RoadVitals

2021 Audi E-Tron Sportback

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
5
+2 complaints in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Apr 15, 2026
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Audi E-Tron Sportback, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and powertrain (other) categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 538 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical571.4%
  • Engine114.3%
  • Powertrain (other)114.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

Apr 15, 2026
18,853 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Audi E-Tron Quattro, 2020-2023 Audi E-Tron Sportback, 2024 Q8 E-Tron, Q8 Sportback E-Tron, SQ8 E-Tron, and SQ8 Sportback E-Tron vehicles. The fastener that connects the brake pedal and the brake booster may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake pedal to detach from the brake booster.
The risk: Brake pedal detachment can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the pushrod screw joint as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 28, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 46P7. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V621. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 17, 2026.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 46P7View on NHTSA.gov

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Dec 19, 2025
356,894 units potentially affected
The defect: 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."
The risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 90TVView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed Sep 17, 2026

- Vehicle was brought in operable condition to Audi service center for NHTSA recall numbers 25V900 and 26V240 on 06/18/26. - On 06/19/26, the Audi service center informed me after completing the 90TV software update (25V900) that every single light is on, on the dash and that they have to do a battery evaluation. - On 06/23/26, the Audi service center informed me a TAC ticket was created and they were waiting for a response. - On 06/30/26, the Audi service center informed me that they will have to replace a gateway control module after being informed by their TAC department while adding that the module is on backorder. - The vehicle as of today (09/17/26) is still at the Audi service center and unavailable to me, any inspection would need to be coordinated with them. - Audi’s safety recall notice states the work would take about half a day to complete. Including today (09/17/26) it has been 92 days since presentation of the vehicle, showing failure to repair the motor vehicle or replace equipment adequately within 60 days after its presentation
under 49 U.S. Code § 30120. - Given the the repair has not been done adequately within a reasonable time, under 49 U.S. Code § 30120, I am requesting the manufacturer replace the vehicle without charge with an identical or reasonably equivalent vehicle or equipment; or refund the purchase price, less a reasonable allowance for depreciation.

NHTSA ID
11765027
Incident
Jun 18, 2026
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 14, 2026

2021 Audi e-tron, 44,749 miles. Right after a scheduled service at Audi [XXX] on XXX, I noticed a loud droning/humming noise from the drivetrain while driving. The noise tracks with vehicle speed - it gets louder and higher-pitched as the car goes faster. I called the dealership to report it as soon as I got the car back in late XXX. Nobody responded. The noise is still present today, roughly five months later, at about 48,000 miles. The symptom matches Audi's own technical service bulletin 2047920 (rev 7), which covers 2020-2025 Audi vehicles including the e-tron: a humming/booming noise while driving whose frequency rises with speed, caused by mechanical damage to the front wheel bearing. Multiple other e-tron owners report the same speed-correlated drone on owner forums, including a bearing failure inside the drive motor and a full rear drive unit failure. I am concerned that a failing drivetrain bearing could degrade suddenly at highway speed. Manufacturer response to date: my phone report right after the April 2026 service got no response. I raised the noise in writing to Audi of America on XXX (their reference XXX). Audi's XXX reply addressed only warranty expiration and pointed me back to the dealer; no inspection or diagnosis of the noise has been offered. A dealer-scheduled service visit is set for XXX. Separate context on dealer handling: in XXX Audi of [XXX] told me to pay out of pocket for covered service while my Audi Care plan was still active (through XXX). An [XXX] service advisor later wrote to Audi regional staff that 'the service may have been eligible for coverage at the time of the visit.' I am asking NHTSA to investigate this as a defect pattern across 2020-2025 e-tron vehicles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11764024
Incident
Apr 21, 2026
Electrical
Filed Jun 26, 2026

While driving my 2021 Audi e-tron Sportback Prestige, the high-voltage battery warning light illuminated on the dashboard. At the same time, regenerative braking stopped functioning, resulting in reduced energy recovery and a noticeable decrease in driving range. Before taking the vehicle to an Audi dealership, I had the diagnostic trouble codes read by an independent repair shop. The technician advised me to take the vehicle to Audi because the diagnostic information reportedly indicated a potential high-voltage battery thermal runaway condition. I took the vehicle to an authorized Audi dealership. The dealer cleared the fault codes and returned the vehicle to me without replacing any high-voltage battery components or performing repairs. I was not advised that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. A few weeks later, the high-voltage battery warning light returned. I brought the vehicle back to the dealership, where I was informed that a high-voltage battery module had failed. The dealer has now recommended replacing the battery module at an estimated cost of approximately $12,000. I am concerned that the vehicle was returned to me after a reported high-voltage battery fault was simply cleared rather than repaired. I am also concerned that replacing only a single battery module may not address the underlying issue. Additionally, I am aware of high-voltage battery recalls involving other Audi, Porsche, and Volkswagen electric vehicles, and I believe this failure should be evaluated to determine whether it represents a similar safety defect. This issue presents a significant safety concern because it involves the high-voltage battery system, loss of regenerative braking, reduced vehicle range, and a reported battery thermal-related fault. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether this is a broader safety issue affecting 2021 Audi e-tron Sportback vehicles.

NHTSA ID
11746695
Incident
Apr 1, 2026
Electrical
Filed Jan 28, 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Audi E-Tron Sportback. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V867000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID
11639076
Incident
Jan 28, 2025
Electrical
Filed Aug 5, 2024

This is in regards to Safety Recall Code: 93U8. Audi USA has failed to provided an updated 220V/240V charging unit cable and a compact/portable charging system software update for my vehicle in the 230 days since the product recall.

NHTSA ID
11606425
Incident
Dec 19, 2023

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSB_2082976_2

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides general information about the current tpp issues for Audi connect.

TSB_2074436_3

This bulletin provides information when the horn sound quality is poor.

TSB_2069331_8

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides informaitn when there is a warning messsage; "Instrument cluster: fault. Limited warning messages. Please contact workshop"; DTC B200096.

TSB_2068999_4

STRUCTURE:BODY

This TSB describes a corrosion issue due to outside influence and the prohibition of warranty in these cases.

TSB_2067132_4

SERVICE BRAKES

This bulletin provides information when there is corrosion on the friction survace of steel brake discs.

TSB_2069078_4

SERVICE BRAKES

This bulletin provides information on the zirconium insercts in the brake piston (ceramic brakes only).

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Audi E-Tron Sportback by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025000—
2024010—
2023020—
2022142050.9
2021Viewing520—
2020320—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.