2012 Audi A6: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 10467486 · 2012-07-23 (July 23, 2012)
THE VEHICLE IS HAVING UNINTENDED EPISODES OF ACCELERATION. THEY OCCUR WHILE STOPPED OR AT REDUCED SPEEDS SUCH AS PULLING TO A STOP OR PARKING.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10467486 at NHTSA ↗
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 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 10618893 · 2014-08-05 (August 5, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. AFTER DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE, SHE WAS NOTIFIED THAT THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF GASOLINE FUEL UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT A RODENT HAD EATEN TWO INCHES OF THE FUEL HOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10618893 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 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 ↗
Recall history
8 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
11V580000 · Air Bags:Side/Window
Reported: 2011-12-06 (December 6, 2011)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V019000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail
Reported: 2015-01-20 (January 20, 2015)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V823000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification
Reported: 2015-12-08 (December 8, 2015)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V646000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 2016-09-07 (September 7, 2016)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V002000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
Reported: 2017-01-03 (January 3, 2017)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V781000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 2017-12-06 (December 6, 2017)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V229000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
Reported: 2018-04-11 (April 11, 2018)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V370000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification
Reported: 2018-06-04 (June 4, 2018)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