2012 Audi A6 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2012 Audi A6 has a complaint index of 75, ranking 6th worst out of 21 model years, and earns an Avoid verdict. It has 59 NHTSA complaints, 8 recalls, and its top problem area is the engine at 27% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 75/100
- #6 of 21 A6 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 59
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 8
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 22 city / 30.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2012 Audi A6 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine16 (27%)
- Airbags14 (24%)
- Electrical System13 (22%)
- Fuel System11 (19%)
- Transmission & Powertrain8 (14%)
- Brakes6 (10%)
- Steering6 (10%)
- Other3 (5%)
- Structure & Body3 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some owners report unintended acceleration episodes while stopped or slowing to a stop.
- Check engine lights have come on along with dealer diagnoses calling for transmission oil replacement.
- Steering has been described as notchy and unstable near center, making the car hard to keep straight even after the steering rack was replaced.
- Fuel odors and visible fuel leaks have appeared under the hood or under the vehicle, in some cases traced to a damaged fuel hose.
- Electrical failures include engine stalling at low speed tied to alternator failure and windshield wipers that stopped working.
- A transmission O-ring failure has been reported that caused fluid leaks and multiple warning lights, along with loss of power and shifting problems.
2012 Audi A6 recalls
8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V370000Jun 4, 2018Airbags139,249 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Audi S6 and S7, 2012-2018 A7 and A6 Sedan, and 2014-2018 RS7 vehicles equipped with basic seats (with or without heating). Stress or wear of the body-sensing mat within the front passenger seat may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) control module to malfunction.
Risk: If the PODS module malfunctions, the front passenger air bag may not deploy properly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a PODS system repair kit, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74D5.
- NHTSA 18V229000Apr 11, 2018Engine342,867 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can either become blocked with debris from the cooling system causing it to overheat or can short-circuit from moisture within the pump.
Risk: A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pumps, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number's for this recall is 19N3/19N4. Note: This recall is in additional to the coolant pump software update applied as a remedy under recall 17V002.
- NHTSA 17V781000Dec 6, 2017Fuel System48,693 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Audi A6 and A7 vehicles. The fuel line has a compression point that can weaken, potentially resulting in a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel line, free of charge. The recall began February 5, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-888-237-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20AR.
2012 Audi A6 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 30.5 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,250
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2012 compared with other A6 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Audi A6 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 Audi A6 ranks 6th worst among 21 model years with a complaint index of 75, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other A6 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Audi A6?
- NHTSA complaint data shows the engine as the top problem area (27% of complaints), followed by airbags (24%), the electrical system (22%), and the fuel system (19%).
- Does the 2012 Audi A6 have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2012 Audi A6 covering airbags, engine coolant pumps, and fuel line or fuel hose leaks.
- What years of the Audi A6 should I avoid?
- NHTSA data marks 2005, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2016, and 2019 as Avoid years, while 2009, 2010, 2011, 2017, and 2018 rank as Good or Best.
- At what mileage do 2012 Audi A6 problems usually show up?
- Median mileage at failure varies by system: 62,000 miles for transmission and powertrain issues, 76,000 for engine issues, and 100,000 for fuel system issues, per NHTSA complaints.