Model year guide

2012 Audi A6

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 Audi A6 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 163 on record.

2012 Audi A6 — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2012 Audi A6 at a glance

Safety recalls8
Owner complaints59
Combined28 mpg
Typical price$27,277

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2012 Audi A6 recalls 8

Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System NHTSA Campaign #18V229000 · 11/04/2018

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 wi…

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 appl…

Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification NHTSA Campaign #18V370000 · 04/06/2018

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.

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.

Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System NHTSA Campaign #17V002000 · 03/01/2017

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.

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. Volksw…

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings NHTSA Campaign #17V781000 · 06/12/2017

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.

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.

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings NHTSA Campaign #16V646000 · 07/09/2016

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.

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.

Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail NHTSA Campaign #15V019000 · 20/01/2015

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.

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…

Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification NHTSA Campaign #15V823000 · 08/12/2015

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 …

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.

Air Bags:side/window NHTSA Campaign #11V580000 · 06/12/2011

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.

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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2012 Audi A6 common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 59 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

2012 Audi A6 MPG & running costs

Combined28 mpg
City25 mpg
Highway33 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,700

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2012 Audi A6 worth?

Low
$21,800
Typical price
$27,277
High
$33,100

From 162 comparable 2012 Audi A6 listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2012 Audi A6 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$13,500
Depreciation (5 yrs)$18,200
Total$31,700
Per mile$0.42

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($27,277) with the same model 5 model-years older ($9,059), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2012 Audi A6 trims & engines on record

Trims
3.0T Premium quattro · 2.0T Premium · quattro Premium Plus · quattro · quattro Prestige · awd v6 premium · fwd 4c 2.0t prm
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl 310 hp · 2.0L 4-cyl 211 hp

2012 Audi A6 vehicles on record

Other Audi A6 model years

2012 Audi A6 — frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Audi A6 have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls for the 2012 Audi A6. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Audi A6?

Based on 59 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, fuel/propulsion system, steering.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Audi A6 get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2012 Audi A6 at about 28 mpg combined (25 city / 33 highway).

How much is a 2012 Audi A6 worth?

Comparable 2012 Audi A6 listings run roughly $21,800–$33,100, typically around $27,277 (from 162 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.