Menu

2012 Audi A6Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 60 owner complaints about the 2012 Audi A6, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 8 safety recalls, and for recall 17V-781 the manufacturer reports only 84% of affected cars repaired.

2012 Audi A6
57
CarFlaw IndexSolid year24% below the A6 median · #13 of 27 years by complaints
Safety recalls8Lowest repair rate 84%Owner complaints600 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage78kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 8, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2012 Audi A6 has problems

60 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags150
Electrical system130
Engine130
Fuel/propulsion system90
Power train80
Steering60
Engine and engine cooling30
Electronic stability control (ESC)30
Service brakes30
8 other systems110

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

8 recalls

2012 Audi A6 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

85%repaired · 2020 Q1

Sensor: occupant classification

Recall 18V-370 · Jun 4, 2018 · 139,249 vehicles · 117,762 repaired

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

87%repaired · 2020 Q2

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system

Recall 18V-229 · Apr 11, 2018 · 342,867 vehicles · 298,681 repaired

Risk. A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

84%repaired · 2019 Q2

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 17V-781 · Dec 6, 2017 · 48,693 vehicles · 41,067 repaired

Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

92%repaired · 2018 Q2

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system

Recall 17V-002 · Jan 3, 2017 · 342,867 vehicles · 314,329 repaired

Risk. If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 4 more recalls
87%repaired · 2018 Q1

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 16V-646 · Sep 7, 2016 · 28,249 vehicles · 24,508 repaired

Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

92%repaired · 2017 Q2

Sensor: occupant classification

Recall 15V-823 · Dec 8, 2015 · 21,074 vehicles · 19,370 repaired

Risk. An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of occupant injury in a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

92%repaired · 2016 Q2

Fuel injection system: fuel rail

Recall 15V-019 · Jan 20, 2015 · 26,008 vehicles · 23,994 repaired

Risk. A fuel leak in the injection system in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Air bags: side/window

Recall 11V-580 · Dec 6, 2011 · 317 vehicles

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Audi.

Best & worst years

2012 vs. every other A6 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the A6 median. How we score

'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2012 Audi A6 safety ratings

2012 Audi A6 4 DR AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What A6 owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

The contact owns a 2012 Audi A6. The contact stated that while there was a passenger seated inside the vehicle, the passenger’s side air bag warning light turned on and off, and the main air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V370000…
Complaint 11769827 · Oct 8, 2026 · 154,000 miles
I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO REPAIR FOR 2 RECALLS ON 2/22/21, THE NEXT DAY 2/23/21 THEY CALLED ME TELLING ME THAT I HAVE TO PAY $ 550.00 FOR THE REPAIR. ACCORDING TO DOWNTOWN AUDI TECH THE ECU OF MY VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE THEY CANNOT COMMUNICATE WITH THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER, BEFORE TAKING THE VEHICLE…
Complaint 11397718 · Feb 24, 2021 · 122,080 miles
TAKATA RECAL....THIS WAS TAKEN TO DEALER IN 2015 FOR THE RECALL AND FIXED. RECENTLY THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND REMAINED ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE RECALL WAS FOR THE OCD, NOT THE MODULE....THEY FOUND A "FAULTY CONTROL MODULE". THE MODULE IS PART OF THE ABS SYSTEM. THE…
Complaint 11176599 · Feb 12, 2019 · 122,484 miles

Own a 2012 A6?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.