This article discusses the most common Range Rover air suspension problems you should know about. Range Rovers are classy luxury SUVs for Kings and Queens, but while they are highly reverend, they aren’t infallible – they still require regular maintenance like other vehicles.
One of the most common challenges faced by Range Rover owners is air suspension failure or active suspension air spring failure, whichever you choose to call it.
The use of air spring suspension technology in Range Rovers provides a more seamless driving experience and ensures that the vehicle is evenly balanced even when it seems overloaded.
Air springs are a more advanced technology than traditional coil springs, and they are powered by pressurized air stashed in an air compressor unit.
What Is The Function Of Air Suspension In Range Rovers?
Instead of relying on set tension from coil springs, air springs use pressurized air to keep Range Rovers at a particular height to suit different driving conditions.
The Electronic Air Suspension system (EAS) raises or reduces the height of your Range Rover SUV depending on the driving condition – to allow greater or lesser ride stiffness.
Air suspension air springs adjust to the levelness of the terrain you’re driving through or the parking surface; they also adjust to the driver’s inputs. The ultra-versatility and flexibility of air springs make them preferable to traditional coil springs; however, they (air springs) require more maintenance.
All activities of the air spring are controlled by an air compressor, which sends pressurized air to the springs for them to increase or reduce as per the driving condition. The system’s assembly also includes a solenoid that opens up to an air valve that allows air into the springs or relieves pressure when necessary.
Components of Electronic Air Compression System
The Electronic Air Suspension (EAS) system is software-based and automatically adjusts air pressure in the air springs; the components include:
- Four rubber airbags are situated at the four-wheel areas
- Four height sensors in the four-wheel areas
- An air compressor system to generate compressed air pressure
- A storage tank (compressed air reservoir)
- A valve block that sends compressed air to the individual air springs
- The electronic control module that regulates and adjusts the system’s settings
Range Rover Air Suspension Problems
While the EAS system may look all good and promising, it is not infallible and also requires high, regular maintenance, which, if defaulted, would lead to a series of problems.
Below are the different Range Rover air suspension problems!
1. Busted Airbags
The air springs are powered by the pressurized air in “rubber airbags.” These airbags contain air produced by the air compressor.
But these rubber airbags can get leaky or completely busted – due to punctures or dry rot – when this happens, the air suspension system stops working; hence, your Range Rover’s air suspension may never rise or reduce again.
2. Worn Our Height Sensor
The height sensor is installed to monitor the driving height of your Range Rover SUV on different terrains and surfaces. This sensor is located at each wheel of the vehicle – so, basically, there are four of them.
The air suspension height sensors constantly move up and down, determining how much air is needed to inflate or deflate your SUV; due to the constant movements of this sensor, it could get severely worn out in a matter of time.
3. Dysfunctional Control Module
The entire air suspension system in Range Rovers is controlled by a control module; if this control module fails, the entire system will work abysmally, leading to the failure of other components that make up the system.
If you notice that you’ve got a bad air suspension control module, the best way to fix things is to replace it.
4. Valve Block Failure
The valve block sends air into the air springs that lift or reduce the car’s height based on the information provided by the control module.
If the valve block fails, compressed air will never get into the air springs, which makes the air suspension system not to work.
Can I Drive With a bad Active Suspension Air Spring?
Practically, you can. But then, driving with a failed suspension system can mean more harm than good – you would end up getting other important components affected, leading to more expensive repairs, and in some cases, the car would stop driving.
The Range Rover EAS system problems can be correctly diagnosed by a professional mechanic.
How Reliable is Range Rover’s EAS System?
The EAS system is more technically advanced than coil springs, but it requires high maintenance, and when it fails, the repair cost is also very high (compared to other suspension system types).
You should check on the EAS system every 50,000 to 70,000 miles and probably have one or two of its components replaced for consistent effectiveness.
Why Does Range Rover Air Suspension Break Down?
One of the commonest reasons for Range Rover air suspension failure is excessive wear. Another common cause of its failure is “punctures.”
The air suspension system has a couple of components made with rubber – strong rubber anyway – and those components can be easily punctured by very sharp objects. Other possible reasons include constantly overloading the car or using it for towing heavy loads.
How Much Does It Cost To Fix Range Rover Air Suspension Problems?
On average, RepairPal estimates that the cost of repairing Range Rover’s EAS air springs is between $1,500 and $2,000 – this is just the cost of fixing the air springs.
If you’re replacing the entire system, the cost could go way above $3,000; hence, most Range Rover owners convert from air suspension to regular spring suspension systems, which cost less to fix.