2023-2026 Audi Steering Wheel Heating Not Sufficient TSB

Audi has released Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 2065978/3, superseding previous bulletin 22-34, to address concerns regarding the steering wheel heating system in various 2023-2026 Audi models. This bulletin clarifies common customer complaints about the Audi e-tron steering wheel heating and explains why these perceptions occur. It's important for owners to understand that these symptoms are often considered normal operating characteristics rather than a fault requiring repair.

Symptoms of Insufficient Steering Wheel Heating

Owners of affected Audi vehicles, including the 2023-2026 Audi e-tron, may report several observations about their heated steering wheel:

• The steering wheel does not heat up.
• The steering wheel does not heat up sufficiently.
• The steering wheel heats up unevenly.
• It takes a long time for the steering wheel to heat up.

Audi's workshop findings indicate that there are no Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) related to these specific heating concerns, suggesting the system is operating as designed.

Understanding Your Audi e-tron Steering Wheel Heating

The TSB provides a technical background explaining the perceived issues with the Audi e-tron steering wheel heating. The design of the steering wheel can lead to variations in perceived temperature:

• Heat Dissipation: The leather surface near the spokes may feel cooler because heat dissipates into the spokes, making those areas less warm than other parts of the wheel.
• Environmental Factors: The top part of the steering wheel (12 o'clock position) can be heated by sunlight, creating a noticeable temperature difference compared to other areas.
• Driver Interaction: If a driver holds the steering wheel at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions, their hands will warm these areas. When they then touch the 12 and 6 o'clock positions, these areas may feel cooler simply because they haven't been warmed by hand contact.
• NTC Temperature Sensor: The NTC temperature sensor, located in the foam beneath the cover, measures the temperature. When the desired surface temperature of 30°C (86°F) is reached, the sensor itself reads 34°C (93°F) because it is located underneath the surface. This difference in measurement can contribute to the perception of insufficient heating.

Important Warnings for Audi Owners

Audi explicitly states a critical warning in this Technical Service Bulletin:

• "Parts replacement does not solve this issue. Claims for replaced parts will be subject to review. If a critical case is identified, open a TAC case for further instructions."

This means that attempting to replace the steering wheel or its heating elements will not resolve the perceived heating issues and may result in the warranty claim being denied.

What Owners Should Do

Since this TSB is informational and indicates that the observed heating characteristics are largely normal, there is no specific repair procedure for owners to follow. The bulletin also states that it "is informational only and not applicable to any Audi Warranty."

If you experience concerns with your 2023-2026 Audi e-tron steering wheel heating, it is advisable to understand the technical explanations provided by Audi. If you believe there is a genuine malfunction beyond the normal operating characteristics described, you may consult with an authorized Audi service center. However, be aware that replacement of parts is not recommended by Audi for these specific symptoms.

Superseded Bulletin Information

This TSB, identified as 48 23 53 2065978/3, was published on August 4, 2023. It supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 48 number 22-34, which was dated July 19, 2022. The current revision (Revision 3) includes updated header information and added model years, while Revision 2 (July 19, 2022) revised the technical background.

NHTSA ID: 10241425