Audi SQ8 Seat Heater Failure: Common Fix Guide

Having some experience with Audi repairs, I encountered a similar heating repair issue on my 2018 Q7 diesel last winter. The seat warmer failed completely on the driver side, with the thermal sensor indicating power but no actual heat output from the heating element. Took it to a workshop where they diagnosed a faulty heating mat under the seat cushion. The entire heating element assembly needed replacement as the wiring within the mat had deteriorated. Labor costs were significant since they had to remove and reinstall the seat covering. Total repair came to 390 Euro including parts and labor. The seat heater has worked flawlessly since the repair. This seems to be a known issue across several models in this generation. To provide more specific guidance for your SQ8, could you share: Whether this affects driver side, passenger side, or both, If you notice any intermittent function before complete failure, Whether the issue started suddenly or gradually, If you see any visible damage to the seat surface This information would help determine if your issue matches the common failure pattern I experienced.

Latest service was at 42000 KM. Issue affects passenger side only. No visible damage to the seat surface that I can see. The heating element stopped working suddenly after working fine the day before. No intermittent issues before the complete failure. The automotive repair center said it could take a week to get replacement parts and offered a quote around 450 Euro for parts and labor based on a preliminary diagnosis of the seat heating system. The thermal sensor still detects voltage to the system but the seat heater remains completely cold when activated, exactly as you described. Thanks for sharing your repair experience, helps to know the price range is similar to what Im being quoted.

Based on your description, this seems nearly identical to the heating element failure I experienced. The sudden complete failure of the seat warmer and normal voltage readings but no heat output match the classic symptoms of a broken heating mat. The temperature control module can detect power flow but the heating elements inside the seat cushion have failed. The 450 Euro quote aligns with current repair costs for this type of automotive repair job. My final bill was slightly lower at 390 Euro probably due to regional price differences and the timing of the repair. Since you mentioned no intermittent issues before failure, this reinforces my experience that these heating mats tend to fail suddenly rather than gradually. The good news is that once replaced, the seat heating system should work reliably again. Just ensure the workshop uses OEM parts for the replacement to avoid potential compatibility issues with the temperature control module. The one-week parts delay matches my repair timeline too. The seat warmer assembly is not typically kept in stock and needs to be ordered specifically for these models.

I appreciate the detailed feedback and comparison to your similar repair experience. Sounds like my seat heater issue is following the exact same pattern you encountered. The matching symptoms with the thermal sensor and complete failure of the heating element really confirms what the shop suspected. Good to hear the 450 Euro quote is in line with what others paid for the heating repair. Makes me feel better about proceeding with the work rather than seeking other quotes. Will make sure they use proper OEM parts for the seat warmer replacement as suggested. I will go ahead and book the repair next week once the parts arrive. The week-long wait is annoying but seems standard for this type of seat heating system repair. Thanks for walking through your experience, really helped confirm this is a common issue with a straightforward fix.