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2012 Audi A6: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2012 Audi A6, most recently filed June 2018. Owners have filed 59 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls 8campaigns 3 air bag · 3 fuel system · 2 engine Source: NHTSA Complaints 59filed Owner reports, 2008–2017 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Fuel economy 28mpg combined $2,333/yr at this week's prices Source: EPA · EIA Specs 2 L 4-cyl· CVT 2 engine and transmission configurations Source: NHTSA vPIC
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Recalls (8)

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2012 Audi A6. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2012 Audi A6. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 18V370000 Filed Jun 4, 2018

Passenger's Air Bag may Deploy Improperly

Air bags · sensor · occupant classification
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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.
84.6% repairedof 139,249 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 18V370000
Listed for 2012 Audi A6. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 18V229000 Filed Apr 11, 2018

Coolant Pump may Overheat or Short-Circuit

Engine and engine cooling · cooling system
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
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.
87.1% repairedof 342,867 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 18V229000
Listed for 2012 Audi A6. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 17V781000 Filed Dec 6, 2017

Fuel Line May Leak Fuel

Fuel system, gasoline · delivery · hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy
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.
84.3% repairedof 48,693 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 17V781000
Listed for 2012 Audi A6. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 17V002000 Filed Jan 3, 2017

Coolant Pump May Overheat and cause Fire

Engine and engine cooling · cooling system
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
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.
91.7% repairedof 342,867 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 17V002000
Listed for 2012 Audi A6. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V646000 Filed Sep 7, 2016

Engine Compartment Fuel Hose may Degrade and Leak

Fuel system, gasoline · delivery · hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy
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.
86.8% repairedof 28,249 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V646000
Listed for 2012 Audi A6. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 15V823000 Filed Dec 8, 2015

Passenger Seat Occupant Detection System may Fail

Air bags · sensor · occupant classification
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of occupant injury in a crash.
Remedy
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.
91.9% repairedof 21,074 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V823000
Listed for 2012 Audi A6. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 15V019000 Filed Jan 20, 2015

Fuel Injection System Fuel Leak

Fuel system, gasoline · fuel injection system · fuel rail
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
A fuel leak in the injection system in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy
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.
92.3% repairedof 26,008 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V019000
Listed for 2012 Audi A6. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 11V580000 Filed Dec 6, 2011

SIDEGUARD HEAD CURTAIN AIR BAG

Air bags · side/window
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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.
Repair progress not yet reported317 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 11V580000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which A6 years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Audi A6All model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (59)

59 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The air bags is mentioned most often.

0involved a crash
0involved a fire
0injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Audi A6, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 59.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2012 compares with other A6 years

Best and worst A6 years →
71 21 17 21 59 52 41 22 51 20
2008200920102011201220132014201520162017
This year (2012)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 28 mpg combined

28
mpg combined
25
city
33
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,950
CO₂ tailpipe
317 g/mi
EPA class
Midsize Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,333per year
$194per month
536gallons a year

Miles ÷ 28 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2012 Audi A6 configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2 L 4-cyl · CVTFront-Wheel Drive25 / 33 / 28$2,950317
3 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive19 / 28 / 22$3,750404

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2012 A6 for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All A6 years

Where to next

Which A6 years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →2013 Audi A6 report52 complaints · 6 campaigns →2011 Audi A6 report21 complaints · 3 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

2012 Audi A6 FAQ

How many recalls does the 2012 Audi A6 have?

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns: 18V370000 (air bag), 18V229000 (engine), 17V781000 (fuel system), 17V002000 (engine), 16V646000 (fuel system), 15V823000 (air bag), 15V019000 (fuel system), 11V580000 (air bag). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2012 Audi A6 problems?

Owners filed 59 complaints with NHTSA. Air bags (14), Electrical system (13), Engine (13) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2012 Audi A6 get?

EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · CVT version at 25 city, 33 highway and 28 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2012 A6 compare with other years?

Among the 2008–2017 Audi A6 model years at least five years old, the 2010 drew the fewest complaints (17) and the 2008 the most (71). The 2012 drew 59. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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