weird knocking/thumping noise, car not on

[tphendri]

2011 Ford Explorer XLT. Strange new rhythmic thumping/knocking, seems to be coming from engine area behind steering wheel or driver's footwell. It began yesterday after a 175-mile round trip, although it didn't happen earlier about halfway through the trip when we stopped. We got home, parked, turned off the ignition with no problem. My husband opened the driver's side door to get out when the sound started. Repeats 5-6 times, stops a few seconds, begins again, stops a few seconds, etc. It repeated a few times even after we closed the door, then stopped. Today my husband opened the door to get something out of the car, keys were in the house, and it happened again. The car has not been cranked since we got home yesterday. Any ideas?

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum.
I don't recall a similar issue in the 5th gen Forum. The 6th gen Explorer does however make certain noises before starting and after shutdown. I believe it is caused by certain modules activating/deactivating. The next time it happens, open the hood and see if you can pinpoint the area of the noise.

Peter