2008-2025 Audi Textile Seat Cover Damage Assessment TSB

Audi has issued Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 2071893/2 to provide comprehensive guidelines for assessing various types of damage that can occur on textile seat covers in Audi vehicles from model years 2008 to 2025. This TSB, titled "74 Damage assessment guidelines for textile seat covers," helps technicians and owners understand the nature of different seat cover complaints and determine if they are eligible for warranty coverage.

This TSB, identified as 2071893/2, was released on April 14, 2025. It aims to standardize the evaluation of textile seat cover issues across all Audi models equipped with such upholstery.

Revision History

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

• Revision 2: Updated the header to include additional models and model years, and revised the condition verbiage for clarity.
• Revision 1: Initial publication of the bulletin on October 25, 2023.

Symptoms of Textile Seat Cover Damage

Owners of 2008-2025 Audi models with textile seat covers may observe various types of damage, affecting the seat surface, backrest cover, and armrests in the first, second, and third rows. The TSB categorizes these complaints as follows:

• Frayed surfaces: The textile material appears worn with loose threads, described as "appearance, surface -> frayed."
• Weaving flaws: Irregularities or imperfections in the fabric's weave, noted as "appearance, surface -> weaving flaw."
• Leather grain flawed: For seat covers with a leather-like texture, imperfections in the grain may appear, described as "appearance, surface -> leather grain flawed."
• Stitching defects: Issues with the seams or connections of the seat covers, categorized as "connections -> stitching defect."
• Wavy surfaces: The fabric appears uneven or rippled, referred to as "appearance, surface -> wavy."
• Fluffing: Fibers protrude from the upholstery fabric, creating a fur-like appearance, or forming matted fibers and knots, typically 5-10 mm long.
• Pulled threads: Single or multiple threads are pulled out from the fabric, appearing as individual strands or loops.
• Knotting: Small fiber knots that are firmly attached to the surface of the textile.
• Surface greying or lightening: The surface color appears faded or lighter in certain areas, often due to spliced fiber ends.
• Damaged by automotive fluids: Instances where the seat cover component is damaged by automotive fluids, described as "component, automotive fluids -> damaged."

Damage Assessment Guidelines and Warranty Information

Audi's TSB 2071893/2 provides clear guidelines for classifying damage patterns on seat covers and determining their warrantability. It's important for owners to understand these distinctions when seeking repairs. All the damage listed can be amplified by pronounced contours, such as those found in sports seats.

1. Fur-like Fluffing of the Textile Surface / Pulled Threads

Description: Fibers protrude from the upholstery fabric like fur, or long fibers become matted and form knots (5-10 mm). This also includes single or multiple threads protruding as a single thread or a loop.

Possible Causes: This type of damage is often attributed to customer misuse, such as:

• Open Velcro fasteners chafing against the fabric.
• Cleaning with hard brushes.
• Chafing from rough bottoms of baskets or boxes.
• Mechanical damage from sharp-edged, pointed objects.
• Incorrect cleaning agents or methods.

Warrantability: These are not warrantable defects and cannot be claimed under warranty. The TSB explicitly states that such issues, including those caused by chafing with Velcro, cleaning with a brush, pushing boxes or wicker baskets, or mechanical damage from cleaning, are not covered.

2. Internal or External Knotting

Description: Small fiber knots that are firmly attached to the surface of the textile. This occurs when short fibers are pulled out of the textile due to insufficient wear resistance of the upholstery material (internal knotting) or from external fibers like customer clothing (external knotting).

Possible Causes: Primarily due to the inherent wear characteristics of the fabric not meeting specifications.

Warrantability: These complaints may be claimed under the normal warranty if applicable. For minor knotting, the TSB suggests removing the knots with a dry safety razor.

3. Surface Greying or Lightening

Description: Fading or greying of the surface, characterized by spliced fiber ends. This can easily be mistaken for dirt.

Possible Causes: This is also caused by insufficient wear characteristics of the upholstery material, where individual fibers are chafed or damaged but not pulled out. It typically appears on prominent, heavily used areas of the seat.

Warrantability: These complaints may be claimed under the normal warranty if applicable.

Owner Action and Maintenance

If you observe "Audi textile seat cover damage" such as knotting or surface greying/fading, it is advisable to contact an authorized Audi dealer for inspection. For non-warrantable issues like fluffing or pulled threads, understanding the causes can help prevent future occurrences.

To maintain your textile seat covers, Audi recommends cleaning them with a neutral cleaner and a soft cloth. Always check the Repair Manual for specific cleaning and care instructions for your vehicle.

Important Considerations

This TSB (2071893/2) is informational and provides guidelines for existing warranty coverage rather than establishing new warranty terms. All part and service references are subject to change, and it is recommended to check with your Parts Department or ETKA for the latest information.

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Source: NHTSA ID: 10258284