Front (air) suspension cracking sound over speed bumps

[Mavshyn]

I am one of those who is complaining profusely to Porsche Malasyia about the sound coming form the front suspension area when going over speed bumps. Have to resort to sending few official emails rather than speaking verbally to them.

They have been telling me that this is the characteristics of the anti-dive systems , and explain that if I don't brake when going over bumps there won't be noice. Only when I brake before the bump, it will have this noice. For me their answer is nonsense, I asked if they have it on other models which also have the anti-dive systems, they say no... Why ? They say other models have different chassis. I asked them since this is the characteristics of the car why don't they inform their customers before they buy it. It totally contradicts Porsche's claim of drive refinement. A brand like Porsche, known for its engineering precision and attention to driving experience, should not dismiss such symptoms as "normal characteristics".

Then end of July'25, they issue a reply to me below saying it's the PASM characteristics instead (as per attached). I'm still challenging them on various technical angles, including if the old models vs the latest models have the same issue... * bec I knew somehow that the latest batch seem to have resolved almost 80% of this issue.... this means that they were trying to resolve this fault which they don't admit.

I checked with Porsche Penang center and they also said the same thing that this is the characteristic. The email you sent is to Germany or Porsche Malaysia?

Glad to see a fellow Malaysian in this thread.

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[CHP]

Did a test run yesterday. Have plenty of speed bumps. They are fairly sized and running over them at 20 mph in a sedan will almost certainly result in contact.
I am not a sound expert, but the sound while passing speed bumps with Macan is low frequency. I did a few tests, 3x slow approach at 10 mph without breaking, 3x sharp breaking and approaching speed bumps at 10 mph within 1-2 sec and 3x breaking well before speed bumps and approaching speed bump after two seconds. In all scenarios, first sound is mixture of tire and suspension. Only sharp breaking results in an additional double sound at short interval on top of speed pump. Based on all the information in this forum, this maybe anti dive.

I like to think Porsche is right that Macan chassis is unique for now, Tycan has less suspension travel and front suspension in ICE SUV maybe stiffer due to engine weight. While writing I noticed my test is incomplete, I have to repeat the test for off-road, sport and sport plus. Test was done in normal. But this is for another day.

 

[nadkoolio]

Picked up my Macan 4S yesterday and think I noticed this sound while braking/creeping uphill at a red light. Perhaps the uphill is similar to a speed bump.

For people who have noticed this issue do you have the small amount of off-pedal regen on or off? I had it off by default, but have now turned it off to see if it makes a difference.

 

[Fly4ever]

I wonder, if the noise is related to the driving mode...(?)Can it be heard in any mode,Normal/Sport/Sport Plus/Offroad?As the driving modes altering the car's height and are directly related to the suspension I'm thinking a possible correlation.
Just a thought...!

 

[de0xyrib0se]

Picked up my Macan 4S yesterday and think I noticed this sound while braking/creeping uphill at a red light. Perhaps the uphill is similar to a speed bump.

For people who have noticed this issue do you have the small amount of off-pedal regen on or off? I had it off by default, but have now turned it off to see if it makes a difference.

Regen makes no difference. The story about recent builds being fixed is also not true (as you've noticed).

Make sure you file a claim with your dealer and make sure it's on paper that you have filed a complaint, even if they claim (like Malasyia) that it is typical. You need to do this within the warranty period.

Dealers and Porsche are not one and the same. As such, unless Porsche pays them to do it, the dealers won't move a finger, even if/when a fix is available. So having something in writing to say "the issue arose within the warranty period" is a must.

 

[de0xyrib0se]

I wonder, if the noise is related to the driving mode...(?)Can it be heard in any mode,Normal/Sport/Sport Plus/Offroad?As the driving modes altering the car's height and are directly related to the suspension I'm thinking a possible correlation.
Just a thought...!

In Sport Plus it is not there, but going over bumps in sport plus is a serious dislike for your kidneys.

 

[CHP]

Regen makes no difference. The story about recent builds being fixed is also not true (as you've noticed).

Make sure you file a claim with your dealer and make sure it's on paper that you have filed a complaint, even if they claim (like Malasyia) that it is typical. You need to do this within the warranty period.

Dealers and Porsche are not one and the same. As such, unless Porsche pays them to do it, the dealers won't move a finger, even if/when a fix is available. So having something in writing to say "the issue arose within the warranty period" is a must.

