2025 Audi A5/Q5/S5/SQ5 MMI Surround Sound Settings Missing

Owners of certain 2025 Audi models, including the A5 (internal code FU), Q5 (internal code GU), S5, and SQ5, may encounter a specific issue where the MMI (Multi Media Interface) system fails to display the expected surround sound settings for headrest speakers. This concern is addressed in Audi Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 2077615/2, which classifies it as a known software problem. This bulletin, titled "91 PSS MMI sound: Settings for surround sound via head restraints are missing," was released for publishing on October 7, 2025, for the United States market (Volkswagen of America, Inc. (6444)).

This TSB provides guidance to dealerships regarding this condition. It's important for owners to understand the nature of this issue and the recommended actions, as the 2025 Audi A5 MMI surround sound missing settings can be a source of frustration.

Symptoms

Owners experiencing this issue will notice that the dedicated buttons for surround sound in the driver and passenger headrests are absent from the MMI sound settings menu. Specifically, the customer reports that "The buttons for surround sound in the driver and passenger head rests are missing in the MMI sound settings." Instead of the expected controls, the MMI display, particularly within the "Klang" (sound) menu, shows "two unmarked bars" as illustrated in the TSB's Figure 1. Attempting to operate these unmarked bars will not affect the sound settings, indicating a functional deficiency.

This condition typically occurs sporadically. In some cases, the correct buttons for surround sound may reappear after the vehicle has undergone a bus sleep cycle, which is when the vehicle's electronic systems power down completely after a period of inactivity. Workshop findings confirm that this concern can be reproduced, aligning with customer reports regarding the 2025 Audi A5 MMI surround sound missing functionality.

Technical Background

Audi has identified the root cause of the missing MMI surround sound settings as a software issue. This means the problem does not stem from a faulty hardware component but rather from an error or oversight within the vehicle's MMI software programming. This classification is crucial as it dictates the appropriate diagnostic and repair approaches, emphasizing that hardware replacement is not the solution for this specific problem.

Important Warnings

Audi explicitly advises against replacing any components in an attempt to resolve this condition. The TSB states: "Do not replace any components for this condition since this will not resolve the customer's concern." This warning is critical to prevent unnecessary parts replacements and associated costs, as the issue is purely software-related and will not be fixed by swapping hardware.

What Owners Should Know

For owners who report the 2025 Audi A5 MMI surround sound missing settings, Audi recommends a specific course of action. Technicians are instructed to explain to the customer that a permanent software solution is anticipated to be available by the end of the fourth quarter of 2025. This timeline is subject to change. At present, no repairs are necessary, as the issue is not safety-critical and a software update will address it in the future.

If a complaint is made, the condition can often be temporarily remedied by performing a soft reset of the MMI system. This is typically achieved by pressing and holding the volume control knob until the system reboots. Alternatively, allowing the vehicle to complete a bus sleep cycle may also restore the settings temporarily. Dealerships are also required to create a PSS (Pending Service Solutions) record for each instance of this complaint through the AccessAudi portal, under the "Related Links >> Service" section.

Production Update

Audi has implemented a production solution to prevent this issue in newly manufactured vehicles. The TSB indicates that the concern will no longer occur in vehicles produced from week 48/25 (the 48th week of 2025) or later. This means that vehicles manufactured after this date should not exhibit the 2025 Audi A5 MMI surround sound missing settings problem.

Revision History

This TSB, identified by Transaction No. 2077615/2, has undergone revisions since its initial publication:

• Revision 1 (April 14, 2025): This marked the initial publication of the bulletin.
• Revision 2 (October 7, 2025): This revision included updates to the header, adding more models to the applicability, and provided an updated estimated time of arrival (ETA) for the service solution.

Warranty Information

Audi clarifies that TSB 2077615/2 is for informational purposes only. It does not fall under any standard Audi Warranty provisions, as it describes a known software condition and provides guidance rather than a repair procedure covered by warranty at this stage. All part and service references provided in this TSB (2077615) are subject to change and/or removal, and technicians are advised to check with their Parts Department and/or ETKA for the latest information.

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Source: NHTSA ID: 11025310, Audi Transaction No. 2077615/2