Audi B12CC15
up light bulb Open circuit/short circuit to B+). Technical Background The internal circuit board for the reverse lamp (located in the lamps on the rear bumper) may become separated
Quick answer
For a 2020 Audi Q5 PHEV in the US, DTC B12CC15 is identified in an Audi/NHTSA manufacturer communication as: right back-up light bulb open circuit/short circuit to B+. The bulletin associates it with a tail-lamp warning in the instrument cluster.
This page separates verified manufacturer/regulator evidence from supporting material. Unsupported causes, repairs or safety conclusions are not guessed.
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1. What does B12CC15 mean?
For a 2020 Audi Q5 PHEV in the US, DTC B12CC15 is identified in an Audi/NHTSA manufacturer communication as: right back-up light bulb open circuit/short circuit to B+. The bulletin associates it with a tail-lamp warning in the instrument cluster.
2. Technical explanation
The verified Audi communication states that B12CC15 may be stored in the comfort system control module J393 (address word 0046). It identifies the affected circuit as the right back-up light bulb circuit. The bulletin’s technical background says the internal circuit board for the reverse lamp in the rear-bumper lamps may separate from the tail-lamp housing; when this occurs, the metal contact loses connection with the bulb socket.
3. What system is affected?
Right reverse/back-up lamp circuit; comfort system control module J393 (address word 0046).
4. How serious is this code?
Not yet established by verified evidence.
5. Symptoms you may notice
- A tail-lamp warning may be displayed in the instrument cluster.
- DTC B12CC15 may be stored in comfort system control module J393.
6. Possible causes
- For the applicable vehicle covered by the Audi communication, the reverse-lamp internal circuit board may become separated from the tail-lamp housing, causing the metal contact to lose connection with the bulb socket.
7. Can I still drive the vehicle?
Not yet established by verified evidence.
8. Can I charge the vehicle?
Not yet established by verified evidence.
9. What you can safely do
- Arrange diagnosis by an Audi service provider if a tail-lamp warning is displayed or B12CC15 is present.
- Do not rely on unverified repair procedures for the rear lamp assembly.
10. Step-by-step troubleshooting
- Verify whether the vehicle is a US-market 2020 Audi Q5 PHEV.
- Check for a tail-lamp warning in the instrument cluster.
- Scan comfort system control module J393, address word 0046, for B12CC15.
- Use the applicable Audi manufacturer communication as service guidance.
11. When to contact service
Audi service evaluation is appropriate for the applicable 2020 US Audi Q5 PHEV when B12CC15 or a tail-lamp warning is present.
12. What the service center may check
- Confirm B12CC15 in J393, address word 0046.
- Inspect the applicable reverse-lamp/tail-lamp assembly in accordance with Audi service guidance.
- Assess whether the reverse-lamp internal circuit board has separated from the tail-lamp housing and whether the metal contact has lost connection with the bulb socket.
13. Possible repair or resolution
- The cited communication states that a new tail lamp was implemented into production. The specific field repair resolution is not established by the supplied verified evidence.
14. Affected vehicles
- Audi Q5 · 2020 · US
15. Related TSBs / service bulletins
- NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10201520: A9421452063766_1, published September 2, 2021. It applies to 2020 Audi Q5 PHEV vehicles in the supplied applicability data and addresses B12CC15 and B12CB15.
16. Recall information
- Not yet established by verified evidence.
17. Official manufacturer information
Official source: NHTSA manufacturer communication 10201520 (Audi document A9421452063766_1): https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2021/MC-10201520-0001.pdf
19. Frequently asked questions
What does Audi code B12CC15 mean?
The cited Audi communication identifies B12CC15 as “Right back-up light bulb Open circuit/short circuit to B+.”
Which vehicles are covered by the supplied evidence?
The supplied applicability record identifies US-market 2020 Audi Q5 PHEV vehicles.
What warning can occur with B12CC15?
The bulletin states that a tail-lamp warning may be displayed in the instrument cluster.
What does the bulletin identify as the technical background?
It says the reverse-lamp internal circuit board in the rear-bumper lamps may separate from the tail-lamp housing, causing the metal contact to lose connection with the bulb socket.