{"canonVersion":{"checklist":1,"defects":2},"defectsRelease":{"format":3,"release":"2026.10.1","dossiers":15},"attribution":{"source":"Elgarde","url":"https://elgarde.com","license":"CC-BY-4.0","repository":"https://github.com/ElgardeCom/elgarde"},"disclaimer":"Elgarde is a self-service checklist, not a certified, mechanical or legal inspection and not professional advice. Defect entries are known weak points to check on a model — never a claim about any individual car.","defectsDisclaimer":"Each entry describes a known weak point of a model, engine or gearbox, based on published sources. It is not a statement about any individual car and not a diagnosis. An entry does not mean that a given car has the defect; the absence of an entry does not mean that a car is sound. Prevalence figures are estimates for the stated population and method, with their biases, and cannot be applied to a single car. The data is provided as is, without warranty (CC-BY-4.0, section 5); it is not a certified, mechanical or legal inspection. Naming a manufacturer or its product is not an assessment of that manufacturer; source links show where each fact comes from. To report an error, open an issue at github.com/ElgardeCom/elgarde or write to support@elgarde.com. We correct mistakes.","lang":"en","defect":{"id":"waterpump","aliases":[],"revision":1,"updatedAt":"2026-10-13","title":"Audi 2.0 TFSI (EA888): coolant leaks at the thermostat housing or the water pump, per Audi service bulletins","summary":"Audi of America published bulletin 2061604 (December 2020, revised to November 2022) for coolant loss around the coolant thermostat housing or the coolant pump of the 2.0 TFSI in the A3 2007-2013, A4 2007-2016, A5 2010-2016, A6 2012-2015, A8 2013, Q3 2012-2018, Q5 2011-2017 and TT 2009-2014 (earlier revisions name the 'Evo2' engine). Customers report a coolant temperature warning light and coolant marks under the front end; the bulletin prescribes a pressure test and replacing only the leaking part. Two other Audi bulletins cover a leak at the water pump and heater hose connection (2009-2013) and a revised procedure for the water pump and thermostat housing on EA888 Evo2 (2013-2019) and Gen3 (2015-2019) engines. The sources do not say that plastic is the cause and do not extend the finding to other brands.","checklistPrompt":"Cooling (Audi 2.0 TFSI) — check for coolant leaks at the water pump and thermostat housing","component":"engine.cooling.water_pump","mechanism":"Audi's bulletins describe the condition (coolant loss traced to the coolant thermostat housing or the coolant pump, or to the pump-to-heater-hose connection) and the repair, but state no cause; the 2013 bulletin says the seal ring is not the cause and that replacing it alone may not stop a repeat leak. A 2019 bulletin, for cars where an aluminium water pump is installed, notes that the pump seals have become available separately and says to replace the pump only if coolant leaks from its control (weep) hole.","applicability":{"models":[{"id":"audi.a3","label":"Audi A3"},{"id":"audi.a4","label":"Audi A4"},{"id":"audi.a5","label":"Audi A5"},{"id":"audi.a6","label":"Audi A6"},{"id":"audi.a8","label":"Audi A8"},{"id":"audi.q3","label":"Audi Q3"},{"id":"audi.q5","label":"Audi Q5"},{"id":"audi.tt","label":"Audi TT"},{"id":"audi.q7","label":"Audi Q7"}],"when":{"any":[{"all":[{"engine":{"ids":["vag.ea888_20tfsi","vag.ea888_20tfsi_t"]}},{"any":[{"all":[{"model":["audi.a3"]},{"modelYear":{"from":2006,"to":2014}}]},{"all":[{"model":["audi.a4"]},{"modelYear":{"from":2006,"to":2017}}]},{"all":[{"model":["audi.a5"]},{"modelYear":{"from":2009,"to":2017}}]},{"all":[{"model":["audi.a6"]},{"modelYear":{"from":2011,"to":2016}}]},{"all":[{"model":["audi.a8"]},{"modelYear":{"from":2012,"to":2014}}]},{"all":[{"model":["audi.q3"]},{"modelYear":{"from":2011,"to":2019}}]},{"all":[{"model":["audi.q5"]},{"modelYear":{"from":2010,"to":2018}}]},{"all":[{"model":["audi.tt"]},{"modelYear":{"from":2008,"to":2015}}]}]}]},{"all":[{"engine":{"family":["EA888"]}},{"modelYear":{"from":2012,"to":2020}}]}]},"markets":["US"],"hint":"Audi