Service Action
Code: 72M1
Subject
Release Date
Affected Vehicles

Backrest Remote Release Mechanism
June 15, 2021

Country
USA
USA
USA
CAN
CAN

Beginning
Model Year
2021
2021
2021
2021
2021

Ending
Model Year
2021
2021
2021
2021
2021

Vehicle
A6 ALLROAD
E‐TRON QUATTRO
RS6 AVANT
E‐TRON QUATTRO
RS6 AVANT

Vehicle
Count
5
258
1
2
4

Check Campaigns/Actions screen in Elsa on the day of repair to verify that a VIN qualifies for repair under this
action. Elsa is the only valid campaign inquiry & verification source.

Problem Description

Corrective Action
Code Visibility



Campaign status must show “open.”



If Elsa shows other open action(s), inform your customer so that the work can also be completed at
the same time the vehicle is in the workshop for this campaign.

Due to a manufacturing discrepancy, it may only be possible to lock the seat backrest back in
place (when restoring it to an upright position) by exerting more force than usual. If the backrest
is not locked in place properly, this can be seen by a red indicator on the backrest latch.
Inspect and, if necessary, repair the backrest remote release mechanism.
On or about June 15, 2021, the campaign code will be applied to affected vehicles.

Owner Notification

Owner notification will take place in June 2021. Owner letter examples are included in this
bulletin for your reference.

Campaign Expiration
Date

This campaign expires on June 15, 2026. Repairs must be performed on or before this date to
be eligible for payment. Keep this expiration date in mind when scheduling customers for this
action. If a customer wishes to have this service performed after the expiration date, your
dealerships normal costs associated with this repair will apply.

Additional Information

Please alert everyone in your dealership about this action, including Sales, Service, Parts
and Accounting personnel. Contact Warranty if you have any questions.
Dealers must ensure that every affected inventory vehicle has this campaign completed before
delivery to consumers.

The repair information in this document is intended for use only by skilled technicians who have the proper tools, equipment and training to correctly and safely maintain your vehicle. These
procedures are not intended to be attempted by “do-it-yourselfers,” and you should not assume this document applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle has the condition described. To
determine whether this information applies, contact an authorized Audi dealer. 2021 Audi of America, Inc. and Audi Canada. All Rights Reserved.
June 2021

72M1 Page 1 of 19

Parts Information (if required)
Parts Control Type:
VIN to Order

If parts are needed to support a vehicle repair:
 US Dealers - use AVA
 CAN Dealers - contact the Parts Specialists via phone (800-767-6552), email
(VWoAPartsSpecialists@vw.com), or chat/text with the VIN to order

Parts Control Type:
Free Order

Parts will be managed by Free Order

Initial Allocation:
NO

There will be no parts allocation. Please reference the Repair Projection Tool (below)
to view your potential VIN population.

Repair Projection Tool:
(right click to open)

Criteria

01

Quantity

Part Number

P.O.C. Part Description

Ordering Method
(see description above)

3

80A-886-373

GROMMET (e-tron only)

Free Order

3

5G0-886-373

GROMMET (A6/RS6)

VIN to Order

NOTE
The specified part numbers reflect the status at the start of this action. Interim updates made in ETKA can cause a
listed part number to become unavailable. In this case, the new part number specified in ETKA should be used.

The information in this document is intended for use only by skilled technicians who have the proper tools, equipment and training to correctly and safely maintain your vehicle. These procedures
are not intended to be attempted by “do-it-yourselfers,” and you should not assume this document applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle has the condition described. To determine whether
this information applies, contact an authorized Audi dealer. 2021 Audi Group of America, Inc. and Audi Canada. All Rights Reserved.
June 2021

72M1 Page 2 of 19

Claim Entry Instructions
The labor times listed here may differ from the labor operations and labor times listed in ELSA.
After campaign has been completed, enter claim as soon as possible to help prevent work from being duplicated
elsewhere. Attach the Elsa screen print showing action open on the day of repair to the repair order.
If customer refused campaign work:
 U.S. dealers: Submit the request through Audi Warranty Online under the Campaigns/Update option.
 Canada dealers: Upload the repair order [signed by customer] to Audi WIN/Operations/Campaign Closure.
Service Number

72M1

Damage Code

0099

Parts Vendor Code
Claim Type

002
Sold vehicle: 7 10
Unsold vehicle: 7 90

Causal Indicator
Vehicle Wash/Loaner
Criteria I.D.

