KnownCarProblems2012 Audi A6 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 60 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Audi A6, most often about the engine (25% of complaints, typically around 80,000 miles). It is 9th of 27 A6 model years by number of complaints and has 8 recalls.
Most common 2012 Audi A6 problems
Engine
15 complaints · 25%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2012 Audi A6. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle suddenly reduced speed to approximately 15 MPH and an unknown message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to Audi north atlanta (11505 alpharetta hwy, roswell, ga) where it was diagnosed that the engine cylinders failed. The vehicle was…
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.
Air bags
15 complaints · 25%Half of these problems showed up before 77,500 miles. Parts named most often: sensor.
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 due to the fact my…
The contact owns a 2012 Audi A6. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle suddenly reduced speed to approximately 15 MPH and an unknown message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to Audi north atlanta (11505 alpharetta hwy, roswell, ga) where it was diagnosed that the engine cylinders failed. The vehicle was…
Electrical
13 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 70,500 miles. Parts named most often: alternator/generator/regulator, starter assembly.
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…
My mil ( malfunction indicator lamp ) came on, in my Audi A6 2012 on 1/21/18. I made an appointment with my Audi dealership on 1/31/18. I was informed that my trans coolant valve was leaking into a wiring harness. They replaced my n509 valve and wiring connector. I found a technical service bulletin regarding this…
Fuel system
11 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles.
I was driving my vehicle & noticed a fuel smell. When I got to my destination shortly down the road (~1 mile) I inspected my engine for the source of the smell & found fuel leaking down the front of my engine from under the supercharger. After disassembling the top of the engine I found the injector supports to be the…
The contact owns a 2012 Audi A6. The contact stated while pulling out of the driveway, he smelled an abnormal fuel odor. The contact stated that the fuel odor became stronger while driving 65 MPH. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that he pulled into a parking lot and opened the hood. The…
Transmission
8 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 62,000 miles.
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…
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…
Steering
6 complaints · 10%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…
The contact owns a 2012 Audi A6. After parking the vehicle and shutting the engine off, the vehicle would not start the following day and the message "steering malfunction do not drive" was displayed. The cause of the failure was not determined. Audi of clarksburg (1 stoneybrook rd, clarksburg, wva) and the…
Brakes
3 complaints · 5%The contact owns a 2012 Audi A6. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a message was displayed on the instrument panel indicating that the collision avoidance system was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to d. Patrick Audi located at 200 n green river rd, evansville, in 47715, who was unable…
Stability control
3 complaints · 5%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…
While driving on a sunday, the car reported transmission issues but it stated we could continue driving. The following day, there were multiple systems failure warnings. This occurred at 54,000 miles and 49 months since purchase. The car began to lose power but was driven back to the dealership. After a lengthy period…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 Audi A6 recalls
Air bags: occupant classification
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine: cooling system
Risk: A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine: cooling system
Risk: If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: occupant classification
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of occupant injury in a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: fuel rail
Risk: A fuel leak in the injection system in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: side/window
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2012 Audi A6
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Audi A6?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (15 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles); air bags (15 complaints, typically around 77,500 miles); electrical (13 complaints, typically around 70,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Audi A6 have?
- 8 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 4, 2018 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the Audi A6?
- It is 9th of 27 A6 model years by number of complaints, with 60 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.