2021 Audi A4, A5, RS 5 Rear Seat Not Folding TSB

Symptoms of Inoperative Rear Backrests

Owners of 2021 Audi A4, A5, and RS 5 vehicles may experience issues with the second-row backrests not folding properly. The primary symptom is that the backrests remain upright even after operating or pulling the release levers located in the luggage compartment.

Specifically, you might notice that the backrest release levers feel loose and do not provide the expected feedback or resistance when pulled. The backrests may only move forward a very small distance, approximately 1/8 inch, and the red backrest latch markings might be visibly protruding. These are clear indications that the backrests are not folding as they should. If you experience the Audi A5 rear seat not folding, these are the signs to look for.

Technical Background: The Disengaged Bowden Cable

The root cause of the inoperative rear backrests in affected Audi models is typically a disengaged Bowden cable. This cable is responsible for connecting the release lever in the luggage compartment to the backrest latch mechanism. When the Bowden cable disengages from its attachment point, it can no longer effectively release the backrest latch.

In some cases, this disengagement can lead to further complications, including damage to the Bowden cable itself or its attachment point within the luggage compartment side trim. This issue directly impacts the functionality of the rear seat folding mechanism, making it difficult or impossible to fold the seats down.

Important Warnings for Owners

Audi Technical Service Bulletin 2062113/1 notes that if your vehicle is outside of its warranty period, this bulletin is provided for informational purposes only. This means that any repairs performed for this issue may not be covered under warranty and could incur charges. Owners should verify their vehicle's warranty status before seeking service.

Repair Procedure Summary

Addressing the issue of the Audi A5 rear seat not folding involves a straightforward repair process focused on the Bowden cable. The procedure, outlined in Audi Technical Service Bulletin 2062113/1, includes the following steps:

1. Diagnosis: A technician will first confirm that the second-row backrest release lever feels loose or lacks resistance, indicating a disengaged Bowden cable.
2. Access: The luggage compartment side trim on the affected side will be carefully removed to gain access to the cable and latch mechanism.
3. Inspection: Both the Bowden cable and the backrest release mechanism will be inspected for any signs of damage that might have occurred due to the cable's disengagement.
4. Reinstallation and Securing: The Bowden cable will be reinstalled into its correct position within the backrest release mechanism. To prevent future disengagement, it will then be secured with a tie wrap. The bulletin includes visual aids (Figure 1 and Figure 2) to guide technicians through identifying the disengaged cable and securing it properly.
5. Functionality Check: After reinstallation, the technician will test the operation of both backrest release levers in the luggage compartment to ensure the backrests now fold correctly.
6. Reassembly: Finally, the luggage compartment side trim will be reinstalled.

Required Parts

The primary part required for this repair is a tie wrap to secure the Bowden cable.

• Tie wrap: Part Number N 0209022 (Quantity: 01 or 02, depending on the number of affected sides).
• Fasteners: Any necessary fasteners, bolts, nuts, and screws should be referenced in ETKA (Audi's electronic parts catalog) as needed during the repair.

Warranty Information

This repair is covered under Audi's warranty for vehicles up to 48 months or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first, under Claim Type 110. For Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles, it falls under Claim Type G10, requiring owner verification.

The service number for this procedure is 7263, and the damage code is 0010. Labor operations include:

• Repair backrest latch, one side: Labor Operation 7263 4999 (20 Technical Units)
• Repair backrest latch, both sides: Labor Operation 7263 5099 (30 Technical Units)

Diagnostic time and road test times are listed as "No allowance" (0 TU). All warranty claims must adhere to the Audi Warranty Policies and Procedures Manual.

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Source: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication 10186984