AKPP knocking sound when shifting from Park to Reverse

Tags: #automatic-transmission

When switching from P to R, the transmission makes a knocking/impact sound. At 80,000 km, a partial then full oil change plus transmission filter replacement improved the symptom on one car¹². One possible cause: transmission oil level too low — check by removing the sump plug at 35–45°C with the engine running; oil should be at least dripping out, ideally a steady stream³. Another possible cause: if the car was parked on an incline without the handbrake engaged before shutting off the engine, the locking pawl shaft can slip under the load, causing a characteristic click on the next P→R transition. Prevention: always set the handbrake first, then turn off the engine⁴. Community dispute: some owners suspected the transmission itself needed replacement, but the community consensus was that this is more likely a maintenance/procedure issue (fluid condition or parking habit) rather than a hardware failure⁵.

Related pages

• AKPP drive modes and shifting behavior
• AKPP jerking, surging, and idle hunting
• AKPP fluid specification — conflicting claims
• Automatic transmission (AKPP) — ATF fluid & intervals
• AKPP partial ATF change — drain plug, pan, mesh

Sources

This page is compiled from 5 community messages. Every fact carries a numbered reference to its original author and message.

Last updated: 2026-07-24