2012 AUDI A4 Problems

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Premium Report

Complaints Reported

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Complaints by Component

ENGINE

9 complaints

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.

Nov 05, 2018

2012 AUDI A4 HAS HAD ONGOING OIL CONSUMPTION ISUUES. AUDI DEALER PERFORMED CONSUMPTION TEST DONE AROUND 74K (3QTS PER 1000MILES - BASICALLY HAVE HAD TO ADD 1 QT EVERY 300 MILES. WAS TOLD NO RECOURSE - WAS OUTSIDE OF CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT OF 2009-2011 OF SIMILAR ISSUES. NOW AT 133K MILE, ENGINE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING - EPC LIGHT CAME ON - CAR WAS SERVICED LESS THAN 25K MILES AND HAD ALL 4 FUEL INJECTORS, 4 SPARK PLUGS AND 2 IGNITION COILS REPLACED AND DE-CARB PROCEDURE DONE. I'M AT A LOSS THAT AUDI REFUSES TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR FAULTY ENGINE.

Oct 08, 2018

WE WERE JUST INFORMED OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT INVOLVING TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER FAILURE. THIS FAILURE COULD CAUSE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STOP POSSIBLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AND HARM TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS. THE LAWSUIT COULD RESULT IN AN EXTENDED PRO-RATED WARRANTY BUT NO RECALL OR REPAIRS MADE TO ANY VEHICLE PRIOR TO ENGINE FAILURE. AUDI IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO THE DEALER NETWORK BUT WILL NOT OFFER ANY REPAIRS OUTSIDE OF THE CURRENT WARRANTY. WE BELIEVE ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED PRIOR TO A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE RESULTING IN LOSS OF LIFE.

Sep 22, 2018

OIL LIGHT KEEP APPEARING ON DASHBOARD EVEN WHEN SERVICED

Feb 21, 2018

TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILED CAUSING CHAIN TO SLIP AND IMMEDIATE ENGINE STOPPAGE.

Feb 16, 2018

+ 4 more complaints for this component

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

3 complaints

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 MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON . I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AFTER THEY RAN THE REQUIRED TESTS THAT FAILED, WAS TOLD THAT AUDI PUT THE WRONG ENGINE IN THE CAR AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $8K FOR THEM TO FIX IT. THIS IS NOT MY PROBLEM, IT IS AUDI'S BECAUSE IT IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT THEY SETTLED IN A LAWSUIT YEARS PRIOR. IT IS NERVE-WRACKING TO DRIVE BECAUSE, I NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH OIL IS IN THE CAR.

Mar 29, 2019

PISTON RINGS CAR IS SMOKING AND OIL IS COMING OUT OF THE MUFFLER THE CAR HAVE LAST THEN 100K MILEAGE

Mar 28, 2019

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND AUDI WANTS TO CHARGE ME $12,000 TO REPAIR THE OIL CONSUMPTION DUE TO THEIR BEING DAMAGE TO MY PISTON RINGS. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS CAR. DURING THE TIME THAT THE FIRST OWNER HAD THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT THAT HAD BEEN FILED AND SETTLED AGAINST AUDI DO TO THE MANUFACTURER MALFUNCTION WHICH CAUSED THE EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. BY THE TIME I BECAME THE OWNER THE SUITE HAD ALREADY SETTLED. AT THIS POINT I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.

Nov 01, 2018

STEERING

2 complaints

SINCE PURCHASING MY CPO AUDI WITH EXTENDED MAINTENANCE PACKAGE & I HAVE IMMACULATE REPAIR RECORDS. IT'S GLARINGLY CLEAR NOW THAT THE DEALERSHIP AVOIDED DIAGNOSISING MY REPEATED COMPLAINTS ABOUT STEERING VIBRATION FEEDBACK. COUNTLESS DOLLARS SPENT ON ALIGNMENTS & RIM, TIRES CHANGES.MY STEERING HAS COMPLETELY DECAYED TO HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS AND NO AUDI SUPPORT ON RECALLING THIS ISSUE. FEELS LIKE A CROSSWIND PUSHING CAR ON HIGHWAYS, NOTCHING IS SO BAD THAT IT REQUIRES MUSCLE ENDURANCE TO TURN IT WHILE DOING K TURNS NOW. JUST OUT OF WARRANTY & FINDING OUT ABOUT THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT OF MANUFACTURING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED A LONG TIME AGO. NO FIX AVAILABLE THAT IS A GUARANTEED SUCCESS. TRULY DISGUSTED. 90,000 MILES OUTRIGHT FRAUD! PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED.

Jul 14, 2018

STEERING WHEEL SHIMMIES/VIBRATES. THE VIBRATION IS VERY NOTICEABLE AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS BEING TURNED. IT MAY OCCUR AT HIGHER SPEEDS BUT IT CANNOT BE DETECTED SINCE ROADS ARE NOT SMOOTH. THE CURRENT UPDATED HOSE -- NOT SURE WHICH ONE -- WAS OEM ON CAR BUT AT 28583 MILES THE "SERVOTRONIC VALVE/CONVERTER" WAS REPLACED AND PROBLEM CORRECTED FOR A TIME. ORIGINAL PROBLEM HAS RETURNED AND CONTINUES DURING AND AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD -- I.E., PROBLEM HAS BEEN PRESENT STARTING WITH THE PURCHASE IN 2011 AND IS STILL PRESENT AT 12/26/2015. AUDI AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER CONFIRMED WITH AUDI THAT THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE CAR AND IS PRESENT IN OTHER 2012 AUDI CARS. SAFETY OF DRIVERS IS BEING COMPROMISED.

Dec 26, 2015

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

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, INCLUDING SOME OF AUDI'S OWN, ARE AT A COMPLETE LOSS. THE ONLY THING WE'VE COME UP WITH IS THAT THE COMPUTERS TURN ON EVERY 30 SECONDS WHILE MY CAR IS OFF.

Aug 03, 2019

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

1 complaint

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 IT'S WARM OR COLD ENGINE. I PULLED ECU CODE AND IT SAYS U0100 WHICH IS LOSS OF COMMUNICATION TO ECM. WELL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I CAN BE DRIVING JUST FINE ON THE ROAD BUT ALL OF A SUDDEN IT JUST DECIDES TO QUIT CAUSE A HAVOC ON A BUSY TRAFFIC IN HOUSTON.

Jun 05, 2019

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

UPON HAVING 3 CONSECUTIVE OIL CHANGES, MY CAR SUDDENLY BEGAN TO BURN OIL (NO LEAKS) AFTER THE FIRST OIL CHANGE UPON DRIVING LESS THAN 900 MILES. THEN THE SECOND OIL CHANGE DID THE SAME THING UPON DRIVING UNDER 300 MILES. IT ACTUALLY RAN OUT OF OIL TOTALLY. I ADDED OIL AS INSTRUCTED BY THE CAR, AND IT BURN THE OIL WITHING 250 MILES OF DRIVING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, WHO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS MODEL AND YEAR HAD THE WRONG ENGINE PUT IN THE VEHICLE. THEY WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINE AT MY COST, WITH POSSIBLE REIMBURSEMENT TO ME. NOT ACCEPTABLE, SINCE THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THE DEFECT. OIL CONTINUES TO BURN AT A VERY HIGH RATE AND POTENTIAL CAUSE ADDITIONAL ENGINE PROBLEMS WHILE DRIVING.

Jun 13, 2018

POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

TAKATA RECALL I'VE NOTICED ON MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS I SEE THAT THE AUDI A4 HAS A PROBLEM OF JERKING AFTER IT IS ISOLATING IN TRAFFIC. MY CAR JERKS AFTER SITTING STILL IN TRAFFIC, AND THEN ONCE I PRESS TO ACCELERATE THE CAR JERKS. COULD YOU PLEASE FIX THIS PROBLEM ON THE AUDI A4? I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND TWICE AND THEY SAY THAT THERE ISN'T A PROBLEM.

