VW Bora Air Suspension Failure: Symptoms & Fixes

I had a similar issue with my VW Golf from 2002, also with air suspension problems, and as someone with moderate experience working on VWs, I can share what worked for me. The symptoms you describe match exactly what I experienced, uneven ride height and that characteristic suspension failure where one side was lower. The main culprit turned out to be a defective bellows valve that was causing an air leak in the suspension system. I took it to a specialized workshop where they diagnosed the exact issue through proper testing. The complete repair included: Replacing the faulty suspension bellows valve, Testing the entire air suspension system, Recalibrating the ride height sensors, Full system diagnostic check Total cost was 590€ and the repair took about 4-5 hours. Since then, the suspension system has been working perfectly with no more error messages or uneven ride height issues. Before giving more specific advice, could you share: Which side of the car is dropping? Do you hear any hissing sounds indicating air leaks? Does the ride height vary depending on temperature? Have you noticed any warning lights besides the speedometer error? This information would help determine if your issue is identical to what I experienced and whether the same repair approach would work for you.

Thanks for your helpful response. After the last service at 106672km, I had the same diagnosis, a faulty air spring on the passenger side causing the suspension issue. The repair shop wanted 800€ for parts and labor. Instead, I managed to check the bellows valve myself using a pressure test and found a small leak. The pneumatic suspension actually worked better once I replaced just the valve assembly for 180€ and had the system recalibrated. No more uneven stance or error messages since then. Really saved a lot compared to a complete air suspension overhaul. Good questions about the temperature dependence and hissing sounds, I had both symptoms initially, which helped confirm it was an air leak rather than an electronic sensor problem.

Thanks for the update on your repair experience. Im glad you were able to diagnose and fix the issue at a much lower cost. Your successful valve replacement confirms my own experience with these VW air suspension systems, often the bellows valve is the root cause rather than needing a complete system overhaul. The pressure test was definitely the right approach. When I had my suspension issue fixed, the mechanic mentioned that small leaks in the bellows valve are quite common in these models after about 100000km. The 180€ fix you did is much more reasonable than the 800€ quote for a full suspension system repair. The temperature sensitivity and hissing sounds you mentioned are classic indicators of air spring leaks. Since your recalibration, has the ride height remained consistent? In my case, after the bellows valve replacement, it took a few days for the suspension system to fully stabilize, but then it maintained perfect ride height. This information could really help others with similar symptoms decide whether to test their bellows valve first before committing to more extensive repairs.

After checking the bellows valve myself using the pressure test equipment, I discovered youre right about the small leaks, its exactly what I was dealing with. My shock absorber and overall suspension system were actually fine, just that faulty valve causing all the trouble. Getting just the valve assembly replaced for 180€ made so much more sense than the 800€ quote for a complete suspension overhaul. The pneumatic suspension now works perfectly, no more leaning to one side or error messages. The ride height stays consistent regardless of temperature, and that annoying hissing sound from the air leak is completely gone. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here. Its helped me save quite a bit by identifying the real issue with my suspension system. Makes me glad I did the pressure test first instead of rushing into major repairs. For anyone else facing similar symptoms, definitely worth checking the bellows valve before assuming you need extensive suspension work.