AUDI A4 · model year

2012 AUDI A4

23 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

4 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2012AUDIA4 carries 23 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 1 fire, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 4/5 rating, with 4/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 5/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 A4 is engine with 13 filings, followed by fuel/propulsion system (3) and power train (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 9 investigation files overlapping the 2012 A4. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

23
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
2012 AUDI A4 — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2012 AUDI A4. Overall composite: 4.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 4.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 4.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 5.0 ★
NHTSA overall 4.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

23 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 4/5 — Strong NCAP rating · Front: 4/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 5/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE13
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3
POWER TRAIN2
SERVICE BRAKES2
STEERING1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER1

Recent Complaints

20260120ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Audi A4. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was 90,512 and at the time of the registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 175,000.

Mileage: 175,000

20241002ENGINE

There is a recall for the year after this when many Audi owners of this model have the same issue per the Audi forums. We have the coolant leaking issue as well and it should have been included in the recall

20230711ENGINE

1) Turbo, not because I'm looking to replace it 2) the car could stall when merging into highway or passing on the left lane 3) Yes 4) No 5) Yes, Check Engine Light came on afterward Check engine light came on after I tried to merge into a lane, while I was stepping on the gas peddle hard there was no acceleration. While the car did not stall, but it was not moving fast enough to provide the distance I need to be safe from the car behind me.

20230306ENGINE

There have been wide-spread reports & complaints with Audi A4's starting in 2009. Audi settled a class-action lawsuit in 2015 but it only covered vehicles madein 2009-2011. If you look at any Audi owner blog or any car blog you'll find thousands of complaints about excessive oil consumption resulting in owners needing to replace pistons. In my case, I was given an estimate to replace pistons & timing belt for over $8,000 in 2021. There are additional class-action lawsuits pending against Audi BUT on my own I can do nothing and I have contacted Audi multiple times since they are "clearly" well-aware of that this is a wide-spread problem with their cars. HOW IS IT the NHTSA has no information on this problem? How is it that a recall wasn't instituted years ago? What are you doing to protect consumers from Audi's refusal to help owners? It is impossible that this problem hasn't been previously reported. I need this matter resolved, I need the car repaired & I need Audi to pay for t

20220706ENGINE

I have continued to notice increasing oil consumption on my 2012 AUDI A4. I have mentioned this to my dealership, however they kept dismissing it as an old car. I noticed that there have been numerous reports of this with AUDI vehicles. I requested for 2 part oil consumption test, which failed. Nonetheless, they keep suggesting that there is nothing to be done. Please advise, if this meets concern similar to other consumers with this issue.

20211221ENGINE

Owned 1 year and just over 120ish miles TIMING CHAIN Jumped Required Head Rebuild and the Timing Replacement. Soon as those were completed and Car back on the road, OIL CONSUMPTION every 150miles with Carbon Buildup regularly on the rear bumper. Low Oil Pressure light soon to appear following up with Water Pump Housing Cracking, Replaced the water pump and low oil pressure is worse than before this repair. Checked Oil Pan for sludge, OIL PAN FULL of METAL, tear down the top end of motor inspection disclosed that both of the BALANCE SHAFTS and SPROCKET were destroyed teeth missing form gears, assuming that in addition to this that piston rings definitely must be fried so they will be replaced with the balance shafts repair. In Addition to this entire ENGINE being a Lemon and needing replaced or rebuilt, 2 smaller issues I’ve had would be Wiper Motor is not even fast enough for major downpours so possibly needs replacement and also the rear backup camera is extremely difficult for view

20211025POWER TRAIN

This vehicles Water Pump has failed and has been replaced 3 times in the last 3 years. I fear for the safety of the vehicle. We've received numerous correspondence regarding class actions suits and such for cooling system issues.

20210513ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RECEIVED AN OIL CHANGE HOWEVER, AFTER DRIVING ONLY 300 MILES, THE MINIMUM OIL LEVEL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ADDED TWO QUARTS OF OIL TO THE ENGINE HOWEVER, AFTER SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES OF DRIVING, THE OIL LEVEL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUDI STEVENS CREEK SERVICE (751 S WINCHESTER BLVD, SAN JOSE, CA 95128, (888) 903-4834) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PISTONS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

Mileage: 99,000

20210427FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

HAVING ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. VARIES NOT CONSISTENT. WHEN APPLYING PEDAL TO ACCELERATE. THE CAR DOESN'T RESPOND. RPM DROPS TO ZERO. ENGINE STILL RUNS BUT NO MOVEMENT. RELEASING PEDAL AND TRYING AGAIN WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. SCARY WHEN TRYING TO GET CAR OUT OF DANGER.

Mileage: 86,000

20210412ENGINE

TIMING CHAIN BROKE AT APPROXIMATELY 104K MILES.

20210412ENGINE

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, THIS CAR DRINKS AN EXTRA QUART OF OIL PER MONTH. NO LEAKS ON THE DRIVEWAY OR IN THE GARAGE.

20210402FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 AUDIO A4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, SHE SAW SMOKE EMERGING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE, NOTICE FLAMES IN THE HEAD LIGHT COMPARTMENT UPON OPENING THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STATED THEY ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES WITH WATER BUT THAT FAILED AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF A POLICE OR FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS FILED. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A JUNK YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WITH THE FIRE DAMAGE SHE BELIEVED THAT VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

20210131ENGINE

SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF FAULTY PISTON RINGS CAUSING OIL CONSUMPTION TO BE 1 QUART EVERY 200/300 MILES FROM AUDI A4 MODELS 2009-2015

20210125SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ERROR MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL REGARDING THE GEAR BOX MODULE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER AUDI MEMPHIS (1825 COVINGTON PIKE, MEMPHIS, TN 38128) WHO REPLACED THE GEAR BOX HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED WHILE ACCELERATING. ADDITIONALLY, THE LOW-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAULT MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

Mileage: 94,000

20210125ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ERROR MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL REGARDING THE GEAR BOX MODULE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER AUDI MEMPHIS (1825 COVINGTON PIKE, MEMPHIS, TN 38128) WHO REPLACED THE GEAR BOX HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED WHILE ACCELERATING. ADDITIONALLY, THE LOW-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAULT MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

Mileage: 94,000

20201231SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE ENGINE COILS AND SPARK PLUGS TO BE REPLACED. WHILE DRIVING AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS BEFORE WITH THE ADDITION OF LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND DIFFICULT FOR THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BE DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 138,000

Mileage: 138,000

20201231ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE ENGINE COILS AND SPARK PLUGS TO BE REPLACED. WHILE DRIVING AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS BEFORE WITH THE ADDITION OF LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND DIFFICULT FOR THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BE DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 138,000

Mileage: 138,000

20201231STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE ENGINE COILS AND SPARK PLUGS TO BE REPLACED. WHILE DRIVING AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS BEFORE WITH THE ADDITION OF LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND DIFFICULT FOR THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BE DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 138,000

Mileage: 138,000

20201206ENGINE

I HAVE GONE GONE TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES VISITS RIGHT AFTER I HAD THE SCHEDULED OIL CHANGES DONE. THE OIL LIGHT / CONSUMPTION ISSUE HAPPENS AFTER I'VE GOTTEN AN OIL CHANGE, BUT 7,000 MILES BEFORE THE NEXT ONE IS DUE. I GET AFRAID THINKING THAT MY CAR IS OUT OF OIL . I DO NOT HAVE ANY OIL LEAKS. OIL IS LEAKING AROUND LADDER FRAME. THIS HAS BEEN A KNOW ISSUE FOR A FEW YEARS THAT I HAVE BEEN HAVING AND AUDI WILL NOT RESOLVE.

Mileage: 144,000

20201206FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I HAVE GONE GONE TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES VISITS RIGHT AFTER I HAD THE SCHEDULED OIL CHANGES DONE. THE OIL LIGHT / CONSUMPTION ISSUE HAPPENS AFTER I'VE GOTTEN AN OIL CHANGE, BUT 7,000 MILES BEFORE THE NEXT ONE IS DUE. I GET AFRAID THINKING THAT MY CAR IS OUT OF OIL . I DO NOT HAVE ANY OIL LEAKS. OIL IS LEAKING AROUND LADDER FRAME. THIS HAS BEEN A KNOW ISSUE FOR A FEW YEARS THAT I HAVE BEEN HAVING AND AUDI WILL NOT RESOLVE.

Mileage: 144,000

Compare 2012AUDIA4 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2012 AUDI A4 have?
The 2012 AUDI A4 has 23 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2012 AUDI A4?
The 2012 AUDI A4 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 4/5, front crash rating of 4/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 5/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 AUDI A4?
The most-complained component for the 2012 AUDI A4 is ENGINE with 13 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2012 AUDI A4 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2012 AUDI A4 has an NHTSA safety rating of 4/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.