2012 Audi A4: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
19 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
109,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 19 complaints (68.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 2 | 10.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 10.5% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 5.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 13 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
Engine: 13; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Power Train: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer: 1; Steering: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 10 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 |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2019: 2; 2020: 3; 2021: 9; 2022: 1; 2023: 2; 2024: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11281413 · 2019-11-20 (November 20, 2019)
FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE AND PRODUCING A STRONG GAS SMELL IN THE CAR. THE ISSUE IS VERY SIMILAR TO NTHSA CAMPAIGN 16V660.
Owner-reported narrative. 109,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11281413 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11289132 · 2019-12-15 (December 15, 2019)
AS I ACCELERATE FROM 0 TO AROUND 2K RPM, CAR JERKS RAPIDLY AND THEN CONTINUES TO FIX ITSELF TO BE SMOOTH. EVEN ON 55MPH SPEED AND I DECIDE TO PRESS THE ACCELERATOR DOWN QUITE A BIT, THE CAR JERKS AGAIN.
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11289132 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11311924 · 2020-02-27 (February 27, 2020)
MY VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT IN VOLKSWAGEN TIMING CHAIN PRODUCT LIABILITY LITIGATION, CIVIL ACTION NO. 16-2765 (JLL)(JAD). I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND WAS UNAWARE OF THIS SETTLEMENT AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. AT MY FIRST SERVICE APPOINTMENT, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING CHAIN VALVE COVERS WERE IN CRITICAL NEED OF REPAIR, AND WAS GIVEN A ROUGHLY $2,000 REPAIR ESTIMATE FOR THE JOB. I PERFORMED RESEARCH MYSELF AND DISCOVERED THIS SETTLEMENT, AND INQUIRED THE SERVICE ADVISOR AS TO …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11311924 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11378089 · 2020-12-06 (December 6, 2020)
I HAVE GONE GONE TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES VISITS RIGHT AFTER I HAD THE SCHEDULED OIL CHANGES DONE. THE OIL LIGHT / CONSUMPTION ISSUE HAPPENS AFTER I'VE GOTTEN AN OIL CHANGE, BUT 7,000 MILES BEFORE THE NEXT ONE IS DUE. I GET AFRAID THINKING THAT MY CAR IS OUT OF OIL . I DO NOT HAVE ANY OIL LEAKS. OIL IS LEAKING AROUND LADDER FRAME. THIS HAS BEEN A KNOW ISSUE FOR A FEW YEARS THAT I HAVE BEEN HAVING AND AUDI WILL NOT RESOLVE.
Owner-reported narrative. 144,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11378089 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11385745 · 2020-12-31 (December 31, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE ENGINE COILS AND SPARK PLUGS TO BE REPLACED. WHILE DRIVING AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS BEFORE WITH THE ADDITION OF LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND DIFFICULT FOR THE BRAKE PEDA…
Owner-reported narrative. 138,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11385745 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11389802 · 2021-01-25 (January 25, 2021)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ERROR MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL REGARDING THE GEAR BOX MODULE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER AUDI MEMPHIS (1825 COVINGTON PIKE, MEMPHIS, TN 38128) WHO REPLACED THE GEAR BOX HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED WHILE ACCELERATING. ADDITIONALLY, THE LOW-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAULT MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 94,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11389802 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11390828 · 2021-01-31 (January 31, 2021)
SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF FAULTY PISTON RINGS CAUSING OIL CONSUMPTION TO BE 1 QUART EVERY 200/300 MILES FROM AUDI A4 MODELS 2009-2015
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11390828 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11406141 · 2021-04-02 (April 2, 2021)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 AUDIO A4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, SHE SAW SMOKE EMERGING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE, NOTICE FLAMES IN THE HEAD LIGHT COMPARTMENT UPON OPENING THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STATED THEY ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES WITH WATER BUT THAT FAILED AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF A POLICE OR FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS FILED. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS …
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11406141 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.