2025-2026 Audi A5 Rear Lid Only Opens/Closes Slightly TSB

Symptoms

Owners of affected Audi vehicles may observe an unusual behavior with their power rear lid. The primary symptoms reported are that the rear lid only opens slightly and then stops, or conversely, the rear lid only closes slightly and then stops. This intermittent issue occurs without logging any diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) or fault entries in the vehicle's event memory, making it difficult to diagnose without specific guidance. This specific Audi A5 rear lid fault can be frustrating for owners expecting smooth operation of their power tailgate.

Technical Background

The root cause of this Audi A5 rear lid fault stems from the factory calibration process for the rear lid drive motors. During manufacturing, under certain circumstances, the current draw for these motors may be set too low. This insufficient current can lead to the irregular opening and closing behavior of the rear lid. Because the issue is related to calibration rather than a component failure, it typically does not generate any fault codes in the vehicle's diagnostic system, which is why technicians won't find an event memory entry.

Audi has implemented a production solution for this issue, with optimized software being installed in vehicles manufactured from week 42/2025 onwards. This indicates that newer production models should not exhibit this particular Audi A5 rear lid fault.

Important Warnings for Owners and Technicians

Audi has issued several critical warnings within TSB 2077064/7 that owners and technicians must heed to ensure a successful repair and prevent potential hazards:

• Initialization is Critical: "It is imperative to reset initialization of the rear lid and then adapt it again. If this is not performed, the parameters logged in the control unit no longer match the preload of the rear lid and a repeat repair may be required." This warning emphasizes that skipping or improperly performing the initialization step will likely lead to the problem recurring, requiring another service visit.
• Do Not Hinder Movement: "It is essential not to hinder or stop the movement of the rear lid under any circumstances. This would interrupt the initialization process." During the initialization sequence, any interference with the rear lid's movement can corrupt the calibration data, forcing the entire procedure to be restarted.
• Anti-Trapping Protection Inactive: "Anti-trapping protection is NOT active for the entire duration of the initialization process. Make sure that there is no risk of entrapment for you or other people at any time." This is a significant safety concern. During the initialization, the system's safety features that prevent the lid from closing on an obstruction are temporarily disabled. Extreme caution must be exercised to ensure no one is near the rear lid's path to avoid injury.

Repair Procedure Summary

Addressing the Audi A5 rear lid fault involves a three-step process outlined in Audi Technical Service Bulletin 2077064/7. All three steps must be performed to ensure a complete and lasting repair.

Step 1: Software Update Check

The first step requires checking for and performing a specific software update. Technicians must verify if the vehicle has the necessary software. This involves referring to TSB 2079690, which details the "00 Combined software update 03.10.00/C (28.13.01) KD2." The vehicle already has the optimized software if diagnostic address 0046 shows software version 0231 or higher. This update is crucial as it optimizes the control unit's parameters for the rear lid drive motors, addressing the underlying low current draw issue.

Step 2: Mechanical Setting Check

After the software is updated, the mechanical fit and permissible buffer forces of the rear lid must be checked. This ensures that the physical components are correctly aligned and operating within specifications. Technicians are instructed to refer to the "Adjusting rear lid" section in the Workshop Manual for detailed instructions. Specialized tools, including the spring pressure gauge VAS 895 035 and measurement film VAS 895 037, are required for this precise adjustment. These tools help ensure the rear lid's physical alignment is perfect before the final calibration.

Step 3: Rear Lid Initialization

The final and critical step is to initialize the rear lid. This process resets the control unit's learned parameters and adapts them to the current mechanical settings. If this step is not performed correctly, the previous adjustments and software update may not resolve the Audi A5 rear lid fault.

To perform the initialization:

1. Preparation: Open the rear lid approximately halfway. This position allows easy access to both the exterior and interior electric rear lid lock actuation buttons. The exterior button (Figure 2) is typically located on the underside of the rear lid, while the interior button (Figure 3, item 3) is found on the inside trim of the lid.
2. Simultaneous Press: Press and hold both the electric rear lid lock actuation button on the outside (Figure 2) and the electric rear lid lock actuation button on the inside (Figure 3, item 3) simultaneously for at least 5 seconds. The vehicle will provide an audible signal to confirm the start of the initialization sequence.
3. Close and Wait: Close the rear lid completely and wait for 2 seconds.
4. Cycle Three Times: Open and close the rear lid three times using only the two buttons (Figure 2 and Figure 3, item 3). It is vital to ensure that the rear lid reaches its full open and full closed end positions during each cycle. As noted in the warnings, it is essential not to hinder or stop the movement of the rear lid during these cycles, as this would interrupt the initialization process. Also, remember that anti-trapping protection is inactive during this procedure, so exercise extreme caution.

Once these steps are completed, the initialization process is finished, and the Audi A5 rear lid fault should be resolved.

Required Tools or Parts

To accurately diagnose and perform the mechanical adjustments required for the Audi A5 rear lid fault, specific special tools are necessary:

• VAS 895 037: Measurement film
• VAS 895 035: Spring pressure gauge

These tools are used to check the precise fit and buffer forces of the rear lid, ensuring it meets Audi's specifications before the final initialization.

Warranty Information

For vehicles still under warranty, claims for this repair must adhere to the Audi Warranty Policies and Procedures Manual. The Technical Service Bulletin 2077064/7 specifies the following details for warranty claims:

• Claim Type: If the vehicle is outside of any warranty, this TSB is informational only, meaning the repair would not be covered.
• Service Number: 5568
• Damage Code: KD02
• Labor Operations:
  • Combined update and adjust rear lid:
    • Software update, including connecting battery charger: 0151 0010
    • Fixed rate for software update, including all required preliminary and follow-up work: 0151 0040 (130 TU)
    • Additional attempts after flash abort: 0150 9999 (50 TU per each documented attempt)
    • Adjust rear lid: 5559 1599 (20 TU)
  • Only adjust rear lid:
    • Adjust rear lid: 5559 1599 (30 TU)
• Claim Comment: As per TSB 2077064/7

When performing the combined software update, time stamps are not required for billing under warranty, allowing technicians to work on other vehicles concurrently. This specific repair can also be performed by non-productive personnel.

Source: NHTSA ID 11027400