2012-2026 Audi License Plate Mounting Bracket Stripped TSB

Audi has issued Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 2030471/8 to address instances where the threaded inserts in the license plate mounting bracket become stripped. This issue can prevent license plate attachment screws from installing properly, making it difficult to secure the license plate.

Symptoms

Owners may notice that the license plate attachment screws do not install properly. This can manifest as screws spinning freely without tightening, or an inability to fully seat the screws, indicating that the threaded inserts are stripped or damaged.

Diagnosis / Trigger Conditions

Audi's technical background indicates that damaged screw inserts are often a result of improper installation. This typically occurs when screws are installed with excessive torque or when screws of an inappropriate length are used. Technicians should visually inspect the license plate bracket for signs of damaged screw inserts. The Audi e-tron license plate stripped condition is usually an external influence problem.

Repair Procedure Summary

To address stripped license plate mounting bracket threaded inserts, follow these steps:

1. Determine Correct Screw Length: The appropriate screw length depends on the cumulative thickness of the license plate and any decorative frame.
   • For license plates without a decorative frame, use an M6 x 8 mm screw.
   • For license plates with a 2 mm thick decorative frame, use an M6 x 10 mm screw.
2. Manual Installation: Always manually install license plate screws using a handheld screwdriver. Avoid power tools that can apply excessive torque.
3. Check for Bottoming Out: If a screw bottoms out before fully tightening, remove it and select a shorter screw. Continuing to apply torque to a bottomed-out screw will damage the inserts.
4. Replace Damaged Inserts: If the license plate bracket screw inserts are damaged but the openings in the license plate bracket itself are intact, the inserts can be replaced. This is a common fix if your Audi e-tron license plate stripped.

Required Parts

For replacing damaged license plate bracket screw inserts, the following part is specified:

• WHT003200: Nut (M6) - Quantity 01-04 (as needed).

Owner Action

If you are experiencing issues with your license plate attachment screws not installing properly, it is likely due to stripped threaded inserts. This damage is typically caused by external factors such as incorrect screw length or excessive torque during installation, and therefore, it is generally not covered by Audi Warranty. Owners should ensure that the correct screw length is used and that screws are installed manually with a handheld screwdriver to prevent future damage. If the inserts are already stripped, a repair involving the replacement part WHT003200 may be necessary.

Source: NHTSA ID 11025323