Audi Q4 Air Suspension Failure Causes Uneven Ride

I had a similar suspension system malfunction on my 2019 e-tron 55 quattro last year, and I have some experience with air suspension issues. The symptoms you describe sound familiar, my car also had uneven ride height and error messages related to the load leveling system. After inspection, it turned out to be a faulty cable connection to the level sensor. The workshop found the plug connection was corroded and causing intermittent signal issues to the suspension control unit. The fix was relatively straightforward and cost 95 Euro for diagnosing and repairing the connection. Much better than replacing the entire air suspension components, which I initially feared might be necessary. Before suggesting more specific solutions, could you share: How many miles/kilometers are on your Q4? Does the suspension malfunction occur more often after the car sits for extended periods? Are you hearing any unusual noises from the suspension when driving? Have you noticed if the issue gets worse in certain weather conditions? This information would help determine if your issue is similar to what I experienced or if you might be dealing with a different air suspension problem altogether.

I can confirm my mileage is 151071 KM and the problem started appearing just after my last service check. Thanks for your detailed response. To answer your questions, the air suspension issues get worse when the car sits overnight. The suspension pump makes a loud whirring noise when starting the car, which seems unusual. I notice the problems are more pronounced during cold weather. The air struts seem to be losing pressure quite quickly, within hours the car drops noticeably on one side. From what you described, my symptoms sound more severe than a faulty sensor connection. I suspect there might be significant air leaks in the system. Would you recommend getting the entire suspension system checked, or should I start with having just the air struts inspected first?

Thanks for providing those additional details about your Q4. Based on the symptoms you described, especially the rapid air loss and the loud pump noise, your issues do sound more serious than the sensor connection problem I encountered. The fact that the suspension components are losing pressure overnight strongly suggests air leaks in the system. In my case, after the sensor issue was fixed, I actually developed a similar problem a few months later. The workshop found leaks at the air strut seals which were causing pressure loss and making the compressor work overtime. With those symptoms and mileage, I recommend having the entire suspension system inspected. The workshop will need to perform a pressure test to locate all potential air leaks. In my experience, fixing just one component often leads to discovering other worn parts that need attention. When they checked my car, they found: Worn air strut seals causing leaks, Compressor showing signs of excessive wear from compensating for the leaks, Damaged air lines needing replacement The complete repair including parts and labor came to 1200 Euro. While not cheap, it resolved all the suspension malfunction warnings and restored proper ride height adjustment. The car has been trouble-free for 50000km since the repair. Worth noting the cold weather sensitivity you mentioned, this often indicates failing seals, as the rubber components become less flexible and more prone to leaking in low temperatures.

Since you shared your experience with air leaks and mentioned the cost for your complete system fix, I will definitely ask the workshop to perform a thorough pressure test of all components. I appreciate knowing what specific items they found in your case, the worn seals, stressed compressor, and damaged lines. That gives me a realistic picture of what might need attention in my suspension system. The 1200 Euro repair cost is higher than I hoped for, but at least now I can budget appropriately. My suspension pump making that loud noise definitely matches what you described about a compressor working overtime to compensate for air leaks. The cold weather connection also makes a lot of sense given how the malfunction seems worse on cold mornings. I will schedule a complete suspension system inspection rather than just focusing on the air struts. Better to identify and fix all potential issues at once rather than having to make multiple repairs. Thanks for helping me understand what I am likely dealing with here.