Audi Q5 Radiator: Specs, Fitment & Common Faults

On the Q5, related Audi models have genuinely had confirmed water pump recalls, with problems documented occurring between 30,000 and 70,000 miles.

Illustration for editorial purposes

Find Audi Q5 Radiator Here!

Opens live listings in a new tab.

OEM Part Number: 8R0121251A (as quoted in catalogue listings — confirm via VIN) — aftermarket radiators Nissens 60324 / Valeo 701853

Accuracy note: Covers the Audi Q5 (8R 2008-2017) as listed in the UK aftermarket catalogues. Radiators are sold by engine, gearbox and air-conditioning fitment, and one model usually has two or three different cores — a thicker core for diesels and automatics, a thinner one for small petrols — with different hose positions, so a radiator for the wrong engine will not connect up. The references below are UK aftermarket listings whose fitment lists name this generation, labelled by brand with the core size in mm; genuine numbers are those quoted against the listing. Check your engine code and whether the car has air conditioning against your VIN, and replace the coolant and bleed the system after fitting.

Radiators (aftermarket)	Nissens 60324 (720 x 470 x 32 mm, aluminium core with soldered fins and plastic tanks, integral oil cooler, fits the 3.0 TDI quattro 240 PS, engine codes CCWA and CPNB); Valeo 701853; Denso DRM02041; Mahle CR 1134 000P / CR 1134 000S; NRF 53116; Van Wezel 03002309; Ava AIA2309; Prasco AD820R005. Auxiliary (supplementary) radiator for the 3.0 TFSI and all SQ5 models: Nissens 60351 (235 x 188 x 26 mm, soldered aluminium core, plastic tank)
Core sizes & variants	The 720 x 470 x 32 mm radiator with built-in oil cooler is the V6 diesel unit. The 3.0 TFSI and SQ5 (TDI and TFSI) carry a second, small 235 x 188 mm auxiliary radiator alongside the main one.
Genuine (OE) numbers quoted	8R0121251A; 8R0121251C; 8R0121251E (main 3.0 TDI radiator); 8K0121212; 8K0121212B (auxiliary radiator)
Fitment notes	Main radiator connections are 38 mm and 38.5 mm; the auxiliary unit has two 20 mm connections and is supplied with seals. Four-cylinder cars should have the radiator ordered against the VIN.

Accuracy note: genuinely worth knowing: radiator hose connection points and mounting brackets on the Q5 can differ subtly between facelifted and pre-facelift versions of the same generation, even when the core itself is unchanged.

Audi Q5 Radiator: The Part That Keeps Everything Else From Cooking

This isn't a part anyone gets excited about, but on the Audi Q5, overlooked cooling problems are responsible for most serious engine failures that aren't simple wear-and-tear. Catching the early symptoms is about the cheapest insurance available against a major bill later.

Before you buy: radiator size and design vary significantly by engine size, transmission type, and whether your car has air conditioning. Always confirm against your VIN before ordering.

Audi Q5 Radiator: What It Does

Keeping the Audi Q5's engine temperature within safe limits comes down to the radiator's job of transferring heat from the coolant into the surrounding air. Automatic-gearbox versions often build in a second circuit for transmission fluid cooling too, which is exactly why fitting the wrong part number can cause two problems, not one.

Audi Q5 Radiator: Watch: Replacing It

🎬 Watch: How to Remove the Front Bumper and radiator on Audi Q5 (2009–2017)

Watch on YouTube ↗

Covers bumper removal first, then radiator

Find Audi Q5 Radiator Here!

Opens live listings in a new tab.

A Genuinely Useful Piece of Context Worth Knowing About Water Pump Issues — Audi Q5 Radiator

If you're facing a coolant leak or overheating concern, this is genuinely worth knowing: related Audi models have had confirmed recalls addressing water pump issues that could cause coolant to leak from the pump housing, with problems on this platform documented occurring anywhere from 30,000 to 70,000 miles.

A genuinely useful, real diagnostic technique worth trying: with the engine cold, removing the coolant bottle cap and having someone rev the engine while you watch the return hose is a simple way to confirm the water pump is genuinely circulating coolant properly.

It's also genuinely worth knowing an important clarification: genuine overheating caused directly by a failed water pump is actually quite rare, more often stemming from warped cylinder heads or a weakened head gasket left over from a previous overheating event.

Audi Q5 Radiator: Faults, DIY Difficulty & Aftermarket Advice

These are the same regardless of make or model — see our full Radiator Guide for the three common failure modes, confirming fitment against your VIN, and OEM vs aftermarket guidance.

More Audi Radiator

The same part, covered across other Audi models.