Audi S5 Steering Column Adjustment Failure Fix Guide

Having dealt with a similar electronic steering issue on my 2020 Audi S4, I can share my experience as someone with some automotive repair knowledge. The symptoms you describe match exactly what I encountered. The electric steering column adjustment completely froze, and the error message kept appearing. After initial diagnosis, it turned out to be a faulty connection in the wiring harness of the steering column adjustment system. The repair was straightforward but required specialized diagnostic equipment. My workshop found that a cable connector had worked loose over time, causing intermittent failures before completely stopping. The total repair cost was 95 Euro, mostly covering labor since they only needed to repair and secure the connection properly. The whole process took about 2 hours, including diagnostic time. The mechanical fault was resolved by reconnecting and securing the loose plug, and they also performed a system reset to clear the error codes. To provide more specific guidance for your case, could you share: Have you noticed any warning lights on the dashboard? Did the steering column issue develop gradually or happen suddenly? Does your steering wheel still function normally despite being stuck in position? Have you recently had any other electrical work done on the car?

Last service was done at 45000 KM with no issues reported. The warning lights started appearing just last week at 46741 KM. I have not had any other electrical work performed on the car since purchase. The steering wheel functions normally for turning, but its fixed position makes driving quite uncomfortable. The column adjustment problem occurred suddenly during a regular morning start. No warning signs or unusual sounds preceded the mechanical fault. The fact that your repair involved just a loose connection gives me hope this might be a similarly straightforward fix rather than a complete steering column replacement. Did your workshop mention whether this is a common issue with these models?

Thanks for providing those additional details about your S5. The similarities between our cases are striking, particularly how the electronic steering column adjustment failed suddenly with normal steering function remaining intact. Your mileage and timeline actually match the common pattern for these electrical steering faults in our models. While my workshop mentioned they see this type of mechanical fault regularly in the S4/S5 line, they indicated two primary causes: 1. The wiring harness connection issue (which was my case) 2. A faulty column adjustment motor The good news is your symptoms strongly point toward the wiring issue, especially since: The failure was sudden rather than gradual, Basic steering functions remain normal, No previous warning signs appeared, The timing matches typical connection wear patterns My experience suggests getting it checked soon, as driving with incorrect steering wheel positioning can lead to discomfort and potential safety concerns. The column adjustment repair should be relatively quick if its the same issue. Would recommend having them specifically check the wiring harness first before replacing any major components. Keep in mind they will need to perform a system reset after fixing the electronic steering system to clear those error codes properly.

I really appreciate all the detailed feedback about the electric steering column issues. The fact that this appears to be a common fault on these models and typically relates to either wiring or the adjustment motor is very helpful information. The similarities between our situations are encouraging, especially since your repair turned out to be relatively simple and cost-effective. I will definitely ask the workshop to inspect the wiring harness first before looking at more expensive component replacements. I have scheduled an appointment for next week to have the electronic steering system checked. Given how the steering column adjustment failed suddenly and matches the pattern you described, I am hopeful this will be resolved with a straightforward wiring fix rather than needing the entire electric adjustment mechanism replaced. Will update once I know what they find with the mechanical fault. Thanks again for sharing your experience in such detail, it has been really helpful in understanding what to expect with the repair process.