Do you have the same double sound while going over the speed bump?

 

[JacenChin]

I checked with Porsche Penang center and they also said the same thing that this is the characteristic. The email you sent is to Germany or Porsche Malaysia?

Glad to see a fellow Malaysian in this thread.

I only sent email to the branch I bought it in Selangor. The PIC who handle my complaint has channelled my email to Germany for feedback. I happen to see in Facebook few days ago in the Porsche EV group... there's a guy in Penang making it a big hassle about this issue as well. Hope more people in Penang will go complain officially the email. According to the PIC, there are not much people complained about this issue. I'm not sure if more people make noise, they will get the pressure.

 

[JacenChin]

Telling customers not to brake before speed bumps so as not to hear the suspension cracking is not the experience people buying a Porsche (or any car for that matter) expect. And claiming this is part of a Porsche driving experience" is laughable.

There is also other important aspect - they claim it's an "acoustic feedback" which is not my experience - in some cases I feel a distinct impact on the steering wheel and chassis like something had hit the car from the bottom. It's not only sound but you can FEEL it. Also it happens not only before speed bumps but other road imperfections.

What is also interesting is - after driving a long time of highway with high speed, fast charging the car (which rises the temperature of battery pack and lower parts of the car) it's gone, meaning you don't hear it. I have this scenario often because I have 5 big speed bumps leading to my driveway and it's a non issue after I come back from long trips.

My take is they finally know what's wrong but it's expensive to fix, would require replacing major parts and they are simply not willing to do it. Instead they will for sure fix it for future models.

Truly agree with your points !! It's too expensive for them to fix it and to make a recall will cost them dear!! My next action is to try find if there are independent party that is willing to help assess this issue and challenges Porsche. How you guys can do that too in other countries!

 

[JacenChin]

That is a very comprehensive and well thought out response Jacen. I understand that you have a lot of relevant knowledge.
I'm curious whether your persistence will lead to an adequate answer from Stuttgart. Thanks and keep me informed.

This is what I wrote to them the last more than a month ago but they are seeing quiet despite a few reminders. Sigh...!

 

[CHP]

This is what I wrote to them the last more than a month ago but they are seeing quiet despite a few reminders. Sigh...!

Currently have a loaner, same noise or let's call it subtle acoustic feedback and car characteristics. Started to believe in the Porsche story but then I test drove an other Macan recently (testing same speed bumps) without overt noise. I can now confirm, there are indeed significant differences and this may be more widespread. I have 10+ speed bumps on my regular school runs so clearly getting annoyed but if I would hit one once a blue moon I wouldn't care.

 

[nadkoolio]

I took delivery of my Macan 4S a couple of weeks ago and can't reproduce this noise over stopped bumps.

I do have a little brake squeaking while creeping, but hopefully that is easily fixable.

 

[Petzi]

this is an crazy thread! the suspension makes a noise over speedbumps? so what? this is relevant why exactly ? did porsche promise an hoovercraft somewhere?

 

[CHP]

this is an crazy thread! the suspension makes a noise over speedbumps? so what? this is relevant why exactly ? did porsche promise an hoovercraft somewhere?

I am afraid it's not a crazy thread. Nobody expects silence, but there are differences between cars with air suspension and the difference is not subtle. The problem seems more widespread and depending on speed bumps in your area you will or will not notice it. By now I have driven a few Macan EV and used the same test run. The difference is real, thought I was going crazy. First lemon no additional suspension noise, replacement (custom order, 6 months wait, 3 red circle of death within first 7 days) with suspension noise and loaner as well. Tested others afterwards, they have none. Silver lining of 2 times unlucky, I can now calculate fault rate (although likely underestimated) of Macan EV production, simple statistics.

 

[TomekGnomek]

this is an crazy thread! the suspension makes a noise over speedbumps? so what? this is relevant why exactly ? did porsche promise an hoovercraft somewhere?

I don't think this comment adds anything to this thread.

Some cars have a very audible cracking noise coming from the front suspension and in some cases you can feel like something hits/knocks on the car chassis. This is not only when driving over speed bumps but also after the car levels itself while breaking on uneven surface. It's diagnosed as something connected with PASM and there is a fix for some cars as I understand based on production date.

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