This paper deals with the adaptive sliding-mode control problem for nonlinear active suspension systems via the Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy approach. The varying sprung and unsprung masses, the unknown actuator nonlinearity, and the suspension performances are taken into account simultaneously, and the corresponding mathematical model is established. The T-S fuzzy system is used to describe the original nonlinear system for the control-design aim via the sector nonlinearity approach. A sufficient condition is proposed for the asymptotical stability of the designing sliding motion. An adaptive sliding-mode controller is designed to guarantee the reachability of the specified switching surface. The condition can be converted to the convex optimization problems. Simulation results for a half-vehicle active suspension model are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control schemes.