2012 Audi A6 recalls and problems
The 2012 Audi A6 has 8 safety recalls and 60 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Audi dealer.
Recalls may cover only some 2012 Audi A6 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.
2012 Audi A6 recalls
Recall 18V-370: Air Bags
Problem: 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.
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.
Recall 18V-229: Engine and Engine Cooling
Problem: 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.
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.
Recall 17V-781: Fuel System, Gasoline
Problem: 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.
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.
Recall 17V-002: Engine and Engine Cooling
Problem: 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.
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.
Recall 16V-646: Fuel System, Gasoline
Problem: 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.
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.
Recall 15V-823: Air Bags
Problem: 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.
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.
Recall 15V-019: Fuel System, Gasoline
Problem: 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.
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.
Recall 11V-580: Air Bags
Problem: 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.
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.
2012 Audi A6 problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 16 | |
| Engine | 13 | |
| Electrical System | 13 | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 9 | |
| Power Train | 8 | |
| Steering | 6 | |
| Service Brakes | 3 | |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 3 | |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | 3 | |
| Structure | 2 | |
| Unknown or Other | 2 | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 2 |
Most reported parts
- Structure › Body — 2
- Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator — 1
- Electrical System › Starter Assembly › Relay — 1
- Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly — 1
- Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification — 1
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 1
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control — 1
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 72,000 miles (median of owner reports).
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2012 Audi A6 complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Other Audi A6 years
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2012 Audi A6 have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2012 Audi A6: 18V-370 (air bags), 18V-229 (engine and engine cooling), 17V-781 (fuel system, gasoline), 17V-002 (engine and engine cooling), 16V-646 (fuel system, gasoline) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Audi A6?
Owners report air bags problems most often (16 reports), followed by engine (13). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 72,000 miles.
Are Audi recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Audi dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.