Representative model. Photo: IFCAR, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2012 Audi A6 recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2012 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 8
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 60
Latest campaign: Jun 4, 2018

Recall summary by component8

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Air bags	3	Jun 4, 2018	18V370000 15V823000 11V580000
Fuel system, gasoline	3	Dec 6, 2017	17V781000 16V646000 15V019000
Engine and engine cooling	2	Apr 11, 2018	18V229000 17V002000

Safety recalls8

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Jun 4, 2018Latest campaign


Jun 4, 201818V370000	Air bags: sensor occupant classification 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. DetailsHide details for campaign 18V370000 What's wrong 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. Remedy 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. Campaign NHTSA 18V370000 · Jun 4, 2018
Apr 11, 201818V229000	Engine and engine cooling: cooling system A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire. DetailsHide details for campaign 18V229000 What's wrong 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. Remedy 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. Campaign NHTSA 18V229000 · Apr 11, 2018
Dec 6, 201717V781000	Fuel system, gasoline: delivery hoses, lines/piping, and fittings A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire. DetailsHide details for campaign 17V781000 What's wrong 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. Remedy 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. Campaign NHTSA 17V781000 · Dec 6, 2017
Jan 3, 201717V002000	Engine and engine cooling: cooling system If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire. DetailsHide details for campaign 17V002000 What's wrong 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. Remedy 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. Campaign NHTSA 17V002000 · Jan 3, 2017
Sep 7, 201616V646000	Fuel system, gasoline: delivery hoses, lines/piping, and fittings A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. DetailsHide details for campaign 16V646000 What's wrong 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. Remedy 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. Campaign NHTSA 16V646000 · Sep 7, 2016
Dec 8, 201515V823000	Air bags: sensor occupant classification An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of occupant injury in a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 15V823000 What's wrong 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. Remedy 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. Campaign NHTSA 15V823000 · Dec 8, 2015

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Audi recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Owner complaints by component60

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

60Complaints filed

0Involving a crash

0Involving a fire

0Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%
Air bags	15	25
Electrical system	13	22
Engine	13	22
Fuel/propulsion system	9	15
Power train	8	13
Steering	6	10
Service brakes	3	5
Electronic stability control (ESC)	3	5
Engine and engine cooling	3	5
Structure	2	3
Fuel system	2	3
Gasoline	2	3
Forward collision avoidance	2	3
Unknown or other	2	3
Visibility	1	2

4 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Air bags
“The contact owns a 2012 Audi A6. The contact stated that while there was a passenger seated inside the vehicle, the passenger’s side air bag warning light turned on and off, and the main air bag warning light was…”
Filed 10/08/2026 · ODI 11769827
Structure
“Dear Highway Safety Authority Officer I am writing to formally request an investigation into a potential safety concern involving structural rust on the engine subframe (engine cradle) of the Audi A6, particularly in…”
Filed 07/28/2025 · ODI 11676688
Steering
“Vehicle suffered sudden and total loss of power steering. Had just driven the car 5-10 minutes prior, came out to leave and had a message stating do not drive vehicle, steering defective.”
Filed 01/21/2024 · ODI 11566847

Other Audi A6 model years

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2012 Audi A6 recall questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Audi A6 have?

NHTSA lists 8 safety recall campaigns for the 2012 Audi A6. The most recent, 18V370000 (reported June 4, 2018), concerns air bags. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2012 Audi A6 recalls for?

The largest group is air bags, with 3 campaigns. Others: fuel system, gasoline (3), engine and engine cooling (2). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Audi A6?

Air bags is the most-reported component, named in 15 complaints out of 60 filed with NHTSA (25%). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2012 Audi A6?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Audi recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Audi dealer.

Check a specific Audi by VIN

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