2017-2022 Audi Dashboard Delamination TSB 2071698/2

Audi has released Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 70 24 91 2071698/2 to address concerns regarding the leather dashboard in certain 2017-2022 Audi models. This TSB, dated May 22, 2024, supersedes an earlier bulletin, Group 70 number 23-85, which was dated November 3, 2023. The update includes a revised header and warranty information. This bulletin details issues where the leather dashboard may show signs of blistering, bubbling, wrinkling, or delamination.

This bulletin specifically applies to vehicles equipped with a leather dashboard. The Audi dashboard delamination issue can affect the aesthetic and structural integrity of the interior.

Symptoms of Dashboard Delamination

Owners may observe several visual symptoms indicating Audi dashboard delamination. Customer reports describe the leather of the dashboard as wavy, wrinkled, loose, blistering, and/or bubbling. Workshop findings confirm that the leather has delaminated from the underlying dashboard substrate.

Specific examples of warrantable defects illustrated in the TSB include:

• "Massive, large-scale delamination" (Figures 1 and 2)
• "Massive delamination at the defroster vent" (Figure 3)
• "Delamination at the bend / radius" (Figure 4)
• "Slight blistering / bubbling" (Figure 5)
• "Wrinkles due to shrinkage" (Figure 6)

Technical Background

The underlying cause for the Audi dashboard delamination is attributed to process weaknesses during manufacturing and extreme stresses. These stresses are often caused by exposure to hot and humid climates. The material used for the leather dashboard can reach its physical load limit under these conditions, leading to the detachment from the substrate.

Audi has implemented various production measures to mitigate this issue, but these have not been 100% effective. Further optimization efforts are currently under investigation by the manufacturer.

Repair Procedure Summary

The recommended repair for Audi dashboard delamination involves replacing the entire dashboard, also referred to as the instrument panel. Technicians are instructed to follow the detailed steps outlined in the official Audi repair manual. The specific procedure is found by navigating through Elsa to: Elsa>>Repair manual>>Body>>Body Interior>>70 Interior Trim>>Instrument Panel>>Instrument Panel, Removing and Installing.

This procedure ensures that the replacement is performed according to manufacturer specifications, restoring the dashboard to its intended condition.

Warranty Details and Claim Information

Warranty coverage for this Audi dashboard delamination issue depends on the vehicle's age and mileage. Eligible claims can be submitted under specific claim types:

• Claim Type 910/110: Covers vehicles up to 48 months or 50,000 miles.
• Claim Type 1GW: Covers vehicles up to 96 months or 80,000 miles.

The service number for this repair is 7018, and the damage code is 0030. Labor operations include "Instrument panel replace" (code 7018 5550) and "Diagnostic Time" (code GFF 0150 0060), with a maximum diagnostic time of 30 Time Units (TU). Road tests performed prior to and after the service procedure are listed as "No allowance" (0 TU). All warranty claims must adhere to the Audi Warranty Policies and Procedures Manual and are subject to review or audit by Audi Warranty.

For proper documentation, technicians are required to upload specific photos to DOC-IT, including a clear photo of the visible complaint, a full vehicle photo, and photos where the date is clearly visible.

Important Warnings and Exclusions

Owners should be aware of specific conditions that are not covered under this TSB or standard warranty for dashboard issues:

• Only leather covered dashboards are affected. Dashboards made from other materials are not covered by this bulletin.
• Certain defect patterns are considered "Trim items" warranty coverage and are not part of this TSB. These include "Stitching defect" (Figure 7) and "Uneven seam" (Figure 8).
• Damage patterns caused by outside influences are not warrantable defects and cannot be claimed under warranty. These include "Leather damaged by mechanical force" (Figure 9), "Leather detachment due to the use of harsh cleaning agents" (Figure 10), and "Leather surface scratched" (Figure 11).
• If the vehicle is outside of any applicable warranty period, this Technical Service Bulletin 70 24 91 2071698/2 is informational only, meaning the repair may not be covered free of charge.

All part and service references provided in TSB 2071698 are subject to change and/or removal. Always check with your Parts Department and/or ETKA for the latest information.

NHTSA ID: 10254050