A variable shear control energy absorption system for a vehicle is provided. The system may include a vehicle frame component and a primary deformable impact absorber located adjacent the vehicle frame component. The vehicle frame component may be a bumper reinforcement member. The system may include a plurality of secondary deformable impact chambers located within the primary deformable impact absorber, each secondary deformable impact chamber including a shear thickening fluid that exhibits an increasing or decreasing viscosity responsive to an impact force. At least one elastic relief chamber is provided in fluid communication with the plurality of secondary deformable impact chambers. The elastic relief chamber is configured to temporarily accept the shear thickening fluid from the plurality of secondary deformable impact chambers during low force impacts, and to redirect the shear thickening fluid back to the secondary deformable impact chambers after the low impact force recedes.