2015-2026 Audi Vehicles Braking Creak at Standstill

Audi has released Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 2054385/3 to address customer reports of creaking noises during braking, particularly when the vehicle is at an almost complete standstill. This TSB, which supersedes previous bulletin 46 21-25 dated February 25, 2021, provides an explanation for this phenomenon across various Audi models from 2015 to 2026.

Symptoms

Owners may notice the following:

• "Creaking noises when braking at almost standstill (crawling when pulling away or briefly before standstill)."

This specific noise is often heard during light braking, especially in vehicles equipped with an automatic gearbox, just before the vehicle comes to a complete stop or when moving very slowly.

What Causes the Creak: The Stick-Slip Effect

The TSB explains that the creaking sound is a result of the 'stick-slip effect.' This effect occurs when two objects moving against each other experience an undesired, jerky, and pulsating slip. It happens when the static friction between the brake components is significantly greater than the dynamic friction.

When you lightly apply the brakes at very slow speeds, the brake pads and rotors can alternate between sticking and slipping. This generates vibrations that are transmitted through the suspension to the vehicle's body, where they are converted into sound waves, perceived as creaking noises. This phenomenon is more noticeable in vehicles with high-performance brakes, such as the Audi SQ5, S4, S5, S6, S7, or the Audi e-tron, but it can affect all Audi vehicles.

Important Warnings for Owners

Audi emphasizes several key points regarding this issue:

• "This creaking noise is a physical phenomenon (stick-slip effect), which in various intensity can also be reproduced on other vehicles (normal condition) and does not reduce the braking performance."
• This Technical Service Bulletin is informational only and is "not applicable to any Audi Warranty." This means that the creaking noise, being a normal characteristic, is not considered a defect covered under warranty for repair.

What Owners Should Know

If you experience an Audi e-tron braking creak or similar noises in other Audi models, it's important to understand that, according to Audi, this is a normal operating characteristic caused by the stick-slip effect. It does not indicate a fault with your braking system or a reduction in braking performance. Therefore, no repair is necessary or covered under warranty for this specific condition.

Revision History

This TSB has undergone several revisions:

• Revision 3 (September 18, 2023): Revised header and added model years.
• Revision 2 (February 25, 2021): Revised header and added model years.
• Revision 1 (March 21, 2019): Initial publication.

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NHTSA ID: 10242949