cars with the 2.0 TFSI (EA888) in the model and year ranges of bulletin 2061604 (A3 2007-2013, A4 2007-2016, A5 2010-2016, A6 2012-2015, A8 2013, Q3 2012-2018, Q5 2011-2017, TT 2009-2014), and Audi cars of any model with an EA888 Evo2 engine from 2013 to 2019 or EA888 Gen3 from 2015 to 2019 (bulletin 2052657). Volkswagen, SEAT and Skoda cars and other engines are outside this entry.","notes":"The legacy entry spoke of a plastic water pump and thermostat housing on VAG cars in general; no source opened here supports that wording or any other brand, so the scope is limited to what Audi's bulletins document. The bulletins name the engine as 'Evo2' (and 'Gen3' in a 2019 bulletin) and give model years, not engine codes; the codes listed are a best-effort match from an encyclopedia list and some cars may have other codes. The latest revision of bulletin 2061604 (November 2022) lists the A4 for 2007-2013 and 2015-2016 and no longer restricts the engine version; the rule keeps the wider earlier range. The bulletins give US model years; because the year entered for a car can be its build or registration year, the rule accepts one year on either side of each range. All bulletins are US documents; no European recall or bulletin was found. The French RappelConso V2 data holds no recall for these leaks."},"engines":[{"id":"vag.ea888_20tfsi","family":"EA888","codes":["CAEA","CAEB","CDNB","CDNC"],"fuel":"petrol","displacementCc":1984,"powerKw":[],"label":"2.0 TFSI EA888, longitudinal (CAEA / CAEB / CDNB / CDNC)"},{"id":"vag.ea888_20tfsi_t","family":"EA888","codes":["CBFA","CCTA","CCZA","CCZB","CAWB","CESA","CAWA","CCZC","CCZD"],"fuel":"petrol","displacementCc":1984,"powerKw":[],"label":"2.0 TFSI EA888, transverse (CBFA / CCTA / CCZA / CCZB / CAWB / CESA / CAWA / CCZC / CCZD)"},{"id":"vag.ea888_18tfsi","family":"EA888","codes":["BYT","CDHB","CDAA","CDAB"],"fuel":"petrol","displacementCc":1798,"powerKw":[],"label":"1.8 TFSI/TSI EA888 (BYT / CDHB / CDAA / CDAB)"}],"gearboxes":[],"severity":"moderate","safety":false,"critical":false,"evidenceGrade":"established","symptoms":[{"id":"s1","text":"Coolant marks or drips under the front end of the car","stage":"early"},{"id":"s2","text":"Low coolant level warning light","stage":"late"},{"id":"s3","text":"Coolant temperature warning light","stage":"late"}],"inspection":[{"id":"i1","method":"document","text":"Confirm the car is an Audi with the 2.0 TFSI (or another EA888 engine from 2013) and check model, year and engine code against the bulletin ranges; ask whether the water pump or thermostat housing has been replaced and when.","redFlag":null,"tools":[]},{"id":"i2","method":"visual","text":"With the engine cold, look under the front end and around the thermostat housing and the water pump for coolant residue, dried crusts or drips, and check the coolant level and the pump's control (weep) hole.","redFlag":"Wet or crusted residue at the housing or pump, or a coolant level that falls between checks.","tools":[]},{"id":"i3","method":"tool","text":"Ask a workshop for a cooling system pressure test, as the bulletin prescribes before any part is replaced.","redFlag":"Pressure drop at the pump or thermostat housing.","tools":[]}],"repair":{"remedy":"Pressure-check the cooling system and replace only the component that leaks (water pump or thermostat housing), together with its seal; the two parts are not to be replaced together unless both leak. For the pump-to-heater-hose leak of the 2009-2013 bulletin: replace the water pump with thermostat, the seal ring and the heater hose.","cost":null,"worstCase":null,"manufacturerProgramme":null},"evidence":["ev_wp_e01","ev_wp_e02","ev_wp_e03","ev_wp_e04","ev_wp_e05"],"prevalence":["pv_wp_none"],"disclaimer":"Each entry describes a known weak point of a model, engine or gearbox, based on published sources. It is not