2021-2022 Audi Seat Belt Twitch TSB

Owners of certain 2021-2022 Audi models may notice their seat belts exhibiting unusual behavior, specifically an Audi seat belt twitch or repeated tightening. This condition, detailed in Audi Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 69 22 83 2056007/3, occurs even when the seat is unoccupied or while driving, and is not accompanied by any warning lights or error messages on the instrument cluster.

This TSB, issued on February 17, 2022, supersedes an earlier bulletin, Group 69 number 22-78, dated January 31, 2022. It provides specific instructions for diagnosing and correcting the problem, which stems from an incorrect assembly during the vehicle's manufacturing process.

Symptoms of the Audi Seat Belt Twitch

The primary symptom reported by owners is the seat belts twitching or tightening without apparent reason. This can manifest in a few ways:

• Unoccupied seat belts twitching: The front and/or rear seat belts may twitch several times even when no one is sitting in the seat.
• Repeated tightening while fastened: If the seat belt is fastened, the reversible seat belt will be tightened 3-4 times or more in a row. This could also happen while driving.

It's important to note that this condition does not trigger any warning lights or error messages in the instrument cluster. Furthermore, workshop findings confirm that there are no Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) logged in address word 0015 related to this issue, and the function of the pyrotechnical belt tensioners remains unaffected, posing no safety concern.

Technical Background: Why it Happens

The root cause of the Audi seat belt twitch lies in the vehicle's production phase. During assembly, some front and/or rear seat belts were inadvertently installed on the wrong side of the vehicle. Audi has since optimized its vehicle assembly process to prevent this type of incorrect installation from occurring in new vehicles.

Diagnosis and Repair Procedure for the Audi Seat Belt Twitch

Addressing this issue involves a straightforward diagnostic and repair process performed by an authorized Audi service center. The procedure outlined in TSB 69 22 83 2056007/3 is as follows:

1. Part Number Comparison: Technicians will first compare the part numbers located on the seat belt latch plates with the information in the Electronic Parts Catalog (ETKA) to determine if the seat belts are installed on the correct side. Figure 1 in the TSB illustrates a sample part number, such as "4M8857806C", on a right rear Q8 seat belt.
2. Diagnostic Output Test: If the seat belt part numbers do not match the expected configuration in ETKA, a diagnostic output test will be performed using ODIS Service. This test helps confirm if the seat belts were swapped side-to-side during assembly by checking if the wrong side seat belt activates. Figure 2 provides an example of a left Q8 seat belt with its identifying positions, including a part number like "KR10L801SA".
3. Removal and Reinstallation: Once confirmed, the affected seat belts will be removed and reinstalled on the correct side of the vehicle, following the detailed instructions in the Repair Manual.
4. No Adaptation Required: After swapping the seat belts to their correct positions, no additional adaptation or programming is necessary.

Important Warnings and Warranty Information

Owners should be aware of a critical note from Audi regarding this repair:

• "Parts replacement does not solve this issue. Claims for replaced parts will be subject to review." This means that simply replacing the seat belt components will not fix the underlying problem of incorrect installation, and any warranty claims for unnecessary part replacements may be denied.

For vehicles still under warranty, this repair is typically covered. The TSB specifies that claims are applicable for vehicles up to 48 months or 50,000 miles. For Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles, coverage is under the G10 program, requiring owner verification. If a vehicle is outside of any warranty period, this Technical Service Bulletin serves as informational guidance for diagnosis and repair. Warranty claims must adhere to the Audi Warranty Policies and Procedures Manual.

Required Parts and Tools

The repair primarily involves reinstallation rather than part replacement. Technicians will need to consult ETKA and the Repair Manual for any necessary fasteners, bolts, nuts, and screws. No special tools are listed beyond standard workshop equipment and diagnostic systems like ODIS Service.

Labor Operations

The TSB specifies various labor operations and associated codes for different models:

• Q8, A7, A6:
  • Remove and install 2 front three-point seat belts: 6911 2000
  • Remove and install 2 rear three-point seat belts: 6912 2050 (Q8, A7), 6912 2060 (A6)
  • Remove and install rear side trim, luggage compartment: 7003 2000 (Q8, A7), 7030 1900 (A6)
• Diagnostic Time (GFF): 0150 0000 (Max 50 TU)
• Road Test: 0121 0002 (prior to service, 10 TU), 0121 0004 (after service, 10 TU)

The Damage Code for this issue is 0010.

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NHTSA ID: 10208222 Source: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication TSB 69 22 83 2056007/3