2012 Audi A6
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.

- 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
Trims
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
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan 3.0 Tfsi Quattro Premium/Premium | 193.7 in | 73.6 in | 57.5 in | 114.6 in | 64.2 / 63.8 in | 4,046 lb | 55/45 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A6 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 / 33 / 28 | +17% | $2,950 | 317 |
| A6 quattro | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 28 / 22 | -8% | $3,750 | 404 |
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
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Audi A6 (this car) | 28 MPG | Not rated | 8 |
| 2012 BMW 5 Series | 27 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 23 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2012 Audi A4 | 25 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2012 Lexus LS | 20 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2012 Jaguar XJ | 19 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2012 Porsche Panamera | 25 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
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.
Not every 2012 Audi A6 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2012 Audi A6 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 8 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 15 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Engine — 12 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 10 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 80,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- 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 →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 A6 | 24 | 196.9 in | Not rated | 1 | 9 |
| 2025 A6 | 26 | 194.5 in | Not rated | 3 | 9 |
| 2024 A6 | 26 | 194.5 in | Not rated | 1 | 3 |
| 2023 A6 | 27 | 194.5 in | Not rated | 1 | 3 |
| 2022 A6 | 26 | 194.5 in | Not rated | 5 | 4 |
| 2021 A6 | 26 | 194.5 in | ★★★★★ | 12 | 27 |
| 2020 A6 | 27 | 194.5 in | ★★★★★ | 9 | 34 |
| 2019 A6 | 27 | 194.5 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 114 |
| 2018 A6 | 28 | 193.7 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 11 |
| 2017 A6 | 28 | 193.7 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 20 |
| 2016 A6 | 30 | 193.7 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 51 |
| 2015 A6 | 29 | 193.7 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 22 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →