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Well, it's a day all M-B owners whose cars have air leveling (mine's a 2017 E400 Wagon) dread. This message popped up on my MFD along with the caricature of my car with an upward pointing arrow in it: "Malfunction. See operator's manual" The manual says "The AIR BODY CONTROL function is restricted. The vehicle's handling characteristics may be affected. Drive in a manner appropriate for the current level, but do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h). Consult a qualified specialist workshop."
Since I've been following this forum for the last 18 months, I didn't panic. I got out and looked at the rear and it had indeed settled significantly. I just let the car sort itself out and once it had, drove it as normal. I had to drive it on a 150-mile round trip that included some highway time so I did exceed 50mph. I noticed what felt like wheels/tires that were out of balance on the rears when I went above 50 (the car was just aligned and had all 4 wheels balanced). The car was manufactured in November 2016 and just passed 71K miles yesterday. I checked this morning and no visible settling and no warning message.
In any case, I'll get it to my independent Mercedes mechanic when I can but I'm down to 1 car at the moment...my daughter had to borrow our other car while she gets hers figured out. Will update as the saga unfolds.
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Originally Posted by MNIAW
Well, it's a day all M-B owners whose cars have air leveling (mine's a 2017 E400 Wagon) dread. This message popped up on my MFD along with the caricature of my car with an upward pointing arrow in it: "Malfunction. See operator's manual" The manual says "The AIR BODY CONTROL function is restricted. The vehicle's handling characteristics may be affected. Drive in a manner appropriate for the current level, but do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h). Consult a qualified specialist workshop."
Since I've been following this forum for the last 18 months, I didn't panic. I got out and looked at the rear and it had indeed settled significantly. I just let the car sort itself out and once it had, drove it as normal. I had to drive it on a 150-mile round trip that included some highway time so I did exceed 50mph. I noticed what felt like wheels/tires that were out of balance on the rears when I went above 50 (the car was just aligned and had all 4 wheels balanced). The car was manufactured in November 2016 and just passed 71K miles yesterday. I checked this morning and no visible settling and no warning message.
In any case, I'll get it to my independent Mercedes mechanic when I can but I'm down to 1 car at the moment...my daughter had to borrow our other car while she gets hers figured out. Will update as the saga unfolds.
Almost predictable: 75K miles.
So sorry and hope the repairs aren't too expensive!
But today (Sunday), the car had settled and will not rise at all. It says don't drive faster than 50mph but it's really undrivable above 5mph. Can't even get a jack under it, at least at the rear jacking point.
Anybody know where the fuse for the compressor might be? 2017 E400 Wagon.
As I understand it, the computer signals it to open certain valves and direct air from the compressor to the bags at each wheel. Sometimes they get stuck (corroded?) and fail to pump up certain bags or leave them partially open to depressurize.
Perhaps this is your issue? Kind of sounds like it to me, since your issue came suddenly. And the car managed to pump back up and drive fine until it suddenly would not pump at all.
That all sounds like a valve block failure to me and fingers crossed that it is your issue.
I have a 2017 E43 right around your mileage (80k) and will have to make an 1100-mile road trip across the country next month... Airmatic is my biggest concern. I might change my valve block preventatively.
As I understand it, the computer signals it to open certain valves and direct air from the compressor to the bags at each wheel. Sometimes they get stuck (corroded?) and fail to pump up certain bags or leave them partially open to depressurize.
Perhaps this is your issue? Kind of sounds like it to me, since your issue came suddenly. And the car managed to pump back up and drive fine until it suddenly would not pump at all.
That all sounds like a valve block failure to me and fingers crossed that it is your issue.
I have a 2017 E43 right around your mileage (80k) and will have to make an 1100-mile road trip across the country next month... Airmatic is my biggest concern. I might change my valve block preventatively.
Thanks for this suggestion. I hope it's something as simple as that.
Unfortunately, the car is at our lake house and I don't have any tools, garage, or even a hard stand to work on it myself. There is an excellent Mercedes independent mechanic about 10 miles from us and it will be towed there this morning.
