The Lemon Index
2011
20134th generation (C7)
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 18,998 in the U.S. in 2012 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 12 complaints in its first 3 years.
12 owner complaints, first 3 years 22–28 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2012 Lexus ES 132012 BMW 5 Series 602012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 22
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
When problems show up
Only 12 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 18V370000 (airbags), 18V229000 (engine) and 17V781000 (fuel system, gasoline) done? It has 8 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Audi sent dealers 1506 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “When selecting reverse gear, the picture of rearview camera fails to appear, sporadically”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Audi's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 12 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 5K to 58K miles (9K to 93K km) on the car (12 of all 12 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
The vehicle is having unintended episodes of acceleration. They occur while stopped or at reduced speeds such as pulling to a stop or parking.
2012 Audi A6 owner · NHTSA complaint 10467486
Problems Audi told dealers about
Audi sent dealers 1506 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- When selecting reverse gear, the picture of rearview camera fails to appear, sporadically
- Presence of coolant loss inside electrical connector, causes engine warning light to illuminate
- The connection of water pump and hose, on some vehicles, leading to heater core, has a coolant…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 8
- Airbags · recall issued 2018
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.
- Engine · recall issued 2018
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 …
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2017
The fuel line has a compression point that can weaken, potentially resulting in a fuel leak.
Show all 8 recalls
- Engine · recall issued 2017
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.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2016
The affected vehicles have a fuel hose in the engine compartment that may degrade and leak fuel.
- Airbags · recall issued 2015
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.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2015
In the affected vehicles the fuel injection system may experience a fuel leak.
- Airbags · recall issued 2011
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL 2012 AUDI A6 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 8, 2011, THROUGH MAY 26, 2011.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi A6 4 DR AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Audi A6 4 DR FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,850–$3,600 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
Every Audi A6 year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2012 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/audi-a6/?y=2012" title="Audi A6 reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="330" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/audi-a6/2012/">Lemon Index</a> (2012 Audi A6 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2012 Audi A6 reliable?
We can't score it: only 18,998 were sold in the U.S. in 2012 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 12 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2012 Audi A6 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (33%), transmission & drivetrain (25%) and engine (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Audi A6 have?
8 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Audi A6 get?
22 to 28 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2012 Audi A6 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 25% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Audi A6 cost in fuel a year?
About $2,850 to $3,600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Audi A6 have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What Audi A6 year is better than the 2012?
Nearby, the 2015 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a third as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works