2025-2026 Audi 12V Battery Discharged with Digital Key (TSB 2081155/1)

Audi has released Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 2081155/1, addressing a concern where the 12V battery in certain 2025-2026 Audi models may become discharged. This issue primarily affects vehicles where a key user has been added and a digital key is actively in use. The TSB outlines the symptoms, the underlying cause, and a temporary solution while a permanent fix is being developed.

Symptoms of a Discharged 12V Battery

Owners of affected Audi vehicles may experience several issues related to a discharged 12V battery. For combustion engine vehicles, a primary symptom is that "The engine does not start (battery charge is too low)".

For all affected vehicles, the following symptoms may occur:

• The vehicle cannot be unlocked.
• The vehicle cannot be switched on after it has been opened manually or via the lock cylinder.
• The message "Low battery charge" may appear in the instrument cluster.

These symptoms are often accompanied by the 12V battery being completely discharged, as confirmed by workshop findings.

Diagnosis and Trigger Conditions

The root cause of the 12V battery discharge is the digital key repeatedly waking up the vehicle. This constant activity drains the battery over time.

Technicians can diagnose this issue by checking the sleep inhibitor data for "Bus alerts" in diagnostic address 0019. This data will show if there are more than 100 waking-up events. Specific control units that may act as sleep inhibitors include:

• J1192: "Burglary Protection Control Module FR"
• J1193: "Burglary Protection Control Module RL"
• J1309: "Burglary Protection Control Module IN 2"

If any of these control units are identified as sleep inhibitors, the digital key must be deactivated to prevent further 12V battery discharge.

Important Warnings for Owners and Technicians

Audi has provided specific guidance regarding this issue:

• Applicability: "This PSS only applies if a key user has already been added for this vehicle AND a digital key is being used."
• Component Replacement: "Do not replace any components for this condition since this will not resolve the customer's concern." This means replacing the 12V battery or other components will not fix the underlying problem of the digital key causing repeated wake-ups.
• Digital Key Reactivation: "Please do not reactivate the digital key as this may cause the complaint to occur again." Owners should avoid reactivating the digital key after it has been deactivated to prevent recurrence of the Audi A6 12V battery discharged issue.

Repair Procedure Summary

As of the release of TSB 2081155/1, Audi is actively working on a permanent solution, which is expected to be available by the end of the 3rd quarter of 2026. In the meantime, the recommended procedure involves:

1. Diagnosing the vehicle according to the instructions provided in the TSB, confirming the 12V battery discharged condition.
2. Explaining to the customer that a permanent solution is anticipated by Q3 2026 and that no repairs are currently necessary beyond deactivating the digital key if it's identified as the cause.
3. Creating a PSS record in the Pending Service Solutions (PSS) application via Audi Now (Service | AU-US > Pending Service Solutions (PSS)).

Warranty Information

Warranty claims for this condition should be submitted using the following details:

• Service Number: 9667
• Damage Code: 0039
• Labor Operations:
  • GFF / Guided Functions: 0150 0010
  • GFF / Guided Functions: 0150 0060
• Claim Comment: As per TSB 2081155/1

All warranty claims must adhere to the Audi Warranty Policies and Procedures Manual.

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Source: NHTSA ID 11029439