2008-2025 Audi Leather Seat Care and Repair TSB

Audi has issued Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 2076945/1 to address various Audi leather seat appearance issues across its 2008-2025 model lineup. This bulletin provides detailed information for technicians on how to properly assess, care for, and repair leather and leatherette seat covers. The TSB aims to help dealerships effectively manage customer complaints regarding the visual condition of their vehicle's interior seating, ensuring consistent repair standards.

Symptoms

Owners of 2008-2025 Audi vehicles may notice a range of visual issues affecting their leather or leatherette seats. These complaints can manifest in different forms and locations throughout the vehicle's interior. Common symptoms include:

• "appearance, surface -> stains" on seat backrest covers, seat surface covers, and armrests in the first, second, and third rows. This can affect the right, left, or center positions.
• "contamination -> dirty" on various seat components, including backrest covers and seat surface covers, also observed in different seating rows and positions.
• "component, automotive fluids -> damaged" on seat backrest covers, seat surface covers, and armrests, indicating potential spills or material degradation.
• "appearance, surface -> wrinkled" on seat surface covers, backrest covers, headrest covers, and center armrest covers across all rows. These wrinkles can appear in left, right, center, or front positions.
• General "appearance, surface" complaints affecting the overall look of the seats, encompassing a broad range of cosmetic imperfections.

These issues can affect any part of the seat, including the seat bench, armrests, backrest covers, seat surface covers, headrest covers, and center armrest covers in all rows of seating.

Diagnosis and Assessment

To accurately assess the nature and cause of Audi leather seat appearance issues, technicians are advised to use a specialized catalogue titled "Assessment of leather and coated textiles in automotive interior." This comprehensive resource helps differentiate between issues caused by insufficient care, mechanical damage, or potential manufacturing defects in the leather or assembly.

The catalogue provides essential knowledge on leather and leatherette properties, an overview of potential damage scenarios, and practical tips for cleaning, care, and repair. It serves as a crucial aid for technicians in discussing findings with customers and determining the appropriate repair strategy. This tool also enhances service employees' understanding of the material, ensuring a more informed diagnostic process.

Repair Procedure Summary

The TSB emphasizes that repairing affected seat covers is generally preferred over replacing them, whenever feasible. For proper care, cleaning, and repair work, Audi recommends using the specific repair kit VAS 894 001. This kit is designed to address many of the common visual complaints detailed in the bulletin.

The repair process involves a thorough assessment using the aforementioned catalogue. Technicians must document the complaint with photos, clearly showing the issue, to determine if a warranty-covered fault is involved or if the customer is at fault. If in-dealership repairs using the VAS 894 001 kit are not possible, the work may be outsourced to a specialized service provider in exceptional cases. In such instances, the repair must be billed as "leather work."

Required Tools and Parts

• Repair Kit: VAS 894 001 (Order number ASE 89400190000) – This kit contains the necessary materials for cleaning, caring for, and repairing leather and leatherette surfaces.
• Assessment Catalogue: "Assessment of leather and coated textiles in automotive interior" – This catalogue is a critical reference tool for diagnosis and understanding various leather and textile issues. It can be ordered via email at [email protected] or through www.filkfreiberg.de.

Important Warnings for Owners

Owners should be aware of specific conditions outlined in this Technical Service Bulletin:

• Warranty Coverage: This TSB is informational only and is explicitly stated as "not applicable to any Audi Warranty." This means that repairs performed under the guidance of this bulletin may not be covered by your vehicle's warranty, depending on the assessment of fault.
• Fault Assessment: Technicians are required to assess "whether a fault covered by the warranty is involved or whether the customer is at fault." This assessment will determine the financial responsibility for the repair.
• Documentation: All complaints "must always be documented with photos clearly showing the issue." This documentation is crucial for the diagnostic and billing process.

Additional Information

All part and service references provided in this TSB (2076945) are subject to change and/or removal. Technicians are advised to always check with their Parts Department and/or ETKA for the latest information and parts bulletins. They should also consult the Repair Manual for fasteners, bolts, nuts, and screws that require replacement during the repair.

NHTSA ID: 2076945/1