2012 Audi A4 reliability
NHTSA's file on the 2012 Audi A4 holds 26 complaints after 15 years, a rate of 1 per year. A4 years here cluster close together — the other years’ median is 1 complaints per year. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.
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The complaints owners file most often name Engine (16 of 26), then Electrical system (3) and Fuel and propulsion system (2). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash and 1 that reports an injury.
The 2013 A4 has 110 complaints, 8 per year. The 2012 has fewer complaints per year than the 2013.
The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2012 Audi A4. How we count. Data as of .
Recalls (0)
No recalls on file with NHTSA for this model year.
Complaints by component (26 total)
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Complaints filed per year
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
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"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,…"
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"CAR HAS BEEN INTERMITTENTLY SHUTTING DOWN WHILE DRIVING. AND STARTING UP THE CAR HAS BECOME MORE AND MORE RANDOMLY JUSTIFIED. SOME TIMES IT STARTS UP RIGHT AWAY, SOME TIMES IT JUST TAKES A FEW CRANKS. DOESN'T MATTER IF…"
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"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…"
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"PISTON RINGS CAR IS SMOKING AND OIL IS COMING OUT OF THE MUFFLER THE CAR HAVE LAST THEN 100K MILEAGE"
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"2012 AUDI A4 QUATTRO USES (BURNS) AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL, CONSTANTLY HAVING TO ADD MOTOR OIL. MUST ADD A QUART OF OIL ON A MONTHLY BASIS AND DRIVING LESS THAN 1,000 PER MONTH."
NHTSA crash ratings
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Audi A4 4 DR AWD | 4 stars | 4 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| 2012 Audi A4 4 DR FWD | 4 stars | 4 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| 2012 Audi A4 Avant SW AWD | 4 stars | 4 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars |
Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.
Fuel economy
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Combined | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A4 | 2L, 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-wheel drive | 22 | 30 | 25 MPG | $3200 |
| A4 Avant quattro | 2L, 4-cyl | Automatic (8-speed) | All-wheel drive | 21 | 29 | 24 MPG | $3300 |
| A4 quattro | 2L, 4-cyl | Automatic (8-speed) | All-wheel drive | 21 | 29 | 24 MPG | $3300 |
| A4 quattro | 2L, 4-cyl | Manual 6-speed | All-wheel drive | 21 | 31 | 25 MPG | $3200 |
Specs and fitment
Known issues for this generation
NHTSA campaign 17V-002 covers certain 2013-2016 Audi A4 and Allroad vehicles (with A5, Q5, and A6 in the same campaign) equipped with 2.0L Turbo FSI engines: an electric coolant pump can overheat if blocked with debris; dealers update software to cut pump power if the pump is blocked. Confirm open campaigns by VIN; multi-model unit counts are shared. A4 model-year recalls are often filed under trim/body strings rather than a single umbrella name.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Audi A4 reliable?
NHTSA's file on the 2012 Audi A4 holds 26 complaints after 15 years, a rate of 1 per year. A4 years here cluster close together — the other years’ median is 1 complaints per year. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.
What are common problems with a 2012 Audi A4?
The complaints owners file most often name Engine (16 of 26), then Electrical system (3) and Fuel and propulsion system (2). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash and 1 that reports an injury.
Is the 2012 Audi A4 more reliable than the years next to it?
The 2013 A4 has 110 complaints, 8 per year. The 2012 has fewer complaints per year than the 2013.
Has the 2012 Audi A4 been recalled?
NHTSA has no recalls on file for the 2012 Audi A4.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 Audi A4?
Owners have filed 26 complaints about the 2012 Audi A4 with NHTSA.
What mpg does a 2012 Audi A4 get?
EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2012 Audi A4 is 24.5 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.
What oil does an Audi A4 take?
B8 (2012-2016) common US fills use 5W-30 full synthetic. B9 (2017-on) common US fills use 0W-20 full synthetic. Confirm the filler-cap grade and VW/Audi oil spec.
What does NHTSA campaign 17V-002 cover on B8 A4?
Certain 2013-2016 A4 and Allroad vehicles (with A5, Q5, and A6) with 2.0L Turbo FSI engines: an electric coolant pump can overheat if blocked with debris; dealers update software to cut pump power if blocked.
When did the B9 A4 generation start?
Model year 2017 on this site (after B8 2012-2016).