phanatic

I just got a new 2024 S5 SB replacing a 2017 A4 Allroad. On my Allroad, I used the kick to open the liftgate all the time so I'm familiar with the proper kicking technique. On my new S5, it doesn't work. I saw some posts regarding 2023 model year car not having the hands free trunk release anymore (possibly because of chip shortage). Can 2024 S5 owners confirm for me that has carried on into 2024? If so, that's tremendously disappointing that it lacks a feature that almost every car in this price range includes. Any 2024 owners, let me know, thanks.

JohnEnglish

Audi USA stopped adding the feature to cars back in 2021 or 2022. Audi Canada still puts the feature on Canadian cars.

Nikon1

“Audi giveth … and Audi certainly taketh” — it seems a lot under the excuse of “Pandemic Supply Chain” problems.

2+ years after the Pandemic Problems have improved, it certainly sounds like so much BS — at least to my suspicious mind!

— John

kamabazi

It is still in the manual of the 2024 S5 on how to use the feature. I have tried it on my 2024 and it does not work so most likely not included but manual still have the info...

TheTurbanator

I have a 2023 and the feature was entirely removed. Not mentioned at all on the window sticker even as a delete. My mom's 2023 X3 had the same removal with no delete mentioned on the sticker, so seems like BMW and Audi were sharing suppliers for that option and both lost out.

A4Audi4Fun

@kamabazi - note manual explicitly states only "Applies to vehicles with sensor-controlled luggage lid". Not all cars have all features though it does suck that this one has been removed from many vehicles; gotta put those hands back to work

2DaLab

Yeah, but ...

My 2021 A5 SB has it, but it's not mentioned on the window sticker. The sticker says "power liftgate", but my understanding is that that refers to the motor to open and buttons to control the hatchback lid.

In fact, I went for several months thinking my car didn't have it. Saw it mentioned on this forum and tried it (correctly), and found that I do have it.

I've looked at a couple of 2023 and 2024 S5s, and had a (2023?) A5 as a loaner--none of them have it. Too bad. I use it several times a week. It's one of the things that makes me think twice about upgrading to an S5 or even buying a new A5 when the time comes.

I mentioned it to a salesman a few weeks back (looking at an S5); he said he just sold a Q3, and it had it.

SMac770

AoA never even referenced it in any of the ordering guides. It kind of just snuck in with the B9 release and was never pointed out except in the manual.

As for any specific individual vehicle, just scan the vehicle with VCDS and it'll be obvious. Either you have the J938 (Sensor Controlled Power Rear Lid) as a LIN bus slave of the J393, or you don't.

Nappy8

I went thru the same thing on my 23 A5 SB. Rented a 21 for a week just to be 1000% sure A5 SB was the right car for me....foot released worked with no issue. Then stupidly forgot to try it on my 23 before I purchased it. Doesn't work on my 23. My car physically has the sensors and module in the rear bumper but the function is disabled.
Consensus on the web is their was some issue caused by the chip shortage that made the trunk release unreliable...so Audi just disabled it.

This wouldn't have been a deal breaker but I could have given me more leverage during negotiation.

The real bummer is..... even if I purchase and replace with a older module from `21 car it still won't work unless Audi reprograms the car to enable the function.
Their are 3rd party vendors that can activate the feature but I don't want to risk voiding my warranty.

Only other options is to beg Audi to enable the feature for those that purchase the correct/older modules. Maybe if enough people petition AoA a TSB would be issued, but this probably has a snow ***** chance in hell of succeeding.

JohnEnglish

Audi USA removed the feature to save money. Canadian Audis still come with the feature.