Front (air) suspension cracking sound over speed bumps

[Cogs79]

What did you mean less “tight”?

Ie the interior or you mean overall size and proportions of the vehicle.

Keeping in mind that both cars drive amazing well with a precise feel to the steering, I just felt that my Macan 4 reacted a little bit faster to steering inputs. Actually now that I think about it, the power steering plus is lighter on the Macan S than the 4. So maybe it was just having a heavier steering made it feel snappier. Also I think the "normal" suspension setting is a bit firmer on the EV than the Macan S.

Sponsored

 

[TomekGnomek]

I got my Macan back and unfortunately the dealer says they could not reproduce front rattle the issue.

I had the same problem and had to drive the car myself with the tech guy to show them how to reproduce. It's not easy because in my case it's connected to braking - if you just go over the speed bump nothing happens but if you brake just before or during there is very audible cracking sound and you can feel something id hitting the frame of the car. Only then they confirmed this is indeed is an issue and needs to be fixed but so far they don't know the cause.

 

[Cogs79]

I had the same problem and had to drive the car myself with the tech guy to show them how to reproduce. It's not easy because in my case it's connected to braking - if you just go over the speed bump nothing happens but if you brake just before or during there is very audible cracking sound and you can feel something id hitting the frame of the car. Only then they confirmed this is indeed is an issue and needs to be fixed but so far they don't know the cause.

Hi, I can't seem to reproduce the front suspension issue even after driving over the usual speed bumps near the office. I thought it could be weather-related, but I have driven the car in -17C and +2C with the issue happening. I'll keep an eye (ear) on it. Glad they fixed the rear hatch though, now I just have to remember to adjust the passenger seat belt to have it stop rattling before I cut if off completely . The problem, and Porsche knows this, is how freakin' amazing the Macan EV is to drive. I was practically giggling when I got it back from the dealer. Damn you, Porsche and your amazing driving dynamics ! Still no excuse for these rattling issues though.

 

[TomekGnomek]

Update - I've driven other Macans with air suspension and this cracking sound was on all of them. You have to know how to reproduce it "on demand" (you have to use brakes and let them go just before the bump).

My dealer confirms this is a common problem but is out of ideas, they say best guess it's coming from electric motors and not the suspension. They made several videos and sent them to Porsche. If you plan to keep the car past warranty it would be good to have this resolved as in case this is really coming from ev motors fixing it on your own later could be expensive.

 

[50YearsSince]

Not sure if my issue is similar to any of yours. It's only happened 3 times and occurs when I'm starting out, moving slowly and slightly feathering the brakes, in either forward or reverse (e.g. backing out of a parking spot or inching forward to clear traffic from a side street). I'm thinking that the brakes are incorrectly signalling the Hold function and it sounds and feels like I hit something. It's only occured 3 times and I've been unable to replicate it proactively at this point. Any ideas?

 

[Bennie]

Update - I've driven other Macans with air suspension and this cracking sound was on all of them. You have to know how to reproduce it "on demand" (you have to use brakes and let them go just before the bump).

My dealer confirms this is a common problem but is out of ideas, they say best guess it's coming from electric motors and not the suspension. They made several videos and sent them to Porsche. If you plan to keep the car past warranty it would be good to have this resolved as in case this is really coming from ev motors fixing it on your own later could be expensive.

Thanks Tomek. I just send your reaction to my dealer. This issue is one of many for the appointment mid of March.

 

[Bennie]

My car came back from the dealer yesterday. The complaint about cracking at a speed bump has not been resolved. A test drive was made and the noise was noted. Moreover, it also turned out to be audible in another car. The entire suspension and brakes were checked, but everything was fine.

The garage's explanation is that the shock absorber hits the point where it cannot go any further, the stop of the suspension. That doesn't seem to be the case to me, because I don't cross the speed bump hard enough for that. It is true that it is not audible without braking before the pumps. If there are more complaints, of course I'm the only one ?, it will be reported to the importer. In any case, the complaint was reported within the warranty period and that should be sufficient for later.

