Audi S8 Seat Heaters Fail: Troubleshooting Guide

I had a very similar seat heating issue with my 2017 A8. As someone who has worked on basic car maintenance but leaves complex repairs to professionals, this problem definitely required expert help. The seat warmer stopped working in both front seats, showing the same symptoms. After diagnostic testing, it turned out the heating element mats in both front seats were defective and needed replacement. The workshop found small breaks in the heating wire circuits, which is apparently a known issue in these models. The repair involved removing the seat covers to access and replace the seat heater elements. Total cost was 390 Euro for parts and labor. Since the fix, the seat heating has worked flawlessly. For proper diagnosis, could you share: Have you checked if the fuses are intact? Does the system show any specific error codes? Did the problem start suddenly or gradually? Are there any water damage signs in the seats? This information would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced with the heating elements or if it might be related to the control module instead.

Last service at 29892 KM and the thermal sensor diagnostic showed error code P0325. Really appreciate the detailed response about the heating elements. Tested all fuses and they seem fine. The heater failure happened suddenly last week during freezing weather. No water damage visible. The temperature control panel lights up but provides zero heat output on either seat. The workshop quoted 450 Euro just for initial testing which seems steep. Wondering if getting a second opinion would be worth it before committing to such an expensive seat heater repair.

Based on the P0325 error code and sudden failure during cold weather, this sounds very similar to what I experienced before getting my seat heater issue resolved. The thermal sensor failure often triggers this specific code, which I also encountered before the full repair. While my initial quote was similar at around 420 Euro for diagnostics, I found a certified workshop that did the testing for 280 Euro. They confirmed both the heating element and thermal sensor needed replacement, which tracks with your symptoms. The sudden failure during cold weather is a classic sign of thermal sensor malfunction rather than gradual heating element wear. The zero heat output despite working controls matches my experience exactly. In my case, the automotive repair ended up being more cost-effective by addressing both components simultaneously, as separate repairs would have required multiple seat disassemblies. For reference, my total repair costs broke down to: Thermal sensor replacement: 180 Euro, Seat cushion heating element: 290 Euro, Labor: 320 Euro Getting a second opinion definitely makes sense, especially since seat heater diagnostics shouldnt cost 450 Euro. Look for shops specializing in electrical systems, as they often have more experience with heater failure issues in these models.

Thanks for the feedback. Your experiences have been really helpful. Given the matching symptoms and error codes, I will get a second opinion on the seat heating repair. The 450 Euro diagnostic fee did seem excessive compared to your costs. Going to contact some electrical system specialists this week since the symptoms point to either the heating element or thermal sensor issues. The sudden failure during cold weather matches what others experienced. Will make sure they check both components during diagnosis to avoid multiple seat cushion teardowns. The price breakdown you provided gives me a much better idea what to expect for parts and labor. At least now I know roughly what a reasonable quote should look like for this type of automotive repair. Will update once I get it properly diagnosed and fixed.