Technical Service Bulletin
72 Audi Q5 rattle from left rear seat back
72 12 04 2030729/2 November 30, 2012. Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 72 number 12-03 dated
September 5, 2012 for reasons listed below.
Model(s)

Year

VIN Range

2009 - 2012

All

Audi Q5

Vehicle-Specific Equipment

Not Applicable
2013

000001 -

Condition
REVISION HISTORY
Revision

Date

Purpose

2

-

Revised header data (additional model year, new VIN break)
Revised Condition (additional symptom)
Revised Technical Background (additional symptom)
Revised Production Solution
Revised Service (service solution added)
Revised Warranty (warranty and parts tables added)

1

9/5/2012

Original publication

Customer may report squeak or rattle sounds coming from the rear seat area.

Technical Background

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© 2012 Audi of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights
of Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without
the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin
The rattle sound can be caused from the pivot point
of the torsion bar (Figure 1) within the 2/3 rear seat
backrest pivot assembly.

Figure 1. Left rear seat noise area
marked with red arrows.
The squeak noise may be coming from the rear
seat armrest area, specifically from the contact
surface between the armrest lock and the striker
pin.

Figure 2. Armrest lock striker pin.

Production Solution
Improved 2/3 rear seatback frame torsion bar to pivot incorporating internal plastic guides. The striker pin has
also been improved to reduce the contact surface with the lock.

Service

Page 2 of 5
© 2012 Audi of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights
of Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without
the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin
If a rattle noise is heard, start diagnosis by way of
a test drive with a partner. Have your partner
drive while you sit in the right rear of the vehicle
leaving no objects or passengers in the left rear
side of the seat. This rattle is best diagnosed
under these conditions. If the source of the rattle
is the 2/3 rear seatback, the 2/3 rear seat backrest
frame torsion bar is not serviceable. The 2/3 rear
seatback frame must be replaced.

Figure 3. 2/3 seatback frame.
Should a squeak be heard and it is determined
that the source of the squeak is the armrest lock,
lightly sand the contact surface of the striker pin to
create a “ knurled” effect.

Figure 4. Area of striker pin to be lightly
sanded.

Warranty
Claim Type:

Use applicable claim type. If vehicle is outside any warranty, this Technical Service
Bulletin is informational only.

Service Number:

7250

Damage Code:

0020

Page 3 of 5
© 2012 Audi of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights
of Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without
the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin
Labor Operations:

Diagnostic Time:

Left rear seat remove and reinstall

72 48 19 00

40 TU

Left rear seat frame replace

72 55 55 50

90 TU

Modify striker pin for rear armrest

74 55 99 99

20 TU

GFF

No allowance

0 TU

Road test prior to service procedure

01 21 00 02

10 TU

Road test after service procedure

01 21 00 04

10 TU

Technical diagnosis at dealer’ s discretion
(Refer to Section 2.2.1.2 and Audi Warranty Online for DADP allowance details)
Claim Comment:

As per TSB #2030729/2

All warranty claims submitted for payment must be in accordance with the Audi Warranty Policies and Procedures

Manual. Claims are subject to review or audit by Audi Warranty.

Required Parts and Tools
Part Number

Part Description

Quantity

8R0 885 503 K

Frame - backrest

1

Trunk Lining

1

Universal adhesive

0.2

8R0 885 754 X XXX
(use index and color
code according to
vehicle equipment)
D 001 200 M2

Additional Information
Page 4 of 5
© 2012 Audi of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights
of Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without
the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin
All parts and service references provided in this TSB are subject to change and/or removal. Always check with
your Parts Department and service manuals for the latest information.

Page 5 of 5
© 2012 Audi of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights
of Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without
the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.