S8 Luxury Massage Seats Dead: Control Switch Alert

I experienced a similar massage seat failure in my 2019 RS7 last year. The electrical issue turned out to be more complex than a simple switch failure. The main control module for the automotive seats had developed a fault, which caused complete system shutdown. The problem required removing the seat to access the wiring harness and control unit located under the seat cushion. A scan revealed multiple communication errors between the massage components and the main seat module. The electrical issue stemmed from corroded plug connections that affected both the switch functionality and the massage motors. For high-mileage luxury vehicles, these seat motor problems are relatively common. The repair involved replacing the control module and cleaning all connector points. This was not a quick fix, the seats needed to be partially disassembled to access all components. Given your vehicle age and mileage, this could be a similar control module failure rather than just a basic switch problem. The sudden complete shutdown of all massage functions points toward a system-wide issue rather than an isolated switch failure. Professional diagnosis is recommended as working with integrated seat electronics requires specialized diagnostic equipment to properly read and clear the error codes.

Thanks for the detailed explanation of your seat repair. That definitely sounds similar to my massage setting problems. My concern is mainly about costs before committing to a major repair job. The whole massage seat system just died without warning, and that control module issue you described matches my symptoms. Would you mind sharing what the repair ended up costing? Also curious if youve had any other seat motor glitches since getting it fixed? My S8s interior is still in great shape and Id hate to start having recurring issues with the car upholstery and comfort systems at this mileage.

After getting my car upholstery and massage seat issue fixed at the mechanic, I am happy to report the repair was much simpler and cheaper than expected. The electrical issue turned out to be just a loose connection in the wiring harness, no need for a full control module replacement like I initially thought. The total cost came to 95 Euro for diagnosing and repairing the faulty cable connection. The seat motor and massage setting functions have worked flawlessly since the repair six months ago. No other luxury car comfort features have given me any trouble. The mechanic mentioned these electrical issues in high-end massage seats often stem from simple connector problems rather than complete system failures. Getting it diagnosed early helped avoid more extensive repairs. The quick fix suggests you might be dealing with a similar basic wiring problem rather than a costly control module replacement. I would recommend getting it checked soon while the issue is still isolated to just the massage function. Waiting too long with electrical problems can sometimes lead to more complicated repairs down the line.

Thanks for the input. Just wanted to update on how my seat repair situation turned out. After reading the responses here, I took my car to a new mechanic who specializes in luxury vehicle electronics. The massage seat diagnosis revealed exactly what was suggested, a damaged wiring connector under the seat cushion. The seat switch was actually fine, but the connection had worked loose over time and created an intermittent electrical issue that eventually failed completely. Total repair cost was 180 Euro, including diagnostic time and labor to access the wiring. The mechanic showed me the corroded connector before replacing it. The massage chair functions are now working perfectly again, and the error code has cleared from the system. Much better outcome than I feared, and I learned these seat motor problems are fairly common in high-end vehicles with complex comfort systems. Really glad I didn't put off getting it checked, could have led to more extensive electrical issues down the line.