Audi ‘Defective’ Water Pump Class Action Includes 2021-2022 Vehicle Models with 3.0T Engines

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A proposed class action case filed in New Jersey over an alleged defect plaguing the water pump module in certain Audis includes 2021 and 2022 model-year vehicles, expanding on a suit filed in February of last year.

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The 49-page complaint alleges more specifically that 2013-2022 Audi S4, Q5, S5, SQ5, A6, A7, Q7 and A8 vehicles with a 3.0T engine are equipped with a “defectively designed and/or manufactured” water pump that can fail prematurely, causing overheating and/or sudden, catastrophic engine failure. 

Related Reading: Fiscina v. Volkswagen Group of America

The filing claims Audi and parent company Volkswagen Group of America have “long been aware” of the water pump defect yet actively concealed the problem from drivers and have been “unable or unwilling” to adequately fix affected vehicles.  

“Despite notice and knowledge of the defect from the numerous complaints they have received, information received from dealers, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration … complaints, and their own internal records, including pre-sale durability testing, Defendants have not recalled and/or offered an adequate repair to the Class Vehicles, offered their customers suitable repairs or replacements free of charge, or offered to reimburse their customers who have incurred out-of-pocket expenses to repair the Defect.”

The case explains that the Audi vehicles at issue rely on a belt-drive water pump to help cool their engines during operation. Without a functioning water pump, which circulates coolant through the cooling system, an engine will overheat and eventually fail, the suit stresses. In order to achieve top engine performance and efficiency, a water pump must produce and maintain precise coolant circulation rates, the lawsuit adds.

According to the complaint, the problem stems from a defect that can cause one of the crucial bearings inside the water pump impeller to fail, which in turn can cause the failure of the bearings’ seals. Failure of the seals can allow coolant to slowly leak out of the component’s “weep hole” and into the engine compartment, the case says. 

Further, the lawsuit says affected Audi models also experience coolant leakage from the crossover pipe and/or coolant pipe attached to the water pump/thermostat unit, which can also cause coolant to leak into the engine compartment.

The filing argues that a water pump is not a “maintenance item” and should last for the lifetime of a vehicle.

According to the suit, Audi and Volkswagen refuse to provide warranty coverage for repairs when the water pump defect manifests. The case contends that the timing and mileage limitations on Audi’s warranty are “unconscionable” given buyers and lessees lack any pre-sale knowledge of the water pump issue or the ability to bargain as to the terms of the warranty. 

The suit looks to cover all persons or entities in the United States who are current or former owners and/or lessees of a 2013-2022 Audi S4, Q5, S5, SQ5, A6, A7, Q7 and A8 vehicles with a 3.0T engine. 

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