2025 Audi A5/Q5 Drive System Fault TSB 2079294/1

Owners of certain 2025 Audi A5, S5, Q5, and SQ5 models may encounter an instrument cluster message stating, "Drive system: fault. Please contact workshop." This warning points to an underlying issue within the vehicle's drive system, specifically related to the steering wheel's Tiptronic paddle shifter wiring. This issue affects vehicles designated as FU*, GF*, and GU* for the 2025 model year.

This concern is detailed in Audi Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 2079294/1, released on September 23, 2025. The TSB outlines the diagnostic steps and repair procedures for this specific 2025 Audi A5 drive system fault, ensuring proper functionality and resolution of the warning message.

Symptoms of the 2025 Audi A5 Drive System Fault

The primary symptom owners will notice is the verbatim message displayed in the instrument cluster: "Drive system: fault. Please contact workshop." This message indicates a malfunction within the drive system that requires attention. While the message itself is a clear indicator, technicians will also find specific diagnostic trouble codes stored in the vehicle's memory.

Associated Fault Codes (DTCs)

When diagnosing the "Drive system: fault. Please contact workshop" message, technicians will typically find one or both of the following DTCs logged in the multifunction steering wheel control unit 3 -J453- (diagnostic address 8119):

Code	Description	Module
B114E13	Tiptronic downshift button (on steering wheel), open circuit	Multifunction steering wheel control unit 3 -J453- (DA 8119)
B114F13	Tiptronic upshift button (on steering wheel), open circuit	Multifunction steering wheel control unit 3 -J453- (DA 8119)

These codes specifically point to an open circuit condition in either the downshift or upshift Tiptronic buttons located on the steering wheel.

Diagnosis and Technical Background

Audi has identified two primary factors contributing to this 2025 Audi A5 drive system fault. The first is incorrect wire routing within the steering wheel itself. This improper routing can lead to stress or damage to the wiring connected to the Tiptronic paddle shifters.

Secondly, the multifunction steering wheel control unit 3 -J453- (diagnostic address 8119) may have oversensitive diagnostic parameters. These parameters can trigger the fault message and DTCs even with minor electrical inconsistencies in the wiring. Audi implemented production solutions for these issues, with optimized wire routing introduced from week 31/2025 and modified control unit parameters from week 39/2025 onwards.

Repair Procedure Summary for TSB 2079294/1

The repair procedure outlined in TSB 2079294/1 focuses on correcting the steering wheel wiring to resolve the 2025 Audi A5 drive system fault. Technicians will perform the following steps:

1. Airbag Unit Removal: The airbag unit in the steering wheel must be carefully removed according to the specifications in the Workshop Manual.
2. Wire Inspection and Documentation: The wiring to both the left and right paddle levers on the steering wheel needs to be thoroughly checked for correct routing and any signs of damage. Technicians are required to take appropriate photos for billing and reference. These images must include the VIN and date, be unedited, in focus, well-lit, and clearly mark the problem area. Photo documentation must not show any people, faces, license plates, or customer data.
3. Connector and Harness Check: The connector should be unplugged, and the wiring harness inspected for any damage.
4. Wire Re-routing: The wires on both sides of the steering wheel must be correctly routed through their designated retaining lugs. Figure 1 in the TSB illustrates an example of incorrect wire routing, showing a red arrow pointing to the misrouted wires. Figures 2 and 3 provide visual guidance for correct wire routing on the left and right sides, respectively, with green arrows indicating the proper path for the wires.
5. Airbag Unit Reinstallation: Once the wiring is corrected and secured, the airbag unit is reinstalled following the Workshop Manual.
6. Event Memory Erase: All stored event memory entries for the vehicle as a whole are erased to clear any lingering fault codes.
7. Road Test: A road test of at least 10 miles is performed to confirm the repair and ensure the "Drive system: fault. Please contact workshop" message does not reappear.

Warranty Information and Labor Operations

The repair for this 2025 Audi A5 drive system fault involves specific labor operations and damage codes for warranty claims. The service number associated with this TSB is 3718, and the damage code is 0029. Key labor operations include:

• Remove and install airbag unit: Labor operation code 6958 19xx. Technicians should refer to the Standard Repair Time (SRT) for associated operations.
• Check steering wheel: Labor operation code 4810 0199, allocated 10 Time Units (TU).
• Modify steering wheel: Labor operation code 4810 4999, allocated 5 Time Units (TU).
• GFF / Guided Functions: Labor operation code 0150 0060. The time for this operation is stated on the diagnostic protocol.
• Check vehicle (road test): Labor operation code 0689 0199. This will be billed according to the time required.

Warranty claims must adhere to the Audi Warranty Policies and Procedures Manual. The claim comment should reference "As per TSB 2079294/1."

Important Warnings for Owners

Owners should be aware that this Technical Service Bulletin is primarily informational if their vehicle is outside of its warranty period. "If the vehicle is outside of any warranty, this Technical Service Bulletin is informational only." This means that while the TSB provides a solution, the cost of the repair may not be covered by Audi if the vehicle's warranty has expired.

What Owners Should Do

If you own a 2025 Audi A5, S5, Q5, or SQ5 and are experiencing the "Drive system: fault. Please contact workshop" message, it is recommended to contact an authorized Audi service center. Provide them with your vehicle's details and mention Audi Technical Service Bulletin 2079294/1. The technicians at the service center will be able to diagnose the issue using the specified DTCs (B114E13 or B114F13) and perform the necessary repair to correct the steering wheel wiring.

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Source: NHTSA ID: 11023813