If you own an Audi built between 2012 and 2024, there’s a real chance you’re dealing with a water pump problem—or you will be soon. This isn’t just about routine maintenance. We’re talking about recalls, class action lawsuits, and engineering failures that have cost owners thousands of dollars. Here’s everything you need to know about the Audi water pump recall and how it affects your wallet.
What’s the Deal with the Audi Water Pump Recall?
Audi hasn’t issued just one recall—they’ve dealt with multiple water pump failures across different systems. The most serious was the electric coolant pump recall that affected 1.2 million vehicles.
The Fire Risk: Electric After-Run Coolant Pump
The NHTSA Campaign 18V-229 targeted a specific component called the electric after-run coolant pump. This little device keeps coolant flowing through your turbocharger even after you turn off the engine.
Here’s where it gets scary: debris and moisture can sneak into the pump’s electronics. When that happens, you get a short circuit. The plastic housing melts. The wiring harness catches fire. And this can happen when your car is parked in your garage.
Audi’s official recall notice literally told owners to park outdoors until the repair was completed. That’s how serious this defect was.
Which Audis Are Affected?
The electric pump recall covered these models:
| Model | Years | Engine |
|---|---|---|
| A4 / A4 allroad | 2013-2016 | 2.0L TFSI |
| A5 (Coupe/Cabriolet) | 2013-2017 | 2.0L TFSI |
| Q5 | 2013-2017 | 2.0L TFSI |
| A6 | 2012-2015 | 2.0L TFSI |
If you own one of these vehicles, check your VIN to confirm if you’re affected. Not every car in these model years had the problematic pump.
The Two-Phase Repair That Confused Everyone
Audi couldn’t get replacement pumps fast enough. So they created a two-stage fix that left many owners scratching their heads.
Phase 1: Campaign 19N4 (The Disconnect)
First, dealers disconnected the pump entirely. This eliminated the fire risk but left your turbo without active cooling after shutdown. You had to be careful about how hard you drove before parking.
Technicians also inspected the wiring harness for damage. If they found melted connectors or corrosion, those got replaced too.
Phase 2: Campaign 19O2 (The Actual Fix)
Once Audi stockpiled enough redesigned pumps, dealers installed the new part. This phase is still active, meaning if you haven’t gotten your replacement yet, you should.
The confusing part? Some owners got called in twice. Others got the full repair in one visit if parts were available.
The Bigger Problem: Primary Water Pump Failures
While the electric pump recall grabbed headlines, a different water pump has caused even more financial pain. The primary engine water pump—the main component that circulates coolant through your engine—has been failing at alarming rates.
Why These Pumps Keep Breaking
Audi switched to plastic housings to save weight and cut manufacturing costs. Sounds good on paper. In reality, these thermoplastic components can’t handle the heat.
The Science of Failure
Your engine bay is a hostile environment. Temperatures exceed 105°C. The plastic housing goes through thousands of heating and cooling cycles. Over time, the material breaks down through a process called hydrolysis—basically, hot water destroys the plastic from the inside out.
Cracks develop at stress points—usually where the thermostat housing meets the pump body, or where the module bolts to the engine block.
Oil Makes It Worse
Here’s a nasty twist: if your Audi has a small oil leak from the valve cover (and many do), that oil drips onto the water pump. The gaskets swell when exposed to oil. This expansion cracks the brittle plastic housing, causing a massive coolant leak.
One Reddit user posted photos showing exactly this failure mode—oil contamination led to a catastrophic housing failure.
The Warning Sign You Can’t Ignore
Your pump has a “weep hole” designed to signal when the internal seal fails. If you see coolant dripping from this hole, your pump is dying. Don’t wait. A failed water pump can overheat your engine in minutes, potentially causing thousands in additional damage.
The Lawsuits That Changed Everything
Audi refused to issue a full recall for the primary water pump failures. Instead, owners paid out-of-pocket for repairs that often exceeded $2,000. This sparked multiple class action lawsuits.
The Zhao Settlement (4-Cylinder Engines)
The Zhao case covered 1.8L and 2.0L engines from 2014-2021 model years. The settlement, finalized in late 2022, provided two main benefits:
Reimbursement for past repairs: If you paid for a water pump replacement, you could file a claim. Dealer repairs got 100% reimbursement. Independent shop repairs were capped at $1,150.
Extended warranty: Coverage extended to 8 years or 80,000 miles from the original in-service date.
The Fiscina Settlement (V6 Engines)
The Fiscina settlement addressed the same failures in 3.0L supercharged and turbocharged V6 engines. This covered 2013-2019 S4, S5, SQ5, A6, A7, and Q7 models.
Repairs on these V6 engines are significantly more expensive—often $2,500 to $3,500 at the dealer. The supercharger sits right on top of the water pump, so techs have to remove major components just to access it.
