2012 Audi A6 quattro — Full Specifications
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Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2012 Audi A6 quattro is a saloon/sedan powered by a 3L 6-cyl supercharged premium gasoline engine. It returns around 26 mpg (UK) / 22 mpg (US EPA) combined. Owners often keep a Audi A6 quattro workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2011 Audi A6 quattro: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 26 mpg (UK) combined. No longer listed: 4.2L 8-cyl. EPA passenger volume changes from 98 to 97 cu ft.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 3L 6-cyl supercharged |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Fuel Type | Premium Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | All-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | Saloon/Sedan |
| Passenger Volume (EPA) | 97 cu ft (2,747 L) |
| Luggage Volume (EPA) | 14 cu ft (396 L) |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 26 combined / 23 urban / 34 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 22 combined / 19 city / 28 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 251 g/km |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,750 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 1 configuration for the 2012 Audi A6 quattro, all with the 3L 6-cyl supercharged engine. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3L 6-cyl supercharged | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 26 | 22 (19/28) | 251 | $3,750 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 97 cubic feet (about 2,747 litres) and luggage volume at 14 cubic feet (about 396 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures; they are measured differently from the boot capacity numbers UK manufacturers quote.
Owner Essentials for the 2012 Audi A6 quattro
Running Costs: 2012 Audi A6 quattro
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2012 Audi A6 quattro at 26 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,399 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $3,750 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2012 Audi A6 quattro Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
No NHTSA crash-test rating is on record for this model year. The NHTSA rates only a subset of vehicles each year; you can browse every rated vehicle on our NHTSA Safety Ratings hub.
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 8 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 Audi A6 quattro (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Air bags (3), Fuel system (3), Engine and engine cooling (2). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Air bags — campaign 18V370000, reported 4 June 2018. 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.
- Engine and engine cooling — campaign 18V229000, reported 11 April 2018. Risk: A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fuel system — campaign 17V781000, reported 6 December 2017. Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
- Engine and engine cooling — campaign 17V002000, reported 3 January 2017. Risk: If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Showing the 4 most recent of 8 campaigns.
Owners have filed 59 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Audi A6 quattro. The most-reported areas are Air bags (14), Electrical system (13), Engine (13). That is well above the median of 21 complaints across the 14 Audi A6 quattro model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2012 Audi A6 quattro
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Air bags (3 recall campaigns · 14 owner complaints) — Confirm any air bag inflator or module recalls were completed — enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Fuel system (3 recall campaigns · 9 owner complaints) — Ask whether any fuel-pump or fuel-system recalls were completed, and watch for hard starting or stalling.
- Engine cooling (2 recall campaigns) — Check coolant level, look for leaks and make sure the temperature stays steady in traffic.
- Electrical system (13 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
At 26 mpg (UK) combined it sits close to the 27 mpg average for Audi models in our database.
Of the 16 Audi A6 quattro model years we cover, the 2012 ranks 14th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (26 mpg UK combined, against a high of 36 mpg). See every Audi A6 quattro year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2012 Audi A6 quattro
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2012 Audi A6 quattro have?
It's fitted with a 3L 6-cyl supercharged premium gasoline engine, paired with a automatic (s8) transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Audi A6 quattro?
The most efficient configuration returns around 26 mpg (UK) combined, or 22 mpg on the US EPA cycle.
How much does the 2012 Audi A6 quattro cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $3,750 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2012 Audi A6 quattro have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 8 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 Audi A6 quattro (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Air bags (3), Fuel system (3), Engine and engine cooling (2). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2012 Audi A6 quattro?
Among the 59 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Air bags (14 complaints), Electrical system (13 complaints), Engine (13 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
How much interior and luggage space does the 2012 Audi A6 quattro have?
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 97 cubic feet (about 2,747 litres) and luggage volume at 14 cubic feet (about 396 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures, which are measured differently from the UK boot-capacity numbers manufacturers quote.