2021 Audi E-TRONProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 36 owner complaints about the 2021 Audi E-TRON, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 9 safety recalls, and for recall 23V-867 the manufacturer reports only 64% of affected cars repaired.

2021 Audi E-TRON

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 22, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Ssu, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2021 Audi E-TRON has problems

36 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system240
Power train90
Engine70
Service brakes30
Fuel/propulsion system10
Forward collision avoidance10
Structure10
Vehicle speed control10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

9 recalls

2021 Audi E-TRON recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

69%repaired · 2026 Q3

Sensing system: camera

New

Recall 25V-900 · Dec 19, 2025 · 356,894 vehicles · 246,281 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

64%repaired · 2026 Q3

Management: software

Recall 23V-867 · Dec 20, 2023 · 26,866 vehicles · 17,258 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

89%repaired · 2025 Q4

Cable/cord: onboard

Recall 23V-842 · Dec 13, 2023 · 93,196 vehicles · 82,514 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

89%repaired · 2025 Q1

Back over prevention: display function

Recall 22V-806 · Oct 26, 2022 · 6,076 vehicles · 5,435 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 5 more recalls
93%repaired · 2024 Q3

Back over prevention: display function

Recall 22V-742 · Oct 5, 2022 · 170,296 vehicles · 157,718 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

95%repaired · 2023 Q2

Service brakes, hydraulic

Recall 21V-707 · Sep 13, 2021 · 38 vehicles · 36 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

96%repaired · 2023 Q2

Seat belts

Recall 21V-606 · Aug 5, 2021 · 45,496 vehicles · 43,474 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

98%repaired · 2023 Q2

Air bags: knee bolster

Recall 21V-595 · Aug 2, 2021 · 58 vehicles · 57 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

97%repaired · 2023 Q2

Service brakes, hydraulic

Recall 21V-569 · Jul 26, 2021 · 498 vehicles · 482 repaired

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Audi.

Best & worst years

2021 vs. every other E-TRON year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the E-TRON median. How we score

'19'20'21'22'23'24
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2021 Audi E-TRON safety ratings

2021 Audi e-tron SUV AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

★★★★★Overall rating
2021 Audi E-TRON frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crash★★★★★
2021 Audi E-TRON side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrier★★★★★
2021 Audi E-TRON side pole test, NHTSA
Side pole★★★★★
  • Rollover: 5 stars (9.2% risk)
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: Standard
  • Lane departure warning: Standard
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2021 Audi E-TRON, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Pedestrian alert soundsDP22005 · closed Aug 7, 2023
    Led to recall 22V-063
In owners' words

What E-TRON owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 11752046 · Jul 22, 2026
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…
Complaint 11738208 · May 15, 2026
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…
Complaint 11731663 · Apr 16, 2026

Own a 2021 E-TRON?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.