Articles

2020 Ram 1500 Air Suspension Not Working: Diagnosis & Fixes

By ClearTheCode · Published 2026-05-29 · ~4 min read

Is your 2020 Ram 1500 air suspension not working, failing to raise or lower? Learn common causes, diagnostic steps, and fixes to restore your truck's ride height.

At a glance

Difficulty
6/10 — Moderate
Est. repair cost
$100 – $900 (parts + typical shop labor)
OEM tooling
Standard OBD-II scanner and hand tools
Common symptoms
  • Inability to Adjust Ride Height: The truck remains at a fixed height (e.g.
  • Aero Mode or Entry/Exit Mode) and won't adju
  • Uneven Ride Height: Vehicle appears noticeably lower or higher than normal
  • especially on one side or corner
  • indicating
  • Persistent Warning Lights: The

If you own a 2020 Ram 1500 equipped with the optional Active-Level Four-Corner Air Suspension, encountering a situation where your 2020 Ram 1500 air suspension not working can be frustrating and significantly impact your truck's utility. This advanced system is designed to automatically adjust ride height for optimal aerodynamics, load leveling, and off-road capability. When it malfunctions, you might find your truck sitting unusually low or high, struggling to adjust, or displaying critical warning messages on the instrument cluster. Understanding the common causes and diagnostic steps can help you address the problem effectively and restore your Ram's intended performance.

What drivers notice on this 2020 Ram 1500

Owners of the 2020 Ram 1500 with air suspension often first notice a problem when their truck's ride height doesn't respond as expected. This could mean the truck remains stubbornly high, making entry and exit difficult, or it might sag significantly, especially after being parked overnight, impacting ground clearance and handling. You might also hear unusual noises from the compressor area or see persistent warning lights that indicate a system fault. Beyond the visual cues, the driving experience can also change dramatically. A truck stuck in a low position might bottom out more easily or scrape its undercarriage, while one stuck high could feel unstable at speed or during cornering. This loss of functionality not only affects comfort but also compromises the truck's ability to tow, haul, and navigate varied terrain, diminishing the very benefits the air suspension was designed to provide.

At a glance: difficulty, repair cost, and diagnostic workflow

  • Difficulty Rating: 6/10 — Moderate
  • Common Symptoms: Inability to Adjust Ride Height: The truck remains at a fixed height (e.g., Aero Mode or Entry/Exit Mode) and won't adju; Uneven Ride Height: Vehicle appears noticeably lower or higher than normal, especially on one side or corner, indicating; Persistent Warning Lights: The
  • Estimated Repair Cost: $100–$900 (parts + typical shop labor)
  • OEM Tooling Required: Standard OBD-II scanner and hand tools

Diagnostic workflow:

  1. Confirm the symptom on your vehicle.
  2. Scan for stored or pending codes with an OBD-II tool.
  3. Inspect the most common causes in this guide (visual checks first).
  4. Run verification tests before replacing parts.
  5. Repair, clear codes, and verify on a test drive.

Symptoms and warning signs

When your 2020 Ram 1500 air suspension is not working, you'll typically observe one or more of these symptoms:

  • Inability to Adjust Ride Height: The truck remains at a fixed height (e.g., Aero Mode or Entry/Exit Mode) and won't adjust when commanded via the dash controls or key fob.
  • Uneven Ride Height: Vehicle appears noticeably lower or higher than normal, especially on one side or corner, indicating an uneven ride height or a collapsed air spring.
  • Persistent Warning Lights: The

This guide is not a substitute for OEM service procedures; use a qualified technician for safety-critical repairs.

Frequently asked questions

How urgent is this problem?

If symptoms are worsening or safety systems are affected, diagnose soon; minor issues can often wait for a scheduled service visit.

Can I drive with this issue?

Short trips may be acceptable for some faults, but stop driving if you notice overheating, loss of braking, steering problems, or strong fuel smells.

Do I need a dealer scan tool?

A basic OBD-II scanner helps confirm codes; some steps still need visual checks and meter tests described above.

Helpful links

On ClearTheCode

Cited catalog sources

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