A1 Air Suspension Failure Causes Sinking & Light Issues

I had a similar issue with my 2020 A3, and I have some experience with air suspension problems. The symptoms you describe match what I encountered, decreased ride height and warning lights due to suspension system issues. In my case, the issue was not the compressor itself, but rather a faulty wiring connection to the suspension pump. The mechanic found that the cable connection had worked loose and was causing intermittent failures. The fix involved securing the connection properly and replacing a damaged plug, costing 95 Euro for parts and labor. Before jumping to conclusions about a complete compressor failure, I would recommend having the electrical connections checked first, as this can sometimes mimic more serious air suspension problems. However, to provide more specific guidance, could you share: Are you hearing any unusual noises from the suspension pump? Does the ride height vary depending on temperature or weather conditions? When did you first notice the system warnings? Have you checked for visible air leaks around the suspension components? These details would help determine if your issue matches my experience or if you might be dealing with a different suspension system problem.

Thanks for sharing that experience. After my latest service at 111545 KM, I did notice a faint hissing sound coming from the right front air strut. The suspension warning lights started appearing intermittently at first, but now they are constant. The air suspension malfunction seems worse during cold starts, and the compressor makes a struggling sound when trying to lift the car. I checked for obvious leaks in the air suspension lines but found nothing visible. Still, the car continues to sink overnight, which really points to a failure somewhere in the system. Any advice on diagnostic steps before I take it to the shop would be helpful, especially if it could save on labor costs.

Thanks for those additional details, having gone through similar suspension system troubles with my A3, those symptoms sound quite familiar, especially the overnight sinking and cold start behavior. After my initial wiring fix, I actually encountered the hissing sound you mentioned a few months later. It turned out the strut seal had degraded, causing a slow air leak. The struggling compressor noise happens when the suspension pump overworks trying to compensate for the leak, which can eventually lead to complete failure. Some quick checks you can do: Park on level ground and mark the ride height at each corner, Return after 8 hours to measure any height changes, Listen closely to each strut with the engine running, Check if the malfunction warning changes with temperature My repair ended up needing both a new strut and suspension pump, costing 780 Euro total. The system had been compensating for the leak by overworking, which ultimately damaged the compressor. Based on your symptoms, especially that hissing sound, I suspect you might have a similar issue with the strut seal rather than just a compressor problem. Getting this diagnosed early could prevent cascading suspension components damage.

The hissing noise definitely matches what you described, and I appreciate the detailed breakdown of your experience with similar air suspension problems. The overnight testing method you suggested makes a lot of sense, I will do those measurements tonight to document the load leveling system behavior. After hearing about your repair progression from a simple leak to needing both strut and pump replacement, I am more convinced I should address this air suspension malfunction sooner rather than later. The fact that your initial symptoms mirror mine, especially with the struggling compressor and temperature-related issues, gives me a clearer picture of what I might be facing. I will get those measurements done and document when the suspension warnings appear relative to temperature changes. Having this information ready should help streamline the diagnostic process. Given the repair cost you mentioned of 780 Euro, I will start planning for a similar expense, though hoping my air struts might just need seals rather than complete replacement. Thanks for helping me understand what I am potentially dealing with before heading to the shop. I will update once I have done the overnight height measurements and have more data about the suspension system behavior.