2025 Audi A3/S3 Drive System Warning DTC P164700 TSB

Audi has released Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 2077114/1 to address customer concerns regarding various warning messages related to the drive system, travel assist, and Audi drive select functionality in certain 2025 Audi A3 and S3 models. Owners may encounter an "Audi drive system warning P164700" or similar messages, indicating a software-related problem that affects vehicle systems.

This bulletin, identified as 90 PSS, provides important information for technicians and vehicle owners about the nature of the issue and the anticipated resolution. It clarifies that the root cause is a software initialization problem, not a hardware failure, and advises against unnecessary component replacements.

Symptoms

Owners of affected 2025 Audi A3 and S3 vehicles may observe several distinct symptoms. The primary indication is a general warning displayed in the instrument cluster concerning the drive system. If the vehicle is equipped with the travel assist feature, an additional warning message specific to this system may also appear.

Furthermore, the Audi drive select function, which allows drivers to customize vehicle dynamics, may become inoperable. It is important to note that these symptoms, particularly the "Audi drive system warning P164700," might not always be reproducible during a workshop visit, making diagnosis challenging without the specific guidance provided in TSB 2077114/1.

Fault Codes / DTCs

When diagnosing this condition, technicians will typically find specific Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) stored in the vehicle's control units. These codes point to the underlying software issue:

Code	Description	Module
P164700	Checking coding/versions of control modules in powertrain	Engine control unit J623 (DA0001)
U111000	Function restriction due to communication interruption	Information electronics (DA005F)

DTC P164700 is stored in the Engine control unit J623, indicating an issue with the coding or versions of powertrain control modules. If the vehicle has Drive select, DTC U111000 may also be present in the information electronics (DA005F), signifying a function restriction due to communication problems.

Technical Background

The underlying cause of the "Audi drive system warning P164700" and related issues is a software anomaly. Specifically, the vehicle's software is unable to perform correct initialization procedures immediately after the ignition is turned on. This improper initialization leads to incompatibilities between various vehicle systems, including the drive system, travel assist, and Audi drive select.

As a result of these incompatibilities, the instrument cluster displays the aforementioned warning messages, alerting the driver to the malfunction. This is a software-specific problem that requires a software update to resolve.

Important Warnings

Audi has provided a critical instruction for technicians and owners regarding this issue:

• "Do not replace any components for this condition since this will not resolve the customer's concern."

This warning is crucial because it prevents unnecessary and costly part replacements. The problem is software-based, meaning replacing hardware components will not fix the underlying initialization error and will not eliminate the "Audi drive system warning P164700" or other related symptoms. Owners should be aware of this to avoid being upsold on parts that are not required.

Repair Procedure Summary

As of the release of TSB 2077114/1, a definitive software solution is anticipated. Audi expects a production solution with software version 3091 to be implemented in week 08/2025 for the data bus diagnostic interface J533 (DA0019). For vehicles already experiencing the issue, Audi advises dealers to inform customers that a permanent software fix is expected to be available by the end of the first quarter of 2025. At present, no physical repairs or component replacements are necessary.

Technicians are instructed to create a PSS (Pending Service Solutions) record in the AccessAudi system. This TSB is informational, and any repairs performed under this condition are not applicable to standard Audi Warranty coverage, implying the fix will likely be a future software update.

Owner Action

If you own a 2025 Audi A3 or S3 and are experiencing the "Audi drive system warning P164700" or any related warnings concerning travel assist or Audi drive select, it is important to understand that this is a known software issue. You should contact your authorized Audi dealership to report the symptoms and inquire about the status of the software update mentioned in TSB 2077114/1.

Do not authorize any component replacements for this specific issue, as Audi explicitly states this will not resolve the problem. Monitor for official communications from Audi regarding the availability of the software update. While the issue may cause inconvenience, it is not currently linked to a safety recall, and a software solution is expected soon.

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Source: NHTSA ID: 11016543, Audi TSB 2077114/1