2022-2025 Audi A3/S3/Q3/RS3 Emergency Call Fault TSB

Audi has released Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 91 24 69 2073131/3 to address a software error affecting the emergency call system in certain 2022-2025 Audi A3, S3, Q3, and RS 3 models. This TSB, dated October 16, 2024, supersedes previous bulletin Group 91 number 24-28 dated July 17, 2024. The issue can lead to an Audi S3 emergency call fault message appearing on the instrument cluster.

This bulletin specifically targets a passive or sporadic software error within the Control Module for Emergency Call and Communication Unit (OCU) -J949-, identified by Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) U178500. A software update is the prescribed solution to restore full functionality to the emergency call system.

Symptoms

Owners of affected vehicles may observe the following symptom:

• An "Emergency call fault displayed on the instrument cluster" message, specifically stating: "Emergency call function: fault. Function unavailable. Please contact workshop."

This message indicates a problem with the vehicle's emergency call system, which is a critical safety feature. If you see this message, it signifies an Audi S3 emergency call fault.

Fault Codes / DTCs

The primary Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) associated with this issue is:

Code	Description	Module
U178500	Control Module for Emergency Call Module and Communication Unit, software error (passive/sporadic)	OCU -J949- (address word 0075)

Diagnosis / Trigger Conditions

The root cause of the Audi S3 emergency call fault is a restricted function due to a software issue within the emergency call module and communication unit (J949). This software error can manifest as a passive or sporadic fault, triggering the warning message and logging the DTC U178500.

Important Warnings

Audi has issued critical guidance regarding this issue:

• "NOTICE: Parts replacement does not solve this issue. Claims for replaced parts will be subject to review." This means that replacing the emergency call module (J949) will not resolve the underlying software problem and may result in warranty claims being denied.
• "CAUTION: The complaint may re-occur. If the complaint occurs again, please repeat the procedure above." This indicates that while the software update is intended to fix the issue, there is a possibility of recurrence, in which case the diagnostic and repair steps should be performed again.

Repair Procedure Summary

To address the software error and resolve the Audi S3 emergency call fault, technicians should perform the suggested ODIS Test Plan. The specific step involves checking the OCU control module configuration. After the procedure is completed, it is essential to verify that the emergency call LED is illuminated green before releasing the vehicle to the customer.

Audi is planning a permanent software update for the emergency call module and communication unit J949, which is expected to be available for service no earlier than week 23/25. There will be no production solution for new vehicles due to the upcoming End of Production (EOP) for the affected component.

Warranty Information

This Technical Service Bulletin 2073131/3 is informational only if the vehicle is outside of its warranty period. For in-warranty repairs, the following codes apply:

• Service Number: 9170
• Damage Code: 0039
• Labor Operations: GFF, 0150 0060, 0150 0010
• Claim Comment: As per TSB 2073131/3

All warranty claims must comply with the Audi Warranty Policies and Procedures Manual and are subject to review by Audi Warranty.

Owner Action

If your 2022-2025 Audi A3, S3, Q3, or RS 3 displays an "Emergency call function: fault" message, it is recommended to contact your authorized Audi dealership. Inform them about the Audi S3 emergency call fault and the associated DTC U178500. The dealership will perform the necessary diagnostic and software update procedure outlined in TSB 2073131/3 to resolve the issue.

Source: NHTSA ID 11009963