This bulletin provides information on the zirconium insercts in the brake piston (ceramic brakes only).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Audi A6 brakes problems
moderate Owners of the 2012 Audi A6 have filed 3 NHTSA complaints about the brakes at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 A6 (this page) | 3 |
| 2014 A6 | 4 |
| 2016 A6 | 4 |
What stands out
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin provides information for all models regarding brake sounds.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information when there is an ABS/ESC speed sensor implausible signal.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information about the general approach for brake vibration concerns.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information for all models regarding brake sounds.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Audi a6. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a message was displayed on the instrument panel indicating that the collision avoidance system was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to d. Patrick Audi located at 200 n green river rd, evansville, in 47715, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the…
I purchased this car in january of 2017 from Audi (international autos) of orland park, illinois. The car was a cpo vehicle, and we also purchased Audi care. We live in central illinois, and we drove the car home 2 hours from the dealership. During the drive, we noticed a vibration when braking at highway speeds. We contacted our local Audi service department, grossinger motors. The brakes were…
Had brakes trouble with your 2012 Audi A6?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2012 Audi A6?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $450 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Audi/A6.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.