Makes›Audi›A6›2012

2012 Audi A6

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.

Audi A6
Pictured: Audi A6 C9 IAA 2025 DSC 1920. Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Midsize Cars
Body styles
4dr Sedan 3.0 Tfsi Quattro Premium/Premium
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl
Horsepower
211–310 hp
Transmission
automatic
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
28 combined · 25 city / 33 hwy
Length
193.7 in
Curb weight
4,046 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
8 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 28 MPG combined — 17% better than the average 2012 midsize car (23.9 MPG).
  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
  • 8 recallsMore than similar models (about 1). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 25 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2012 Audi A6 is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 194 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 115-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,046 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 28 MPG combined (25 city / 33 highway), 17% better than the 2012 midsize car average of 23.9 MPG, for an estimated $2,950 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 8 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 51 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2012

  • New body dimensions, wheelbase +2.8 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
  • Engine added: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
  • Engines dropped: 3.2L 6-cyl and 4.2L 8-cyl
  • Best combined MPG up from 24 to 28

Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 A6 →

Trims, performance & features

Engine310 hp3.0L 6-cyl
Engine211 hp2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissionautomatic
DriveAWD/4WD

Trims

quattro Premium PlusPremium Plusquattroquattro Prestige

Built in: Neckarsulm, Germany

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2012 A6 configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan 3.0 Tfsi Quattro Premium/Premium193.7 in73.6 in57.5 in114.6 in64.2 / 63.8 in4,046 lb55/45

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
A62.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive25 / 33 / 28+17%$2,950317
A6 quattro3.0L 6-cylAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive19 / 28 / 22-8%$3,750404
Spend $2,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
23.9 MPG2012 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Audi A6.

Similar 2012 midsize cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2012 Audi A6 (this car)28 MPGNot rated8
2012 BMW 5 Series27 MPGNot rated0
2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class23 MPGNot rated0
2012 Audi A425 MPGNot rated0
2012 Lexus LS20 MPGNot rated0
2012 Jaguar XJ19 MPGNot rated0
2012 Porsche Panamera25 MPGNot rated6

Recalls (8)

Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification · Jun 4, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V370000 · 139,249 vehicles

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.
Engine And Engine Cooling › Cooling System · Apr 11, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V229000 · 342,867 vehicles

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.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings · Dec 6, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V781000 · 48,693 vehicles

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.
Engine And Engine Cooling › Cooling System · Jan 3, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V002000 · 342,867 vehicles

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.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings · Sep 7, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V646000 · 28,249 vehicles

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.
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification · Dec 8, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V823000 · 21,074 vehicles

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.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Fuel Rail · Jan 20, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V019000 · 26,008 vehicles

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.
Air Bags › Side/Window · Dec 6, 2011

NHTSA campaign 11V580000 · 317 vehicles

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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2012 Audi A6 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

51Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
80,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags15
Engine12
Electrical System10
Power Train7
Fuel/Propulsion System7
Steering5
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)3
Structure › Body2
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
18/06: 218/07: 218/08: 118/11: 219/02: 119/04: 119/05: 119/08: 119/12: 120/03: 420/04: 220/08: 120/11: 121/02: 121/10: 122/02: 122/04: 122/05: 122/12: 123/09: 123/12: 124/01: 125/07: 126/10: 118/0618/1119/0520/0320/1122/0222/1224/01max 4

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2012 Audi A6 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 8 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 15 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Engine — 12 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Electrical System — 10 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 80,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Audi A6. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other A6 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 A624196.9 inNot rated19
2025 A626194.5 inNot rated39
2024 A626194.5 inNot rated13
2023 A627194.5 inNot rated13
2022 A626194.5 inNot rated54
2021 A626194.5 in★★★★★1227
2020 A627194.5 in★★★★★934
2019 A627194.5 in★★★★★7114
2018 A628193.7 in★★★★★211
2017 A628193.7 inNot rated320
2016 A630193.7 inNot rated351
2015 A629193.7 inNot rated422

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →