Cadillac DTS Air Suspension Failure Fix Guide

Having dealt with a similar air suspension issue on my 2011 Cadillac CTS, I can share some experience. After about a week of noticing the car sitting lower than normal, the air suspension system completely failed, showing similar symptoms to what you describe. The root cause was indeed a defective bellows valve in the pneumatic suspension system. The air leak was causing the system to lose pressure, leading to uneven ride height and that bumpy feeling you mentioned. The workshop diagnosed the issue using their diagnostic equipment to pinpoint the exact location of the air leak. The total repair cost was 590€, which included parts and labor. The repair involved replacing the faulty valve and testing the entire air suspension system to ensure no other components were affected. To help provide more specific advice for your situation, could you share: The current mileage on your DTS, Whether the suspension issues occurred gradually or suddenly, If you hear any compressor noise when starting the car, Which error codes are stored in the system This information would help determine if your issue is similar to what I experienced with my shock absorber and air suspension system. Based on my experience with suspension repairs, I would recommend having them check the entire pneumatic suspension system while they have it up on the lift, as these components often wear at similar rates.

Latest service was at 67500 KM. You are experiencing a very common issue on these models. After replacing both shock absorbers and fixing a significant air leak in the front right air spring, my suspension now works perfectly. The warning light disappeared immediately after the repair. Total cost including parts was 780€. Hope this helps anyone facing similar pneumatic suspension problems.

Thanks for sharing your repair experience. Glad to hear your suspension issues were resolved. My CTS actually needed both shock absorbers replaced too, along with that problematic bellows valve. Your repair cost is in line with what these fixes typically run. The combination of worn shock absorbers and air leaks is a common failure pattern in these pneumatic suspension systems. When one component starts to fail, it often puts extra stress on other parts, creating a cascade effect. This explains why the ride height was affected and why you were getting those error messages. After my repair, the suspension performance returned to factory specs, just like yours. One thing I learned is that regular inspection of the air springs can help catch small leaks before they become major issues that affect the entire suspension system. Would be interested to know how the ride quality compares to before the problems started? My experience was that it felt even better than before the suspension failure occurred.

Thank you for the helpful details about your suspension repair experience. The ride quality is noticeably better than before, even better than when I first bought the car. The air suspension system now maintains perfect level and the harsh bumping is completely gone. My mechanics also mentioned the cascade effect you described. The initial air spring leak had caused extra wear on the shock absorbers. After 67500 KM, replacing both components together was the right call despite the 780€ cost. The pneumatic suspension now works flawlessly and the warning lights have stayed off. For others dealing with similar suspension failure symptoms, I recommend getting it checked early when you notice any irregularities. Waiting too long can lead to more extensive damage throughout the suspension system. The investment in proper repairs was definitely worth it for the improved ride comfort and safety.