VehicleVerdict

2012 Audi A6 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 86 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.0 times the median A6 year — the 2012 model ranks #8 of 33 A6 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (16), electrical system (16), and airbags (15), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

86

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other A6 years?

See all A6 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Audi A6 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1619%
Engine1619%
Airbags1517%
Fuel System1113%
Transmission89%
Steering67%
Other33%
Brakes33%
Body & Structure22%
Driver Assistance22%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Speed Control11%
Seats11%

Does the 2012 Audi A6 have recalls?

8 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

18V370000AirbagsJune 4, 2018 · 139,249 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

18V229000EngineApril 11, 2018 · 342,867 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

17V781000Fuel SystemDecember 6, 2017 · 48,693 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

17V002000EngineJanuary 3, 2017 · 342,867 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

16V646000Fuel SystemSeptember 7, 2016 · 28,249 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Audi A6 and Audi A7 vehicles. The affected vehicles have a fuel hose in the engine compartment that may degrade and leak fuel.

Consequence

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 under hood fuel pump and fuel hose, free of charge. The recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24BZ.

15V823000AirbagsDecember 8, 2015 · 21,074 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Audi A6 vehicles manufactured March 28, 2011, to March 25, 2013, and 2012-2013 Audi A7 vehicles manufactured January 25, 2011, to March 19, 2013. In vehicles with heated and cooled seats, the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS), used to enable the front passenger air bags, may malfunction and prevent the passenger-side air bags from deploying in a crash.

Consequence

An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of occupant injury in a crash.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and Audi dealers will install a PODS system repair kit, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74D1.

15V019000Fuel SystemJanuary 20, 2015 · 26,008 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Audi S4, S5, Q7, 2012 Audi A6, Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid, and 2012-2013 Audi A7 vehicles. In the affected vehicles the fuel injection system may experience a fuel leak.

Consequence

A fuel leak in the injection system in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails and corresponding seals, free of charge. The recall began on March 17, 2015. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834 or Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 24AP for Audi customers and 24BK for Volkswagen customers.

11V580000AirbagsDecember 6, 2011 · 317 units

Defect

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL 2012 AUDI A6 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 8, 2011, THROUGH MAY 26, 2011. DUE TO A PROBLEM IN THE STITCHING PROCESS OF THE CURTAIN AIR BAG, THE SEAM OF THE AIR BAG MAY NOT BE STITCHED PROPERLY.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE HEAD CURTAIN AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT AN OCCUPANT, INCREASING THE RISK OF AN INJURY.

Remedy

VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOTIFY ALL OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND/OR RIGHT CURTAIN AIR BAG FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A6. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 25, 2014

COLLANT VALVE LEAKED THROUGH WIRING HARNESS, ALLOWING COOLANT TO ENTER THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. THIS LED TO A SHORTING OF THE MODULE AND CAUSED A LOSS OF ALL POWER AND MOBILITY. THIS EVENT OCCURRED WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 17, 2017

PASSENGER OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM SWITCH WENT BAD, DISABLING THE AIRBAG. $2,000+ QUOTED FOR REPAIR. THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS MODEL, THIS MODEL YEAR FOR THAT EXACT PART MALFUNCTIONING BUT AUDI SAYS MY VIN IS EXCLUDED.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 2, 2016

My car almost overheated on the high on thanksgiving night thank god my brother was behind me driving and took me to go get antifreeze my coolant was leaking and i think my water pump messed up almost a accident cause i was in the middle lane and my vehicle was slowing down on the highway at night

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 30, 2022

COOLANT MIGRATION INTO THE WIRING HARNESS. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN ON THE INTERSTATE CREATING UNSAFE CONDITION. DEALER STATED THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH A COOLANT VALVE FAILING. CREATES FIRE HAZARD BY ALLOWING COOLANT INTO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHICH CAN THEN DESTROY THE ECU ON THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 7, 2019

2012 Audi A6 — common questions

Is the 2012 Audi A6 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 86 complaints put the 2012 model at #8 of 33 A6 years. It is one of the A6 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2012 A6 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (16 complaints), electrical system (16 complaints), airbags (15 complaints).

Does the 2012 Audi A6 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Audi A6. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Audi A6 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the A6 years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 2019, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2002, 2012, 2003, 2006, 2013, 2008, 2016, 1996. The cleanest record among A6 years belongs to 2024.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.