Audi Q5 Massage Function Dies After 165K Kilometers

Had the same issue with my 2011 Audi Q7 3.0 TFSI. The automotive seats massage function failed due to a wiring harness problem underneath the seat cushion. The massage chair system in these models typically fails due to three common issues: Cable pinching from seat movement, Switch failure in the control module, Connector corrosion at the main plug In my case, the car upholstery had to be partially removed to access the wiring. The main connector was corroded and had loose pins. This required replacing the entire seat wiring harness since individual wire repair isnt recommended on these systems. While not a critical safety issue, its best to address it promptly as continued use with faulty wiring can damage the seat control module. The repair involves specialized diagnostic equipment to clear the error codes after fixing the wiring. This is a known weakness in these luxury car models between 2011-2015. The massage function uses separate circuits from the basic seat controls, which explains why your regular adjustments still work.

Thanks for sharing your repair experience. The same issue also happened with my Q5, requiring a complete seat switch replacement after the massage function died. The car upholstery work was quite extensive since they had to access deep components. Just wondering, do you remember the total repair cost for your automotive seats? Also, has the massage chair system worked reliably since the fix, or have you noticed any other electrical quirks?

Glad to follow up on this. The electrical issue with my massage setting was much simpler than expected. The mechanic found a loose cable connection under the seat, which was causing the switch failure. No need for extensive upholstery work in my case. Total repair cost was just 95 Euro to fix the defective plug connection. Much better than the complete seat motor replacement I initially feared. The automotive seats massage function has worked flawlessly since the repair, no additional electrical quirks or switch problems. Going on 8 months now with perfect operation. These systems are actually quite reliable once the connections are properly secured. This type of minor connection problem seems pretty common with the massage setting controls. Often its just a matter of finding the loose connection rather than replacing major components.

Thanks for the update. My experience ended up being more complex and costly. The mechanic found multiple issues beyond just the loose connection. The main control unit and several massage chair components needed replacement. The car upholstery work took nearly 4 hours as they had to remove both seat covers and padding to access the deeper components. Total repair came to 780 Euro including parts and labor. Pretty steep for a massage setting feature, but the dealer confirmed this was actually common with our model year. The good news is the system has worked perfectly for the past 3 months. The switch failure is completely resolved and all massage functions operate like new. While expensive, at least the fix seems permanent rather than just a temporary solution. The complete overhaul was worth it since I use the massage feature regularly on longer drives. Just wish the automotive seats were designed with easier access to these components for repairs.