Verdict
2012 Audi A4: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2012 Audi A4 — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
Fewer reported complaints than most sedan.
Owners filed 45 NHTSA complaints — fewer complaints than 65% of 2012 sedans. Engine leads the reports (47%). No safety recalls on record.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2012 sedans, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
45
Reports to NHTSA, 2012
Safety recalls
0
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
25
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
Fewer complaints than 65% of 2012 sedans
The bar is this car's percentile among 2012 sedans by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Engine issues lead owner complaints (47% of 45 reports), followed by electrical system (11%).
+ 4 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 45 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11145285, ODI 11139039, ODI 11130770, ODI 11074127, ODI 11073235.
Recalls
0 recalls — none issued for this model year as of Jul 2026. Recall records can change as NHTSA publishes new campaigns.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2012 Audi A4 4 DR FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
2012 Audi A4 4 DR AWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A4 | 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 22 | 30 | 25 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
These are affiliate links. TireKick may earn a fee if you use one.
Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2012 Audi A4: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2012 Audi A4?
Owners filed 45 NHTSA complaints about the 2012 Audi A4 — fewer complaints than 65% of comparable 2012 sedans, so it sits toward the stronger end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2012 Audi A4?
The most-reported problem areas are Engine (47% of complaints) and electrical system (11%).
How many recalls does the 2012 Audi A4 have?
No safety recalls are on record for the 2012 Audi A4 as of Jul 2026.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Audi A4 get?
The EPA rates the 2012 Audi A4 at 25 mpg combined.