Audi Q2 Damper Fault Triggers Suspension Warning

I had a similar issue with my 2020 Audi Q3, and having some experience working on cars, I initially thought it was a major suspension system problem. The warning lights and poor ride quality had me worried about expensive damper replacements. However, after taking it to a workshop, they found the root cause was much simpler, a faulty cable connection to the damping control module. The suspension sensors were fine, but the connection was intermittent, causing the system to throw errors. The repair was straightforward, they cleaned the connections and replaced a damaged wire harness going to the vehicle suspension components. Total cost was 95 Euro including diagnostic time. The ride comfort and handling returned to normal immediately after the fix. Before suggesting specific solutions for your Q2, it would help to know: Are you noticing any specific noises when going over bumps? Does the warning light come on immediately after starting the car or only after driving? Have you had any recent suspension work done? Does the issue get worse in certain weather conditions? This additional information would help determine if your issue is similar to what I experienced or if its something else in the damping control system.

Thanks for the feedback. Just to update: my car has 95266 KM and the last service was just 2 months ago. After reading your experience, I checked more closely and noticed a slight clunking noise from the right front shock absorber when going over speed bumps. The warning light seems to appear out of nowhere, not tied to startup or specific conditions. The suspension system definitely feels stiffer on the right side compared to the left. The car handling has gotten progressively worse over the last few weeks, especially during highway driving. The damping control seems most affected during higher speeds. I am going to book a diagnostic appointment. Did your repair shop mention any specific test procedures they used to identify the wiring issue versus actual damper failure?

Thanks for those details about your Q2. Your symptoms actually sound different from my experience, that clunking noise and the uneven ride characteristics point more toward a physical suspension issue rather than just a wiring problem. While my Q3s issue was purely electrical, your description of progressive worsening and the clunking from the right front shock absorber suggests you might be dealing with actual damper wear. The uneven ride comfort between sides is particularly telling. The diagnostic process should include: Physical inspection of the shock absorber mounting points, Computer-based damping control system test, Side-to-side suspension response comparison, Measurement of damper response rates My repair cost was low because it was just a wiring fix. If you need a new shock absorber, expect around 400-600 Euro per unit plus labor. Though before replacing parts, make sure they check the electrical connections too, sometimes multiple issues can trigger similar symptoms in the suspension system. Based on your description, I recommend asking them to specifically focus on that right front damper during the inspection. The combination of noise and uneven ride usually indicates more than just a sensor or wiring issue.

Thanks for that detailed information. Given the clunking noise and notably different suspension stiffness between sides, I better understand why you think this might be more serious than the wiring issue you experienced. In my case, there is indeed a loud clunk from the right front shock absorber over any significant bumps. The damping control warning appears out of nowhere during drives, and the vehicle suspension definitely feels more compromised on the right side. Since posting, I took a careful drive today and noticed the ride comfort worsens significantly above 80 km/h. I will schedule the diagnostic check tomorrow and specifically request they examine: Physical condition of the right front damper, All suspension mounting points, Complete damping control system test, Side-to-side response testing The 400-600 Euro estimate for a replacement shock absorber helps set my expectations if that turns out to be needed. At least I know to have them verify all the electrical connections first before replacing any parts. Will update once I know more about what is actually causing these suspension issues.