a statement about any individual car and not a diagnosis. An entry does not mean that a given car has the defect; the absence of an entry does not mean that a car is sound. Prevalence figures are estimates for the stated population and method, with their biases, and cannot be applied to a single car. The data is provided as is, without warranty (CC-BY-4.0, section 5); it is not a certified, mechanical or legal inspection. Naming a manufacturer or its product is not an assessment of that manufacturer; source links show where each fact comes from. To report an error, open an issue at github.com/ElgardeCom/elgarde or write to support@elgarde.com. We correct mistakes."},"evidence":[{"id":"ev_wp_e01","type":"tsb","tier":1,"defects":["waterpump"],"supports":["existence","applicability","remedy","inspection","manufacturer_acknowledgement"],"scope":{"modelYear":{"from":2007,"to":2018}},"source":{"publisher":"NHTSA (service bulletin of Audi of America)","title":"Technical Service Bulletin 19 21 14: Coolant leak in area of coolant thermostat housing/coolant pump, 2.0TFSI","url":"https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2021/MC-10188592-0001.pdf","identifier":"Audi TSB 2061604/2 (19 21 14)","publishedDate":"2021-03-08","retrievedAt":"2026-10-13","language":"en","archive":{"url":"https://web.archive.org/web/20261013104418/https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2021/MC-10188592-0001.pdf","capturedAt":"2026-10-13","sha256":null},"license":"proprietary","reuse":"cite","status":"archived"},"quote":null,"translation":null,"note":"Audi of America bulletin of 8 March 2021 (first published 14 December 2020) for the 2.0 TFSI marked 'Evo2': A3 2007-2013, A4 2007-2016, A5 2010-2016, A6 2012-2015, A8 2013, Q3 2012-2018, Q5 2011-2017, TT 2009-2014. Customer states the coolant temperature warning light is on and coolant marks are under the front end; the workshop reproduces the leak around the coolant thermostat housing or the coolant pump. Service: pressure-check the cooling system and replace only the component that is leaking (pump or thermostat housing); only category 3 leaks (droplets dropping off) are claimable under warranty. Production solution: not applicable.","confidence":"high","reviewedAt":"2026-10-13","reviewStatus":"source_verified"},{"id":"ev_wp_e02","type":"tsb","tier":1,"defects":["waterpump"],"supports":["existence","applicability","remedy"],"scope":{"modelYear":{"from":2007,"to":2018}},"source":{"publisher":"NHTSA (service bulletin of Audi of America)","title":"Technical Service Bulletin 19 22 33: Coolant leak in area of coolant thermostat housing/coolant pump, 2.0TFSI","url":"https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2022/MC-10226246-0001.pdf","identifier":"Audi TSB 2061604/5 (19 22 33)","publishedDate":"2022-11-02","retrievedAt":"2026-10-13","language":"en","archive":{"url":"https://web.archive.org/web/20261013104445/https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2022/MC-10226246-0001.pdf","capturedAt":"2026-10-13","sha256":null},"license":"proprietary","reuse":"cite","status":"archived"},"quote":null,"translation":null,"note":"Latest revision seen (5, 2 November 2022; revision 4 of 29 May 2021 updated the warranty policy reference, revision 5 updated the required parts) of the same Audi bulletin, with the same condition. Its model table lists the A4 for 2007-2013 and 2015-2016, the other models with the same years as revision 2, and the vehicle-specific equipment as 'Not Applicable' (no longer 'Evo2'). The coolant thermostat housing and the coolant pump are parts available separately.","confidence":"high","reviewedAt":"2026-10-13","reviewStatus":"source_verified"},{"id":"ev_wp_e03","type":"tsb","tier":1,"defects":["waterpump"],"supports":["existence","applicability","remedy","inspection"],"scope":{"modelYear":{"from":2013,"to":2019}},"source":{"publisher":"NHTSA (service bulletin of Audi of America)","title":"Technical Service Bulletin 19 19 99: