2021-2024 Audi Q5 e High-Voltage Battery Deterioration TSB

Audi has released Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 2076982/2, titled "Reporting obligation pre repair: Q5 PHEV high-voltage battery performance deterioration / P0BBD00 in 008C." This bulletin applies to 2021, 2023, and 2024 Audi Q5 e vehicles and is primarily an informational request for technicians to gather data on specific diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) related to the hybrid battery system.

This TSB highlights a reporting obligation for technicians to assist Audi in understanding potential issues with high-voltage battery performance deterioration. It's crucial for owners and service centers to understand that this TSB is for data collection and not a direct repair procedure.

Symptoms Owners May Experience

Owners of affected Audi Q5 e vehicles may notice specific indicators that suggest a potential issue with the high-voltage battery system. These symptoms are what typically prompt a visit to the service center for diagnosis.

Customers have reported two primary symptoms. The first is that "The yellow engine warning lamp appears in the instrument cluster." This warning light is a general indicator of a system malfunction, but in this context, it specifically points to a concern within the hybrid battery management system. The second reported symptom is that "The remaining electric range displayed is too low," which directly suggests a degradation in the electric vehicle's battery performance or capacity, impacting the vehicle's ability to operate on electric power for its expected range.

Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs)

When these symptoms occur, technicians performing a diagnostic scan will likely find specific diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) logged in the vehicle's hybrid battery management module, identified by diagnostic address 008C. These codes indicate various forms of battery deterioration or voltage variation within the high-voltage battery pack.

The primary code associated with this reporting obligation is P0BBD00, which signifies "Hybrid Battery Pack Voltage Variation Exceeded Limit." This code can be stored as either static (active) or intermittent (passive). In addition to P0BBD00, technicians may find one or more of the following DTCs, indicating deterioration in specific battery groups (A through H):

Diagnostic Trouble Code	Description	Fault Symptom	Storage State
P0BBD00	Hybrid Battery Pack Voltage Variation Exceeded Limit		static
P0BBD00	Hybrid Battery Pack Voltage Variation Exceeded Limit		intermittent
P0A7F00	Hybrid/EV Battery Pack "A" Deterioration		intermittent
P0A7F00	Hybrid/EV Battery Pack "A" Deterioration		static
P0EDD00	Hybrid/EV Battery Pack "B" Deterioration		intermittent
P0EDD00	Hybrid/EV Battery Pack "B" Deterioration		static
P0EDE00	Hybrid/EV Battery Pack "C" Deterioration		intermittent
P0EDE00	Hybrid/EV Battery Pack "C" Deterioration		static
P0EDF00	Hybrid/EV Battery Pack "D" Deterioration		intermittent
P0EDF00	Hybrid/EV Battery Pack "D" Deterioration		static
P0EE000	Hybrid/EV Battery Pack "E" Deterioration		intermittent
P0EE000	Hybrid/EV Battery Pack "E" Deterioration		static
P0EE100	Hybrid/EV Battery Pack "F" Deterioration		intermittent
P0EE100	Hybrid/EV Battery Pack "F" Deterioration		static
P2CCC00	Hybrid/EV Battery Pack "G" Deterioration		intermittent
P2CCC00	Hybrid/EV Battery Pack "G" Deterioration		static
P2CCD00	Hybrid/EV Battery Pack "H" Deterioration		intermittent
P2CCD00	Hybrid/EV Battery Pack "H" Deterioration		static

These codes provide critical information about the specific battery groups affected and whether the fault is currently active ("static") or was present intermittently in the past ("intermittent"). The presence of these codes, particularly P0BBD00, alongside the reported symptoms, points to the need for further investigation and reporting to Audi.

Understanding the Reporting Obligation

This TSB, identified as 2076982/2, is not a standard repair bulletin but rather a direct request for information from Audi of America. Its primary purpose is to gather comprehensive data on the observed symptoms and diagnostic trouble codes related to the Audi Q5 e battery deterioration. This data collection is crucial for Audi to better understand the condition and potentially develop future solutions or repair procedures.

