Grinding type noise when driving approximately 15 MPH

Can you get a recording of this noise? It is possible that the ABS is pulsing itself as a self test but it is not normally when you are driving the vehicle like this.

Other grinding type noises we need to look at are covered in this guide that we should just run through and make sure none of them make sense.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/vehicle-grinding-noise

The fact that this only does it one time does sound like a self check but hearing the noise will really help in figuring this out.

Also, did you just buy this vehicle or just notice it? Has it not been doing this and just start?

I just had a second thought on this. You mentioned the doors lock and then it makes this noise. Does it do it right after this? I know you said it sounds like it is under the car but this could be a failed or failing door lock actuator. They grind when they start failing. They also only do this once per drive cycle unless you slow down open the door and do not shut the engine off. So just try opening the door without shutting the engine off then accelerate again so that the auto locks cycle again and see if it does it again. If so, it is an actuator. Let us know what you find.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/test-or-change-electric-power-door-locks

For sure I’m trying to get a video, buts it’s hard to hear over the doors locking. I will try the door thing and let you know. I’ve attached a video last night but it’s almost impossible to hear over the locking.

The biggest worry I have is if it’s okay to drive for now? I don’t want to gradually just keep making it worse. Probably a hard question without knowing much so I apologize.

That is a hard question because you are correct that it is hard to hear. Does it make this noise and the exact same time the doors lock? If so, I bet it is the actuator in one of the doors that is buzzing/grinding.

Can you try something else? Try going to a safe road and keep your door just barely ajar so that the auto locks don't cycle when you hit 15. If it doesn't make this noise either then I am sure that is what this is. Clearly be safe doing this but if you just drive in a straight line you will be fine.

I will try that tomorrow and get back to you, thanks for the help so far, appreciate it!

Sounds great. Let us know what you find. Thanks for the update.

Here’s a video with the door open and the noise still happening.

Here’s another video.

I am sorry, but I am not picking out when it is doing it. Do the locks still auto lock when you had the door open? On that second video was it right at the end of it?

No worries. It’s at 10 seconds of the first video and the first noise like 2 seconds of the second video.

Okay. Is it the single click or clunk noise? I was under the impression that it was a repetitive grinding noise.

If this is a single clunk noise that only does it once I would not worry about it. However, did the auto locks cycle when the door was open?

Yeah, it’s like a pop kind of noise it’s like a second or less. And I'm not sure I can check tomorrow. Honestly wasn’t paying attention.

Got it. If it does it right when the locks move I bet it is related to that. It does not sound like ABS or anything concerning like that. Clearly it can be annoying but I would not be concerned.