Mark labor as causal
Do not claim wash/loaner under this action
01
ALL models
Inspect rear seat backrest locks. Locks are operating correctly. No rework is necessary.

LABOR

-OR-

Labor Op

Time
Units

0183 00 99

20

Description
Inspect rear seat backrest, no further work
required

e-tron models
Inspect rear seat backrest locks. Locks are not operating correctly. Rework is necessary.

LABOR
Labor Op

Time Units

Description

7263 49 99

60

Inspect and repair backrest release cable
(one side)
-OR-

7263 50 99

80

Inspect and repair backrest release cable
(both sides)

PARTS
Quantity

Part Number

Description

3.00

80A886373

GROMMET

Continued on next page

The repair information in this document is intended for use only by skilled technicians who have the proper tools, equipment and training to correctly and safely maintain your vehicle. These
procedures are not intended to be attempted by “do-it-yourselfers,” and you should not assume this document applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle has the condition described. To
determine whether this information applies, contact an authorized Audi dealer. 2021 Audi of America, Inc. and Audi Canada. All Rights Reserved.
June 2021

72M1 Page 3 of 19

-OR-

A6 Allroad/RS6 Avant models
Inspect rear seat backrest locks. Locks are not operating correctly. Rework is necessary.

LABOR
Labor Op

Time Units

7263 51 99

40

Description
Inspect and repair backrest release cable
(one side)
-OR-

7263 52 99

60

Inspect and repair backrest release cable
(both sides)

PARTS
Quantity

Part Number

Description

3.00

5G0886373

GROMMET

The repair information in this document is intended for use only by skilled technicians who have the proper tools, equipment and training to correctly and safely maintain your vehicle. These
procedures are not intended to be attempted by “do-it-yourselfers,” and you should not assume this document applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle has the condition described. To
determine whether this information applies, contact an authorized Audi dealer. 2021 Audi of America, Inc. and Audi Canada. All Rights Reserved.
June 2021

72M1 Page 4 of 19

Customer Letter Example (USA)

This notice applies to your vehicle: ,

Subject:

Service Action 72M1 - Backrest Remote Release Mechanism

Dear Audi Owner,
As part of Audi’s ongoing commitment to customer satisfaction, we are informing you of our decision to conduct a
service action on certain 2021 model year Audi vehicles. Our records show that you are the owner of a vehicle
affected by this action.
What is the issue?

Due to a manufacturing discrepancy, it may only be possible to lock the seat backrest
back in place (when restoring it to an upright position) by exerting more force than usual.
If the backrest is not locked in place properly, this can be seen by a red indicator on the
backrest latch.

What will we do?

Your authorized Audi dealer will inspect and, if necessary, repair the backrest remote
release mechanism. This work will take about an hour to complete and will be
performed for you free of charge.

What should you do?

In order to limit any possible inconvenience, please contact your authorized Audi dealer
as soon as possible to schedule this service. Please keep in mind that your dealer may
need additional time for the preparation of the repair, as well as to accommodate their
daily workshop schedule. For your convenience, you can also visit www.audiusa.com
and click on the “Find a Dealer” link to locate a dealer near you and schedule this
service.
This service action will be available for you free of charge only until June 15, 2026. If
you wish to have this service performed after that date, your dealer’s normal costs
associated with this repair will apply.

