2021-2023 Audi Q7/Q8 Rear Suspension Lowering Issue

Audi has released Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 43 24 80 2059841/5 to address an intermittent issue affecting the rear suspension lowering function in several of its SUV models. This TSB, dated January 12, 2024, supersedes a previous bulletin, 23-77, from June 1, 2023, and provides updated information regarding the condition.

The TSB applies to 2021-2023 Audi Q7, Q8, SQ7, SQ8, and RS Q8 vehicles equipped with rear suspension lowering capability. Owners of these vehicles may experience situations where the Audi Q8 rear suspension lowering feature is sporadically unavailable when needed.

Symptoms

Owners may report that the primary symptom is that "The rear suspension lowering is intermittently not available." This means the vehicle's ability to lower its rear suspension, typically for easier loading or improved aerodynamics, does not function as expected at times.

Fault Codes / DTCs

When diagnosing this issue, technicians may find one or both of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) logged in the suspension control module, identified as J775 (address word 0074):

DTC Code	Description
C11B515	Button for high load level, interruption/short circuit to positive
C11B615	Button for low load level, interruption/short circuit to positive

These DTCs indicate a potential electrical issue or unintended activation related to the suspension lowering buttons.

Diagnosis / Trigger Conditions

Audi's technical background for this issue suggests that the intermittent unavailability of the Audi Q8 rear suspension lowering can occur if the lowering button is unintentionally operated while the vehicle is driving. This can happen, for instance, if objects moving in the trunk area accidentally press the control button for the rear suspension lowering. The TSB includes an image (Figure 1) illustrating the location of these controls in the trunk.

Important Warnings

Owners and technicians should be aware of a critical advisory from Audi regarding this condition:

"Do not replace the J775 or the button for the rear suspension lowering or any other component in the vehicle."

This warning emphasizes that the issue is not typically a hardware failure requiring component replacement. Attempting to replace the J775 control unit or the lowering button will not resolve the underlying cause of the intermittent Audi Q8 rear suspension lowering problem.

Repair Procedure Summary

The recommended service action for this TSB is primarily informational. Technicians are instructed to explain the functionality of the system to the customer. This explanation should include the possibility of the button being unintentionally operated while driving, leading to the intermittent unavailability of the lowering function.

What Owners Should Know

This Technical Service Bulletin 43 24 80 2059841/5 is classified as informational only and is not applicable to any Audi Warranty coverage. This means that any diagnostic time or explanation provided by a dealer for this specific issue may not be covered under standard warranty terms. Owners should discuss this with their service advisor.

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Source: NHTSA ID 10249150