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alinalorenz23

VW Amarok Suspension Issues: Bumpy Ride Alert

My Amarok is giving me headaches, getting a bumpy ride lately plus warning lights in the dash. The error memory shows some fault codes too. Pretty sure its related to damping control since the suspension feels off. Running a 2012 VW Amarok with gas engine at 19733km. Has anyone dealt with similar suspension failure symptoms? Looking for recommendations on what to check and experiences with repair costs before heading back to a mechanic.

4 comment(s)

ludwigmoeller1

Recently encountered similar suspension issues on a 2015 VW Tiguan. The symptoms match what you describe, inconsistent damping control and warning lights indicating suspension system faults. The root cause was a faulty wiring harness connecting to the shock absorber sensors. Corrosion had developed at the connection points, causing intermittent signal failures. This triggered both the warning lights and affected the car handling significantly. This is a relatively common issue on these suspension systems, especially when the connections are exposed to moisture and road elements. The repair involves replacing the wiring harness and checking the shock absorber units themselves. While not a critical safety concern if addressed promptly, leaving it unchecked can lead to premature wear of suspension components. Key checks before visiting a mechanic: Inspect visible wiring near shock absorbers, Check for obvious damage to suspension components, Document when the warning lights appear (constant or intermittent), Note any changes in handling under specific conditions The diagnostic process required specialized equipment to properly assess the damping control system. Suggest having a qualified workshop perform a full suspension system diagnostic to pinpoint the exact issue.

alinalorenz23 (Author)

Thanks for sharing your experience with the Tiguan suspension issue. My Amarok problem turned out quite similar, it was indeed the wiring causing havoc with the shock absorber sensors. Had it fixed a few months back and the suspension tuning is working perfectly again. Quick question, would you mind sharing what the repair ended up costing you? Mine came to around 450€ including parts and labor. Also curious if youve experienced any other suspension system issues since getting it fixed?

ludwigmoeller1

Thanks for asking about the repair costs. The damping adjustment fault on my Tiguan was indeed less expensive than your Amarok repair. My issue was resolved by fixing a faulty cable connection to the shock absorber sensor, which came to 95€ total. Since the repair, the vehicle suspension has performed flawlessly, no warning lights or ride comfort issues whatsoever. The car damping system responds properly to different road conditions again, just like when the car was new. I regularly monitor the suspension performance and haven't noticed any problems in the months following the fix. The key was catching it early before it could cause damage to other suspension components. Getting proper diagnosis and repair from a qualified technician made all the difference in resolving the issue completely.

alinalorenz23 (Author)

The mechanic visit went better than expected. After checking the error codes and running diagnostics, they found corroded wiring to the shock absorber sensors causing the ride comfort issues. The repair involved replacing the entire wiring harness and recalibrating the suspension system. Total cost came to 450€ which included parts, labor and diagnostic fees. The mechanic explained that catching this early prevented more extensive suspension failure down the line. They also inspected the rest of the suspension components while doing the work, everything else checked out fine. Been about 3 months since the fix and the car handling is back to normal. No more warning lights or error codes. The bumpy ride is gone and the suspension tuning works perfectly again. Really glad I got it sorted before any serious damage occurred. Good to hear others have dealt with similar issues successfully. Nice having confirmation that these wiring problems are a known weak point in the suspension system. Will definitely keep an eye on it during future maintenance.

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