Reliable Auto DB

2021 Audi e-tron reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2021 Audi e-tron holds 36 complaints after 6 years, a rate of 6 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 4 e-tron years on this site. NHTSA has 9 recalls on file, including Camera, Management, software, and Onboard charging cable.

2019 Audi e-tron
Photo by Johannes Maximilian, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

36

Per year

6

Recalls

9

Years on the road

6

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (24 of 36), then Powertrain (9) and Engine (7). Those filings include 1 that reports a fire.

Next to 2019 and 2022

The 2019 e-tron has 79 complaints, 3 per year, and the 2022 has 0 complaints, 0 per year. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2019. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2022.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2021 Audi e-tron. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (9)

Recall back-over prevention, sensing system, camera 2025-12-19 · NHTSA campaign 25V900000
Summary 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."
Remedy 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.
Recall electrical system, propulsion system, traction battery thermal management, management, software 2023-12-20 · NHTSA campaign 23V867000
Summary 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.
Remedy 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.
Recall Onboard charging cable 2023-12-13 · NHTSA campaign 23V842000
Summary 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.
Remedy 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.
Recall equipment, electrical, infotainment, touchscreen 2022-10-26 · NHTSA campaign 22V806000
Summary 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."
Remedy 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.
Recall back-over prevention, display 2022-10-05 · NHTSA campaign 22V742000
Summary 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."
Remedy 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.
Recall Hydraulic brakes 2021-09-13 · NHTSA campaign 21V707000
Summary 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.
Remedy 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.
Recall seat belts, rear or other, retractor 2021-08-05 · NHTSA campaign 21V606000
Summary 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."
Remedy 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).
Recall structure, interior panels, dashboard 2021-08-02 · NHTSA campaign 21V595000
Summary 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.
Remedy 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.
Recall Hydraulic brakes 2021-07-26 · NHTSA campaign 21V569000
Summary 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.
Remedy 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.

Complaints by component (36 total)

Electrical system
24
Powertrain
9
Engine
7
Service brakes
3
Forward collision avoidance
1
Fuel and propulsion system
1
Speed control
1
Structure
1
Crash-flagged

0

Fire-flagged

1

Injury reports

0

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

420218202262023920244202552026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "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…"
    Electrical system · filed 2026-07-22
  • "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…"
    Powertrain, Electrical system, Service brakes · filed 2026-05-15
  • "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…"
    Electrical system, Engine · filed 2026-04-16
  • "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…"
    Electrical system, Unknown or other · filed 2026-03-31
  • "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…"
    Electrical system, Unknown or other · filed 2026-02-17

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2021 Audi e-tron SUV AWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 5 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
e-tron — Automatic (1-speed) All-wheel drive 78 77 78 MPG / 222 mi range $1000
e-tron Sportback — Automatic (1-speed) All-wheel drive 76 78 77 MPG / 218 mi range $1000

Specs and fitment

First generation e-tron SUV, 2019–2023
Body styles SUV
Tire size 255/55R19, 255/50R20 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

The first US e-tron years concentrate high-voltage electrical campaigns. NHTSA 19V-434 (Audi 93E8) covers early 2019 vehicles where moisture could enter the high-voltage battery through a charging-socket seal; dealers inspect for moisture and install a robustness package or replace HV components as needed. Later campaigns including NHTSA 23V-867 address high-voltage battery modules that may self-discharge or overheat, with interim charge limits and eventual diagnostic software. Owner complaints and TSB discussion also cite coolant intrusion into electric drive units on some early cars. Confirm every open HV and charging recall is closed on the VIN; this model has no engine oil specification.

Compare

Previous year 2019 Audi e-tron See every Audi e-tron model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Audi e-tron reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2021 Audi e-tron holds 36 complaints after 6 years, a rate of 6 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 4 e-tron years on this site. NHTSA has 9 recalls on file, including Camera, Management, software, and Onboard charging cable.

What are common problems with a 2021 Audi e-tron?

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (24 of 36), then Powertrain (9) and Engine (7). Those filings include 1 that reports a fire.

Is the 2021 Audi e-tron more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2019 e-tron has 79 complaints, 3 per year, and the 2022 has 0 complaints, 0 per year. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2019. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2022.

Has the 2021 Audi e-tron been recalled?

The 2021 Audi e-tron has 9 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Audi e-tron?

Owners have filed 36 complaints about the 2021 Audi e-tron with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2021 Audi e-tron get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2021 Audi e-tron is 77.5 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

Does the Audi e-tron use engine oil?

No. It is a battery-electric vehicle with no combustion engine oil fill.

What does NHTSA 19V-434 cover on early e-tron?

Early 2019 vehicles (Audi 93E8): moisture could enter the high-voltage battery through a charging-socket seal; dealers inspect for moisture and install a robustness package or replace components as listed.

What years does the first US e-tron cover?

2019-2023 on this site.