2021 Audi Driver Assist System Malfunction TSB

Owners of certain 2021 Audi vehicles may experience an intermittent Audi e-tron driver assist malfunction, leading to various warning messages and temporary inoperability of driver assistance systems. This issue is addressed by Audi Technical Service Bulletin PSS 90, also identified as 2060332/1.

The TSB explains that the diagnostic function for the driver assist systems is too sensitive, causing the system to incorrectly report a fault. While a permanent solution is being developed, Audi advises specific actions for dealerships when this condition is reported.

Symptoms

If your vehicle is affected by this issue, you might observe the following symptoms:

• Driver assistance systems become inoperable.
• A warning message is displayed in the instrument cluster.
• Specific warnings may include:
  • "Audi adaptive light malfunction"
  • "Audi pre sense system error"
  • "Adaptive vehicle assistance restricted"
  • "Adaptive vehicle assistance predictive regulation currently restricted"
• The driver assistance systems typically become available again after a few seconds.

Fault Codes / DTCs

Technicians investigating this issue will likely find the following diagnostic trouble code stored intermittently in the control module for driver assist systems, J1121 (address word 00A5):

Code	Description	Module
C12D5FA	Control unit for driver assist systems, picture processor does not respond	J1121

This DTC C12D5FA is often accompanied by symptom code 221281.

What the Service Bulletin Says

Audi's Technical Service Bulletin 2060332/1 (PSS 90) provides instructions for dealerships to manage this specific Audi e-tron driver assist malfunction. The bulletin states that the root cause is an overly sensitive diagnostic function, not a hardware failure. Therefore, technicians are instructed not to replace any components, as this will not resolve the customer's concern.

Instead, the primary action is to delete the stored DTC C12D5FA. Dealerships are also advised to inform customers that a permanent solution, likely a software update, is expected to be released in the third quarter of 2021. This indicates that the issue is known and actively being addressed by the manufacturer.

What to Do

If you own a 2021 Audi model listed above and are experiencing an Audi e-tron driver assist malfunction or seeing related warning messages, it's recommended to contact your authorized Audi dealership. Explain the symptoms you are experiencing and mention Technical Service Bulletin 2060332/1 (PSS 90).

Your dealership can confirm if your vehicle is affected and perform the recommended diagnostic and temporary remedy. Since no parts replacement is currently advised, the immediate action is to clear the fault code and await the forthcoming permanent solution from Audi.

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Source: NHTSA ID 10178565