Audi Water Pump Recall: Fire Risks, Settlement & Repair Costs

Park the A4, catch that hot plastic stink, and spot pink crust on the driveway. That’s not soda, it’s coolant. Now you’re wondering if Audi’s recall has your back or if you’re stuck with a four-figure repair.

This isn’t a fluke. Nearly 343,000 Audis in the U.S. came with water pumps so weak they could short out, overheat, and even catch fire. Another wave of failures led to a class-action settlement, cracked housings, slow leaks, and engines cooked beyond saving.

This guide sorts it clean. We’ll break down the recall vs. settlement, list the hit models and years, explain the two-phase fix (19N4 disconnect, then 19O2 or 19N8 replacement), and show how the settlement reimburses repairs and extends coverage.

You’ll also get a straight owner strategy, VIN checks, what to push for at the dealer, price traps, and whether it’s worth swapping to an all-metal pump.

1. Why these pumps became Audi’s weak link

What this little pump actually does

This isn’t your main water pump. It’s a small electric unit that keeps coolant flowing after shutdown. On turbo engines like Audi’s 2.0L TFSI, it’s the only thing stopping heat soak, those lingering furnace temps that fry oil, seals, and bearings in the turbo. Think of it like a cooling fan running a night shift after the engine clocks out.

Where the design went sideways

Audi banked on lightweight thermoplastic for the pump housing and seals. Bad call. That stuff doesn’t hold up against years of 220-degree coolant laced with additives. It warps, cracks, and starts leaking.

Worse, the circuit board was mounted right next to the coolant path, so when fluid escapes, it soaks the electronics. Cue electrical shorts, blown fuses, and in some cases, full-on engine bay fires.

Why the problem snowballed

This wasn’t a rare defect. The same pump design ran across VW Group’s EA888 engine line,the heart of the A4, A5, Q5, and even some Volkswagens.

When a fragile part gets built into a platform this wide, the failure count multiplies fast. The aftermarket caught on early and rolled out all-metal pump replacements that dodge Audi’s plastic mistake.

2. The recall that caught fire: 18V-229

Which Audis were on the chopping block

This wasn’t a loose warning. The recall nailed down four core models with 2.0L TFSI engines: 2013–16 A4s, 2013–17 A5s and Cabriolets, 2012–15 A6s, and 2013–17 Q5s. That’s 342,867 cars in the U.S., each one wired to a pump that could short out and spark.

Why Audi had to split the fix

There weren’t enough safe replacements on hand when the recall broke. So Audi went temporary. Step one (campaign 19N4) was to cut power to the pump, no juice, no sparks. But owners were warned: park outside.

Step two (19O2/19N8) came later with an upgraded pump that blocked moisture and a fresh ECM tune to handle the new hardware.

What goes down at the dealer

It’s not just a quick swap. The tech pulls the old pump and bracket, bolts in the updated version (06D-121-601 with bracket 06H-121-079-N), and flashes the ECM with new code to reprogram pump behavior.

Battery support has to be on the whole time. They’ll pressure-check the cooling system and verify the pump shuts down properly before closing the ticket.

3. How pump failures show up in the real world

When it’s the recall-level fire risk

A shorted pump doesn’t play nice. Some owners caught a sharp, burnt-plastic smell, popped fuses, or even saw smoke after shutdown.

You might get an auxiliary pump fault code, but the real danger? It can spark while the car’s just sitting there. That’s why NHTSA labeled it a fire hazard, not just an inconvenience.

When it’s a slow leak and a fat bill

Other failures sneak up. Coolant puddles under the front bumper, a sweet smell in the cabin, or a faint whine from the pump are early clues. If ignored, the plastic housing keeps cracking, coolant drains faster, and traffic jams start cooking the engine from the inside out.

When it all goes sideways

Keep pushing through, and the pump can seize or snap its impeller clean off. That’s when temps spike, the dash lights up, and you’re calling a tow. Some owners ended up with warped heads or full engine replacements, repairs topping $3,000 to $8,000 if they weren’t covered under the settlement.

Symptoms vs. Likely Campaign/Failure Path

4. The lawsuit that chased Audi into court

Why the recall didn’t cut it

NHTSA’s recall only targeted pumps that could short and burn. But plenty of owners got hit with cracked housings and blown engines, no fire, no help. That gap sparked a class-action suit accusing Audi and VW of using cheap thermoplastics that couldn’t handle high heat or modern coolant blends.

More models, wider damage

The lawsuit covered way more ground than the recall. It pulled in 2015–20 A3s, A4s, A6s; 2015–19 A5s; 2015–20 TTs and Q3s; 2015–21 Q5s; and 2017–20 Q7s. VW siblings weren’t safe either, same engine, same flawed pump, same failure rate.

What owners actually get

If you already swapped the pump, you might get paid back, up to 100% for dealer work or $1,150 for indie repairs. If the bad pump trashed your engine, you could see up to $4,500, depending on mileage and repair type.

Audi also tacked on an extended warranty: one pump replacement and potential engine coverage for 8 years or 80,000 miles, but only if the work’s done at a dealer.

Recall vs. Settlement at a Glance

5. How to stay ahead of the pump mess

Start with a VIN check, no guessing

Plug your 17-digit VIN into both the NHTSA recall tool and Audi’s recall site. If there’s an open campaign, the dealer owes you a fix, no back and forth. If not, head to the settlement portal to see if you’re eligible for coverage or a payout.

