2012 Audi A6 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 22%of 60 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 84,950miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the engine of the 2012 Audi A6, 22% of the 60 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 84,950 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Upon starting my vehicle I noticed extended cranking. Upon driving the vehicle I noticed a fuel odor, initially I thought it was the older vehicle driving in front of me. After driving approximately 4 miles I realized it was my vehicle. I then drove my vehicle back to my house, and had it towed to Audi of albany due to recalls that were open. Upon inspection they performed recalls, but informed me the recall for the engine fuel rails was performed june 2015. …”
NHTSA complaint #11193012, filed 2019-04, 100,000 miles“2 problems I have and I see more and more people having it, the chain rattle on the back of the engine on the passenger side and the flex pipe braking and making the car sound like it has a tin can both on the passenger side, the problem with the timing chain rattle whenever you start the car makes it sound like a loose heat shield, I went and checked the car at multiple mechanics/dealerships and all know those are common problems with the 3.0t A6 2012”
NHTSA complaint #11109864, filed 2018-07, 100,000 miles“I took my car in for a recall regarding the after-run coolant pump on december 10th to 27,2019. They performed the recall service. They charged my extended warranty for the service repair. At the end of january 2020 the epc light came on and on 2/10/2020 the Audi dealer indicated that the after-run coolant pump was defected because it was plastic and it can crack easily which is what happened and they indicated that they replaced it.they suggested that I have a flush of the fluids and I told them I would look outside of the dealer for these services. On 2/23/2020 the epc light came on again. …”
NHTSA complaint #11316135, filed 2020-03, 89,900 miles“Ran obd reader myself and at mechanic and found the following; p0456 evap emission control system (very small leak) | leak detected and p190f00 coolant pump for charge pressure cooler | electrical malfunction in load circuit. Mechanic informed that the vehicle needs a software update regarding the p0456 code as no leak was found. Also that only Audi performs this update. …”
NHTSA complaint #11317923, filed 2020-03, 122,000 miles“Collant valve leaked through wiring harness, allowing coolant to enter the engine control module. This LED to a shorting of the module and caused a loss of all power and mobility. This event occurred while the car was in motion on a city street.”
NHTSA complaint #10991359, filed 2017-05, 72,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11035797Jul 9, 2026This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
- 11034728Jun 10, 2026This bulletin provides informaiton when the engine is not running smoothly, misfiring.
- 11029367Feb 20, 2026This bulletin provides information on VIN Plates, Safety Certification labels, and the ordering procedures.
- 11028398Jan 14, 2026This bulletin provides information regarding UV leak additive for finding oil leaks.
- 11016532Mar 12, 2025This bulletin provides informatin when the engine does not run smoothly at idling speeds.
- 11012476Dec 5, 2024This bulletin provides information when the MIL is on; DTCs for misfire, air/fuel ratio imbalance, or lean fuel system stored in the ECM P030000.
- 11009928Oct 8, 2024This bulletin provides informatin when the engine does not run smoothly at idling speeds.
- 11009327Sep 24, 2024This bulletin provides information when ther is an Engine: start/stop system fault shown and start/stop system not is working; mileage below 50 km/32 miles.
- 10250533Feb 16, 2024This Document informs dealers on the new oil consumption & piston fracture warranty extension for 2012 A4, A5, A6, Q5 & TT / 2013 A4, A5, A6, Q5 & TT / 2014 A4, A5, A6, Q5 & TT /…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 14% |
| 2021 | 3 | 17% |
| 2020 | 1 | 4% |
| 2019 | 32 | 28% |
| 2018 | 7 | 64% |
| 2017 | 4 | 20% |
| 2016 | 17 | 33% |
| 2015 | 6 | 27% |
| 2014 | 5 | 12% |
| 2013 | 15 | 29% |
| 2012 | 13 | 22% |
| 2011 | 2 | 10% |
| 2010 | 1 | 6% |
| 2008 | 2 | 3% |
| 2007 | 2 | 4% |
| 2006 | 4 | 6% |
| 2005 | 4 | 4% |
| 2004 | 1 | 3% |
| 2003 | 3 | 5% |
| 2002 | 5 | 6% |
| 2001 | 2 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2012 Audi A6
15 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsForward collision avoidance
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Audi A6
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology