A5 Air Suspension Failure: Symptoms & Repair Guide

Had the same air suspension issue on my 2011 A4 2.0 TFSI. The symptoms match exactly what you describe, uneven ride height and error messages from the suspension control module. The main problem was a faulty bellows valve in the air spring system. A proper diagnosis revealed air leaks in multiple spots, which explained the inability to maintain proper ride height. The suspension issue was serious enough to affect vehicle stability and tire wear. The repair involved replacing both front air springs and the associated valves. This is not a DIY job as it requires special diagnostic equipment to properly calibrate the new components. The system needs to be properly bled and tested to ensure no air leaks remain. Worth noting that driving with faulty air suspension can lead to additional damage to other suspension components. When the system cant maintain proper pressure, it puts extra stress on the struts and control arms. Getting it fixed at a qualified shop is crucial. They should perform a full suspension diagnostic test before starting any repairs. Make sure they check all air lines for potential leaks and verify the compressor functionality. This repair typically takes a full day at the shop due to the complexity of the air suspension system and required calibration time.

Thanks for the detailed write-up on the air suspension repair. Dealing with a similar suspension failure on my A5 right now, and your description of the symptoms matches perfectly. Just wondering how much the total repair ended up costing you? Also curious if youve had any other suspension related issues pop up since getting it fixed? Im particularly concerned about any lingering air leaks or ride height problems, since these repairs can get pretty expensive. Really helps to know what to expect cost-wise before heading to the shop.

I actually just got my A5 back from the shop last week after dealing with that suspension failure. The repair bill came to 590 Euro which covered fixing the faulty air suspension bellows valve and testing the entire pneumatic suspension system. Since the repair, the ride height has been perfect and those annoying error messages are gone. The suspension system is working exactly as it should now, no more leaning or uneven ride. The mechanic did a thorough check of all air lines and confirmed there were no additional leaks. What made the biggest difference was getting it fixed right away before it could cause damage to other suspension components. The car rides smoothly now and maintains consistent height on all corners. No other suspension issues have emerged since the repair. One tip: make sure they do a complete system pressure test after the repair. This helps ensure there are no lingering air leaks that could cause problems down the road. The bellows valve replacement solved all the issues in my case.

I took my A5 to the shop after getting advice here, and the diagnosis confirmed exactly what was suspected, a failed air spring valve causing the suspension issues. The mechanic did a full inspection and found two small air leaks in addition to the faulty valve. Total repair came to 890 Euro, which included replacing the air spring valve, fixing the leaks, and doing a complete system calibration. The shop had it for two days since they wanted to run extended tests to ensure no air leaks remained in the pneumatic suspension system. The difference in ride quality is remarkable. The car sits perfectly level now, all suspension error messages are gone, and the harsh bumpy ride has been eliminated. Really glad I got it sorted before the faulty air suspension could damage other components. For anyone facing similar issues, dont wait too long to get it checked. The repair cost was actually less than I feared, and getting it fixed properly the first time is worth every cent. No suspension problems since the repair was completed three weeks ago.