2012 Audi A6

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Audi A6 has 86 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.1x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (19% of all complaints), specifically: the vehicle is having unintended episodes of acceleration. they occur while stopped or at reduced speeds such as pulling to a stop or parking..

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ENGINE

16 complaints

19%

• THE VEHICLE IS HAVING UNINTENDED EPISODES OF ACCELERATION. THEY OCCUR WHILE STOPPED OR AT REDUCED SPEEDS SUCH AS PULLING TO A STOP OR PARKING.
• 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 WA
• 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

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“THE VEHICLE IS HAVING UNINTENDED EPISODES OF ACCELERATION. THEY OCCUR WHILE STOPPED OR AT REDUCED SPEEDS SUCH AS PULLING TO A STOP OR PARKING.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

AIR BAGS

15 complaints

17%

• REFERENCE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 15V823000, MY AUDI A6 FALLS WITHIN THE MODEL YEAR AS WELL AS THE AS BUILT TIME LINE. I'VE JUST BEEN DIAGNOSED BY MY LOCAL AUDI DEALER THAT MY PODS UNIT IS BAD. MY AUDI DOES HAVE HEATED SEATS SO IT FITS THE PROBLEM DESCRIPTION AS RELEASED BY AUDI AS WELL AS NHTSA BUT D
• MY 2012 AUDI A6 WAS PART OF SAFETY RECALL 74D1. RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE AND IMMEDIATELY SCHEDULED, WITH THE DEALERSHIP, TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR THE NECESSARY WORK. THE SERVICE WAS PERFORMED ON 02/16/16. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED, THE PASSENGER OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM BEGAN EXHIBITING THE
• 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.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“REFERENCE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 15V823000, MY AUDI A6 FALLS WITHIN THE MODEL YEAR AS WELL AS THE AS BUILT TIME LINE. I'VE JUST BEEN DIAGNOSED BY MY LOCAL AUDI DEALER THAT MY PODS UNIT IS BAD. MY AUDI DOES HAVE HEATED SEATS SO IT FITS THE PROBLEM DESCRIPTION AS RELEASED BY AUDI AS WELL AS NHTSA BUT D”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

13 complaints

15%

• 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 FAIL
• 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
• 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 WARNI

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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 FAIL”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

11 complaints

13%

• 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 VEHI
• 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. U
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL, WHICH WAS IDENTICAL TO THE FAILURE LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V19000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED FUEL L

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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 VEHI”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

8 complaints

• THE VEHICLE IS HAVING UNINTENDED EPISODES OF ACCELERATION. THEY OCCUR WHILE STOPPED OR AT REDUCED SPEEDS SUCH AS PULLING TO A STOP OR PARKING.
• 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 WARNI
• 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

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“THE VEHICLE IS HAVING UNINTENDED EPISODES OF ACCELERATION. THEY OCCUR WHILE STOPPED OR AT REDUCED SPEEDS SUCH AS PULLING TO A STOP OR PARKING.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 86 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: THE VEHICLE IS HAVING UNINTENDED EPISODES OF ACCELERATION. THEY OCCUR WHILE STOPPED OR AT REDUCED SPEEDS SUCH AS PULLING TO A STOP OR PARKING.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: REFERENCE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 15V823000, MY AUDI A6 FALLS WITHIN THE MODEL YEAR AS WELL AS THE AS BUILT TIME LINE. I'VE JUST BEEN DIAGNOSED BY MY LOCAL AUDI DEALER THAT MY PODS UNIT IS BAD. MY AUDI DOES HAVE HEATED SEATS SO IT FITS THE PROBLEM DESCRIPTION AS RELEASED BY AUDI AS WELL AS NHTSA BUT D
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: 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 FAIL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: 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 VEHI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)