2012 Audi A6 Engine Problems
NHTSA lists 16 engine complaints for the 2012 Audi A6, 27% of all complaints filed for that year, with a median failure mileage of 76,000. Two related recalls (18V229000 and 17V002000) cover a coolant pump and coolant pump software update.
- Engine complaints
- 16
- 27% of 59
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 76,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 2
Typical engine symptoms owners report
- Owners report unintended acceleration or sudden speed changes while stopped or slowing to a stop.
- A coolant pump or coolant valve leak lets fluid enter the engine control module, shorting it and causing a total loss of power while driving.
- Some vehicles stalled on the highway with no warning lights and would not restart.
- Owners describe a rattling timing chain noise on startup along with a broken flex pipe on the passenger side.
- Owners who received recall notices 18V229000 (engine/cooling) and 18V370000 (airbags) reported dealers had no parts available and repairs took longer than expected.
- Engine cylinder failure was diagnosed after a vehicle suddenly dropped from about 60 mph to about 15 mph with a warning message displayed.
When 2012 Audi A6 engine complaints were filed
First complaint May 4, 2012, latest Apr 4, 2022.
Engine recalls for the 2012 Audi A6
- 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 17V002000Jan 3, 2017Engine342,867 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5, A5 Cabriolet and Q5 vehicles, 2013-2016 Audi Allroad and Audi A4 vehicles and 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can be blocked with debris from the cooling system, resulting in the pump overheating.
Risk: If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the software so that the power supply to the coolant pump is deactivated if the pump becomes blocked with debris, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 19M1.
Engine complaints by A6 model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many engine complaints does NHTSA have for the 2012 Audi A6?
- NHTSA lists 16 engine complaints for the 2012 Audi A6, which is 27% of the 59 total complaints filed for that model year.
- At what mileage do 2012 Audi A6 engine problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure for engine complaints on the 2012 Audi A6 is 76,000 miles.
- Is there a recall for the 2012 Audi A6 engine?
- Yes. Recall 18V229000 covers a coolant pump replacement, and recall 17V002000 covers a software update that deactivates power to the coolant pump. Both apply to the 2012 Audi A6.
- Did the 2012 Audi A6 engine problems cause crashes or fires?
- NHTSA data shows 0 crashes and 0 fires linked to these engine complaints, and 0 injuries were reported.
- Is the engine problem rate higher in 2012 than other A6 model years?
- The 27% share for 2012 is lower than 2018 (64%), 2015 (45%), and 2016 (39%), but higher than 2011 (10%) and 2020 (4%), based on NHTSA's year-by-year complaint breakdown.