Audi S5 Power Seat Failure: Repair Guide & Cost Tips

The electric seat failure symptoms match what I experienced with my 2012 Audi S4. Initially the automotive seat functions stopped responding completely, similar to your passenger seat issue. The problem stemmed from a faulty seat wiring harness that had worn through due to constant movement. The seat motor itself was functional, but the electrical connections were compromised. In my case, the seat harness required complete replacement because the wires had frayed inside the protective sleeve. This is typically considered a serious repair since it involves dismantling the entire seat assembly to access and replace the wiring components. The mechanic needs to remove the seat from the car, disconnect all electrical connections, and carefully route new wiring through the seat frame. A diagnostic check revealed multiple error codes related to the seat control module. The repair involved: Complete removal of the automotive seat, Replacement of the main seat harness, Testing all seat motor functions, Clearing error codes, Calibrating seat memory positions The repair took about 4 hours at the shop. Since your S5 uses similar seat electronics to my S4, expect comparable work requirements. Would recommend having a certified shop handle this due to the complexity of the seat wiring system.

Thanks for your detailed explanation. That information helps since Im facing the exact same power seats problem. Quick question, do you remember roughly what you ended up paying for the seat wiring repair? Also, has your passenger seat worked properly since the fix or have you noticed any other issues with the electric seat functions? My S5 has been trouble-free until now but this seat motor problem came out of nowhere. Just want to budget correctly for the repair and make sure its a permanent fix rather than a temporary solution.

Since getting my S5 fixed at the mechanic, the passenger power seats have worked flawlessly. The issue turned out to be much simpler than the wiring problem I initially suspected. The diagnostic revealed a heavily discharged battery that was causing the seat adjustment system to malfunction. The total repair cost came to 290 Euro, which included a full electrical system diagnostic and battery replacement. The seat motor and seat switch components were actually fine, the power seats just weren't getting enough voltage to operate properly. Once the new battery was installed, all automotive seat functions returned to normal. The forward, back, and height adjustments now work perfectly. It has been several months since the repair with no recurring issues in the seat adjustment system. This turned out to be a much less expensive fix than the complete wiring harness replacement I originally thought might be needed. If your symptoms are similar, it would be worth having the battery checked first before assuming more complex seat motor problems.

Thanks everyone for the helpful feedback. Just wanted to update on how my S5 electric seat repair went. Took it to the shop last week and turns out my issue was different, the seat switch assembly itself had failed. The technician found corrosion inside the switch housing that was preventing proper contact. Total repair came to 390 Euro which covered: New seat control switch, Labor to remove/reinstall the passenger seat, System diagnostic and reset The automotive seat now works perfectly again, all adjustments move smoothly. Really glad it wasnt the full wiring harness issue since that would have cost significantly more. The passenger seat adjustment has been working flawlessly for the past week. For anyone else facing similar electric seat problems, definitely worth getting it checked rather than just living with a stuck seat. The repair was straightforward and took less than 3 hours total at the shop.