2021 Audi Lane Departure Warning Oscillation TSB

Owners of certain 2021 Audi vehicles may notice their lane departure warning system exhibiting behaviors such as oscillating within the lane, driving over road markings, or responding too late. This is a common concern addressed by Audi in Technical Service Bulletin 96 20 50 2059202/1.

This TSB aims to clarify the functionality of the vehicle's driver assistance systems, specifically the active lane departure warning and the adaptive driving assistant (ACA), to help owners understand their operation.

Symptoms

Customers reporting issues with their Audi e-tron lane departure warning system have described the following conditions:

• The vehicle oscillates within the lane.
• The vehicle drives over road markings.
• The system responds too late to lane deviations.

Workshop findings often indicate that these concerns cannot be reproduced during a test drive, suggesting they might be related to driver perception or system understanding.

Fault codes / DTCs

This service bulletin does not mention any specific diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) related to these lane departure warning concerns. The issue is primarily informational, focusing on system explanation rather than a fault requiring a code.

What the service bulletin says

Technical Service Bulletin 96 20 50 2059202/1 explains that Audi vehicles are equipped with two distinct driver assistance systems that contribute to lane keeping:

1. Active lane departure warning: This system operates with a "late" steering timing, similar to the Audi active lane assist. Its primary function is to warn and gently correct if the vehicle drifts out of its lane.
2. Adaptive driving assistant - adaptive cruise assist (ACA): This more advanced system combines Audi cruise control, Audi active lane assist with "early" steering timing, and congestion assistant. It offers lane center guidance, which can be activated by the driver.

The TSB clarifies that if only the basic lane departure warning is active, its later steering intervention can give the impression that the vehicle is oscillating, crossing the lane, or pulling to one side. This is a characteristic of the system's design, not a malfunction. The adaptive driving assistant, when activated, provides more proactive lane centering.

Additional information on these systems can be found in Self-Study Programs SSP 990393 (Audi A8, type 4N) and SSP 990893 (Audi Q3, type F3).

What to do

If you own a 2021 Audi A6, A7, e-tron, Q3, Q7, or Q8 and are experiencing concerns with your Audi e-tron lane departure warning system, it is recommended to:

• Understand your vehicle's systems: Familiarize yourself with the differences between the active lane departure warning and the adaptive driving assistant. Pay attention to whether the lane center guidance feature of the adaptive driving assistant is activated.
• Consult your Audi dealer: Your dealer can explain how to properly activate and utilize the lane center guidance feature. They can also demonstrate the intended operation of both systems.

This TSB is informational only and does not apply to any Audi warranty claims, as it addresses system understanding rather than a defect or repair.

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Source: NHTSA ID: 10173872