2021 Audi E-Tron Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jul 22, 2026 · 36 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other E-Tron years
More complaints than other years 2nd of 6 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
5 out of 5 stars

Owners have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Audi E-Tron. That ranks 2nd out of 6 E-Tron model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (24 complaints, 67%), typically at around 26,000 miles. Complaints mention 1 fire. There are 9 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.

Audi E-Tron
world premiere of the electric car "Audi e-tron" at the International Motor Show 2009 in Frankfurt , Germany. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Photograph taken by: Thomas Wolf ( Der Wolf im Wald ) Retouched by: LiveChocolate ( Talk ), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2021 Audi E-Tron problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Electrical System24 · ~26,000 mi
Unknown or Other10
Power Train9 · ~400 mi
Engine7
Service Brakes3
Forward Collision Avoidance1 · ~12,780 mi
Fuel/propulsion System1
Structure1
Vehicle Speed Control1
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Electrical System2467%26,000——
Unknown or Other1028%———
Power Train925%400——
Engine719%———
Service Brakes38%———
Forward Collision Avoidance13%12,780——
Fuel/propulsion System13%———
Structure13%———
Vehicle Speed Control13%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2024, with 9 complaints
2021: 4202142022: 8202282023: 6202362024: 9202492025: 4202542026: 520265

n = 36 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2021 Audi E-Tron recalls (9)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Back over prevention: sensing system: cameraDec 19, 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V900000 · 356,894 vehicles

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 23, 2025.

Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery thermal:management:softwareDec 20, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V867000 · 26,866 vehicles

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2020-2022 E-Tron Sportback Quattro and 2019-2022 E-Tron Quattro vehicles. Certain high-voltage battery modules may overheat.

Risk: A high-voltage battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will install onboard diagnostic software to monitor battery module performance, and replace affected battery modules where necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 3, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's numbers for this recall are 93U9 and 93V2.

Electrical system:propulsion system:charging:cable/cord:onboardDec 13, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V842000 · 93,196 vehicles

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022-2024 RS e-tron GT, e-tron GT, Q4 e-tron Sportback, Q4 e-tron, 2020-2021 Audi A8, 2019-2024 e-tron Quattro, 2020-2024 e-tron Sportback Quattro, Q5, and 2021-2022 A7 vehicles. When using the industrial 220V/240V plug at the 100% charge setting, some home power outlets may be incapable of handling the electrical current required to utilize the compact charging system, causing the outlet or charging cable to overheat.

Risk: An overheated outlet or charging cable can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: Owners are advised not to use the 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable and only use the 110V home charging cable or public charging stations. Dealers will supply a new 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable with an incorporated temperature sensor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2024. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's numbers for this recall are 93U6 and 93U8.

Equipment:electrical:infotainment:video (touch)screen/monitor/unit; back over prevention:display functionOct 26, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V806000 · 6,076 vehicles

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 AUDI A8, A6 Allroad, E-TRON Quattro, 2022 S3, RSQ8, RS7, RS6 Avant, Q8, Q7, Q3, E-TRON Sportback Quattro, S5 Cabriolet, E-TRON GT, S5 Sportback, A7, A6, A5 Sportback, A5 Cabriolet, A4, A4 Allroad, A3, S8, SQ7, SQ8, S6, and S4 vehicles. The infotainment main unit may become damaged internally when the vehicle is shut off, resulting in an inoperative rearview camera display the next time the vehicle is started. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Risk: An inoperative rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the infotainment main unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 91Ei.

Back over prevention:display functionOct 5, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V742000 · 170,296 vehicles

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, SQ7, S5 Cabriolet, E-Tron Quattro, SQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ5, S8, S7, S6 Sedan, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, 2022 E-Tron GT, and 2021-2022 RSQ8 vehicles. Due to a software issue, a blank or black screen may be displayed instead of the rearview camera image when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Risk: A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will update the infotainment unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DZ.

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipSep 13, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V707000 · 38 vehicles

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi E-Tron Quattro and E-Tron Sportback Quattro vehicles. Corrosion in the brake booster may cause the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), speedometer display, and brake assist to stop functioning.

Risk: A loss of braking assist, ABS, and ESC will increase the effort and distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the brake booster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 30, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 47R7.

Seat belts:rear/other:retractorAug 5, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V606000 · 45,496 vehicles

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69CR (VW) and 69CS (Audi).

Structure:interior panels:dashboard; air bags:knee bolsterAug 2, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V595000 · 58 vehicles

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi E-Tron Quattro and E-Tron Sportback Quattro vehicles. The right hinge pin for the glove box cover may not be properly secured, allowing the glove box lid trim to interfere with the knee air bag during deployment.

Risk: An air bag that does not deploy properly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the glove box, and secure the hinge pin as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 68H6.

Service brakes, hydraulicJul 26, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V569000 · 498 vehicles

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 E-Tron Quattro and 2020-2021 Audi E-Tron Sportback Quattro vehicles. An improperly welded rotor and shaft may separate within the integrated brake system.

Risk: Separation of the rotor and shaft may cause a reduction in braking assistance and a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the brake booster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 14, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47R1.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Pedestrian alert sounds (DP22005) — opened Jan 27, 2023, closed Aug 7, 2023, led to recall 22V063000.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

I own a 2021 Audi e-tron with approximately 58000 miles. Beginning in March 2026, the vehicle developed intermittent Virtual Cockpit/instrument-cluster problems with blank display. I reported the condition to Audi dealer of Princeton NJ. The vehicle subsequently experienced two dead 12-volt battery…

Electrical System · received Jul 22, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11752046

Moisture build-up in the high-voltage electrical system through a faulty seal on the charging socket, which can cause a short circuit and significantly increase the risk of a vehicle fire. If you get a warning light saying "electrical system: fault," you should stop driving immediately, park…

Service Brakes · received May 15, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11738208

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - While on highway the vehicle loosed all Power indicating Electrical Malfunction How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? It happened on I-35 Freeway twice putting me in danger of 18…

Electrical System · received Apr 16, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11731663

Audi dealership charged fee for a repair that they the,selves acknowledged is under a technical service bulletin and despite my having extended warranty that is supposed to cover such repairs. This is for the main media interface going blank repeatedly every ~5 minutes or so while driving. Audi…

Unknown or Other · received Mar 31, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11728247

Tied with NHTSA Recall 25V900 - Review Camera Software. Dealer was unable to complete the recall due to internal malfunction of USB Interface on vehicle. Dealer quoted a non itemized Repair Estimate of $1,045.50 to replace the interface in order to be able to complete the open recall. No visible…

Electrical System · received Feb 17, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11718481

Other Audi E-Tron years

← 2020 E-Tron · 2022 E-Tron →

YearComplaintsRecalls
2024 E-Tron03
2023 E-Tron62
2022 E-Tron315
2021369
2020 E-Tron14
2019 E-Tron775

See all Audi E-Tron problems by year, every Audi model, or the Audi VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Audi E-Tron?

Owners most often report electrical system, unknown or other, power train problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 24 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2021 Audi E-Tron?

Yes, 9 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2021 Audi E-Tron a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other E-Tron model years, the 2021 has more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.