Q: When I release the brake pedal, there is a clunk sound.

asked by on February 12, 2017

Especially at red lights and more often than not, when I release the brake pedal there is a clunk sound...Is this the ABS or something else I should know?

My car has 85082 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

What you may be hearing is the brake pads shifting inside the brake pad caliper bracket. You should have the brakes inspected to make sure the brake pads anti rattle clips are in place and the pads are in good shape.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

My seats are really really uncomfortable
I love to drive, especially with living by the beach in Southern California, but I know first hand that it's not fun to drive when you're not able to get comfortable in your own car seat. It can be quite...
What does the fuel economy light mean?
The fuel economy light is located on your instrument panel. The light is illuminated to confirm that your vehicle is in economy mode.
How do I change the Bluetooth language?
The language of your Bluetooth system can be changed to best fit your needs. To change the language, follow these steps: 1. Press the Setup button. 2. Rotate the Volume knob to Phone, then press the Enter button. 3. Rotate...
Car won't start after someone tried to steal it
Two systems in the column need to work for the engine to start. The ignition switch, and the anti-theft system. Your car has some version of the Passlock anti-theft. The ignition switch reads a specific resistance of your key and...
Airbag light stayed on after battery change
The light might have came on before you disconnected the bad battery due to low voltage to the system. Once you put in the new battery, the system still has a stored code (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/what-is-the-on-board-diagnostics-obd-system) and the light will be on...
Just had the intake manifold replaced and now got it back from the mechanic and the car runs like crap an sounds bad
It's hard to give a specific answer with the amount of information supplied. I would need to see the vehicle to hear and see the problem myself. Why was the intake manifold in need of replacement? Was it a recall...
Filled in regular instead of premium fuel, CEL came on, P0022 code
Hello there, the P0022 code (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0022-obd-ii-trouble-code-camshaft-position-a-timing-over-retarded-bank-2-by-jay-safford) is indicating that the car's computer has over-retarded the engine timing. This makes sense with the 87 octane gasoline used instead of the 93 octane gasoline. The car was most likely attempting to adjust...
When we start the car, the engine shakes and makes a noise. In about 5 seconds, it cuts off. What's the problem?
In general, the engine vibration you're referring to is caused by a restriction of fuel flowing into the engine. This can be caused by dirty or clogged fuel injectors (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/what-causes-fuel-injectors-to-get-clogged-or-dirty), a bad idle control valve (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/idle-control-valve-replacement), or the throttle body...
Car shaking in reverse and park but I've had all my mounts replaced... what could it be?
Shaking or vibration (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/engine-is-shaking-pulsating-or-vibrating-inspection) may be caused by many different things such as faulty spark plugs, poor fuel pressure or misfires. Other things such as a faulty idle air control valve (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/idle-control-valve-replacement) may cause the engine idle to drop below...

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're a Dog Trainer
If If you are a dog trainer, you expect a lot from your vehicle. You want a ride that is safe, roomy, and of course, dog friendly, since your training operation will often mean that you need to transport the...
The Top 5 Selling Cars in Alaska in 2012
Alaska Alaska requires a different kind of vehicle to handle both the terrain and the wintery conditions. While some of the most popular options for the Alaskan terrain in previous years included options such as the Subaru Forester and the...
The 5 Safest Used Cars You Can Buy For Under $20,000
The Subaru Legacy, Honda Accord, Ford Fusion, Chevy Volt, and the Volvo XC60 are five of the overall safest used cars you can buy for under $20,000.