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patriciaheld64

Audi S5 Massage Seat Failure and Repair Guide

Looking for advice with my 2015 S5 massage seat problem. The massage function stopped working completely and the car shows an error code. The seat switch seems unresponsive when trying to activate the massage feature. Anyone dealt with a similar massage seat switch failure? Would be great to hear about repair experiences and what parts needed replacement. Mainly interested in workshop solutions and repair costs before taking it in. Not sure if this is a common issue with these seats.

4 comment(s)

benwinkler27

Having dealt with a similar issue on my 2013 A5 with the comfort seats, I can share my repair experience. The massage seat failure was traced to a faulty connection between the seat motor and control module. Initially the seat switch seemed fine, but the massage function remained unresponsive. After some investigation, the workshop found that the cable harness connecting to the massage seat components had worn through due to constant seat movement. The fix involved replacing the damaged wiring and checking all connectors. Total repair cost was 95 Euro, mostly covering labor since the wiring repair was straightforward once diagnosed. The automotive seats in these models share similar massage systems, so the repair process should be comparable. To provide more specific guidance about your S5 seat issue: Is the entire seat adjustment system affected or just the massage function? Does the error code appear immediately when starting the car? Are there any unusual noises when attempting to use the massage feature? Would recommend having a professional check the connections first, as complete seat motor replacement is rarely needed for massage function failures.

patriciaheld64 (Author)

Last service done at 187500KM showed everything working fine with the massage chair function. Wanted to add that the electrical issue started gradually, first the seat motor made strange noises, then the massage features became inconsistent before failing completely. My luxury car has been reliable until now, but this switch failure is concerning. The error only shows up when trying to activate the massage function, not during startup. Regular seat adjustments still work normally. There are no unusual sounds anymore since the massage feature stopped responding altogether. Starting to think the seat control module might need replacement rather than just wiring repairs.

benwinkler27

Thanks for the additional details about your S5 massage seat issue. The gradual failure pattern you described matches exactly what I experienced with my A5 before getting it fixed. The good news is that regular seat adjustments still work, suggesting the main seat motor and basic functions are intact. From my repair experience and what you described, this points more toward a control module issue rather than the complete automotive seats assembly needing replacement. When my luxury car had this problem, the massage function also died gradually after making strange noises. The workshop found that while the seat switch itself was fine, the control module had degraded over time. In these comfort seats, the module handles the complex massage patterns independently from basic adjustments. The repair cost for my control module replacement was 450 Euro, significantly more than just fixing wiring, but less than a complete seat overhaul. The car upholstery did not need any modification during the repair. For comparison: Basic wiring repair: 80-150 Euro, Control module replacement: 400-600 Euro, Complete seat motor assembly: 1200-1500 Euro Given the similar failure pattern and symptoms, having the control module checked should be your next step.

patriciaheld64 (Author)

Thanks to everyone who shared their repair experiences. After reading the responses, I feel more confident about the likely cause of my massage seat problem. The gradual failure pattern of my S5 matches what others experienced, and it helps knowing the basic seat functions still working points to a control module issue rather than complete seat failure. Going to book it in for diagnosis next week. Based on the information shared, I will ask them to specifically check the control module and wiring connections first. The repair costs mentioned here give me a good baseline, hoping it stays in the 400-600 Euro range for module replacement rather than needing the full seat motor assembly. Will update once I get the car upholstery opened up and find out exactly what caused the switch failure. Really helpful to know others have successfully resolved similar massage seat issues without major complications.

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