2025 Audi MMI Surround Sound Settings Missing TSB

Owners of certain 2025 Audi models equipped with Bang & Olufsen surround sound systems may notice that the settings for surround sound via head restraints are missing from their Multi Media Interface (MMI) system. This issue, detailed in Audi Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 2079965/2, indicates a software-related problem that prevents users from accessing or adjusting these audio features.

This TSB, released on December 19, 2025, supersedes an earlier Pending Service Solution (PSS) TSB 2077615. It provides a clear resolution for the 2025 Audi MMI surround sound settings missing problem through a software update.

Symptoms

Owners experiencing this issue will observe specific changes within their MMI sound settings. The most notable symptom is that "The buttons for surround sound in the driver and passenger head restraints are missing in the MMI sound settings." Instead of the expected controls, users will see "Two unmarked bars are shown instead." Crucially, attempting to interact with these unmarked bars will yield no results, as "Operating these bars does not affect the sound settings."

This problem is often sporadic; "The complaint occurs sporadically. The buttons for surround sound may be displayed again after a bus sleep cycle." A bus sleep cycle refers to the vehicle's electronic systems powering down after the ignition is turned off and the vehicle has been parked for a period, allowing modules to reset. However, the issue can reappear, making the surround sound settings unreliable.

Diagnosis and Trigger Conditions

When a vehicle presents with the 2025 Audi MMI surround sound settings missing complaint, technicians can typically reproduce the issue in the workshop. The underlying cause is a software anomaly within the MMI system that affects the display and functionality of the Bang & Olufsen surround sound controls for the head restraints.

Audi has identified that this software issue will not occur in vehicles manufactured in week 42/25 or later, indicating a production-level software correction has been implemented for newer vehicles.

Repair Procedure Summary

The resolution for the missing surround sound settings involves a software update to the MMI system. Dealerships are instructed to update the MMI software by following the directions outlined in another related bulletin, TSB 2079690, titled "00 Combined software update 03.10.00/C (28.13.01) KD2." This procedure typically involves connecting a battery charger to maintain stable voltage during the update process, as well as performing any necessary preliminary and follow-up work, which may include calibration drives and allowing for a bus sleep cycle.

Warranty Information

For vehicles still under warranty, the software update to correct the 2025 Audi MMI surround sound settings missing issue is covered. The TSB specifies several labor operations for technicians to claim the repair time:

• 0151 0010: Software update, including connecting a battery charger.
• 0151 0040: Fixed rate for the complete software update process, encompassing all required preliminary steps, follow-up work, bus sleep cycle, calibration drives, and additional tasks. This operation is allocated 130 labor time units (TU).
• 0150 9999: In cases where a flash abort occurs, an additional lump sum of 50 TU can be claimed per documented attempt to compensate for the extra work involved.

The Service Number for this issue is 9196, and the Damage Code is KD02. All warranty claims must adhere to the Audi Warranty Policies and Procedures Manual.

Important Warnings

Owners should be aware that if their vehicle is outside of any applicable warranty period, this Technical Service Bulletin is informational only. This means that the repair may not be covered by Audi, and owners might be responsible for the cost of the software update.

What Owners Should Do

If you own a 2025 Audi A5, Q5, S5, or SQ5 with Bang & Olufsen surround sound and are experiencing the 2025 Audi MMI surround sound settings missing problem, you should contact your authorized Audi dealership. Explain the symptoms you are observing, referencing the missing surround sound buttons and the appearance of unmarked bars in the MMI settings. The dealership will be able to diagnose the issue and perform the necessary software update as per TSB 2079965/2.

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Source: NHTSA ID: 11027437