience @rrk!
Same clunking issues here ‘26 overtrail. Drove it for ~300 miles before taking it to the dealer. Took them 28 days to fix. After replacing the sway bar linkage and re-torqued all the suspension and steering components, skid plate on/off and so on, they finally set the EKDSS pressure, fixing the noise. Sort of killed the new car excitement.
Now I just need to figure out why it hesitates when hitting the gas, after a stop, when it’s cold. And the occasional clunky downshift and slightly rough idle. Other than that I love it.
Now I just need to figure out why it hesitates when hitting the gas, after a stop, when it’s cold. And the occasional clunky downshift and slightly rough idle. Other than that I love it.
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had a similar sound in the first few weeks of ownership.
this vehicle sort of shudders when it hits road bumps and cracks and wiggles and rolls and you can feel that shudder as you should when its such a tall and body on frame vehicle.
But that 'metal clunk' stays creates a new core memory when it happens....
'feels' like someone is knocking on a solid suspension part with a pointed hammer, it travels through the the foot well, pedals and the steering column. very unsettling especially when your car is still new-new.
anyhow mine used to make this sound in the first half a mile or so when it went over some bump. it was usually once, first mile of the day and never again till next morning. i thought it could be cold mornings contracting and binding some mechanical joinery that is meant to move, pivot or slide freely and it gives in and its good from there on. or some hydraulic suspension tube that opens up for the first time each day, makes a sound and gives you something to worry about
anyway it happened fewer than 10 times the first month and then went away....
never heard it since.
hope the Lexus addresss this
this vehicle sort of shudders when it hits road bumps and cracks and wiggles and rolls and you can feel that shudder as you should when its such a tall and body on frame vehicle.
But that 'metal clunk' stays creates a new core memory when it happens....
'feels' like someone is knocking on a solid suspension part with a pointed hammer, it travels through the the foot well, pedals and the steering column. very unsettling especially when your car is still new-new.
anyhow mine used to make this sound in the first half a mile or so when it went over some bump. it was usually once, first mile of the day and never again till next morning. i thought it could be cold mornings contracting and binding some mechanical joinery that is meant to move, pivot or slide freely and it gives in and its good from there on. or some hydraulic suspension tube that opens up for the first time each day, makes a sound and gives you something to worry about
anyway it happened fewer than 10 times the first month and then went away....
never heard it since.
hope the Lexus addresss this
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