Engine and engine cooling: cooling system (Audi)
Vehicle recall 18V-229. NHTSA received Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.’s report on Apr 11, 2018.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. NHTSA’s own record is on nhtsa.gov.
The short answer
NHTSA received Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.’s report on Apr 11, 2018. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 19, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
(Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles.
These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can either become blocked with debris from the cooling system causing it to overheat or can short-circuit from moisture within the pump.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Engine and engine cooling: cooling system.
What should you do?
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pumps, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi’s number’s for this recall is 19N3/19N4. Note: This recall is in additional to the coolant pump software update applied as a remedy under recall 17V002.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 342,867 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
Each model year opens its own page: every recall naming it, its owner complaints and its crash ratings.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
- Audi A62015and 2012, 2013 and 2014, before the model years listed here
- Audi A5201720162015and 2013 and 2014, before the model years listed here
- Audi Q5201720162015and 2013 and 2014, before the model years listed here
- Audi A4 Allroad20162015and 2013 and 2014, before the model years listed here
- Audi A5 Cabriolet201720162015and 2013 and 2014, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc..
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt. Owners’ complaints are counted on each vehicle’s page.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
-
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010).
Released Oct 19, 2026 and checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 19, 2026.