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Campaign 18V229 Posted April 11, 2018 342,867 units

2012-2017 Audi A4/A5/A6/Q5 Recall 18V229: Coolant Pump

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published May 25, 2026

Recall 18V229 covers 342,867 2012-2017 Audi A6, A5, Q5, A4 Allroad, and A5 Cabriolet vehicles for coolant-pump fire risk. Free repair once Audi opens it.

Audi is recalling 342,867 2012-2017 A6, A5, Q5, A4 Allroad, and A5 Cabriolet vehicles because the electric coolant pump can become blocked with cooling-system debris or short-circuit from moisture. A blocked or shorted pump can overheat and increase the risk of a fire; Audi's final dealer repair will be free once it opens.

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What's wrong?

The electric coolant pump on affected 2012-2017 Audi A6, A5, Q5, A4 Allroad, and A5 Cabriolet vehicles helps move coolant after the engine has been running. These vehicles use a 2.0T engine with an after-run pump, which helps carry heat away from hot engine parts after shutdown. The pump depends on clean coolant flow and dry electrical parts inside its housing.

On affected vehicles, debris from the cooling system can block the pump. A blocked pump works against that restriction and overheats. Moisture inside the pump can also reach electrical parts and create a short-circuit. Audi identified the recalled pump as part number 059 121 012 B, and the replacement pump adds pressure compensation to reduce moisture buildup.

On vehicles with updated engine control software, an electric coolant pump fault can turn on the EPC indicator light. Treat that light as the warning sign for this recall and contact an Audi dealer.

Who's affected?

The scope spans 5 Audi model lines across the 2012-2017 model years, all tied to the cooling system.

2012 Audi A6 Cooling system
2013 Audi A5 Cooling system
2013 Audi A6 Cooling system
2014 Audi A5 Cooling system
2015 Audi A5 Cooling system
Units affected342,867

A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.

What's the safety risk?

A blocked or short-circuited electric coolant pump increases the risk of a fire. If the EPC indicator light comes on, treat it as a warning sign and arrange service promptly. Drive cautiously until Audi gives dealer instructions for the final repair. Repair will be free at any franchised Audi dealer once Audi opens it.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2017 Audi A6, A5, Q5, A4 Allroad, or A5 Cabriolet is included in this recall.
  2. Wait for Audi's final repair instructions before scheduling the free coolant-pump replacement.
  3. Call Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834 with questions and reference recall number 18V229.
  4. Watch for overheating, burning smells, smoke, or warning lights, and stop driving if you notice them.
  5. Keep the owner notice with your service records and bring it when Audi opens the free pump replacement.

What happens at the repair

Until Audi confirms the final dealer repair is open for your VIN, treat the remedy as not yet schedulable. Once available, an Audi technician replaces the electric coolant pump covered by recall 18V229, free of charge. This recall is separate from the earlier coolant pump software update under recall 17V002. If you already paid for a related coolant pump repair before the recall notice, Audi has a general reimbursement plan on file. Contact Audi customer service with repair paperwork and payment records to ask how to submit a claim.

ReimbursementReimbursement available

Timeline

April 11, 2018 NHTSA published the recall
September 14, 2018 Owner notification mailed
December 12, 2018 Dealer notification began
December 12, 2018 Dealer notification ended
January 23, 2019 Interim owner notification (was planned for this date)

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 18V229?

Recall 18V229 covers 342,867 2012-2017 Audi A6, A5, Q5, A4 Allroad, and A5 Cabriolet vehicles with 2.0L Turbo FSI engines. The electric coolant pump can become blocked with cooling-system debris or short-circuit from moisture, increasing fire risk.

What should I do if my 2012-2017 Audi A6, A5, Q5, A4 Allroad, or A5 Cabriolet is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific Audi is included in recall 18V229. If it is, call a franchised Audi dealer and reference Audi recall numbers 19N3 or 19N4. Ask the service desk about the coolant pump replacement and current repair availability.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Audi dealers will replace the affected electric coolant pump free of charge when the repair is available for your VIN.

What is the safety risk in recall 18V229?

The safety risk is fire. A blocked electric coolant pump or a pump short-circuited by moisture can overheat, increasing the risk of a fire. If your VIN is included, ask the Audi dealer what driving guidance applies before your appointment.

What if I bought my Audi used?

The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Audi is included, then call a franchised Audi dealer with recall number 18V229 and Audi recall numbers 19N3 or 19N4.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V229000
Audi customer service1-800-253-2834
NHTSA recall #18V229
NHTSA recall # (full)18V229000

Source documents

This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →