SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
2021 Audi E-Tron Sportback
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 2024 | 1 | 1 |
| Jan 2025 | 1 | 2 |
| Jun 2026 | 1 | 3 |
| Sep 2026 | 2 | 5 |
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.govBACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
- 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
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
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
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
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This bulletin provides general information about the current tpp issues for Audi connect.
This bulletin provides information when the horn sound quality is poor.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This bulletin provides informaitn when there is a warning messsage; "Instrument cluster: fault. Limited warning messages. Please contact workshop"; DTC B200096.
STRUCTURE:BODY
This TSB describes a corrosion issue due to outside influence and the prohibition of warranty in these cases.
SERVICE BRAKES
This bulletin provides information when there is corrosion on the friction survace of steel brake discs.
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
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.