Mar 19, 2018

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

TAKATA RECALL: MY 2012 AUDI A4 WAS TOTALLED IN JULY 2014. AFTER TURNING LEFT IN FRONT OF ANOTHER CAR GOING 60 MPH, I WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT MYSELF AND TOOK MY HANDS OFF THE WHEEL, FEEL OFF THE PEDALS, CLOSED MY EYES AND WAITED FOR THE OTHER VEHICLE TO STRIKE ME. I WAS WEARING SUNGLASSES AT THE TIME. EVERY AIR BAG INSIDE MY VEHICLE WAS DEPLOYED INCLUDING THE DRIVER REAR HEADREST BAG, USUALLY INDICATING A DEATH. I AM CERTAIN THE AIRBAGS AND SEATBELT SAVED MY LIFE. I AM STILL PULLING OUT PARTICLES OF DEBRIS FROM MY FACE AND LEFT FINGER, BUT AM THANKFUL TO BE ALIVE. I AM ALSO CERTAIN THAT TAKING MY HANDS OFF THE STEERING WHEEL, FEET OFF THE PEDALS, CLOSING MY EYES AND ROLLING SLOWLY INTO THE COLLISION ALSO SAVED ME. IF POSSIBLE MAYBE DIAL DOWN ON THE EXPLOSIVES, IF ANY COMPLAINT, BUT I WAS A BEE TO WALK AWAY FROM A POTENTIALLY FATAL ACCIDENT. IT DID FEEL AS THOUGH A BOMB WENT OFF, AND NEITHER CAR HAD AN ENGINE, HOOD, FENDERS, ETC. LEFT BUT BOTH OF US WALKED AWAY. JULY 24, 2014. MULHOLLAND HWY AND LAS VIGENES AT 12:00 NOON, MALIBU, CA. SO MANY AGENCIES WERE ON THE SCENE SOMEONE MUST HAVE FILMED IT. THANK YOU TAKATA INFLATORS FOR SAVING MY LIFE.

Jul 19, 2017

Crash: 1

Injuries: 2

AIR BAGS

1 complaint

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V382000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Dec 12, 2016

WHEELS

1 complaint

TIRES WILL NOT HOLD AIR PRESSURE. DECEMBER 2014 DRIVING ALONE TIRE BLOW OUT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON COLD EVENING (10 DEGREES F), HWY 19 SOUTH BOUND. TPMS LIGHT CAME ON SECONDS BEFORE TIRE BLOW OUT. CALLED AUDI ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. RECORD AVAILABLE. REPLACED WITH SAME PERELLI P6 - 245X40RX18. SAME ISSUE. TIRES DO NOT HOLD PRESSURE. OCTOBER 11, 2015 HAD RIMS CLEANED AND TIRE/RIM SEALER APPLIED TO HOLD TIRE PRESSURE. SAME ISSUE. TIRES DO NOT HOLD PRESSURE. MY SPOUCE IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING CAR THAT TIRES BLOW OUT AND DO NOT HOLD PRESSURE. THESE TIRES SHOULD BE INSPECTED AND RECALLED. HAPPY TO HELP GETS THESE TIRES OFF THE ROAD. THEY ARE DANGEROUS!

Oct 28, 2015

ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

I RECENTLY PURCHASED MY 2012 AUDI A4 AFTER A FEW WEEKS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER TAKING MY CAR TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED I WAS TOLD ( SYSTEM WAS TO LEAN IN BANK 1) I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW O2 SYSTEM, LIGHT NEVER WENT OFF AND I WAS TOLD NEXT THAT THEIR WAS A LEAK IN A VACUUM SEAL AND LASTLY MY COOLANT LEVEL WAS DEPLETING AT A RAPID SPEED AND I WAS TOLD THAT THEIR WAS A LEAK FROM THE WATER PUMP.

Aug 20, 2015

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ENGINE

1 complaint

ONLY FIVE MINUTES AFTER STARTING CAR IN MORNING, ENGINE RAPIDLY LOST POWER AND QUIT COMPLETELY WHILE IN 60 MPH TRAFFIC ON HEAVILY TRAVELED INTERSTATE 526 IN CHARLESTON, SC. COASTED CAR OUT OF TRAFFIC LANES TO SIDE, A VERY DANGEROUS LOCATION ON ELEVATED ROADWAY. HAD CAR TOWED TO AUDI DEALER, WHO SAID THEY TESTED AND FOUND FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. THEY REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND ENGINE SEEMS TO RUN NORMALLY NOW. IN FOUR DECADES OF DRIVING I'VE NEVER HAD A FUEL PUMP FAIL. THIS ONE PUT MY WIFE AND ME IN JEOPARDY DUE TO THE SUDDEN AND COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER IN MIDDLE OF FAST, HEAVY TRAFFIC. WE WERE LUCKY TO GET OUT WITHOUT BEING HIT BY ONCOMING TRUCKS & TRAFFIC. *TR

