Recall 16V646 affects 28,249 2012-2013 Audi A6 and A7 vehicles for a degrading fuel hose. Repair is free at any franchised Audi dealer.
Audi is recalling 28,249 2012-2013 A6 and A7 vehicles because an engine-compartment fuel hose can degrade and leak fuel. Fuel leaking near an ignition source raises the risk of a fire, and the Audi dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The fuel hose in the engine compartment of the 2012-2013 Audi A6 and A7 carries gasoline through the delivery side of the fuel system. It is built to hold pressure while the engine is running and after shutdown, so fuel stays inside the line instead of escaping under the hood.
On affected Audi vehicles, the hose material can age abnormally and become porous from the inside. Audi's investigation found the under-hood fuel pump pressure-hold function failed in the reported cases, and the combination of pressure and aged hose material led to hose degradation. The material acting on the hose was not identified.
The warning sign is a fuel smell inside or around the vehicle. That smell means fuel is escaping where it should stay sealed, so the vehicle needs dealer attention instead of continued normal driving.
Who's affected?
Covers the A6 and A7 across the 2012 and 2013 model years, with the same fuel-system hose, line, and fitting component listed for each.
| 2012 Audi A6 | fuel system |
|---|---|
| 2012 Audi A7 | fuel system |
| 2013 Audi A6 | fuel system |
| 2013 Audi A7 | fuel system |
| Units affected | 28,249 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific car.
What's the safety risk?
A fuel leak near an ignition source increases the risk of fire. Fuel smell will be noticeable to occupants, so treat fuel odor as a warning sign: park safely, shut the vehicle off, and call an Audi dealer before driving again. Repair will be free at any franchised Audi dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2013 Audi A6 or A7 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Audi dealer after confirming your VIN and ask about the under hood fuel pump and fuel hose replacement that fixes the engine-compartment fuel leak risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Audi mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V646 when you call.
- Avoid driving if you smell fuel or see a leak, and contact the Audi dealer before moving the vehicle.
What happens at the repair
Audi's listed repair is replacement of the under hood fuel pump and fuel hose. At the dealer, an Audi technician removes the affected fuel pump and hose in the engine compartment and installs replacement parts. Parts and labor are covered under the recall once the repair is performed. The recall began in November 2016. If you already paid for this fuel pump or fuel hose repair before the recall notice, Audi's general reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Contact Audi customer service or ask the service desk how to submit prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| September 7, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 2, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V646?
Recall 16V646 covers 28,249 2012-2013 Audi A6 and A7 vehicles with an engine-compartment fuel hose that can degrade and leak fuel. A fuel leak near an ignition source increases fire risk. Audi dealers replace the under hood fuel pump and fuel hose for free.
What should I do if my 2012-2013 Audi A6 or A7 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 16V646. If it is, contact a franchised Audi dealer to schedule replacement of the under hood fuel pump and fuel hose. Reference recall number 16V646 and Volkswagen recall number 24BZ when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Audi's remedy says dealers will replace the under hood fuel pump and fuel hose free of charge at a franchised Audi dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 16V646?
The safety risk is fire. The recalled Audi A6 and A7 vehicles have a fuel hose in the engine compartment that can degrade and leak fuel. If leaking fuel reaches an ignition source, fire risk increases. The dealer repair replaces the affected fuel parts for free.
What if I bought my Audi A6 or A7 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2012-2013 Audi A6 or A7 is included, then call a franchised Audi dealer with recall number 16V646.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V646000 |
|---|---|
| Audi customer service | 1-800-253-2834 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V646 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V646000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →