VW Up Suspension Failure: Harsh Ride & Warning Light

Having worked on cars for a few years, I encountered a similar suspension issue with my 2014 VW Polo. The symptoms were nearly identical, stiff suspension, warning lights, and damping control faults showing up in diagnostics. After taking it to the workshop, they discovered the root cause was a faulty wiring connection to the damping control module. The cable harness had worn down due to regular movement and vibration, causing intermittent connection issues in the suspension system. The repair was relatively straightforward, they replaced the damaged wiring and connectors, which restored proper communication between the damping control module and the suspension components. Total cost was 95€ and the car was ready within a day. To provide more specific guidance for your case, could you share: Has the suspension issue developed gradually or suddenly? Are there any unusual noises when going over bumps? Have you noticed if the problem is worse on one side of the car? Did you recently hit any large potholes or curbs? This information would help determine if your Up is experiencing the same electrical suspension failure I encountered or if there might be different underlying issues with the suspension system.

Thanks for sharing your experience. The issue started suddenly after hitting a deep pothole last week. There is now a knocking sound from the front right wheel when going over bumps. Last service was at 145000km about 2 months ago where they performed routine maintenance but did not check the suspension system thoroughly. After reading through the responses, I will take it to the shop tomorrow to have them specifically check the wiring connections and the front right shock absorber assembly. The vehicle handling has become quite unpredictable, especially during cornering, so I want to address this quickly for safety reasons. Since my car damping control system seems similar to what you described, I hope it is just a wiring issue rather than needing a complete suspension overhaul. Will update the thread once I get the diagnostic results.

Thanks for the update on your Up situation. Given that the issue started right after hitting a pothole, this sounds different from my wiring-related suspension issue. That knocking sound from the front right wheel suggests potential physical damage to the suspension components. In my case, the damping control problems developed gradually without any specific triggering event. Since youre experiencing sudden changes after impact, along with that distinct knocking noise, Id suspect either a damaged shock absorber or a broken suspension mount. The unpredictable handling you mentioned during cornering is particularly concerning. When my Polo had the wiring fault, the ride was stiff but the handling remained fairly consistent. Your symptoms point more toward mechanical suspension failure rather than just an electrical damping control issue. Based on similar repairs, you might be looking at: Shock absorber replacement: 280€-350€, Mount/bearing replacement if damaged: 120€-180€, Labor costs: 150€-200€ Getting it checked immediately is definitely the right call, especially with those handling issues. The suspension tuning will need proper inspection and likely some component replacement to restore proper ride comfort.

Since my question received informative replies, I should provide an update after getting the car checked. The shop confirmed significant damage to the front right shock absorber and mounting assembly from that pothole impact. The suspension issue was indeed mechanical rather than electrical as suspected. The final repair included replacing the shock absorber unit, mounting, and a bent control arm. Total cost came to 520€ including parts and labor. The ride comfort has returned to normal, the warning lights are gone, and the damping control system is functioning properly again. No more knocking sounds or unpredictable handling during turns. Looking back, the pothole impact definitely caused more suspension system damage than initially expected. For anyone experiencing similar symptoms after hitting road hazards, its worth getting a thorough inspection rather than hoping its just a minor damping control issue. The safety risks of driving with compromised suspension components arent worth the wait. Thanks everyone for the helpful responses that guided me toward the right diagnosis and repair approach.