2021-2025 Audi Q7/SQ7 Driver Assist System Faults TSB

Owners of 2021-2025 Audi Q7 and SQ7 vehicles may experience various driver assistance systems becoming unavailable, often accompanied by specific warning messages on the instrument cluster. Modern Audi vehicles rely heavily on sophisticated driver assistance systems for safety and convenience, making any malfunction a significant concern. This issue, detailed in Audi Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 2076397/2, points to communication errors within the driver assistance system components, leading to an Audi Q7 driver assist system fault.

This TSB provides a diagnostic and repair procedure for technicians to address these intermittent malfunctions, ensuring the proper functionality of critical safety and convenience features in affected vehicles. Understanding the symptoms and the underlying cause can help owners communicate effectively with service technicians.

Symptoms

If your 2021-2025 Audi Q7 or SQ7 is affected by this issue, you may notice one or more of the following symptoms or warning messages displayed on your instrument cluster:

• Verbatim Warning Messages: These are direct messages you might see:
  • "Audi adaptive light: system fault" indicates a problem with the adaptive lighting system.
  • "Audi pre sense: system fault" points to an issue with Audi's pre-collision safety system.
  • "Adaptive cruise assist: restricted" suggests limited functionality of the adaptive cruise control system.
  • "Adaptive cruise assist: predictive control currently restricted" specifies a limitation in the predictive adaptive cruise control.
• Lighting and Signaling Issues:
  • Automatic Headlamp Control: The high beam automatic headlamp control may not switch on/connect or switch off/disconnect as expected.
  • Headlamp Range Control System: The automatic headlamp range control system might exhibit an incorrect operation sequence.
  • Cornering Lamp: The cornering lamp may have no function, be partially out of order, or have an incorrect operation sequence.
  • Dynamic Curve Light: The dynamic curve light functionality may be completely absent.
• Information Display Symbols: Various indicator lights or symbols on the information display may activate unexpectedly or without cause:
  • Bulb failure information display activates, sometimes without an actual bulb failure.
  • High beam indicator display activates without the high beams being engaged.
  • Cornering light indicator display activates without the cornering lights being active.
  • Malfunction display symbols for the cruise control system (ADR, ACC) may activate.
  • Exterior lighting malfunction indicators may activate, sometimes without cause.
  • Indicator display symbols for adaptive distance regulation (ADR), distance regulation (ACC), adaptive cruise assist, and predictive efficiency assist may activate without cause.
• Driver Information System (DIS, MFI, MMI):
  • The traffic sign detection display might show a control module or services error message, indicating a communication problem within the system.
• Assistance System Malfunctions:
  • Adaptive Cruise Control System: The adaptive cruise control system may show no function, fail to switch on/connect, or cannot be selected.

These symptoms collectively indicate an Audi Q7 driver assist system fault that requires attention, often stemming from underlying communication problems.

Fault Codes (DTCs)

Technicians diagnosing this issue will typically find one or both of the following diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) stored in the driver assist systems control module -J1121- (address word 00A5):

Diagnostic Trouble Code	Diagnostic Address	Description	Fault Symptom	Storage State
C12B3FA	00A5	Driver Assistance Systems Front Camera – communication error	Driver Assistance Systems Front Camera Communication errors	Intermittent
C12D5FA	00A5	Driver Assistance Systems Control Module, image processing processor does not respond	Image processing processor not reacting	Intermittent

These intermittent DTCs confirm a communication problem between key components of the driver assistance system, specifically involving the front camera and its control module.

Diagnosis and Trigger Conditions

Workshop findings indicate that either DTC C12B3FA alone, or both C12B3FA and C12D5FA together, may be stored in the driver assist systems control module -J1121-. DTC C12B3FA (symptom number 221189) specifically points to a communication error with the front camera for driver assistance systems (R242). DTC C12D5FA (symptom number 221281) signifies that the image processing processor within the driver assistance systems control module (J1121) is not responding. Both codes are typically intermittent, suggesting a transient connection issue rather than a complete, constant component failure. This intermittent nature can make diagnosis challenging without the specific guidance provided by this TSB.

Repair Procedure Summary

To resolve the Audi Q7 driver assist system fault, the TSB specifies a repair that involves installing a new data wire. If the complaint occurs, technicians are instructed to install a data wire with part number 4M0 971 327. This new wire is designed to establish a more robust and reliable connection between the front camera for driver assist systems (R242) and the driver assist systems control unit (J1121). The installation of this dedicated data wire aims to rectify the communication errors that trigger the DTCs and associated warning messages. Technicians must follow the detailed instructions in the Audi Repair Manual for proper routing, securing, and connection of the new wire, as well as any necessary disassembly and reassembly of vehicle components.

Required Parts

The following part is specifically required for this repair:

• Part Number: 4M0 971 327
• Part Description: Data wire
• Quantity: 01

It is critical to note that only parts listed in this TSB should be used, as these may supersede other part numbers found in general parts catalogs. Additionally, fasteners, bolts, nuts, and screws required for the repair should be sourced as needed per the Repair Manual, typically identified through ETKA/ELSA, to ensure proper reassembly and vehicle integrity.

Warranty Information

Warranty claims for this repair must be submitted in accordance with the Audi Warranty Policies and Procedures Manual. For vehicles outside of warranty coverage, this Technical Service Bulletin serves as informational guidance only. The specific codes for claiming this repair are:

• Service Number: 9093
• Damage Code: 0040
• Labor Operations:
  • Repair driver assist systems control unit (install repair wire): Use labor operation code 9093 4199. Technicians should bill according to the time required to perform this specific repair.
  • GFF (Guided Fault Finding): Use labor operation code 0150 0060. The time for this operation should be based on the diagnostic protocol generated during the fault-finding process.

All claims should explicitly reference TSB 2076397/2 in the claim comment to ensure proper processing and approval by Audi Warranty.

Production Solution

Audi has implemented a production solution to prevent this issue in newer vehicles. For vehicles with a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) starting from *****F7SD018717 and a build date of October 22, 2024, or later, the updated wiring is installed at the factory. This proactive measure ensures that these newer vehicles are equipped with the necessary data wire from the outset, thereby preventing the Audi Q7 driver assist system fault from occurring due to this specific communication error.

Revision History

This Technical Service Bulletin has undergone revisions to ensure comprehensive coverage and accuracy:

• Revision 1: The initial publication of this TSB occurred on December 17, 2024. This version introduced the issue and the preliminary repair guidance.
• Revision 2: This revision, dated March 18, 2025, included several important updates. The header was revised to include additional Model Years (2024 & 2025), expanding the scope of affected vehicles. Furthermore, the VIN filter criteria were updated, and details regarding the production solution were added, providing clarity on when the issue was addressed in manufacturing.

NHTSA ID: 11016535