2021 Audi Emergency Assist Seatbelt Tugging TSB

If you own a 2021 Audi e-tron and have experienced unexpected seatbelt tugging or brief speed reductions, this article explains the Audi e-tron emergency assist system behavior. Audi has released Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 90 20 39 2056123/2 to clarify that these occurrences are part of the vehicle's Emergency Assist (EA) system operating as intended.

The TSB, issued on February 14, 2020, supersedes a previous bulletin (90 19-29) and applies to specific models equipped with Adaptive Cruise Assist.

Symptoms

Owners of affected 2021 Audi models, including the Audi e-tron emergency assist system, have reported specific symptoms. These symptoms are typically observed when the Emergency Assist system activates:

• The vehicle's seatbelt tugs three times.
• Brief reductions in vehicle speed are experienced.
• The instrument cluster may display messages such as "Emergency assist: active. Please take over!" or "Emergency assist: canceled."
• These events often occur without obvious external causes, such as other vehicles in front.

Fault Codes / DTCs

The service bulletin notes that some Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) might be stored in the driver assistance control module, specifically the J1121 control unit (address word 00A5). However, the bulletin clarifies that any DTCs appearing with an exclamation mark in a triangle symbol within the ODIS test plan should be ignored, as they are not indicative of a fault in this context.

What the Service Bulletin Says

According to TSB 90 20 39 2056123/2, the Emergency Assist (EA) system monitors steering wheel input to determine if the driver is actively engaged in driving. If the system detects insufficient steering input over a period, it assumes the driver may be incapacitated.

To regain the driver's attention, the EA system initiates a warning sequence. This sequence includes tugging on the seatbelt and applying the brakes three times in quick succession. If the driver does not respond, the system will eventually stop the vehicle, activate hazard lights, and after a 30-second delay, trigger an emergency call.

The bulletin explains that the system relies on steering wheel torque to detect driver presence. On long, straight roads or if the driver maintains a light grip on the steering wheel, the system might falsely interpret this as driver incapacitation. This is the intended design of the system, not a malfunction. If Adaptive Cruise Assist and active lane departure warning are deactivated, the system will only provide a visual warning in the instrument cluster before the haptic warnings begin.

No repair is required for this condition, as the system is functioning as designed. The TSB is for informational purposes and does not apply to any Audi warranty claims.

What to Do

If you experience the symptoms described, especially in your 2021 Audi e-tron, understand that this is likely the Emergency Assist system working as designed. There is no repair needed for this behavior.

• Understand the System: Familiarize yourself with how the Emergency Assist system operates, as detailed in your owner's manual under the "Emergency Assist" section.
• Deactivate if Desired: Your Audi dealership can show you how to deactivate the Emergency Assist function through the driver assist settings in individual mode if you find its interventions disruptive.

Understanding how the Audi e-tron emergency assist system works is key to avoiding confusion when it activates.

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Source: NHTSA ID: 10171819