2025-2026 Audi Rear Occupant Detection Alarm TSB

Symptoms of Rear Occupant Detection Issues

Owners of certain 2025-2026 Audi models may notice their vehicle's anti-theft alarm system activating without cause, or receiving unusual warning messages. Specifically, the issue manifests in two primary ways related to the Audi A5 rear occupant detection system.

One common scenario is when "There are no rear occupants in the vehicle → a warning message appears, and the horn of the vehicle may sound, and the lights may flash." This can be particularly disruptive and alarming, suggesting a false positive from the detection system. Another reported symptom occurs when "There are rear occupants in the vehicle → a warning message appears but the horn of the vehicle does not sound, and the lights do not flash." Both instances point to an underlying problem with the rear occupant detection system's accuracy.

Diagnosis and Trigger Conditions

When diagnosing this issue, technicians have noted that no Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) are typically logged, which can make initial troubleshooting challenging. The problem is often interpreted as an "unintentional triggering of anti-theft alarm." Despite the lack of DTCs, the issue can be reproduced and verified by checking the measured value blocks of the anti-theft alarm system.

This problem stems from issues with the rear occupant detection system, which was introduced in model year 2025. These issues can cause the system to trigger warnings more or less frequently than intended, leading to the symptoms described. The Audi A5 rear occupant detection system's sensitivity or calibration may be at fault.

Repair Procedure Summary

The recommended solution for the unwanted triggering of the horn and lights due to the rear occupant detection system is a software update. This update is detailed in a separate Technical Service Bulletin, TSB 2079690, titled "00 Combined software update 03.10.00/C (28.13.01) KD2."

Performing this software update involves several steps. It requires connecting a battery charger to maintain voltage during the process. The update includes all necessary preliminary and follow-up work, such as managing the bus sleep cycle and performing calibration drives. If a flash abort occurs during the update, additional attempts may be required.

Warranty Information

This Technical Service Bulletin 2080144/3 provides guidance for warranty claims related to this issue. The Service Number for this repair is 9602, and the Damage Code is KD02. Several labor operations are defined for this software update:

• 0151 0010: Software update, including connecting a battery charger.
• 0151 0040: Fixed rate for the software update, covering all required preliminary and follow-up work, including bus sleep cycle, calibration drives, and additional work. This operation is rated at 130 Time Units (TU).
• 0150 9999: For additional attempts after a flash abort, an extra lump sum of 50 TU can be claimed per documented attempt.

All warranty claims must adhere to the Audi Warranty Policies and Procedures Manual. It's important to note that if the vehicle is outside of its warranty period, this Technical Service Bulletin is informational only, meaning the repair cost may not be covered. When performing the combined software update, time stamps are not required for billing under warranty, allowing technicians to work on other vehicles simultaneously or for non-productive personnel to perform the update.

Important Notes

Audi is not currently notifying consumers directly about this specific Technical Service Bulletin. Owners should be proactive in checking if their vehicle is affected and discussing this TSB with their dealership. The information provided in TSB 2080144/3, including all part and service references, is subject to change. Always consult with your Parts Department or ETKA for the latest information and bulletins.

Revision History

This TSB has undergone several revisions:

• Revision 3 (March 13, 2026): Revised header to update market visibility.
• Revision 2 (December 19, 2025): Revised warranty information, specifically updating labor operations.
• Revision 1 (November 20, 2025): Initial publication of the bulletin.

Source: NHTSA ID: 11031027