Identify market and engine
18V-229 revised December 12, 2018 lists certain MY2013–2016 A4 sedans with 2.0 TFSI EA888 Evo2. Only that specified execution has the affected pump. US model-year information cannot automatically identify another-market vehicle with a similar registration year.
Resolve conflicting A4 year/version sources first. This article neither resolves them nor confirms applicability to an unknown engine. Model name does not establish the installed assembly.
Two documented pump mechanisms
The manufacturer describes foreign-particle blockage followed by overheating, or an internal moisture short. Thermal damage/fire may follow. This does not attribute every coolant loss or heat mark on an A4 to this pump.
After front impact, record contact, heat exchangers, lines and actual leak location. Damaged radiator, internal electric-pump defect and another circuit fault are not interchangeable diagnoses.
Why the early software campaign did not end investigation
18V-229’s chronology includes earlier 17V002 software work, later reports and field/laboratory tests. Moisture as well as blockage was studied. Earlier software completion does not establish the absence of all subsequent pump defects.
Actual diagnosis requires current VIN campaign status, installed version and findings. Do not present historical interim operations as current instructions for arbitrary vehicles.
What can be said about causation
An accident and service defect in the history do not prove their causal link. Baseline findings, precise contact location, pump tests and other defects are needed. Without them the cause remains unresolved.
Retain removed/installed parts and control results. A general cooling-system invoice establishes neither the physically damaged part nor why it failed.
IIHS: even test preparation matters
The US A4MY2016 page describes MY2012 A4 2.0T Premium tests CEN1208 and CEN1212. Airbags did not deploy in the first because of a preparation error. Injury/restraint measures therefore use only the second, structure both. The preparation error is not evidence of a production airbag defect.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: IIHS: 2016 Audi A4 sedan
MY2009–2016 applicability concerns the US body family and protocol, not repair tolerance or another A4’s pump condition or post-repair safety.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: IIHS: 2016 Audi A4 sedan
Applicability to the individual vehicle
- Held A4 year conflict remains unresolved; no private-case applicability claim.
- 18V-229 concerns specified MY2013–2016 2.0 TFSI EA888 Evo2 sedans; Allroad/other models not merged.
- IIHS preparation error is not a production airbag failure; test years do not grant repair permission.
Primary sources
Sources checked on . Model or recall information does not establish the condition of an individual VIN.
Volkswagen Group of America / NHTSA repository: Part 573 Safety Recall Report 18V-229, December2018revision
Applicability and source location
Certain US MY2013–2016 A4 sedan EA888 Evo2 2.0 TFSI after-run pumps. Other models/Allroad separate, not all US/EU2016 A4.
Pages 1–2: scope, debris and moisture; pages 3–4: field/lab tests and prior software; dated remedy.
Document date: 2018-12-12. Checked: .
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: IIHS: 2016 Audi A4 sedan
Applicability and source location
US MY2009–2016 family, 2012 2.0T Premium 2wd CEN1208/CEN1212; not European generation/year or OEM repair procedure.
Driver-side: preparation error and separate use of structure/restraint/injury data; later-test Poor rating.
Document date: not specified in the source. Checked: .