Line up your paperwork first

Dealers and claims processors don’t go off stories; they go off receipts. Gather every repair order, tow slip, coolant invoice, and proof of payment. Details matter. If you don’t list mileage at the time of repair or you paid cash with no receipt, you’re asking to get denied.

Make sure the fix wasn’t just unplugging a wire

If your car had the temporary recall (19N4), confirm the permanent fix (19O2 or 19N8) was actually completed. Ask the service desk to print your campaign codes so you know the updated pump and ECM software are in, not just a dead pump left disconnected.

What to ask at the service counter

Go in ready. Ask if both 19N4 and 19O2/19N8 are marked complete on your VIN. Get the part number of the pump they’re installing. Confirm they logged the ECM flash with the right SVM code.

And if your car drove around with the pump unplugged, ask whether the turbo warranty extension was applied. A good advisor will have it all on your repair order. A blank stare? Push back.

6. Costs, risks, and the trade-offs Audi owners face

Dealer recall repairs? Zero out-of-pocket

If your VIN’s in the system, the fix costs nothing. Audi covers the new pump and software flash. It’s the quickest, safest way to shut down the fire risk. Skip it, and you’re gambling with your engine and your garage.

If you’re out of coverage, brace for impact

No recall, no settlement? Then you’re on the hook. Expect $1,200–$2,000+ for a pump and thermostat job at the dealer.

Independent shops may run cheaper, but if the failure already warped your head or fried the turbo, repairs can shoot past $8,000. These aren’t fluke numbers; they’re pulled from real owner bills.

Metal pumps offer a clean exit, but watch the fine print

All-metal aftermarket pumps have become the fix-it-for-good choice. They ditch the fragile plastic housing and shrug off high temps and harsh coolant.

But there’s a catch: drop in a non-OEM unit and you could lose out on any remaining recall or settlement support. The trade-off’s real, stronger part, but no safety net.

The most expensive move is doing nothing

Put it off and you risk both ends of the failure spectrum, a parked-car fire or a cooked engine. Wait too long and you might miss your chance to claim anything. Delay isn’t neutral; it’s costly.

7. The technical fine print Audi never advertised

Heat, coolant, and circuit boards don’t play nice

The real problem wasn’t just one weak link; it was a stack of bad bets. Years of heat cycles and coolant chemistry break down the plastic housing.

Add circuit boards tucked inches from the coolant path, and it’s only a matter of time before moisture creeps in. Leaks and shorts weren’t bad luck; they were baked into the design.

Why the ECM flash isn’t optional

The software update isn’t just checkbox work. It rewrites the pump’s after-run logic, how long it stays on, when it kicks in, and how it handles faults. Skip the flash, and even a brand-new pump can run dumb, overheat, or fail early.

The wrong coolant wrecks it faster

Audi didn’t spec G12++ or G13 just for fun. Dump in cheap universal green fluid, and you’ll speed up seal failure and internal corrosion. The right mix keeps rubber flexible and bearings spinning. Cut corners, and you’ll land right back in the same mess.

Your next move decides the bill

Two paths, two sets of rules

The recall handles safety, fire risk only. The settlement covers leaks, repairs you already paid for, and blown engines. Mix them up, and you could miss a fix or leave money on the table.

What saves the most time and money

Start with a VIN check. If it’s in the recall system, book the repair now. If you’ve already paid out of pocket, file a claim with full documentation; every receipt counts. Waiting doesn’t help. Every delay means more risk and a bigger bill.

What happens if you blow it off

Ignore the warning signs and you’re gambling with your car, your garage, and your wallet. Audi already opened the door. So did the courts. But you’ve got to walk through it before the damage does.

Sources & References

1. Why do Audi water pumps fail? – Oceanside Motorsports
2. Audi & VW Water Pump Settlement | Lemon Law 123
3. Volkswagen, Audi defective water pumps settlement – Top Class …
4. Safety Recall Code: 19N4 – After Run Coolant Pump – 2013-2017 Audi A5 & Q5, 2012-2015 A6, 2013-2016 A4
5. 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Washington, DC 20590 April 23, 2018 …
6. Motor Vehicle Safety Defects And Recalls | NHTSA
7. Vehicle Safety Recall FAQs | Greenville SC
8. Audi Recall Services by Vehicle Identification Number
9. Check for Recalls: Vehicle, Car Seat, Tire, Equipment | NHTSA
10. IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL Audi of America, Inc. – nhtsa
11. Why Do Audi Water Pumps Fail So Frequently? – Harlem World Magazine
12. THERMOSTAT WATER PUMP | 1.8 TSI | 2.0 TSI | AUDI | GOLF – YouTube
13. Safety Recall Code: 19N4 – nhtsa
14. Audi Water Pump Replacement DIY (2008-2017 Audi MLB A4, S4, A5, S5, Q5) – YouTube
15. Q: does the water pump fail all at once or gradually (’17 allroad, 61000 miles)? : r/Audi
16. 2019 A6, $51k miles. Coolant pump failure : r/Audi – Reddit
17. Audi recalls 342K vehicles for defective water pumps – CNET
18. Service Action Code: 19N8 – nhtsa
19. Recall Reimbursement Plan 2025-2027 – nhtsa