Research · Compact Cars · 2 NHTSA variants
2012 Audi A4Recalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 45 owner complaints for the 2012 Audi A4. Most complaints involve engine (29) and electrical system (5). The EPA rates it 24–25 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.
Combined MPG
24–25mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
45
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2012 Audi A4 as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
45 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2012 – Jan 2026
- Engine29
- Electrical system5
- Fuel/propulsion system5
- Power train4
- Steering3
- Service brakes2
- Air bags1
- Wheels1
- Fuel system, gasoline1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
By model year
Complaints for each A4 model year we’ve synced.
View as table
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 92 |
| 1997 | 99 |
| 1998 | 258 |
| 1999 | 190 |
| 2000 | 96 |
| 2001 | 130 |
| 2002 | 189 |
| 2003 | 215 |
| 2004 | 189 |
| 2005 | 219 |
| 2006 | 298 |
| 2008 | 191 |
| 2009 | 144 |
| 2010 | 64 |
| 2011 | 42 |
| 2012 | 45 |
| 2013 | 111 |
| 2014 | 76 |
| 2015 | 44 |
| 2016 | 26 |
| 2017 | 83 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 158 |
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Deaths reported
- 0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Engine
29 reports
“There is a recall for the year after this when many Audi owners of this model have the same issue per the Audi forums. We have the coolant leaking issue as well and it should have been included in the recall”
Electrical system
5 reports1 fire
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Audi A4. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was 90,512 and at the time of the registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 175,000.”
Fuel/propulsion system
5 reports
“HAVING ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. VARIES NOT CONSISTENT. WHEN APPLYING PEDAL TO ACCELERATE. THE CAR DOESN'T RESPOND. RPM DROPS TO ZERO. ENGINE STILL RUNS BUT NO MOVEMENT. RELEASING PEDAL AND TRYING AGAIN WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. SCARY WHEN TRYING TO GET CAR OUT OF DANGER.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
4 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Compact Cars, Small Station Wagons
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Transmissions
- Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Manual 6-spd · Automatic (S8)
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A4 Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 30 | 25 | $3,200 | 355 |
| A4 quattro Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 31 | 25 | $3,200 | 355 |
| A4 Avant quattro Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | $3,300 | 370 |
| A4 quattro Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | $3,300 | 370 |
- 25mpg comb.
- 25mpg comb.
- 24mpg comb.
- 24mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
3 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5Audi A4 4 DR AWD
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 5 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 9.9%
Overall
4 / 5
Audi A4 4 DR FWD
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 5 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 9.9%
Overall
4 / 5
Audi A4 Avant SW AWD
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 5 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 9.9%
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2012 A4 questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Audi A4 have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 27, 2026.
What are the most common 2012 Audi A4 problems?
Owners filed 45 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (29), electrical system (5), fuel/propulsion system (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2012 Audi A4 get?
The EPA rates the 2012 Audi A4 at 24–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).
How safe is the 2012 Audi A4?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2012 Audi A4 4 out of 5 stars overall.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026