Audi Middle East recalls more than 800 turbo-engine vehicles over fire risk concerns

Manufacturer is alerting drivers that overheating electric coolant pumps could cause a fire

About 800 Audis from 2012 -2017 including A5s, pictured, have been recalled. Lauren Lancaster / The National

Audi Middle East is recalling 804 vehicles over concerns that coolant pumps may overheat and cause a fire.

The models that are affected include A4, A5, Q5 and A6 models with 2.0-litre TFSI engines that were manufactured between 2012 and 2017.

Al Nabooda Automobiles and Ali and Sons, distributors of Audi in the UAE, said the recall was effective immediately.

Audi is recalling about 1.2 million cars and SUVs worldwide.

Audi owner Volkswagen Group said that the pumps can become blocked with cooling system debris, or that moisture in the pump can cause an electrical short, though it did not say if any reports of fires have been confirmed.

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“It is possible that moisture may enter the electronic components and cause the overheating and failure of the additional coolant pump,” read the statement.

“All repairs related to this service will be completed free of charge to the customer.”

The statement goes on to state that 804 cars, built between 2012 and 2017, are believed to be affected by this defect.

“No other vehicles are affected,” read the statement.

“Al Nabooda Automobiles and Ali and Sons will contact all customers with affected models to arrange for repairs to be made.”