2021-2026 Audi Parking Aid False Warnings TSB 2024323/12

Audi has released Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 2024323/12 to address customer complaints regarding the parking aid system. Owners may experience situations where the "Parking aid does not work / warning is issued although there is no obstacle" or a "parking aid warning is displayed however nothing is around" even when no obstructions are present. This TSB provides a comprehensive guide for technicians to diagnose and resolve these functional issues in the parking aid system.

This bulletin, identified as TSB 2024323/12, was most recently revised on March 2, 2026 (Revision 12), superseding previous revisions from November 26, 2024 (Revision 11) and December 15, 2023 (Revision 10). It applies to a wide range of Audi vehicles from model years 2007 through 2026, including the 2021 Audi e-tron, which may experience these false warnings.

Symptoms

Owners of affected Audi vehicles may notice the following symptoms related to the parking aid system:

• The parking aid system does not work as expected.
• A warning is issued by the parking aid system even when there is no obstacle present.
• The dashboard displays a "parking aid warning is displayed however nothing is around" message.

These issues can lead to confusion and reduced confidence in the vehicle's parking assistance features.

Diagnosis / Trigger Conditions

Various factors can contribute to the 2021 Audi e-tron parking aid false warnings. Technicians are instructed to investigate both environmental and vehicle-specific contributors.

Environmental Conditions:

• Surroundings: Plants, curbs, gravel tracks, cobblestones, potholes, cattle grids, sharp bends, and slopes can cause incorrect warnings.
• Weather/Ambient Conditions: Water, ice, or snow on parking aid sensors can widen their radiation pattern. Vehicle exhaust gases and water vapor can alter the air's physical properties, affecting ultrasound transmission. Noise disturbances from pneumatic brakes of heavy goods vehicles, anti-rodent devices, or other active ultrasound sources can also interfere.
• Immediate Surroundings: Fluorescent tubes, induction loops at traffic lights/car park barriers, and ramps/driveways can trigger false activations.

Vehicle-Specific Factors:

• License Plate Installation: Issues like a protruding plate carrier, advertising carriers, incorrect license plate size relative to the base carrier, or improperly secured/bent license plates can cause problems.
• Add-on Parts/Modifications: Non-Audi Genuine Accessories such as trailer hitches, lowered ride height, spoilers, bumpers, sound generators, or anti-rodent devices can lead to erroneous warnings.
• Previous Damage: Prior damage or a new coat of paint (Figure 17 shows paint not okay) can affect sensor performance. Stone chipping and scratches (Figure 3) are not covered under warranty, but dirty sensors must be cleaned.

Repair Procedure Summary

The TSB 2024323/12 outlines a detailed diagnostic and repair process for technicians to address the 2021 Audi e-tron parking aid false warnings. The procedure involves checks without removal work, followed by checks with a diagnostic tester and potential removal work.

Checks Without Removal Work / Without Diagnostic Tester:

1. External Sensor Check: Visually inspect parking aid sensors for dirt, ice, foreign objects, stuck-on foil/film, damage to the bumper/air intake grille, mechanical damage (stone chipping, scratches). If assessed as not OK, clean or replace the sensor.
2. Sensor Seating: Check that parking aid senders are securely seated and engaged by applying pressure (Figure 4). If not, repair according to the Workshop Manual (Removing and installing parking aid sender).
3. Decoupling Ring: Verify the decoupling ring is correctly seated (Figure 5 shows correctly seated, Figure 6 shows bulging, Figure 7 shows folded). If not, repair according to the Workshop Manual.
4. Sensor Centering: Ensure the parking aid sender is seated centrally (Figure 8 shows correctly centered, Figure 9 shows off-center). If not, repair according to the Workshop Manual.
5. Decoupling Ring Evenness: Check that the decoupling ring encloses the sensor evenly. If not, repair according to the Workshop Manual.
6. Sensor Flushness: Confirm the sensor is fitted flush with the bumper (Figure 10 shows correctly installed, Figure 11 shows incorrectly installed). If not, repair according to the Workshop Manual.

Checks With Diagnostic Tester:

1. Vehicle Fault Memory: Check the vehicle's fault memory and proceed with Guided Fault Finding (GFF). If a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) is stored for one or more parking aid senders, the affected sender must be swapped. However, if the event memory entry is no longer logged, replacing the sender is not necessary.
2. Oscillation Time & Distance Evaluation: If false warnings persist without obstacles, observe oscillation time (target: 0.8-1.5 milliseconds) and distance evaluation in measured value blocks. Decouple the sensor by covering it with a foam element. If the warning stops, check for reflective objects in the surrounding area and remove them; replacement is not necessary at this point. If the warning continues despite covering the sensor and no visible damage/dirt, the parking aid sender must be replaced.
3. Coding Check: Verify the coding in the parking aid control unit as per the Workshop Manual, especially if a towing bracket has been retrofitted.
4. Part Number Check: Read out the part number with a tester and compare it to the parts catalog.

Checks With Removal Work / With Diagnostic Tester:

1. Connection Checks: Inspect connections at sensors, coupling points on the bumper, the parking aid control unit, and the parking aid sound generator for corrosion, water ingress, bent pins, pushed-back pins, and correct connector/pin seal seating. Repair as per Workshop Manual if issues are found.
2. Wiring Harness: Check wires in the bumper harness for damage, crushing, or insufficient length (Figure 12 shows sufficient length, Figure 13 shows insufficient length). Optimize routing by moving clips if wires are under tension.
3. Connectors: Check connectors at the parking aid sender and coupling point (Figure 14 shows correctly installed, Figure 15 shows not seated correctly).
4. Bracket Check: Inspect the sensor bracket in the bumper for damage, deformation, secure attachment, correct alignment, and dirt.
5. Sensor Check: Examine the sensors for damage, deformation, secure attachment, correct alignment, dirt, and correct part number.

Required Tools or Parts

Technicians will need access to the Workshop Manual for specific repair instructions and part numbers. When replacing parking aid sensors that require painting, it is critical to follow the special painting instructions found in ElsaPRO under "Repair manual >> Body >> General Information - Paint >> 00 General, Technical Data >> General Information >> Parking Aid Sensor Paint." The painting area should range from 2-3mm to 8mm from the outside surface to the rear, and the housing itself must not be painted (Figure 16 shows paint ok, Figure 17 shows paint not ok).

Important Warnings

• If a DTC is stored for one or more parking aid senders, the affected parking aid sender must be swapped for another one. However, if the event memory entry is no longer logged, it is not necessary to replace the sender.
• If decoupling the sensor results in the obstacle warning no longer being issued, check the surrounding area for reflective objects and remove these. Replacement is not necessary at this point.
• When painting replacement sensors, the housing itself must not be painted.

Warranty Information

For warranty claims related to the 2021 Audi e-tron parking aid false warnings, repairs should be claimed under the applicable Service number and Damage Code. The components involved are the parking aid sensor, parking aid control unit, and wiring harness, all associated with Damage Code 0040. The relevant Service Numbers are 9175 (parking aid sensor), 9174 (parking aid control unit), and 9759 (wiring harness). If the vehicle is outside of its warranty period, this Technical Service Bulletin is for informational purposes only.

Additional Resources

Further information regarding the customer complaint "Parking aid issues warning although there is no obstacle" can be found in the Audi Knowledge Tank (AKT) videos:

• "Parking aid incorrect warnings - causes on the vehicle" (SoST_0012)
• "Parking aid incorrect warnings - external influences" (SoST_0016)

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Source: NHTSA ID: 11030984