MajorVery commonSuspension

Mercedes-Benz S-Class: AIRMATIC Air Suspension Strut Failure

AIRMATIC Air Suspension Strut Failure is a very common suspension fault on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class on the 2005–2020 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $900 to $3,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 20 documented faults on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Vehicle: Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Years: 2005–2020
System: Suspension

This page covers the Mercedes-Benz S-Class as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Mercedes-Benz S-Class faults20 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the Air suspension strut or Shock absorber / strut yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The AIRMATIC air suspension fitted to W221 (2005 to 2013) and W222 (2013 to 2020) S-Class, and to W212 E-Class AIRMATIC variants, is prone to front air strut failure. The rubber air bag inside each strut perishes and develops slow air leaks, causing ride height drop typically overnight. Front struts fail most often and are more expensive to replace than rears. The air compressor in the boot runs harder and longer to compensate, eventually failing itself if not addressed. Many owners opt for conversion to passive coilovers to avoid ongoing air system costs, though this significantly changes the car's ride character.

What you would notice

Car sitting low on one or more corners after overnight parking
AIRMATIC or suspension fault warning on dashboard
Air compressor running continuously or audibly at every start-up
Uneven ride height visible from front or rear of vehicle

How to check it

Where to look. Air struts at all four corners — front most common; air compressor in boot right-hand side

Inspect all four corners for even ride height after an overnight park.
Listen for the air compressor running on start-up — briefly normal, but continuous running indicates an active leak.
Scan for AIRMATIC fault codes.
Spray diluted soapy water around the strut air bag seals and listen for bubbling.
Check compressor in boot right side for condition.

Parts involved: Air suspension strut, Shock absorber / strut.

What it costs to put right

$900 to $3,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Has the car ever had AIRMATIC warnings or dropped overnight on a corner?”
“Have any air struts been replaced?”
“Is the air compressor in the boot working correctly and not running constantly?”

Now check the Mercedes-Benz S-Class you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class buyer questions

Is airmatic air suspension strut failure serious on a Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

We rate it major and very common on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The AIRMATIC air suspension fitted to W221 (2005 to 2013) and W222 (2013 to 2020) S-Class, and to W212 E-Class AIRMATIC variants, is prone to front air strut failure. The rubber air bag inside each strut perishes and develops slow air leaks, causing ride height drop typically overnight. Front struts fail most often and are more expensive to replace than rears. The air compressor in the boot runs harder and longer to compensate, eventually failing itself if not addressed. Many owners opt for conversion to passive coilovers to avoid ongoing air system costs, though this significantly changes the car's ride character.

How much does it cost to fix on a Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

$900 to $3,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Mercedes-Benz S-Class years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2005–2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Inspect all four corners for even ride height after an overnight park. Listen for the air compressor running on start-up — briefly normal, but continuous running indicates an active leak. Scan for AIRMATIC fault codes. Spray diluted soapy water around the strut air bag seals and listen for bubbling. Check compressor in boot right side for condition. Look here: Air struts at all four corners — front most common; air compressor in boot right-hand side