55 Guide to finding water ingress on the rear lid structure
55 21 55 2060265/2 April 7, 2021. Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 55 number 20-48 dated August
4, 2020 for reasons listed below.
Model(s)

Year

VIN Range

Vehicle-Specific Equipment

A6 allroad,
RS6 Avant

2020 - 2022

All

Not Applicable

Condition
REVISION HISTORY
Revision

Date

Purpose

2

-

Revised header (Added MY 2022)
Revised Warranty (Updated Labor Operation TU)
Revised Required Parts and Tools (Change in materials and application tool)

1

08/04/2020

Initial publication

Customer states:
 When the rear lid is opened, water can be heard sloshing from the bottom of the rear lid shell to the top of the
rear lid shell.
 Water may run into the rear lid hinges and into the vehicle.
Workshop findings:
 The presence of water is confirmed in the rear lid shell. The point of water entry cannot be conclusively
determined.

Technical Background
The seam sealer used to seal adjoining panels may have a flaw causing a small opening that can allow water to
enter the rear lid shell. This TSB shows areas of the rear lid shell where sealer flaws may exist.

Production Solution
Not applicable.

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© 2021 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.

Service
Note:
Confirm the symptom and that it is clearly attributable to the issue described in the Technical Background in this
TSB. The following work procedure must only be carried out if the symptom described has been confirmed and
the source of the water ingress is as described in the Technical Background.
1. Remove the rear lid trim and
perform a leak test on the rear
lid. With the lid trim removed
visual and physical access to
the rear lid structure can be
gained. Mix a solution of dish
detergent and water and add to
a spray bottle. Spray the
solution on the area shown in
Figure 1 while blowing
compressed air from the inside
of the rear lid structure and
watch for bubble formation.
Figure 1. Bubble formation with compressed air applied internally.
2. Should bubbles form in this
area, Figure 2 shows the area
where the body sealant may be
flawed.

Figure 2. Area where sealer flaw is likely.

Page 2 of 9
© 2021 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.

3. When the tail lamp is removed
the sealer flaw can be found.

Figure 3. Possible sealer flaw area behind tail lamp.

Figure 4. Close up view of sealer flaw.

Page 3 of 9
© 2021 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.

4. Figure 5 shows another
possible area where a sealer
flaw can be found. The holes or
gaps can be very small yet
allow water ingress.

Figure 5. Another area of a possible flaw.
5. The flaws may not be limited to
the rear tail lamp recesses but
can be found along the side of
the rear lid structure.

Figure 6. Sealer flaw on side of rear lid.

Page 4 of 9
© 2021 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.

Figure 7. Close up view of the sealer flaw.
6. Additionally, sealer flaws or
incorrect sealing of the rear lid
trim can be found in the area
where the rear lid exterior trim
is mounted. Replace the rear lid
trim strip if it is found to be the
cause of the sealing issue.

Figure 8. Rear lid trim mounting areas to check for water ingress.

Page 5 of 9
© 2021 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.

7. In cases where the sealer flaw
is located in a concealed area
(e.g. behind a tail lamp) the
openings can be repaired by
applying D 511 500 A2 1k
adhesive sealant to the
openings with a brush. To the
corresponding area on the
inside of the rear lid shell apply
D 321 M16 M2 cavity
preservative using a brush.
Ensure the application area is
thoroughly clean and allow the
sealant to cure as
instructed. Touch up painted
surfaces as necessary.

Figure 9. Concealed areas repaired with D 511 500 A2 1k adhesive
sealant.
8. If the sealer flaw is in a visible area send the vehicle to your bodyshop for repair as finish paintwork will be
required.

Warranty
Claim Type:

 110 up to 48 Months/50,000 Miles.
 G10 for CPO Covered Vehicles – Verify Owner.
 If the vehicle is outside any warranty, this Technical Service Bulletin is informational
only.

Service Number:

5559

Damage Code:

0050

Labor Operations:

Remove and install rear lid trim

7092 1900

See SRT with
associated
operations

Inner taillight lens remove and reinstall

9434 1900

See SRT with
associated
operations

Page 6 of 9
© 2021 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.

OR

Diagnostic Time:

Claim Comment:

Both inner taillight lenses remove and reinstall 9434 2000

See SRT with
associated
operations

Rear trunk trim molding remove and reinstall

6647 1902

See SRT with
associated
operations

Apply sealant to rear lid

5559 9999

30 TU

Body paint application with a brush. Includes
the paint material (concealed area).

5101 7941

See SRT with
associated
operations

Body repair and paint work through body shop. 5101 9999
Includes the surface preparation (visible area).

150 TU

Body seal coat cavity

5101 7501

See SRT with
associated
operations

GFF

No allowance

0 TU

Road test prior to the service procedure

No allowance

0 TU

Road test after the service procedure

No allowance

0 TU

As per TSB #2060265/2

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
Always check with your Parts Department and/or ETKA for the latest information and parts bulletins.
Part Number

Part Description

Quantity

See ETKA

Fasteners, Bolts, Nuts, and Screws as needed per the
Repair Manual

See ETKA/ELSA

D 511500A2

1k adhesive sealant

0.1

Page 7 of 9
© 2021 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.

D 321M16M2

0.3

Anti-corrosion wax
Or the following alternative product available from the Top Service Supplies and Touch Up Paint e-store:
08852 3M™ Cavity

0.3

Wax

Cavity Wax
If necessary:
4K5853927

Trim strip for tailgate

01

Page 8 of 9
© 2021 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.

Tool Number

Tool Description

VAG 1379 or equivalent generic sprayer

Spray Gun
OR
VAG 1538 or equivalent generic sprayer

Suction Feed Spray Gun

Additional Information
All parts and service references provided in this TSB (2060265) are subject to change and/or removal.
©2021 Audi of America, Inc. All rights reserved. The 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.

Page 9 of 9
© 2021 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.