NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 60 owner complaints for the 2012 Audi A6. Most complaints involve air bags (15) and electrical system (13). The EPA rates it 22–28 mpg combined.
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.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each A6 model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 54 |
| 1997 | 21 |
| 1998 | 130 |
| 1999 | 217 |
| 2000 | 148 |
| 2001 | 113 |
| 2002 | 103 |
| 2003 | 71 |
| 2004 | 35 |
| 2006 | 67 |
| 2007 | 53 |
| 2008 | 71 |
| 2009 | 21 |
| 2010 | 17 |
| 2011 | 21 |
| 2012 | 60 |
| 2013 | 52 |
| 2014 | 41 |
| 2015 | 22 |
| 2016 | 51 |
| 2017 | 20 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2026 | 9 |
“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 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and stated that the parts were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 154,000.”
“This needs to be heavily looked into. I see countless reports online and on NHTSA about "coolant" leaking onto components/wiring. Whatever it is, is definitely frying the electrical system. My info screen will state: "Transmission Malfunction: You can continue driving" and it'll go away a minute later, them beep again with the same message- then beep again- then go away- then come back again. etc etc etc. I recently a year or so ago got some coolant leak that was dripping on transmission wires below. I've seen this complaint too many times. Audi needs to investigate this issue and if this is a countless issue we need to be issued a proper TSB / recall. Here's some links to best help direct this issue: https://www.audiworld.com/forums/a6-c7-platform-discussion-194/obdii-code-p2753-anyone-2886141/page2/ https://www.audiworld.com/forums/a6-c7-platform-discussion-194/transmission-fluid-cooler-control-circuit-error-2886938/ https://www.audiworld.com/forums/a6-c7-platform-discussion-194/help-p2753-issue-2999672/ The codes I get occasionally are: TCU Code: 12448 and OBDII Code: P2753”
“Greeting, I drove my car for a minor body repair and paint job at Midland Park Auto Body located at 158 Godwin Ave, Midland Park, NJ 07432 on March 22 2022. There were no signs on the dashboard for any services or repair when I dropped of the car. Warren the owner called me to let me know that the paint job was completed by had some bad news for me. The car would not start. He thought it was the starter that had malfunctioned. We decided to have the car inspected by Jack Daniels Audi of Paramus Service Center located at 16-01 McBride Ave, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410. I have had this car serviced there since I bought the car from them. James a senior technician called Warren and told him that the engine was shot. He was surprised and shocked that the engine ceased working. The was enough oil in the engine, car had been serviced regularly with them. They told me it would cost about $25,000 to replace the engine. They also told me that they would ask Audi Corporate to see if they can assist me with. It has been about 4 days , there has been no response from Audi. I started to search on the internet to see if other consumer had experienced this problem. I found several.…”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A6 Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 33 | 28 | $2,850 | 317 |
| A6 quattro Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg · All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 28 | 22 | $3,600 | 404 |
| 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 |
8 safety recalls as of Oct 29, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 60 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (15), electrical system (13), engine (13). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2012 Audi A6 at 22–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).