Water pump/thermostat housing revised repair procedure","url":"https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10166730-0001.pdf","identifier":"Audi TSB 2052657/3 (19 19 99)","publishedDate":"2019-10-16","retrievedAt":"2026-10-13","language":"en","archive":{"url":"https://web.archive.org/web/20240520164718/https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10166730-0001.pdf","capturedAt":"2024-05-20","sha256":null},"license":"proprietary","reuse":"cite","status":"archived"},"quote":null,"translation":null,"note":"Audi bulletin (revision 3, 16 October 2019; first published 24 October 2018) for EA888 Evo2 engines 2013-2019 and EA888 Gen3 engines 2015-2019: customer states the low coolant light is on and coolant leaks under the car; an aluminium water pump is fitted. The water pump seals are now sold separately. Replace the water pump only if it leaks from the control (weep) hole; do not replace the thermostat housing and the pump together; replace the seal in either case.","confidence":"medium","reviewedAt":"2026-10-13","reviewStatus":"source_verified"},{"id":"ev_wp_e04","type":"tsb","tier":1,"defects":["waterpump"],"supports":["existence","applicability","remedy","inspection"],"scope":{"modelYear":{"from":2009,"to":2013}},"source":{"publisher":"NHTSA (service bulletin of Audi of America)","title":"Technical Service Bulletin 19 13 36: Coolant leak at connection of water pump and hose leading to the heater core","url":"https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2013/MC-10216657-9999.pdf","identifier":"Audi TSB 2033491/1 (19 13 36)","publishedDate":"2013-04-15","retrievedAt":"2026-10-13","language":"en","archive":{"url":"https://web.archive.org/web/20261013104518/https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2013/MC-10216657-9999.pdf","capturedAt":"2026-10-13","sha256":null},"license":"proprietary","reuse":"cite","status":"archived"},"quote":null,"translation":null,"note":"Audi bulletin of 15 April 2013 for the 2.0 TFSI in the A4, A5, A5 Cabriolet, Q5 and A6 2009-2013: coolant leaking from the engine area, traced to the connection between the water pump and the hose to the heater core; the seal ring is not the cause. Remedy for a category 3 leak: replace the water pump (with cooling thermostat), the seal ring and the heater-core hose; replacing only the seal ring may not stop the leak from recurring.","confidence":"high","reviewedAt":"2026-10-13","reviewStatus":"source_verified"},{"id":"ev_wp_e05","type":"specialist_press","tier":3,"defects":["waterpump"],"supports":["applicability"],"scope":null,"source":{"publisher":"Wikipedia","title":"List of Volkswagen Group petrol engines (EA888 2.0 TSI/TFSI)","url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Volkswagen_Group_petrol_engines","identifier":null,"publishedDate":null,"retrievedAt":"2026-10-13","language":"en","archive":{"url":"https://web.archive.org/web/20261003125704/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Volkswagen_Group_petrol_engines","capturedAt":"2026-10-03","sha256":null},"license":"CC-BY-SA-4.0","reuse":"cite","status":"archived"},"quote":null,"translation":null,"note":"Encyclopedia list of EA888 2.0 TFSI engine codes (longitudinal CAEA, CAEB, CDNB, CDNC; transverse CBFA, CCTA, CCZA, CCZB, CAWB, CESA among others). Used only for engine codes; Audi's bulletins name 'Evo2' and model years, not codes, so the code list is a best-effort match.","confidence":"low","reviewedAt":"2026-10-13","reviewStatus":"source_verified"}],"prevalence":[{"id":"pv_wp_none","kind":"none","value":null,"unit":null,"numerator":null,"denominator":null,"ci":null,"population":null,"outcome":null,"baseline":null,"method":null,"evidence":[],"confidence":null,"caveats":[],"noReliableFigure":true,"reason":"No published figure gives the share of these engines with a coolant leak at the water pump or thermostat housing. Audi's bulletins describe the repair and warranty handling but give no count."}],"attributions":[]}