Air Ride Adaptive Suspension failure in cold climates?

[ND Airstream]

A new member thankful for the wisdom of this group. I have a '21 Yukon AT4 with ~11K miles. Initially, problems manifest as "service leveling system" and inability to adjust height of ride. First trip to dealer during minus zero weather - no resolution as it was "showing no codes" at time and suspension control started responding again with a software update. Week later (still around 0 degrees), same message came back with additional control (DSC?) related messages including something about engine combustion - dealer captured all codes sent me home (suspension still had air but would not adjust/inflate) with a new appointment for addition overnight diagnosis. Two days later (before the appointment and still seasonably frigid for January in North Dakota), total suspension failure on the front - front tires bowed in - virtually like riding on a steel wheeled steam tractor. Service advisor now says needs a total system rebuild - laundry list of parts. Been waiting for parts for almost two weeks - no ETA on parts - no loaner from the dealer to add insult. Most concerning - it is parked in a dealer storage lot a mile away from the dealership with roughly 8 or 9 other '21's in very similar (deflated) condition some lower than others and some without full front tire tread after driving to the dealer - I am concerned that the wait could be significant and that the fix is adequate. Anyone have any intel on an engineered fix and/or availability of these parts? Looks like these units weren't ready for the cold.

 

[Canoedude]

I’m in same boat. 3 weeks and counting waiting for parts. I’m in north too….if you are up north don’t get air ride….ordered a new rig. Dmax. Regular suspension

 

[ND Airstream]

Thanks for the reply - misery loves company. I’ll be close to three weeks soon and still no ETA on parts. Called multiple Northern dealers. Nobody has any and some of the new rigs are requiring fixes before they hit the lot. I used to be able to check up on whether it moved (with the app) but now it has completely died - probably fitting that the battery would fail in 3 weeks. My 11th Yukon/Tahoe/Sub will be my last.

 

[NYisles1]

Seems like Ram's air suspension had some problems in the cold as well -- blamed on condensation freezing in the compressor/lines. Did the dealers give you folks any idea what failed or was causing the problem?

Came across this page with a good description of the air system : GM Techlink

Hope they have a solution for you other than replacing parts that will have the same issue in the future. So far my At4 has been in below zero temps a couple times without issue.

 

[Canoedude]

Dealer hasn’t given me any insight as to “why”. Big trucks have robust air dryers with a manual dump valve. Feel like it would be prudent on these. Mine happened after crazy temp swing. (30 to -20 overnight). I imagine that’s why. Something froze and broke. They need to submit these trucks to the extremes of the north and south before making Guinea pigs of us.

I’m going to buy another. Call me stupid but it does everything I need it to. Expy doesn’t. Land cruiser doesn’t. I think getting 3.0 and regular suspension will be the key at this point

Lesson learned on being an early adopter for cars…

 

[txchevy4ever]

Air ride has always been a problem in the great majority of GM products. I owned it once and would never do so again. They never sit level, they never are in alignment and are not worth it. Get mag ride and avoid the air ride.

 

[robhotdog]

Dealer hasn’t given me any insight as to “why”. Big trucks have robust air dryers with a manual dump valve. Feel like it would be prudent on these. Mine happened after crazy temp swing. (30 to -20 overnight). I imagine that’s why. Something froze and broke. They need to submit these trucks to the extremes of the north and south before making Guinea pigs of us.

I’m going to buy another. Call me stupid but it does everything I need it to. Expy doesn’t. Land cruiser doesn’t. I think getting 3.0 and regular suspension will be the key at this point

Lesson learned on being an early adopter for cars…

The reason big trucks have air dryers is because most of the trucks systems are air controlled! Brakes! They also have to add alchohol to their systems in extreme conditions.

 

[Pertzbro]

2015 Ram with air.. worked fine for 4 years. Started having problems and then it became more frequent. Bit the bullet and had it all tore out and replaced with regular shocks and coils. $1,500 for the option up front and another $2,800 to remove it all 4 years later. Never again.

 

[Pertzbro]

Is this owner stuck in the 80's? I'm suprised they make parts for that.

 

[olyelr]

Is this owner stuck in the 80's? I'm suprised they make parts for that. View attachment 361414

HA!!!!!! I did not even see that lol…that is nuts to see on a brand new rig…didnt know that was still a thing!

 

[Pertzbro]

HA!!!!!! I did not even see that lol…that is nuts to see on a brand new rig…didnt know that was still a thing!

Thats the thing - it's not! haha. Maybe in India or Mexico or some obscure part of the world. But definitely not on a 2022 $70K rig in the US. The more i think about it and search google - the more I'm amazed at it's existence.

 

[olyelr]

Thats the thing - it's not! haha. Maybe in India or Mexico or some obscure part of the world. But definitely not on a 2022 $70K rig in the US. The more i think about it and search google - the more I'm amazed at it's existence.

Maybe this is the one…

Cab Visors & Spoilers

Sun Visors and Window Visors installed on your vehicle are a great way to protect against the elements of Mother Nature, reducing the amount of glare while providing an enhanced exterior look to your Vehicle. Sun Visors provide shelter when it’s raining and give you additional protection from...

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[R32driver]

I don't live in a super cold part of the world but did go out of my way to avoid air ride when buying our '21. Gm has a pretty solid history of issues with air suspension and big dollar fixes when they fail. This freezing issue may or may not be a new issue but it falls right in line with GM's reputation

 

[olyelr]

I don't live in a super cold part of the world but did go out of my way to avoid air ride when buying our '21. Gm has a pretty solid history of issues with air suspension and big dollar fixes when they fail. This freezing issue may or may not be a new issue but it falls right in line with GM's reputation

Have they ever even had air ride before?

I know they have had air assist shocks in the rear of the suv’s for eons, but what other gm vehicle has had full on air suspension besides these new ones?

I know the rear air shocks in my wifes last 16 denali lasted over 100k miles with not a lick of an issue. And we live in northern michigan.

 

[kcb14214]

My 2008 trailblazer ss had air ride. Never had an issue.

 

[olyelr]

My 2008 trailblazer ss had air ride. Never had an issue.

Nothing but air bags, all around, from gm?

 

[kcb14214]

It was oem, air bags, auto leveling etc.

 

[olyelr]

It was oem, air bags, auto leveling etc.

No kidding. Gotchya, did not know that!

 

[NYisles1]

It was oem, air bags, auto leveling etc.

Those systems on the GMT360 platform were rear wheels only. There were lots of versions of that vehicle in the GM family- chevy, gmc, Buick, Oldsmobile, Saab - but the auto leveling air susp was only in the rear.

 

[NYisles1]

Think Olyelr is right, GM tinkered with 4 corner air in the 50’s and 60’s but this is the first modern 4 corner system they’ve offered. I’m sure it will soon be offered on other GM vehicles (like it has among stellantis’s products) and the system will get improvements over time.

I do wish they offered a rear only system. I like the auto leveling aspect of the air susp. but right now to get that you have to go with the full four corner system.