Audi C12EBF3
laser for distance control, range recognition restricted
Quick answer
C12EBF3 is an Audi distance-control laser DTC meaning “laser for distance control, range recognition restricted.” It is documented for certain US 2019–2020 Audi A8 and e-tron vehicles.
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 C12EBF3 mean?
C12EBF3 is an Audi distance-control laser DTC meaning “laser for distance control, range recognition restricted.” It is documented for certain US 2019–2020 Audi A8 and e-tron vehicles.
2. Technical explanation
Verified Audi/NHTSA bulletin evidence identifies C12EBF3 as a fault stored in the distance-control control module J428 (address word 0013), with symptom code 2406. The documented condition is restricted range recognition by the laser used for distance control.
3. What system is affected?
Distance-control system; control module for distance control J428 (address word 0013).
4. How serious is this code?
Unknown. Severity is not established by the verified evidence.
5. Symptoms you may notice
- Driver-assistance systems stopped working.
- A sensor-blindness message is displayed in the instrument cluster.
6. Possible causes
- Not yet established by verified evidence.
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-qualified service provider if the driver-assistance systems stop working or a sensor-blindness message appears.
- Do not rely on affected driver-assistance functions while they are unavailable or display a warning.
10. Step-by-step troubleshooting
- Check for stored DTC C12EBF3 in control module J428, address word 0013.
- Further diagnostic steps are not established by the supplied verified evidence.
11. When to contact service
Service need is not established by the verified evidence. However, Audi-qualified diagnosis is appropriate when the documented driver-assistance warning or loss of assistance functions occurs.
12. What the service center may check
- Read fault memory in the control module for distance control J428 (address word 0013).
- Confirm whether C12EBF3 is stored with symptom code 2406.
13. Possible repair or resolution
- Not yet established by verified evidence.
14. Affected vehicles
- Audi A8 · 2019–2020 · US
- Audi e-tron · 2019–2020 · US
15. Related TSBs / service bulletins
- Audi/NHTSA Manufacturer Communication 10164223, published August 14, 2019, documents C12EBF3 in J428 and reports customer symptoms of driver-assistance systems stopping and a sensor-blindness message. The supplied evidence does not establish the bulletin's repair procedure.
16. Recall information
- Not yet established by verified evidence.
17. Official manufacturer information
Official source: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10164223, Audi document A9119772054301_2: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10164223-0001.pdf
19. Frequently asked questions
What does Audi code C12EBF3 mean?
It means “laser for distance control, range recognition restricted.”
Which vehicles are covered by the supplied applicability evidence?
US-market 2019–2020 Audi A8 and 2019–2020 Audi e-tron vehicles.
What may the driver notice?
The verified bulletin reports that driver-assistance systems may stop working and a sensor-blindness message may appear in the instrument cluster.
Is it safe to drive or charge with C12EBF3?
Not yet established by verified evidence.