Audi A5 Suspension Fault: Damping System Alert

I had a very similar suspension failure issue with my 2007 Audi A4 2.0T. With some experience working on cars, I initially thought it was a complete shock absorber failure, but it turned out to be much simpler. The ride comfort was terrible and the car handling felt unsafe, especially during cornering. After getting a diagnostic scan, it showed similar damping adjustment faults. The workshop found that the issue was actually just a faulty wiring connection to the electronic damping control unit. The repair only cost 95 Euro to fix the cable connection, which was much better than replacing the entire suspension system. The symptoms you describe match exactly what I experienced, poor car damping over small bumps and general instability. However, before jumping to conclusions, it would help if you could share: 1. Does the warning light stay on constantly or flicker? 2. Are you hearing any knocking sounds when driving over bumps? 3. Have you noticed if the issue is worse on one side of the car? 4. What exactly does your diagnostic scan report show? This information would help determine if your issue is also electrical rather than mechanical. The suspension system on these models is quite robust, but the electronic controls can sometimes cause these symptoms.

Thanks for the detailed response. Last service was at 40000 KM. The warning light stays on constantly and the diagnostic scan shows error code 01130, Damping Adjustment Control Module. The knocking noise is definitely more noticeable on the front right side during suspension compression over bumps. The suspension tuning seems most affected during cornering, with noticeable body roll that was not present before. Would this point more toward an electronic or mechanical issue with the shock absorber system? I can provide a complete scan report if needed.

Thanks for the additional details. Based on those symptoms, especially the constant warning light and error code 01130, your issue seems more serious than what I experienced with my A4. While my problem was purely electrical, the knocking sound and uneven behavior you describe on the front right suggests a possible mechanical failure in the suspension system. The body roll during cornering combined with the specific location of the noise points to a potential shock absorber failure rather than just a wiring issue. When my damping control system had problems, it was affecting all corners equally. The fact that yours shows more pronounced symptoms on one corner likely means the front right shock absorber unit may need replacement. The 01130 error code can indicate either: Failed shock absorber unit, Damaged wiring harness, Faulty damping control module Given the mechanical symptoms, I would recommend having the front right shock absorber inspected first. In my experience with these models, when ride comfort deteriorates unevenly and produces knocking sounds, its usually not just an electronic issue anymore. The repair costs vary significantly: Shock absorber replacement: 400-600 Euro per corner, Complete suspension system overhaul: 1500-2000 Euro, Control module replacement: 300-400 Euro Since the car is showing clear mechanical symptoms, I would prepare for potentially needing at least the front right shock absorber replaced to restore proper car handling and damping control.

You raise good points about the mechanical symptoms pointing to a more serious issue than an electrical fault. The constant warning light combined with the knocking from the front right definitely suggests a failed shock absorber rather than just a control module problem. I will have the shop focus their inspection on the front right suspension components first. Given the age of the car and mileage, replacing just that corner might make sense rather than doing a complete suspension overhaul. The 400-600 Euro estimate for a single shock absorber replacement seems reasonable compared to 1500-2000 Euro for the entire system. The uneven car handling and poor damping control during cornering is concerning from a safety perspective, so I will schedule the repair soon. I will ask them to check both the mechanical components and wiring harness on that corner to ensure we identify the full scope of the problem. Thanks for helping narrow down the likely cause. I will update once I get the final diagnosis and repair completed.