Cool cool! I'm eager to see what it ended up being. But honestly, I think around 75k miles is when one has to start budgeting for the replacement of a front/rear set of bags anyway. I should get on that myself
Cool cool! I'm eager to see what it ended up being. But honestly, I think around 75k miles is when one has to start budgeting for the replacement of a front/rear set of bags anyway. I should get on that myself
Yeah, my car only has the rear bags...it's Airmatic light. Only for self-leveling of the load on the rear axle (it's a wagon/estate).
When I talked to my local Mercedes independent mechanic today, they said they hadn't seen an Airmatic issue in months but mine was the 5th they've seen in the last 2 weeks.
The towing service screwed me over and had me waiting in the 90+ degree heat for 4 hours before deciding they would come tomorrow morning. It's part of my insurance coverage so I'm stuck using whatever contract they have negotiated. Hope to have the problem diagnosed by end of day tomorrow (Tuesday).
Wednesday update: the shop called today and told me the compressor is definitely shot. They will have a new one late tomorrow or early Friday. Once they have the new compressor in, they'll be able to check to see if there's leaks elsewhere.
I asked them to also replace the rear shocks. One of the shock mounts was worn and was making a "thunking" sound when going over bumps (I live on a dirt road...). My previous mechanic who has since retired had done a temporary fix for me but since they're going to be mucking about with the rear end anyway, I asked them to go ahead and replace both. Not going to be a cheap visit but I knew that when I bought the car with 51K miles on it.
Wednesday update: the shop called today and told me the compressor is definitely shot. They will have a new one late tomorrow or early Friday. Once they have the new compressor in, they'll be able to check to see if there's leaks elsewhere.
I asked them to also replace the rear shocks. One of the shock mounts was worn and was making a "thunking" sound when going over bumps (I live on a dirt road...). My previous mechanic who has since retired had done a temporary fix for me but since they're going to be mucking about with the rear end anyway, I asked them to go ahead and replace both. Not going to be a cheap visit but I knew that when I bought the car with 51K miles on it.
Thanks for the update! I would not have guessed compressor, at all. I hope they're not lying...
At the same time, I myself asked so many people (MB parts counter.. etc etc) for a PN# to an Airmatic compressor intake air filter for our 213s like older gen cars have. Nobody found anything. If we really don't have filters for our air suspension, no wonder there are more compressor failures.
Thanks for the update! I would not have guessed compressor, at all. I hope they're not lying...
At the same time, I myself asked so many people (MB parts counter.. etc etc) for a PN# to an Airmatic compressor intake air filter for our 213s like older gen cars have. Nobody found anything. If we really don't have filters for our air suspension, no wonder there are more compressor failures.
I’m not surprised. I checked all the fuses for the Airmatic system and they were good. With the car running, I couldn’t hear any air escaping. Sure seems like the compressor is bad to me. This shop is very highly regarded by in-person recommendations and Google reviews.
Friday afternoon update...the shop just called. They installed a new compressor yesterday and the system held up over the first 24 hours. He's replacing the spark plugs and rear shocks now and they want to keep it over the weekend to make sure there's no slow leak anywhere else in the Airmatic system.
Interesting take @sidnotgod about the intake air filter for the compressor. You are probably right.
Got my car back today. No leaks over the weekend after they put a new compressor in. Not inexpensive but a great mechanic is worth spending money on.
Thats great news, air suspensions are great when they work. I had 2 cars with air suspensions, both had issues. One had a air spring replaced and the other one had a bad compressor.
This. Great when they work but frankly not worth the money. Every car I've had (from Range Rover to Porsche to Mercedes) ends up having a suspension issue due to the compressor or sensor. Coincidentally, my 21 wagon just through up the issue this weekend. Here's hoping it's just the sensor and not the compressor. What a hassle.
Originally Posted by The G Man
Thats great news, air suspensions are great when they work. I had 2 cars with air suspensions, both had issues. One had a air spring replaced and the other one had a bad compressor.
Air suspension should really be a routine maintenance item like a oil filter, change out every 3 or 4 years. In my opinion, the unreliability of the air suspension is not worth that tiny bit of ride comfort and the height adjustment capability. Eveytime I trade in my car with air suspension, the salesman try to go down in trade in price due to the old air suspension.
Last edited by The G Man; Jul 7, 2025 at 06:52 AM.
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