2012 Audi A6 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
59 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
66,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 45 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 59 complaints (23.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 15.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 15.3% |
| Braking behavior | 8 | 13.6% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 11.9% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 10.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 8.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 14 |
| Engine | 13 |
| Electrical System | 11 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 9 |
| Power Train | 8 |
| Steering | 6 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 |
Air Bags: 14; Engine: 13; Electrical System: 11; Fuel/Propulsion System: 9; Power Train: 8; Steering: 6; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 11 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 13 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 11; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 13; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 14 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 14 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2012: 4; 2013: 1; 2014: 4; 2015: 3; 2016: 6; 2017: 4; 2018: 14; 2019: 5; 2020: 8; 2021: 2; 2022: 4; 2023: 2; 2024: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 9 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10468939 · 2012-08-02 (August 2, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN SHE NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD LOOK INTO THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44.
Owner-reported narrative. 41 miles reported. Look up ODI 10468939 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10721255 · 2015-05-24 (May 24, 2015)
O-RING FAILURE IN 2012 A6 3.0 CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO INTERNALLY LEAK FLUID CAUSING THE ELECTONIC SYSTEM TO GO BAD. ALL OF THE FOLLOWING LIGHTS CAME ON WHEN ISSUE STARTED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GEARBOX MIL TRAC CONTROL MIL EPC LIGHT AIRBAG MIL HI-SPEED COOLING FAN MIL TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT, MAJOR LACK OF POWER TO ENGINE. PARKING BRAKE WOULD ALSO ACTIVATE BY ITSELF.
Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10721255 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10668224 · 2014-12-25 (December 25, 2014)
WINDSHIELD WIPERS CEASED TO WORK CREATING DANGEROUS SITUATION. DEALER DENIED EXPRESS WARRANTY CLAIM. WIRING ON WIPERS WAS SO FLIMSY AS TO APPARENTLY ALLOW A MOUSE TO CHEW THROUGH COATING. DEALER CHARGED OVER $640. TO REPLACE A $20 WIRE. SEVERAL E-MAILS AND CALLS TO AUDI OF AMERICA DID NOT BRING ANY ACTION. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 22,232 miles reported. Look up ODI 10668224 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10991359 · 2017-05-24 (May 24, 2017)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10991359 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10457511 · 2012-05-04 (May 4, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP, BOTH THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS WERE ERRONEOUSLY DEPRESSED SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH PEDALS WERE TOO CLOSE IN PROXIMITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR SERVICED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,900.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10457511 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10461205 · 2012-06-11 (June 11, 2012)
BRAKES BARELY STOP CARE , ESPECIALLY AT LOW SPEED. POWER BRAKE FAILURE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 5,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10461205 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10661561 · 2014-12-02 (December 2, 2014)
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 FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 27,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10661561 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10888936 · 2016-07-27 (July 27, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A6. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER WAITING MINUTES, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN THE ENGINE POWER AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE FAILURE RECURRED FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STARTER RELAY COULD HAVE POSSIBLY CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000…
Owner-reported narrative. 66,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10888936 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10504796 · 2013-03-28 (March 28, 2013)
STEERING IS NOTCHY AND UNSTABLE ON-CENTER AND SLIGHTLY OFF-CENTER. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP THE CAR STRAIGHT WHILE ACCELERATING, BRAKING OR AT CONSTANT SPEED. MUST CONSTANTLY CORRECT LEFT AND RIGHT MAKING THE CAR SWERVE UNCONTROLLABLY LEFT AND RIGHT. IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP STRAIGHT. IT IS HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE. TOOK CARE TO DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE STEERING RACK BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. I BELIEVE AUDI IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT HASN'T PROVIDED A SOLUTION. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10504796 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11053965 · 2017-12-11 (December 11, 2017)
2012 AUDI A6 MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY WOULD NOT START. THE IGNITION DID NOT TURN ON. IT SAID "DO NOT DRIVE - STEERING DEFECTIVE" STEERING COULD NOT BE TURNED, GEARS COULD NOT BE SHIFTED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED USING DOLLY TOW TRUCK SINCE ALL THE WHEELS WERE LOCKED. THE DEALER SAID IT HAD A FAULTY STEERING CONTROL MODULE AND GAVE ME A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR BILL. THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED ISSUE AND IF THE STEERING LOCKS LIKE THIS ON THE HIGHWAY, THIS COULD LEAD TO SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH. ON THE INTERNET I FOUND MANY OTHER CUSTOMERS …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11053965 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10629131 · 2014-08-28 (August 28, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD AND THROUGH THE AIR CONDITIONER VENTS. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PRESENCE OF A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. UPDATED 10/09/14*LJ THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THE FAILURE WAS NOT A RESULT OF DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING ISSUE. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED A RODENT MUST HAVE CHEWED THROUGH THE FUEL LINES. THE CONSUMER DISAGRE…
Owner-reported narrative. 66,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10629131 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11193012 · 2019-04-01 (April 1, 2019)
UPON STARTING MY VEHICLE I NOTICED EXTENDED CRANKING. UPON DRIVING THE VEHICLE I NOTICED A FUEL ODOR, INITIALLY I THOUGHT IT WAS THE OLDER VEHICLE DRIVING IN FRONT OF ME. AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 4 MILES I REALIZED IT WAS MY VEHICLE. I THEN DROVE MY VEHICLE BACK TO MY HOUSE, AND HAD IT TOWED TO AUDI OF ALBANY DUE TO RECALLS THAT WERE OPEN. UPON INSPECTION THEY PERFORMED RECALLS, BUT INFORMED ME THE RECALL FOR THE ENGINE FUEL RAILS WAS PERFORMED JUNE 2015. THEY THEN TOLD ME THEY NEEDED TO CHARGE LABOR TO INSPECT THE ISSUE, TO WHICH POINT I TO…
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11193012 at NHTSA ↗