2021-2022 Audi Dashboard Leather Delamination TSB

Owners of certain 2021-2022 Audi models may notice issues with their leather dashboard, including blistering, bubbling, wrinkling, or detachment. This condition, known as Audi dashboard delamination, is detailed in Audi Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 70 24 91 2071698/2, issued on May 22, 2024. This TSB supersedes a previous bulletin, Group 70 number 23-85, dated November 3, 2023.

Revision History

This Technical Service Bulletin has undergone revisions:

• Revision 2 (May 22, 2024): Revised the header to remove an incorrect sales model and modified the diagnostic time for warranty claims.
• Revision 1 (November 3, 2023): Initial publication of the bulletin.

Symptoms

Owners may observe the following issues with their leather dashboard:

• The leather of the dashboard is "wavy, wrinkled, loose, blistering and/or bubbling."
• The leather has "delaminated" or "detached" from the dashboard substrate.

These symptoms can manifest as massive, large-scale delamination (Figures 1-2), delamination at the defroster vent (Figure 3), delamination at the bend or radius (Figure 4), slight blistering or bubbling (Figure 5), and wrinkles due to shrinkage (Figure 6).

Technical Background

Audi attributes the Audi dashboard delamination to weaknesses in the manufacturing process and extreme stresses. These stresses are often caused by hot and humid climates. The leather material can reach its physical load limit, leading to its detachment from the dashboard substrate.

While various measures have been implemented in production to address this, they have not been 100% effective. Audi states that further optimization measures are currently under investigation.

Repair Procedure Summary

The primary repair for Audi dashboard delamination involves replacing the entire dashboard. Technicians are instructed to follow the detailed steps outlined in the Elsa repair manual. The specific path within Elsa is: Elsa>>Repair manual>>Body>>Body Interior>>70 Interior Trim>>Instrument Panel>>Instrument Panel, Removing and Installing.

It is important to note that only leather-covered dashboards are affected by the conditions described in this TSB and are eligible for this specific repair.

Warrantable vs. Non-Warrantable Conditions

This TSB clarifies which dashboard defects are covered under warranty and which are not:

Warrantable Defects (Covered by this TSB)

Defect patterns that may be claimed under this TSB/Warranty Extension include:

• Massive, large-scale delamination (Figures 1-2)
• Massive delamination at the defroster vent (Figure 3)
• Delamination at the bend / radius (Figure 4)
• Slight blistering / bubbling (Figure 5)
• Wrinkles due to shrinkage (Figure 6)

Defects Covered Under "Trim Items" Warranty (Not this TSB)

Certain customer complaints are covered under the general "Trim items" warranty coverage, but not specifically under TSB 70 24 91 2071698/2. These include:

• Stitching defect (Figure 7)
• Uneven seam (Figure 8)

Non-Warrantable Defects (Caused by Outside Influences)

Damage patterns caused by outside influences are not warrantable defects and cannot be claimed under warranty. These include:

• "Leather damaged by mechanical force" (Figure 9)
• "Leather detachment due to the use of harsh cleaning agents" (Figure 10)
• "Leather surface scratched" (Figure 11)

Warranty Information

Warranty claims for the replacement of the instrument panel due to Audi dashboard delamination must adhere to the following guidelines:

• Service Number: 7018
• Damage Code: 0030
• Claim Types:
  • 910/110: Applicable for vehicles up to 48 months or 50,000 miles.
  • 1GW: Applicable for vehicles up to 96 months or 80,000 miles.
• Labor Operations:
  • Instrument panel replace: Labor operation code 7018 5550. Refer to the Service Repair Time (SRT) for associated operations.
  • Road test prior to service procedure: No allowance (0 TU).
  • Road test after service procedure: No allowance (0 TU).
• Diagnostic Time: GFF (Guided Fault Finding) with diagnostic time code 0150 0060. The time stated on the diagnostic protocol is the maximum allowed (Max 30 TU).
• Claim Comment: Claims should be submitted "As per TSB 2071698/2."

All warranty claims must be submitted in accordance with the Audi Warranty Policies and Procedures Manual and are subject to review or audit by Audi Warranty. If your vehicle is outside of any applicable warranty period, this Technical Service Bulletin is for informational purposes only.

Important Notes for Owners

If you are experiencing symptoms of Audi dashboard delamination and plan to visit a dealer, be aware of the following:

• Required Photos: For proper documentation (DOC-IT), technicians will need to upload specific photos, including a clear photo of the visible complaint, a full vehicle photo, and ensure the date is visible in the photo.
• Parts and Service References: All part and service references in TSB 2071698 are subject to change. Your dealer's Parts Department and/or ETKA should be consulted for the latest information and parts bulletins.
• Repair Manual: The Repair Manual should be checked for any fasteners, bolts, nuts, and screws that require replacement during the dashboard repair.

NHTSA ID: 10255850