2021-2022 Audi MIB3 MMI Sidebar Missing TSB 2071928/2

Symptoms

Owners of certain 2021-2022 Audi vehicles, including the e-tron, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, Q3, Q5, Q7, Q8, and various S and RS models, may experience issues with their MIB3 infotainment system. The primary symptom is that "The sidebar in the MMI is permanently missing." This prevents normal interaction with the system.

Additionally, the MMI system might "starts directly into the settings menu, making it impossible to use the infotainment system as intended." This software-related glitch affects the usability of radio, navigation, communication, and entertainment functions, making the Audi MIB3 MMI sidebar missing a significant inconvenience.

Technical Background

Audi Technical Service Bulletin 2071928/2, initially published on October 30, 2023, and revised on April 14, 2025, identifies a software-related issue as the cause for the Audi MIB3 MMI sidebar missing problem. This defect can lead to the MMI sidebar disappearing from the infotainment display.

To resolve this, a new information electronics software update has been developed for Model Year 2023 vehicles, which is now being applied to affected earlier models. The bulletin specifies that this is a software-related issue, not a hardware failure.

Repair Procedure Summary

The repair for the Audi MIB3 MMI sidebar missing issue involves updating the infotainment system software using a USB flash drive. The process requires specific steps to ensure successful installation.

First, the ignition is turned on, and the system is allowed to fully start (approximately 5 minutes). A USB stick containing the MIB3 script is then inserted into the vehicle's USB port. The technician waits for the message "Failure detected. Fix successful. Please remove USB-stick and restart the Infotainment System." to appear.

After this, the ignition is turned off, doors are locked, and the vehicle is allowed to enter sleep mode (approximately 5 minutes). The doors are then unlocked, the USB stick is removed, and the ignition is turned on again. After another 5-minute wait for the MIB to fully start, the USB stick is re-inserted. The final step is to check for the message "Check result: OK No issue identified. Please remove USB-stick and restart the Infotainment System." to confirm the software update was successful and no further issues are detected.

Required Tools or Parts

To perform this software update, a specific USB flash drive with part number 8WD906961 is required. This is considered a shop tool and one unit is needed. Technicians may also need to refer to TSB 2047812, titled "00 SD Creator: how to set up and use the SD Creator for obtaining vehicle software updates via the MirrorServer," for instructions on preparing the USB drive.

Important Warnings

Audi provides a critical notice regarding the diagnostic process for this issue. If the "Check result: OK No issue identified." message appears prematurely at step 4 of the repair procedure, it indicates that the control unit for information electronics (J794) is not affected by the software issue described in TSB 2071928/2. In such cases, the problem's diagnosis falls outside the scope of this particular Technical Service Bulletin.

Owners should also be aware that if their vehicle is outside of its warranty period, this Technical Service Bulletin is for informational purposes only, implying potential costs for the repair. Audi is not notifying consumers directly about this TSB.

Warranty Information

For vehicles under warranty, claims for this repair should be submitted using Service Number 9196 and Damage Code 0039. Labor operations include "Program display and operating unit" (code 9196 2599, 30 Time Units) and "Check vehicle (bus sleep mode)" (code 0689 0199, 10 Time Units). Claims must adhere to the Audi Warranty Policies and Procedures Manual, and are subject to review by Audi Warranty.

Source: NHTSA ID 11017637