2021 Audi SOS Emergency Call Malfunction TSB

Owners of certain 2021 Audi vehicles may encounter an "SOS – Emergency call malfunction, please contact service" message displayed in their instrument cluster. This issue is often accompanied by specific diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) related to the emergency call control module.

This Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 91 21 47 2061625/3, superseding an earlier bulletin (Group 91 number 21-67 dated February 17, 2021), addresses this concern, indicating that a software malfunction is causing these erroneous fault codes.

Symptoms

The primary symptom owners will notice is a warning message appearing in the instrument cluster. This message will state verbatim: "SOS – Emergency call malfunction, please contact service". Despite this warning, the e-Call functionality, which is designed to automatically contact emergency services in the event of a crash, reportedly remains active.

Fault Codes / DTCs

When diagnosing this Audi SOS malfunction B129B11, technicians will find specific Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) stored in the control module for the emergency call module and communication unit, identified as J949 (address word 0075). These codes indicate a perceived electrical issue with the microphone circuits:

Technical Background

Audi has determined that the Audi SOS malfunction B129B11 and B239C11 codes are not due to a physical hardware defect. Instead, they are erroneously entered into the system by a software malfunction within the emergency call control module. This means the system incorrectly detects a short circuit in the microphone circuits, triggering the warning message and storing the DTCs.

Important Warnings for Owners

Owners experiencing this issue should be aware of a critical instruction from Audi. The TSB explicitly states: "Do not replace any components for this condition since this will not resolve the customer's concern." Replacing parts like microphones or the control unit will not fix the underlying software problem and could lead to unnecessary costs or delays. Audi is currently developing a software solution for this Audi SOS malfunction B129B11.

Service Action and Next Steps

For 2021 Audi vehicles exhibiting the "SOS – Emergency call malfunction, please contact service" message and storing DTCs B129B11 or B239C11, Audi dealers are instructed to take the following steps:

1. Clear the DTCs: The first step is to clear the diagnostic trouble codes from the vehicle's system.
2. Inform the Customer: Technicians should explain to the customer that a permanent solution is forthcoming. Audi anticipates this software solution will be available in the first quarter of 2022. Crucially, customers should be informed that no repairs are necessary at this point, and components should not be replaced.
3. Create a PSS Record: Dealers must create a Pending Service Solutions (PSS) record using the PSS application in AccessAudi or through the Technical Assistance page in Elsa. This helps Audi track affected vehicles and ensures customers are notified when the software update becomes available.

Warranty Information

Warranty claims for this issue fall under specific guidelines:

• Standard Warranty: Claims can be made for vehicles up to 48 months or 50,000 miles.
• CPO Vehicles: For Audi Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles, a G10 claim type is used, requiring verification of owner status.
• Out of Warranty: If the vehicle is outside of any applicable warranty period, this Technical Service Bulletin serves as informational guidance only, and any service would typically be at the owner's expense.

TSB Revision History

This TSB has undergone several revisions to update information and expand its applicability:

NHTSA ID: 10203173