Audi Q5 Passenger Seat Dead: Electrical System Alert

Having some experience with car repairs, I encountered a similar issue with my 2020 Audi Q3 automotive seat system. The electric seat adjustment completely stopped working, showing error messages just like yours. After diagnostic tests, the problem was traced to a heavily discharged battery that damaged the seat control module. The car seats electrical system is quite sensitive to voltage fluctuations. The repair involved: Full battery test and replacement, Reset of the seat control module, Testing all seat harness connections, Verification of seat motor functionality Total repair cost was 290 Euro and took about 3 hours at the workshop. The seat adjustment system has worked flawlessly since then. To provide more specific guidance, could you share: Have you noticed any other electrical issues? Does the driver seat still work normally? When was your last battery check? Are there any other error messages showing? This could help determine if your issue is identical to what I experienced or if it might be something different with your Q5s seat system.

Last serviced at 162254 KM. Yes, my drivers electric seat works perfectly fine and I havent noticed any other electrical issues in the car. The battery was actually replaced 2 months ago, so I dont think thats causing the issue. The only error message showing is related to the passenger seat adjustment system. The seat wiring looks intact from what I can see, but the seat switch doesnt respond at all when pressed in any direction.

Thanks for providing those details. Since our situations were initially similar but your battery is new, I think we're looking at a different root cause for your power seats issue. In my Q3, after further investigation of similar cases, I learned these electric seat failures often trace back to: 1. Faulty seat switch, most common issue when one seat works but the other doesnt 2. Control module failure, especially if the problem appeared suddenly 3. Damaged wiring harness under the seat, can happen even if visible wiring looks fine Since your drivers seat works perfectly and theres no response from the passenger seat switch, Id bet on either the switch itself or the local control module. When my seat motor issue was fixed, the technician mentioned switch replacements typically cost 150-200 Euro plus labor. If the switch is the culprit, its usually a straightforward fix taking about an hour. The control module is a bit more complex, potentially running 400-500 Euro with programming. Before booking a repair, try this quick test: listen closely to the seat motor area while someone operates the switch. Any clicking sound could indicate the switch is sending signals but the motor isnt responding, pointing to a motor issue instead.

Thanks for the troubleshooting suggestions. I just did the sound test you recommended and heard absolutely no clicking when pressing the seat adjustment controls. Now I am more convinced it could be just the switch rather than the seat motor itself. The complete silence when attempting any seat adjustment direction makes me think the electrical signal isnt even reaching the seat motor. Since my car is still under warranty, I will schedule a service appointment to have them diagnose the exact cause. At least now I have a better idea of what to expect, either a switch replacement for around 200 Euro or potentially a more expensive control module fix if thats the underlying issue. I appreciate the detailed explanation about the different potential causes. Just knowing the seat harness and wiring look intact from my visual inspection is somewhat reassuring. The fact that all other electrical systems including the drivers seat work normally also helps narrow down the problem. I will update once I get the official diagnosis and repair completed.