2012 Audi A4 Avant Problems
- Complaints
- 26filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles, 17 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 4 / 5stars overall
- EPA fuel economy
- 24 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl AWD · 21 city / 29 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Audi A4 Avant (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 2012 Audi A4 Avant. The part named most often is engine, with 16 complaints (62% of the total), followed by other or unknown (4) and electrical system (3). 17 of the complaints include a mileage, and 29% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 60,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 685 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 51 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 47 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine16 62%
- Other or unknown4 15%
- Electrical system3 12%
- Fuel system3 12%
- Steering2 7.7%
- Air bags1 3.9%
- Engine cooling1 3.9%
- Equipment1 3.9%
Also reported: Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Engine: “I recently purchased my 2012 Audi a4 after a few weeks the check engine light came on after taking my car to have it diagnosed I was told ( system was to lean in bank 1) I was told I needed a new o2 system, light never went off and I was told next that their was a leak in a vacuum seal and lastly my coolant level was depleting at a rapid speed and I was told that their was a leak from the water pump.”
NHTSA complaint #10750153, filed 2015-08, 56,000 milesOther or unknown: “This car has a massive oil consumption issue. A week after having an oil change the low oil light comes on after approximate 150 miles of driving. I started happening in february of 2017 shortly after the engine malfunction light came on . I took it to the dealership and after they ran the required tests that failed, was told that Audi put the wrong engine in the car and that I would have to pay $8k for them to fix it. This is not my problem, it is Audi's because it is the same issue that they settled in a lawsuit years prior. …”
NHTSA complaint #11192438, filed 2019-03, 63,000 milesElectrical system: “After a failed alternator and battery were replaced my entire electrical system has freaked out. 60,000mi on the dash, and my car is a brick. After a month on the lift the most well certified mechanics in my area, including some of Audi's own, are at a complete loss. The only thing we've come up with is that the computers turn on every 30 seconds while my car is off.”
NHTSA complaint #11241469, filed 2019-08, 60,000 milesFuel system: “Upon having 3 consecutive oil changes, my car suddenly began to burn oil (no leaks) after the first oil change upon driving less than 900 miles. Then the second oil change did the same thing upon driving under 300 miles. It actually ran out of oil totally. I added oil as instructed by the car, and it burn the oil withing 250 miles of driving. I took it to the dealer, who acknowledge that this model and year had the wrong engine put in the vehicle. They would need to replace the entire engine at my cost, with possible reimbursement to me. Not acceptable, since they acknowledged the defect. …”
NHTSA complaint #11101607, filed 2018-06, 64,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
29% of the 17 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 43,000 and 75,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 Audi A4 Avant. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A4 Avant · wagon AWD | ★★★★☆ | 3 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 9.9% risk |
Neighbouring years: 2011: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2012 Audi A4 Avant version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A4 Avant quattro AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 21 | 29 | 24 | $3,400 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2012 Audi A4 Avant in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 685 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11038130Sep 25, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.
- 11038027Sep 25, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.
- 11038042Sep 22, 2026Steering. This bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.
- 11038025Sep 15, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information when the license plate mounting bracket threded inserts are stripped.
- 11036917Aug 26, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information when the horn sound quality is poor.
- 11036911Aug 21, 2026Brakes. This bulletin provides information for all models regarding brake sounds.
- 11036909Aug 21, 2026Brakes. This bulletin provides information on the zirconium insercts in the brake piston (ceramic brakes only).
- 11036934Aug 11, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information when there is a paint issue on alloy wheels.
- 11036921Aug 11, 2026Brakes. This bulletin provides information about the general approach for brake vibration concerns.
- 11036915Aug 11, 2026Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). This bulletin provides information on the GFF test plan required for AC compressor replacements regardless of the concern.
Other model years of the Audi A4 Avant
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 26 | 60,000 | 0 | 4 | 24 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Stable |
| 2011 | 32 | 59,000 | 0 | 4 | 24 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 Audi A4 Avant have?
NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 2012 Audi A4 Avant as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2012 Audi A4 Avant is reported most often?
Engine is named most often, in 16 complaints (62% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 4.
Has the 2012 Audi A4 Avant been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2012 Audi A4 Avant do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2012 Audi A4 Avant 4 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Audi A4 Avant get?
The EPA rates the 2012 Audi A4 Avant (A4 Avant quattro, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 29 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,400 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Audi A4 Avant reported?
Among the 17 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 60,000 miles and the middle half falls between 43,000 and 75,000 miles; 29% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.