Model year guide

2021 Audi e-tron

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2021 Audi e-tron is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 649 on record.

2021 Audi e-tron — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2021 Audi e-tron at a glance

Safety recalls9
Owner complaints36
Overall safety5 / 5 ★
Combined78 MPGe

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2021 Audi e-tron recalls 9

Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera NHTSA Campaign #25V900000 · manufacturer #90TV · 19/12/2025

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."

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 …

Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery Thermal:management:software NHTSA Campaign #23V867000 · manufacturer #93U9/93V2 · 20/12/2023

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.

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 …

Electrical System:propulsion System:charging:cable/cord:onboard NHTSA Campaign #23V842000 · manufacturer #93U6/93U8 · 13/12/2023

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 c…

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 …

Equipment:electrical:infotainment:video (touch)screen/monitor/unit NHTSA Campaign #22V806000 · manufacturer #91Ei · 26/10/2022

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 inoperat…

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 Function NHTSA Campaign #22V742000 · manufacturer #91DZ · 05/10/2022

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 t…

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 Slip NHTSA Campaign #21V707000 · manufacturer #47R7 · 13/09/2021

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.

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 NHTSA Campaign #21V606000 · manufacturer #69CR, 69CS · 05/08/2021

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 Se…

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 r…

Structure:interior Panels:dashboard NHTSA Campaign #21V595000 · manufacturer #68H6 · 02/08/2021

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.

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, Hydraulic NHTSA Campaign #21V569000 · manufacturer #47R1 · 26/07/2021

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.

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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2021 Audi e-tron common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Forward Collision Avoidance
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2021 Audi e-tron safety ratings

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★
Side — front seat★★★★★
Side — rear seat★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★

Rollover risk: 9.2% — NHTSA's estimated chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash (dynamic test: no tip).

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2021 Audi e-tron SUV AWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2021 Audi e-tron efficiency & running costs

Combined78 MPGe
City78 MPGe
Highway77 MPGe
Est. annual energy cost$1,000
EPA size classStandard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
TransmissionAutomatic (A1)
Electric range222 mi
Charge time (240V)10 hours
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$7,000 less

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2021 Audi e-tron costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Energy (5 yrs)$5,000
Energy only$5,000
Per mile$0.07

How this is estimated: energy is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
192.9 in
Width
76.4 in
Height
63.8–64.2 in
Wheelbase
115.4 in
Curb weight
5,490–5,633 lb
Front track
65.4 in
Rear track
65.0–66.1 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2021 Audi e-tron — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 1

Pedestrian alert sounds Closed

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that…

NHTSA #DP22005 · Electrical System · opened Jan 2023 · closed Aug 2023

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 1221

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 1221.

This bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.

Bulletin TSB_2052680_2 · Sep 2026

This bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.

Bulletin TSB_2083409_1 · Sep 2026

This bulletin provides information when there are various warning messages in the instrument cluster; electric motor leaking. P0AA600

Bulletin TSB_2073858_13 · Electrical System · Sep 2026

This bulletin provides information when DTC C12BFF0 is stored in the lane change modeul or the radar sensor; intersection assist/lane change assist are inoperable.

Bulletin TSB_2063336_5 · Electrical System · Sep 2026

This bulletin provides information regarding driver assist systems; Audi adaptive light, Audi pre sense system fault, adaptive cruise assist inop (DTC C12D5FA).

Bulletin TSB_2076396_3 · Electrical System · Sep 2026

This bulletin provides information when there is a warning message in the instrument cluster about external sound.

Bulletin TSB_2083385_1 · Electrical System · Sep 2026

This bulletin provides service information regarding exterior glass cleaning.

Bulletin TSB_2020552_15 · Visibility/wiper · Sep 2026

This bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.

Bulletin TSB_2074846_5 · Steering · Sep 2026

This bulletin provides information when the rear parking sensor sometimes does not work, rear parking sensor loose, rear parking sensor fault message.

Bulletin TSB_2068573_6 · Electrical System · Sep 2026

This bulletin provides information about billing for a broken sunroof glass panel.

Bulletin TSB_2078648_4 · Structure · Sep 2026

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the E-TRON AWD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 6

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2021 Audi e-tron. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Brakes

Issue: On certain vehicles, the brake booster input rod may not have been tightened properly. As a result, the input rod could detach from the brake booster and cause a loss of brakes. Note: This recall is an expansion of Transport Canada recall no. 2024-670. For 2020-2024 model years, this recall affects both Sportback and SUV models. Safety Risk: A loss of brakes can increase…

Transport Canada #2026187 · Apr 2026

Visual System

Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the rearview camera image not to appear on the display. Canadian regulations require the rearview image to display when the transmission is shifted into reverse gear. Safety Risk: A rearview camera image that doesn't display could reduce a driver's ability to see behind the vehicle while backing up. This could increase…

Transport Canada #2025713 · Dec 2025

High Voltage

Issue: On certain vehicles, a problem with high-voltage battery module(s) could cause the high-voltage battery to overheat. Safety Risk: A high-voltage battery that overheats could create a fire risk. Corrective Actions: Audi will notify owners by mail. As an interim repair, a dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery modules. Once the final repair is available…

Transport Canada #2023686 · Dec 2023

Accessories

Issue: Under certain conditions, the plug for the 220 V compact vehicle charging cable could become damaged by the house power outlet. As a result, the cable could overheat while charging. Note: This recall only affects electric and plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) models. Safety Risk: Wiring that overheats could create a fire risk. Corrective Actions: Audi will notify owners by…

Transport Canada #2023659 · Dec 2023

Visual System

Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the rearview camera image not to appear on the display. Canadian regulations require the rearview image to display when the transmission is shifted into reverse gear. Safety Risk: A rearview camera image that does not display could reduce a driver's ability to see behind the vehicle while backing up. This could increase…

Transport Canada #2022565 · Oct 2022

Seats And Restraints

Issue: On certain vehicles, the passenger seat belt assemblies may contain defective automatic locking retractors (ALR). As a result, the seat belts may not properly lock to secure a child seat. Safety Risk: A seat belt that is used to secure a child restraint but is not properly locked could increase the risk of injury in a crash. Corrective Actions: Audi will notify owners by…

Transport Canada #2021486 · Aug 2021

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Audi e-tron

The Audi e-tron is a series of electric and hybrid cars shown by Audi from 2009 onwards. In 2012 Audi unveiled a plug-in hybrid version, the A3 Sportback e-tron, released to retail customers in Europe in August 2014, and slated for the U.S. in 2015. A decade after the unveiling of the first e-tron concept at the 2009 International Motor Show Germany, Audi's first fully electric e-tron SUV went into production in 2019.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2021 Audi e-tron trims & engines on record

Trims
quattro Prestige
Engines
402 hp

2021 Audi e-tron vehicles on record

Other Audi e-tron model years

2021 Audi e-tron — frequently asked questions

Does the 2021 Audi e-tron have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2021 Audi e-tron. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Audi e-tron?

Across all 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, power train, engine.

What is the 2021 Audi e-tron safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2021 Audi e-tron an overall crash-test rating of 5 out of 5 stars (frontal 4★, side 5★, rollover 5★).

What gas mileage does the 2021 Audi e-tron get?

The 2021 Audi e-tron has a U.S. EPA estimate of 78 MPGe combined (78 city / 77 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.