2022-2026 Audi Heated Steering Wheel DTC B145504 TSB

Symptoms of Premature Heated Steering Wheel Deactivation

Owners of affected Audi vehicles, including the Audi e-tron heated steering wheel models from 2022-2026, may notice that the steering wheel heating system switches itself off automatically after approximately five minutes of operation. This occurs without any user input. A visual indicator in the instrument cluster might also accompany this issue, signaling a problem with the heating functionality.

Fault Codes / DTCs

When diagnosing this issue, technicians may find the following Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) stored in the vehicle's diagnostic address 0016:

This DTC indicates a fault with the temperature sensor of the heated steering wheel, leading to its premature deactivation.

Diagnosis and Trigger Conditions

The primary cause for the heated steering wheel to deactivate prematurely is attributed to specific climatic conditions. These conditions can lead the system to incorrectly interpret temperature readings, resulting in the heater turning off earlier than intended. This is a known condition affecting the Audi e-tron heated steering wheel and other Audi models within the 2022-2026 range.

Repair Procedure Summary

The Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) clarifies that replacing the steering wheel will not resolve this issue, as the problem is not a hardware defect requiring part replacement. Instead, the solution is a simple reactivation process.

To reactivate the heated steering wheel, the customer or technician should:

1. Press the corresponding heated steering wheel button again.
2. Alternatively, switch the vehicle's ignition off and then back on.

This action will reset the system and allow the heated steering wheel to function again until the condition reoccurs.

Owner Action

If you experience your 2022-2026 Audi's heated steering wheel turning off after about five minutes, you can easily reactivate it by pressing the heated steering wheel button once more or by cycling the ignition. This TSB is informational, meaning it provides guidance for a known condition rather than a repair requiring a dealership visit for most cases. No parts replacement is necessary for this specific issue. This TSB is not applicable to any Audi warranty claims.