Audi S4 Steering Column Electric Adjust Failure Fix

I had a very similar electric steering adjustment issue with my 2019 S5, and I have some experience working with these types of mechanical faults. The symptoms were identical, complete failure of the steering column adjustment with an error message. After attempting basic troubleshooting like checking fuses, the root cause turned out to be a loose plug connection in the steering column wiring harness. The workshop diagnosed this car steering problem fairly quickly. They found the cable connection had worked itself loose over time, causing intermittent electrical contact before complete failure. The fix involved accessing the steering column assembly, reseating the connector properly, and securing it to prevent future disconnection. Total repair cost was 95 Euro including diagnostic time. The actual fix was straightforward once they identified the adjustment issue location. No parts needed replacement in my case, just proper reconnection of existing components. Before you head to the shop, could you share: Did the failure happen suddenly or gradually? Are there any unusual noises when trying to adjust? Does the error message appear immediately at startup? This information would help determine if youre dealing with a similar electric steering connector problem or potentially something else in the adjustment system.

Latest service done at 71300 KM, around 2 months ago. The failure happened very suddenly last week without warning, no gradual issues before. No unusual sounds at all. The error appears right after starting the car and stays on. After reading your detailed response about the connector, I checked all visible fuses but found nothing wrong. The steering column being completely stuck is quite concerning. Taking it to the dealer next week since the car is still under warranty. Hopefully its just a connection issue like yours and not a more complex steering failure requiring part replacement.

Thanks for the additional details about your S4 steering issue. Since we had nearly identical symptoms with our Audis, this strongly points to a similar electric adjustment system fault. The sudden failure without warning sounds exactly like what happened with my S5. The immediate error message at startup and complete loss of column adjustment matches my experience with the loose connection problem. Given your car is newer than mine and has relatively low mileage, a wiring or connector issue is even more likely than a failed adjustment motor or control module. The warranty coverage is definitely good news here. While my repair was relatively inexpensive at 95 Euro, having it covered will save you the diagnostic and labor costs. Make sure to specifically mention to the dealer that the electronic steering column adjustment failed suddenly without any prior warning signs, as this helps narrow down the likely causes. One thing I learned from my experience, after the repair, its worth having them check the securing clips and wire routing around the steering column. Proper routing prevents the connections from working loose again due to normal driving vibrations. Would be interested to hear what they find when you get it checked. The identical fault pattern suggests youll likely have a quick fix like I did rather than major steering component replacement.

The symptoms you described match mine perfectly, really helpful to know about checking those securing clips and wire routing. My appointment is scheduled for Tuesday, so Ill definitely mention the sudden failure with no warning signs to help them diagnose the electric steering issue faster. Thanks for confirming it could be a simple mechanical fault with the connections. Feeling more optimistic now since your column adjustment problem had such a straightforward fix. Will update once I know what they find, especially since having warranty coverage should make this a painless repair. Good call on having them verify the wire routing after fixing the initial steering failure. No point risking the same issue happening again due to poor cable management. The fact that our cars had such similar symptoms makes me think youre right about it being connector-related rather than a major component failure.