2025 Audi A3/S3 Drive System Warning DTC P164700

Owners of 2025 Audi A3 and S3 vehicles may encounter a specific set of issues related to the vehicle's drive system, travel assist, and Audi drive select functions. These problems are outlined in Audi Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 2077114/2, which addresses a software-related initialization fault.

This TSB, released on March 31, 2025, indicates that a solution is anticipated by the second quarter of 2025. It is crucial for owners to understand the nature of this issue and the recommended course of action, as replacing components will not resolve the underlying problem.

Symptoms

Owners of affected 2025 Audi A3 and S3 vehicles may observe several warning messages and functional limitations. The primary symptom is a "drive system warning" displayed in the instrument cluster. If the vehicle is equipped with travel assist, an additional warning message related to this system may also appear.

Furthermore, the Audi drive select function will be inoperable. These symptoms are often intermittent and may not be consistently reproducible during a workshop visit, making diagnosis challenging without the specific guidance provided in TSB 2077114/2. If you experience an Audi S3 drive system warning, it is important to note these specific conditions.

Fault Codes / DTCs

Technicians investigating an Audi S3 drive system warning or related issues will likely find specific Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) stored in the vehicle's control units. The following codes are associated with this condition:

DTC P164700 is stored in the Engine control unit J623. If the vehicle is equipped with Drive select, DTC U111000 may also be stored in the information electronics (DA005F).

Diagnosis / Trigger Conditions

The root cause of the Audi S3 drive system warning and related issues is a software problem. Specifically, the vehicle's software cannot perform correct initialization after the ignition is turned on. This initialization failure leads to incompatibilities with various systems, including the drive system, travel assist, and Audi drive select, resulting in the warning messages displayed in the instrument cluster.

Important Warnings for Owners

Audi has provided explicit instructions regarding this condition to prevent unnecessary repairs and costs:

• "Do not replace any components for this condition since this will not resolve the customer's concern."
• "There is no reason to replace parts or attempt repairs. Unjustified work/replacement parts will be charged back. Invoicing under warranty is not permitted."

These warnings emphasize that the issue is software-based, and mechanical component replacement will not provide a fix. Owners should not authorize any part replacements if their vehicle is exhibiting these symptoms.

Production Solution

Audi has implemented a production solution for new vehicles, incorporating software version 3091. This updated software was introduced in week 08/2025 for the data bus diagnostic interface J533 (DA0019). This indicates that vehicles produced after this period should not experience the Audi S3 drive system warning related to this specific software fault.

What Owners Should Do

If your 2025 Audi A3 or S3 is displaying a "drive system warning," "travel assist" message, or if your Audi drive select is not functioning, contact your authorized Audi dealer. Explain that a solution for this issue, identified in TSB 2077114/2, is expected by the end of the second quarter of 2025. At this time, no repairs are necessary, and no components should be replaced. Your dealer can create a PSS (Pending Service Solutions) record to track your concern and notify you when the software update becomes available.

Source: NHTSA ID: 11016544