2021-2022 Audi A6/A7 4K0-919-047 Parts Return Notice

What is Special Notice SM 33-2022?

Audi has issued Special Notice SM 33-2022, a Parts Circular, to its dealers concerning the management of certain inventory. This notice, dated April 8, 2022, is specifically aimed at parts managers and inventory personnel. Its primary goal is to ensure that customers receive parts that align with the latest state of development, thereby improving overall customer satisfaction and part reliability.

Affected Parts and Production Dates

The core of this notice involves the return of a specific material number: 4K0-919-047. This part is identified as a "Sender" component. The critical factor for return is the production date of the part. Any units of part number 4K0-919-047 with a production date prior to 21187 are affected and must be returned. The production date format "YY.DDD" indicates the year and the day of that year. For example, '21187' refers to the 187th day of 2021.

This directive for the Audi A6 4K0-919-047 return applies to parts that do not correspond to the latest state of development. By returning these older versions, Audi aims to ensure that only the most current and updated components are used in service and repair operations for the affected 2021-2022 Audi A6 and A7 models.

Why These Parts Are Being Returned

The purpose of this parts circular is to improve the quality and level of parts reaching Audi customers. Parts produced on or after production date 21187 (the 187th day of 2021) are considered to be at the "latest state of development." This means that earlier production batches of the 4K0-919-047 component may not incorporate recent design improvements or manufacturing updates. By removing these older parts from the inventory, Audi ensures that any replacement or new installation will utilize the most current and potentially more robust version of the component.

Important Warnings for Dealers

Dealers were instructed to return their inventory of the specified material numbers to their facing Parts Distribution Center (PDC) no later than April 29, 2022. A critical warning was issued: "Items returned after the above-mentioned date WILL NOT be accepted on any type of return/buyback." This strict deadline was put in place to expedite the inventory update process and prevent older parts from being re-entered into the supply chain. Dealers were also advised to re-order any required new materials using the same part number, ensuring they receive the updated version.

Dealer Return Procedure Summary

To facilitate the return of the affected Audi A6 4K0-919-047 parts, Audi outlined specific claims procedures for dealers:

1. File a Claim: Dealers were required to file a separate "Claim with Return," selecting "Dir Sup. Req. Return" under the item type. Dealer comments needed to include the Special Notice Number (SM 33-2022) and the Parts Circular number.
2. Review Parts On Command: Dealers had to review Parts On Command the following day for the Delivery List document and contact their PDC for any issues.
3. Document Number: The 40000XXXXX delivery document number had to be entered on a "YELLOW DEPOT REQUEST RETURN label."
4. Adhere Label: The "YELLOW DEPOT REQUEST RETURN label" was to be adhered to the package(s) containing the returned parts.
5. Include Documentation: A copy of the Delivery Document needed to be included with the returned part(s).

These steps ensured a structured and trackable process for returning the outdated parts.

What This Means for Owners

As an owner of a 2021-2022 Audi A6 or A7, this Special Notice SM 33-2022 primarily affects the parts supply chain at dealerships. It means that if your vehicle requires a replacement of the 4K0-919-047 component, the part installed will be of the latest available development. This is a proactive measure by Audi to maintain quality and ensure that any new or replacement parts meet current specifications. Owners do not need to take any direct action as this is an internal dealer inventory management process.

Source: NHTSA ID 10210251