Lease vehicles and
address changes

If you are the lessor and registered owner of the vehicle identified in this action, please
forward this letter immediately via first-class mail to the lessee within ten (10) days of
receipt. If you have changed your address or sold the vehicle, please fill out the
enclosed prepaid Owner Reply card and mail it to us so we can update our records.

Can we assist you
further?

If your authorized Audi dealer fails or is unable to complete this work free of charge
within a reasonable time, please contact Audi Customer Experience at 1-800-253-2834
or via our “Contact Us” page at www.audiusa.com.

Checking your vehicle
for open Recalls and
Service Campaigns

To check your vehicle’s eligibility for repair under this or any other recall/service
campaign, please visit the Recall/Service Campaign Lookup tool at
www.audiusa.com and enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

We apologize for any inconvenience this matter may cause; however we are taking this action to help ensure your
vehicle continues to meet and exceed your expectations.
Sincerely,
Audi Customer Protection

The repair information in this document is intended for use only by skilled technicians who have the proper tools, equipment and training to correctly and safely maintain your vehicle. These
procedures are not intended to be attempted by “do-it-yourselfers,” and you should not assume this document applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle has the condition described. To
determine whether this information applies, contact an authorized Audi dealer. 2021 Audi of America, Inc. and Audi Canada. All Rights Reserved.
June 2021

72M1 Page 5 of 19

Customer Letter Example (Canada)

This notice applies to your vehicle: ,
Subject:

Service Action 72M1 - Backrest Remote Release Mechanism

Dear Audi Owner,
As part of Audi’s ongoing commitment to customer satisfaction, we are informing you of our decision to conduct a
service action on certain 2021 model year Audi vehicles. Our records show that you are the owner of a vehicle
affected by this action.
What is the issue?

Due to a manufacturing discrepancy, it may only be possible to lock the seat backrest
back in place (when restoring it to an upright position) by exerting more force than usual.
If the backrest is not locked in place properly, this can be seen by a red indicator on the
backrest latch.

What will we do?

Your authorized Audi dealer will inspect and, if necessary, repair the backrest remote
release mechanism. This work will take about an hour to complete and will be
performed for you free of charge.

What should you do?

In order to limit any possible inconvenience, please contact your authorized Audi dealer
as soon as possible to schedule this service. Please keep in mind that your dealer may
need additional time for the preparation of the repair, as well as to accommodate their
daily workshop schedule.
This service action will be available for you free of charge only until June 15, 2026. If
you wish to have this service performed after that date, your dealer’s normal costs
associated with this repair will apply.

Lease vehicles and
address changes

If you are the lessor and registered owner of the vehicle identified in this action, please
forward this letter immediately via first-class mail to the lessee within ten (10) days of
receipt. If you have changed your address or sold the vehicle, please fill out the
enclosed prepaid Owner Reply card and mail it to us so we can update our records.

Can we assist you
further?

If your authorized Audi dealer fails or is unable to complete this work free of charge
within a reasonable time, please contact Audi Customer Relations Monday through
Friday from 8AM to 8PM EST at 1-800-822-2834 or via our “Contact Audi Canada”
page at www.audi.ca.

We apologize for any inconvenience this matter may cause; however we are taking this action to help ensure your
vehicle continues to meet and exceed your expectations.
Sincerely,
Audi Customer Protection

The repair information in this document is intended for use only by skilled technicians who have the proper tools, equipment and training to correctly and safely maintain your vehicle. These
procedures are not intended to be attempted by “do-it-yourselfers,” and you should not assume this document applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle has the condition described. To
determine whether this information applies, contact an authorized Audi dealer. 2021 Audi of America, Inc. and Audi Canada. All Rights Reserved.
June 2021

72M1 Page 6 of 19

Repair Overview



Check rear seat backrest lock operation and
rework release cable (if necessary).

NOTE


These repair instructions may differ from the labor operations and labor times listed in ELSA.



Damages resulting from improper repair or failure to follow these work instructions are the dealer’s
responsibility and are not eligible for reimbursement under this action.



This procedure must be read in its entirety prior to performing the repair.

