2021-2023 Audi Voice Control Cannot Operate HVAC

Owners of various 2021-2023 Audi models may notice that their vehicle's voice recognition system does not allow them to control the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit. This behavior, where the Audi HVAC voice recognition system appears unresponsive to commands for climate control, is addressed by Audi in Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 91 22 61 2065488/1.

Symptoms

Customers have reported a specific condition: "The voice recognition system cannot be used to change the HVAC settings of the vehicle." This means that despite attempting to issue voice commands, the air conditioning unit and other climate functions remain unaffected. This can lead owners to believe there is a malfunction with their vehicle's infotainment or climate control system.

Technical Background

Audi's TSB clarifies that the perceived issue is not a defect but rather a design characteristic. The air conditioning unit installed in the affected models, which include the 2021-2023 Audi A3, S3, A4, S4, A5, A5 Sportback, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Sportback, RS 5, RS 5 Sportback, Q5, SQ5, e-tron, and e-tron GT, does not support external control via voice recognition. This means the system was not designed to respond to voice commands for HVAC adjustments.

What This Means for Owners

For owners experiencing this, it is important to understand that the inability of the voice recognition system to operate the HVAC unit is considered "normal behavior" by Audi. This TSB is primarily informational, aiming to prevent unnecessary dealer visits and diagnostics for a non-existent fault. There is no underlying problem with your vehicle's systems, and no repair is required.

No Repair or Parts Needed

Since this is not a malfunction, there is no production solution, repair procedure, or specific parts required to address the Audi HVAC voice recognition limitation. The TSB explicitly states that it is informational only and not applicable to any Audi Warranty claims. Owners should continue to use the physical controls on their dashboard or infotainment screen to adjust climate settings.

Owner Action

If you own a 2021-2023 Audi A3, S3, A4, S4, A5, A5 Sportback, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Sportback, RS 5, RS 5 Sportback, Q5, SQ5, e-tron, or e-tron GT and have noticed that your voice commands do not control the HVAC system, you do not need to take any action. This is the expected functionality of the vehicle. There is no need to schedule a service appointment for this specific concern, as your dealer will confirm that the Audi HVAC voice recognition feature for climate control is not supported.

Source: NHTSA ID: 10207130