Years affected, the mileage it usually shows up at, and what fixes it
About this problem
Air suspension replaces normal steel springs with rubber air bags, an electric compressor and height sensors so the car can raise and lower itself. It gives a smooth ride, but the rubber bags crack with age, valves stick and the compressor wears out from running too often. The first sign is often one corner sagging overnight, a compressor that runs constantly, or a suspension warning light on the dashboard.
Across all owner complaints filed about the Jeep Grand Cherokee since 2012, 65 (0.6%) describe air suspension failure, the third most reported problem we track on the Grand Cherokee. The reports cluster on the 2012, 2014 and 2018 model years, and the 2014 drew the most, with 14. It tends to show up in the middle years of ownership: half of the owners who gave a mileage were between 33,000 and 91,000 miles. 3 reports describe a crash or fire linked to it. No recall covers it, but Jeep has sent dealers service bulletins about it, listed below.
What owners report
Owners report the Quadra-Lift air suspension sagging, throwing warning lights, and getting stuck at one height. Complaints come from 2012, 2014 and 2018 models.
How it gets fixed
Repairs range from replacing a leaking air spring or line to replacing the compressor or the height sensors.
Typical cost: An air spring is $500 to $1,000 per corner; a compressor is $800 to $1,500.
Complaints by model year
In owners' words
"I believe there to be a defect with the air suspension compressor in this vehicle, and the same model from other years starting from 2011 until the current model year."
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 42,874 miles
"The quadra-lift suspension failed and the front end dropped. The weather was in the low teens or high single digits."
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 33,160 miles
"When starting the vehicle, it made a grinding sound. Then a dashboard message popped up stating that the air suspension needed servicing immediately. This same message appeared every time we started the car."
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 15,000 miles
Excerpts from public owner complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, lightly trimmed.
Service bulletins
Jeep has sent dealers 53 bulletins that mention this problem on the Grand Cherokee. A bulletin tells technicians how to fix a known fault. It is not a recall, so the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty or covered by an extension.
Flash: Air Suspension Control Module (ASCM) Updates Customers may experience one or more of the following: ?
Service Air Suspension Message In Cluster.
Steering Wheel Off Center.
Cluster Message Service Air Suspension
Warranty Bulletin D-23-02 - Part Order Restriction Program Air Suspension Control Module (ASCM) 2022 - 2023 Grand Wagoneer/Wagoneer (WS) and 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WL)
No Crank, No Start.
Before you buy a Grand Cherokee
- Park the car overnight and check whether it sags.
- Cycle through all ride heights.
- Check for suspension warning lights.
Questions
Which Jeep Grand Cherokee years have air suspension failure?
Complaints are highest for the 2012, 2014, 2018 model years. The 2014 drew the most, with 14 reports.
At what mileage does it usually start?
Among owners who gave a mileage, the middle figure was about 62,000 miles, and half reported it between 33,000 and 91,000 miles.
How much does it cost to fix?
An air spring is $500 to $1,000 per corner; a compressor is $800 to $1,500.