The Canadian Settlement
Canadian owners got their own settlement approved in December 2023. The claim deadline was June 3, 2024—which has now passed. But the extended warranty still applies:
- 2008-2014 vehicles: 10 years or 160,000 km
- 2014-2021 vehicles: 8 years or 125,000 km
The Catch That Denies Coverage
Both settlements included a “proof of adherence” clause. To qualify for the extended warranty, you must prove you followed the maintenance schedule and used approved coolant.
This means keeping every service record. If you’re a second or third owner without complete service history, dealers can deny your claim. One dealer FAQ document specifically addresses how dealers should verify maintenance compliance.
2022-2024 Models: The Problem Continues
Here’s the frustrating part: newer Audis are still failing. Despite “redesigned” parts, 2022-2024 model owners are reporting identical failures.
The New Class Action Lawsuit
In March 2024, another lawsuit was filed specifically targeting 2021-2024 model years. The complaint alleges Audi knew the “updated” parts still used defect-prone plastic materials.
Owners of 2022 and 2023 Q5 and A4 models report pump failures as early as 30,000 miles. These vehicles aren’t covered by the previous settlements, leaving owners to pay full repair costs.
Technical Service Bulletins Instead of Recalls
Audi hasn’t issued a new recall for these recent models. Instead, they’ve published Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) that only dealers see.
TSB 2071515 applies to 2020-2024 models with the 2.0L TFSI engine. The subject? “Coolant leak from coolant pump.” It’s an acknowledgment of the problem without notifying owners directly.
TSB 2070349 covers V6 engines from 2018-2024 with the same issue.
The “Normal Seepage” Loophole
Here’s a detail that’ll make you angry: these TSBs state that up to 3ml of coolant loss per 100 hours of operation is “normal”.
This gives dealers an excuse to deny warranty claims if they don’t see active dripping during inspection. Your pump could be slowly failing, but unless it’s gushing coolant during the test, they might send you home saying it’s “within spec.”
What It’ll Cost You
If you’re not covered by a settlement or recall, here’s what you’re looking at:
2.0L TFSI engines (A4, Q5):
- Dealer: $1,200-$1,800
- Independent shop: $800-$1,200
3.0L TFSI engines (S4, A6, Q7):
- Dealer: $2,500-$3,500
- Independent shop: $1,500-$2,200
The V6 repair is brutal because technicians must remove the supercharger and intake manifolds just to reach the pump. Labor time alone can exceed 6 hours.
How to Protect Yourself
Check Your VIN for Open Recalls
Visit NHTSA’s recall page and enter your VIN. If campaign 19O2 shows as incomplete, schedule the repair immediately.
Document Everything
Keep every maintenance record, especially coolant services. Take photos of receipts. This documentation is your only defense if you need settlement coverage or warranty claims.
Watch for Warning Signs
- Sweet smell near the engine (coolant has a distinct odor)
- Coolant reservoir level dropping
- Low coolant warning light
- Puddles under the car after parking
- Steam from the engine bay
Act Fast on Coolant Leaks
Don’t drive with low coolant. Overheating can warp your cylinder head, blow the head gasket, or seize the engine. A $1,500 water pump repair becomes a $10,000+ engine replacement real quick.
Consider Preventive Replacement
If you own a high-mileage Audi approaching 60,000-80,000 miles, you might want to replace the water pump before it fails. Yes, it’s expensive. But it’s cheaper than an emergency repair or engine damage from overheating.
Some owners on forums report replacing pumps as preventive maintenance on long road trips. It’s not a bad strategy if you depend on your Audi for transportation.
Settlement Status Summary
| Action | Component | Models | Remedy | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19N4 | Electric pump | 2012-2017 2.0T | Disconnect | Closed |
| 19O2 | Electric pump | 2012-2017 2.0T | Replacement | Active |
| Zhao Settlement | Primary pump | 2014-2021 1.8T/2.0T | 8yr/80k warranty | Active warranty |
| Fiscina Settlement | Primary pump | 2013-2019 3.0T | 8yr/80k warranty | Active warranty |
| TSB 2071515 | Primary pump | 2020-2024 2.0T | Inspect/replace | Active guidance |
| 2024 Lawsuit | Primary pump | 2021-2024 all engines | Pending | In litigation |
The Bottom Line
The Audi water pump recall situation is messy. You’ve got fire-risk electric pumps that required a two-stage repair. You’ve got primary pumps that fail because of plastic housings that can’t handle heat. You’ve got settlements that covered older models but left newer owners holding the bag.
If you own an affected Audi, you need to stay on top of this. Check for open recalls. Keep your service records. Watch your coolant level like a hawk. And if you see a leak or get a warning light, don’t ignore it.
The 2024 lawsuit targeting newer models will likely result in another settlement eventually. But legal cases take years. In the meantime, you’re responsible for monitoring your vehicle and acting fast when problems appear.
This isn’t the reliability you expect when you buy a premium German car. But it’s the reality of modern Audi ownership. Knowledge is power—now you know what to watch for and how to protect yourself from a repair bill that could cost as much as several months of car payments.