Apr 21, 2014

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

1 complaint

2012 AUDI A4 AVANT WITH 55,000 MILES AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LATCH, MECHANISM AND SENSOR ARE INTERMITTENTLY FAILING. CENTRAL LOCKING THINKS DOOR IS OPEN, DOME LIGHTS AND DOOR AJAR CHIME CONSTANTLY TURNING OFF AND ON. FIXED AT AUDI DEALERSHIP. AUDI USA DEEMED THE ISSUE "WEAR AND TEAR". *TR

Feb 19, 2014

VISIBILITY

1 complaint

SUNROOF EXPLODED AROUND 4:AM WHILE DRIVING @ 40 MPH. NO IMPACT TO VEHICLE TO CAUSE EXPLOSION.THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS 45 DEGREES AND THE INSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS SET @ 75 DEGREES. LEFT A HOLE 5" X 10" AND GLASS WAS FALLING INSIDE CAR. IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT WHICH SCARED ME BUT I TOOK CONTROL OF THE CAR AS THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD AT THAT TIME. *TR

Jan 12, 2014

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1 complaint

AT APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER OF MY 2012 AUDI A4 AVANT QUATTRO, A STRANGE NOISE BEGAN FROM THE FRONT AREA OF THE ENGINE. THE NOISE HAPPENS AT THE FIRST STARTUP OF THE ENGINE REGARDLESS OF AMBIENT TEMPERATURE. AFTER ABOUT 2 MINUTES WHEN THE ENGINE IDLES DOWN THE NOISE STOPS. DIFFERENT AUDI TECHNICIANS AT TWO DEALERSHIPS HAVE DIAGNOSED THE NOISE AS 1) CAM TENSIONERS, 2) A BAD BEARING INSIDE THE CAM CASE, 3) SECONDARY BLOWER MOTOR AND, 4) LASH IN THE VVT SYSTEM. NONE OF THE TECHNICIANS HAVE PUT A WRENCH ON ANY OF THE NAMED COMPONENTS BECAUSE, ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIPS' SERVICE MANAGERS, AUDI USA WILL NOT AUTHORIZE REPAIRS. ACCORDING TO AUDI USA, THE STRANGE NOISE IS A NORMAL FUNCTION EVEN THOUGH AUDI CUSTOMER SERVICE CANNOT EXPLAIN WHY THE NOISE WAS NOT APPARENT FOR THE FIRST APPROXIMATE 1000 MILES OF DRIVING. *TR

Mar 12, 2012

4.3/5.0

102 reviews

Where to Find VIN for Problems Check

To check for problems and complaints on your 2012 AUDI A4, you'll need the VIN number. Find your VIN in one of these 4 common locations.

Where to Find VIN Number on 2012 AUDI A4 for Problems Lookup - Dashboard, Door Jamb, Engine Bay, Documents

Understanding VIN Structure for Problem Reports

Each character in your 2012 AUDI A4 17-digit VIN helps identify specific complaints and problems affecting your vehicle model.

2012 AUDI A4 VIN Structure for Complaint Verification - WMI, VDS, Check Digit, Model Year, Plant Code

How to Check 2012 AUDI A4 Problems in 3 Steps

Locate Your VIN

Find the 17-character VIN on your 2012 AUDI A4 dashboard (visible through windshield), door jamb, engine bay, or vehicle documents.

Review by Component

Browse owner-reported complaints organized by vehicle component (engine, transmission, brakes, electrical) to identify common issues and problem patterns for this model year.

Check Safety Issues

Review crash and fire incidents for each component to assess safety concerns. Contact your AUDI dealer or report problems to NHTSA at SaferCar.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2012 AUDI A4 have?

The 2012 AUDI A4 currently has 26 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2012 AUDI A4?

The most common problems reported for the 2012 AUDI A4 are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2012 AUDI A4 problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2012 AUDI A4 comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.

How do I report problems with my 2012 AUDI A4?

You can report safety problems with your 2012 AUDI A4 directly to NHTSA at SaferCar.gov or call 1-888-327-4236. Your complaint helps identify patterns and may lead to recalls or investigations.

Where can I find my VIN to check problems?

Your 2012 AUDI A4 VIN is located in 4 places: (1) Dashboard near windshield on driver's side, (2) Driver's door jamb sticker, (3) Engine bay, (4) Vehicle registration and insurance documents.

Is the 2012 AUDI A4 reliable?

Reliability can be assessed by reviewing the number and severity of owner complaints for the 2012 AUDI A4. Check complaints by component, crash reports, and fire incidents above to evaluate potential issues and problem patterns.