@Tomek, I'm curious whether your dealer will receive an adequate answer from Porsche. They have reported it and made videos. Keep me informed please.

 

[TomekGnomek]

@Tomek, I'm curious whether your dealer will receive an adequate answer from Porsche. They have reported it and made videos. Keep me informed please.

So far nothing, will let you know if anything happens.

They claim it affects most 4 and 4S on the lot and it does not affect Turbo - so these are not isolated incidents.

They claim it's not the suspension, they triple checked everything and are sure this is not the cause. Best guess it's coming from electric motors (the motors itself of mounting of the motors).

We have some nice weather back in Poland and I'll try to capture this on video to demonstrate the problem. In my case I get the impression it's getting worse.

I really hope they find a solution. I think once more people escalate this and it will have to be addressed in some way.

 

[Cogs79]

Hi,

I brought my Macan 4 in for the rear camera recall, and brought up the suspension issue. They tested a Turbo and another 4 in stock, and all make the same cracking sound. It's 100% reproducible by simply slowing down right before the speed bump. If you reduce your speed enough to coast over a speed bump from further away, the noise will not happen. If I press the brakes to slow down enough (20km/h or so) over the speed bumps (these bumps are the ones you drive up, then over a flat part then down again), the suspension hit happens. At least the dealer was able to reproduce it on other cars in stock, and it's in my file so if anything pops up after warranty I can point to the fact that I brought it in twice for it.

I'll keep watching this thread in case someone gets the issue resolved so that we can all tell our Porsche dealers how to fix it. It's not a normal sound, and I cringe thinking about the amount of energy going into the suspension hits.

I should post a 7-month review of my car. I had a rough initial first month or 2, but now I got used to the quirks and absolutely freakin' love it. I miss it already despite enjoying the base Macan ICE loaner.

Cogs

 

[TomekGnomek]

I have a similar experience. Dealer tried several things over 3-4 visits, some of them recommended by Porsche HQ - with no luck. Other cars have the same issue, all well documented with videos. So far they are clueless.

The other day I was charging my car on a road and a guy in Taycan drove by to test fast charging, turned out it was a service guy from a local dealer. He told me to check again because just a week ago there was a bulletin about suspension cracking sounds under low speeds and something about bearing rods. I'm set for another issue at the end od this month so I'll ask.

 

[Bennie]

Thanks Tomek, I’ll send an e-mail to my dealer if they are aware of this bulletin. Greetings from Ben.

 

[de0xyrib0se]

Thanks Tomek, I’ll send an e-mail to my dealer if they are aware of this bulletin. Greetings from Ben.

If you get a reply please share. Got my Macan 4 a week ago and the issue immediately started when going over bumps. It might be the suspension adjusting automatically, but is very annoying.

I have a similar experience. Dealer tried several things over 3-4 visits, some of them recommended by Porsche HQ - with no luck. Other cars have the same issue, all well documented with videos. So far they are clueless.

The other day I was charging my car on a road and a guy in Taycan drove by to test fast charging, turned out it was a service guy from a local dealer. He told me to check again because just a week ago there was a bulletin about suspension cracking sounds under low speeds and something about bearing rods. I'm set for another issue at the end od this month so I'll ask.

We need to find this service guy and buy him a few beers in hope of sharing the bulletin number

 

[ChrisFromUK]

The tech note was already published in this thread...

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2024/MC-11009902-0001.pdf

 

[Bennie]

The tech note was already published in this thread...

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2024/MC-11009902-0001.pdf

We know, indeed on page 1 of this thread byebye named this tech note (nov. 21, 2024). I mailed it to my dealer at that time, but it didn’t solve the problem. See my message in this thread March 22 2025.
Tomek writes about a bulletin named by the service guy from “just a week ago”, so I assume it’s a new one.

 

[TomekGnomek]

The tech note was already published in this thread...

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2024/MC-11009902-0001.pdf

No, this is not it - it's old, they have applied it to my car with no effect.

Sponsored