RS3 Suspension Malfunction Causing Harsh Ride

Had the same suspension issue on my S3 (2015, gasoline). The symptoms match exactly what you describe, harsh ride comfort and suspension behaving like fixed dampers without electronic control. The problem was a faulty shock absorber control module connection. The wiring harness near the rear right shock had worn through from constant movement, causing intermittent signal loss. This made the suspension system default to its firmest setting. The fix required: Complete diagnostic scan, Removal of rear shock absorber, Replacement of the wiring harness section, Recalibration of the adaptive suspension system This is a serious but common fault requiring specialized diagnostic equipment. The worn wiring causes the suspension tuning system to malfunction, leading to poor car handling and that characteristic harsh ride. Would strongly recommend having it checked at a shop with Audi diagnostic capabilities. The damage can worsen if left unaddressed, potentially affecting other suspension components.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I dealt with nearly identical suspension issues on my RS3 last year. The symptoms and diagnosis matched exactly what you described, a damaged wiring harness causing the vehicle suspension to malfunction. Quick question, do you remember roughly what you paid for the complete repair? My bill seemed quite high at around 900 Euro for parts and labor. Also curious if youve had any other damping control problems since getting it fixed? My car handling returned completely to normal after the repair, but I still check the suspension regularly given how common this issue seems to be with our models.

Good news, after getting the damping control issue fixed at the shop, my S3 has been running perfectly. The suspension tuning is back to normal with no error codes or ride comfort problems. The total repair only came to 95 Euro since it turned out to be just a faulty cable connection to the damping control module. Much simpler fix than your case. The mechanic found and repaired the connection without needing to replace the entire wiring harness. Its been about 8 months now with zero suspension issues. The car handling feels exactly like it did when new, smooth over bumps with proper damping adjustment. Your 900 Euro repair sounds more extensive, likely because they had to replace more components. Regular suspension checks are smart given these known issues. A simple connection problem can really impact the whole system if not caught early.

Thanks for the input. I ended up getting it checked out at a new shop with proper diagnostic equipment. The mechanic spotted the issue right away, a damaged wiring harness affecting the suspension tuning system. The repair took about 4 hours. They had to replace the entire rear wiring section and recalibrate the damping control system. Total cost was 880 Euro including parts and labor. Not cheap, but the car handling is completely back to normal now. The ride comfort has improved dramatically. No more harsh impacts over bumps and the adaptive suspension is working perfectly again. Really glad I didnt wait longer, as the mechanic mentioned the suspension failure could have caused more extensive damage. Interesting to hear about the similar experiences with these models. Will definitely keep monitoring the suspension system during regular maintenance to catch any future issues early.