Once reserved for luxury cars and heavy trucks, air-suspension systems are starting to come into play, with more and more vehicles equipped with them. These systems replace traditional shock absorbers/strut/springs with a series of airbags. They are basically heavy-duty balloons made of rubber and filled with air.
Airbag suspension systems have many different advantages. On the one hand, they are incredibly customizable and can be adjusted for different riding preferences, terrain, etc. Second, they can adjust the vehicle ride height to raise or lower your vehicle, making driving easier and facilitating getting in and out of the car.
One of the core components of the system is the suspension airbag. These inflatable bags are located under the vehicle (at the axle) and replace mechanical springs and shock absorbers/struts. Their only real problem was that the bags were made of rubber. As a result, they are subject to wear and tear and damage from external sources.
In terms of life span, your results will vary depending on the relevant vehicle manufacturer and its particular system. Each is different. One company estimates that you need to replace each air suspension bag between 50,000 and 70,000 miles, while another estimates that you need to replace every 10 years.
In all cases, whether you are driving or not driving, the suspension airbag is always in use. Even if your car is parked, the airbag will still fill with air. Rubber dries out and becomes brittle over time. Airbags may start to leak, or they may fail completely. When this happens, the side of the car, supported by the airbag, will sag sharply and the pump will continue to operate.