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sarahwolf7

Audi RS3 Phone/Call System Complete Failure Fix Needed

Fault stored

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Calls cannot be answered

My 2016 RS3 wont let me make calls anymore. The built-in phone system shows an error message and voice recognition is completely dead. The microphone repair seems expensive at my usual shop and I need a second opinion. Car runs great otherwise, only 79730 km on the clock. Has anyone dealt with this and found a reliable fix? The ambient noise in the cabin seems normal but the wireless connection and volume control for calls are totally non-functional. Looking for repair costs and trusted mechanic recommendations.

4 comment(s)


isabellkaiser1

My 2019 S4 had similar audio system issues. The sound quality dropped suddenly and the voice recognition system stopped responding. After thorough diagnostics, the problem was traced to a faulty microphone module and damaged wiring harness in the headliner. The ambient noise cancellation feature was also affected, which initially masked the real problem. The main control unit was fine, but the audio input components needed replacement. This included the microphone assembly and associated wiring. The repair involved removing the headliner to access the complete system. This is a complex job requiring specific knowledge of the infotainment system architecture. The volume control issues were resolved once the new components were installed and properly integrated with the main unit. This kind of repair is considered major due to the labor-intensive nature and specialized parts required. The system needed complete recalibration after installation. Given your RS3s symptoms, particularly the dead voice recognition and wireless connection issues, it sounds very similar to what I experienced. Would strongly suggest having this checked at a dealer or specialized audio system repair shop, as incorrect repairs can cause further damage to the infotainment system.

sarahwolf7 (Author)

Thanks for your detailed response about the Bluetooth issue. My audio system has been working flawlessly since the repair. The sound quality is perfect now and all functions are back to normal. The technician mentioned these problems are fairly common in our models. Can you share how much the repair cost in your case? My bill was quite steep and included 6 hours of labor. Also curious if youve experienced any other audio input problems since the fix? Would be helpful to know for future reference, as my warranty is ending soon.

isabellkaiser1

Following up on your question, glad to hear your system is working properly again. Similar to my previous experience, these microphone repairs can be complex but worth fixing properly. My total repair bill came to 815 Euro at the specialized shop, which included replacing the microphone assembly and recalibrating the entire infotainment system. The wireless connection has been flawless since the fix, and the speech recognition works perfectly again. Havent experienced any issues with the volume control or ambient noise cancellation in the 18 months since the repair. The technician did mention its important to keep the system software updated to prevent future communication problems. The costs tend to be significant because accessing the components requires extensive interior disassembly. Given how crucial these systems are for modern vehicles, its usually worth the investment to have it done right by qualified technicians who understand the intricacies of our models infotainment systems.

sarahwolf7 (Author)

The repair turned out great and was worth every penny. Finally took it to a certified shop last week after getting tired of the communications issues. The whole process was smoother than expected. The technician found a damaged wiring harness near the microphone module, plus some corrosion on the connectors. They had to remove several interior panels to access everything, but the sound quality is perfect now. Speech recognition works like new, and the Bluetooth issue is completely resolved. Total cost came to 780 Euro which covered parts, labor, and system recalibration. While not cheap, the volume control and all audio input functions are working flawlessly. The shop even updated the software which apparently helps prevent similar issues. Thanks again for sharing your experience, it helped confirm I was on the right track with the diagnosis. Going to stick with this shop for future audio system maintenance since they clearly know what they are doing.

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