Audi e-tron Audio Dead: Common Antenna Issues & Fixes

As someone with moderate experience working on EVs, I had a very similar issue with my 2020 Q4 Sportback e-tron. The symptoms started with poor signal quality and static noise, eventually leading to complete radio failure and error messages. After dealing with radio interference issues for weeks, I finally took it to a workshop. The diagnosis revealed a defective antenna module, which was causing signal strength problems across all audio functions. The technician explained that moisture had damaged the antenna connections, leading to signal degradation and system errors. The repair involved replacing the main antenna assembly and installing a new antenna booster to improve reception. Total cost was 255 Euro, including parts and labor. Since the fix, the audio system has worked flawlessly with no static noise or error messages. Before suggesting specific solutions for your case, could you share: Have you noticed any correlation between weather conditions and the issues? Did you get specific error codes during the scan? When did the problems first start? Any recent modifications to the roof or antenna area? This information would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced or if its something different.

Thanks for your troubleshooting suggestions. After last service at 165216 KM, I had the system scanned again. The error codes indicate the FM signal reception is indeed compromised. The issue gets worse during wet weather, suggesting possible moisture intrusion. I tested multiple radio stations and even with a signal amplifier borrowed from another vehicle, the problem persists. The antenna connections appear corroded when inspected. Looking at the symptoms and your feedback, I suspect its exactly the same antenna module failure you experienced. Will check with service center about antenna booster installation as part of the repair.

Based on your additional details, especially the correlation with wet weather and the corroded antenna connections, this definitely mirrors my experience. After my antenna module replacement, I made sure the new installation included proper weatherproofing to prevent future moisture issues. The signal amplifier test you performed is particularly telling, if the poor signal persists even with a working amplifier, it confirms the antenna module itself is the culprit. The corrosion you found matches exactly what my technician discovered in my case. Your mileage reading suggests this might be a common wear point for our model. My issues started around 150000 KM, and the radio interference patterns were identical, deteriorating significantly during wet conditions before complete failure. One thing to note about the antenna booster installation, make sure they verify the antenna ground connection during the repair. In my case, they found the ground point had also degraded, which contributed to the signal strength issues. The complete fix should address both the module and grounding to prevent future problems. From what you describe, you should expect a similar repair cost to what I paid (255 Euro), assuming prices haven't changed much. The quick deterioration in wet weather suggests getting this addressed soon would be wise to prevent potential damage to other connected systems.

The symptoms and repair path you outlined match my situation perfectly. The correlation between wet weather and system degradation, plus finding corrosion at similar mileage points, confirms we dealt with the same defect. Good call on checking the antenna ground connection, I will definitely have them verify this during the repair. I spoke with the service department and they quoted 280 Euro for the complete repair including the antenna module replacement, new antenna booster installation, and ground point inspection. Given the static noise is getting worse and signal strength continues to degrade, I scheduled the repair for next week to prevent any additional system damage. Really appreciate the detailed information about your experience, it helped confirm my diagnosis and gave me confidence in pursuing the right fix. Will update once the repair is completed in case anyone else runs into similar radio interference issues with their e-tron.