Technicians are specifically instructed to "contact a Technical Assistance Center (TAC) consultant before proceeding" with any repairs if the vehicle is within its New Vehicle Limited Warranty. They must also "attach the DTC and diagnostic log to the TAC Web Ticket." This means that for vehicles under warranty, technicians should not immediately replace parts but rather report their findings to Audi's technical experts first. Audi explicitly states that they "reserve the right to only pay out for warranty claims after thorough checks if a reporting obligation is not observed." This underscores the critical importance of following the reporting procedure to ensure any potential warranty coverage for the Audi Q5 e battery deterioration issue.

Technical Background and Purpose

Audi's technical background for this TSB explains that the company is actively working to understand the DTC codes listed for the affected Audi Q5 e vehicles. The request for technicians to contact the Audi Technical Assistance Center (TAC) before replacing any parts is a direct effort to assist in diagnosing potential issues. By collecting detailed diagnostic information and logs from vehicles experiencing these symptoms, Audi aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of the high-voltage battery performance deterioration across its fleet.

This collaborative approach with dealerships helps Audi engineers pinpoint the root causes of the reported issues and evaluate the extent of the problem. The data gathered through this reporting obligation is vital for future product improvements, potential service actions, or revised diagnostic and repair procedures, ensuring a more effective long-term solution for owners.

Production Status and Manufacturer Stance

As of the release of TSB 2076982/2, Audi has stated, "No changes to production have been made, as no issue has been identified." This means that the manufacturer has not yet determined a definitive defect in the production process or component design that would warrant a change in how the Audi Q5 e is manufactured. The current phase is focused on investigation and data collection rather than implementing a production-level fix.

This statement is important for owners, as it indicates that while symptoms and fault codes may appear, Audi is still in the process of analyzing the data to ascertain the nature and scope of any underlying issue. The absence of production changes does not negate the reported symptoms or DTCs but rather signifies that the investigation is ongoing and a definitive cause or widespread defect has not yet been confirmed by the manufacturer.

Important Warnings for Owners and Technicians

This TSB includes several critical points that owners and technicians must be aware of:

• Do Not Replace Parts Prematurely: Technicians are explicitly instructed to contact the Audi Technical Assistance Center (TAC) and provide diagnostic logs before replacing any parts, especially if the vehicle is under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. This prevents unnecessary repairs and ensures proper diagnosis.
• Warranty Claim Implications: Audi reserves the right to deny warranty claims if the reporting obligation outlined in this TSB is not strictly followed. This means technicians must adhere to the data collection process to ensure that any future repairs might be covered.
• Informational TSB Only: The bulletin clearly states, "This TSB is informational only and not applicable to any Audi Warranty." This means the TSB itself does not authorize a free repair under warranty; rather, it defines the process for diagnosing and reporting the issue.
• Exempt Complaints: "Complaints already covered by a TSB in Elsa are exempt from this reporting obligation." This clarifies that if a specific repair for a similar issue is already documented in another TSB within Audi's Elsa system, the reporting obligation of TSB 2076982/2 may not apply.

Revision History

TSB 2076982/2 has undergone revisions since its initial publication:

• Revision 1 (February 20, 2025): This was the initial publication of the TSB.
• Revision 2 (March 18, 2025): This revision included updates to the header, specifically adding more model years to the scope of the bulletin. It also revised the "Condition" section to include updated workshop findings, reflecting new information gathered from technicians.

What Owners Should Do

If your 2021-2024 Audi Q5 e is experiencing symptoms such as a "yellow engine warning lamp" in the instrument cluster or if "the remaining electric range displayed is too low," it is recommended to visit an authorized Audi service center. Your technician will perform diagnostic scans to check for the presence of DTCs like P0BBD00, P0A7F00, P0EDD00, and others related to hybrid battery deterioration.

Given that this is a reporting obligation, the technician will follow the procedure outlined in TSB 2076982/2 by contacting the Audi Technical Assistance Center (TAC) and submitting diagnostic logs. This process ensures that your vehicle's condition is properly documented and contributes to Audi's ongoing investigation into the Audi Q5 e battery deterioration issue. This approach helps Audi gather the necessary data to potentially develop a definitive solution in the future.

NHTSA ID: 11016537