2021 Audi E-tron sportback
The Verdict
The 2021 Audi E-tron sportback has 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are electrical (18 complaints) and engine (7 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 91/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Audi E-tron sportback, consider the 2020 model year which has 88% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2020 has 88% fewer complaints
View the 2020 Audi E-tron sportback dashboard →
Klunk Score: Smooth Ride
This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
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Worst Problems
Complaints
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.
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 interface going blank repeatedly every ~5 minutes or so while driving. Audi charged me for a repair that is a known safetyissue and is covered under warranty.
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 replace the interface in order to be able to complete the open recall. No visible user caused damage to interface and prior Technical Support Bulletin (2066315) for issues with USB covering specific vehicle. Given the dependence on software within our vehicles, the USB interface used to perform required recall work should be covered when failure is internal to the interface module.
The vehicle's central locking system does not properly communicate with the keyfob resulting in the doors not unlocking as intended. I have had my child in the car seat in the back and if i accidentantly touch the handle the wrong way the doors will lock and I am unable to use the unlock feature to get my kid out. This could be a serious safety issue if someone becomes trapped in the rear seat and the central locking system does not allow unlocking of the doors.
The contact owns a 2021 Audi E-Tron. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V867000 (Electrical System). The part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the battery module had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. 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, and a case was opened. The contact had not experienced a failure.
I was driving on the highway and my sunroof spontaneously exploded. Nothing hit it, but there was a loud noise like a gunshot and the roof exploded outwards. Shards of glass landed in front of the car behind me who swerved to avoid them.
On five separate occasions across two separate drivers, we have experienced a partial brake failure in this vehicle. We strongly believe this to be a software defect and not a mechanical fault. On the e-Tron, the first portion of the brake pedal swing typically activates the regenerative braking. About mid-way through pressing the pedal, it changes to "real" mechanical brakes. When this brake failure occurs, we get to that midway point and the car lets off the regenerative braking but does NOT apply the mechanical brakes, so the end result is that the more you press the brake pedal, the less it works. Three of these five occasions occurred in one day, so by the time the third time came around, I was really paying attention and I'm very confident this wasn't driver error. In at least one case, the only reason that a crash was avoided is because the automatic braking / forward collision system activated. The vehicle has been inspected by a dealer, who found "No Repairs Recommended". We requested an update to the ABS module software, as this software update is known to resolve multiple other problems with the braking system (see TSBs 2072977, 2061906) but we were denied the update.
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.
The contact owns a 2021 Audi E-Tron. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V867000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
My Audi E-tron has a consistant problem with the MMI (Multi Media Interface, the main computer for the car). When I am driving, all the screens will go blank, I cannot see my speed, I have no HVAC controls, I am basically driving blind. To fix the issue, I have to pull over, turn off the ignition, open the driver door, close the driver door, put my foot on the brake, start the car again. Sometimes this happens in the first few minutes of driving, othertimes it happens when I am on the highway which poses a huge safety risk. This saftey issue has presented itself at least 5 times in the last 12 months. I have told Audi about this issue several times and they completely deny it exists. This is my 3rd Audi in 15 years and like every other Audi issue I have had, Audi will completely deny there is a problem until there is a recall forced on the company. It happened with the brakes of my last 2017 q7 and Audi kept telling me there was no issue, it finally got settled with a recall on the vehicle. The MMI has been an issue on this car since day 1. The MMI shutting off and putting everyones lives at risk has been going on for the last 12-18 months.
The vehicle's charging system keeps failing and turning off the charger. The rear doors do not open from the inside of the vehicle (intermittently).
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.
See attached document for complaint
Charger overheats Charger trips breaker Charging damaged burned wall outlet Charging damaged breaker
The contact owns a 2021 Audi E-Tron. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a message displayed reading "Electrical System Malfunction: Safely Stop the Vehicle," after which the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V867000 (Electrical System) and the VIN was included, but parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 26,000.
There are 2 active/open recalls for my 2021 Audi etron vehicle. The recalls were initiated by the manufacturer 2 months ago and there currently are no repairs available for either recall. Both recalls present a severe safety risk to consumers and present risks to their homes. Dec 20, 2023 Manufacturer Recall Number. 93V2 NHTSA Recall Number 23V867 A potentially critical self-discharge condition exists in certain high-voltage battery modules that, in some instances, may lead to thermal overload, possibly resulting in smoke or a fire. A high-voltage battery overheating increases the risk of a fire. Affected high-voltage batteries may experience a loss of range and/or performance as an early indication. Safety Risk A high-voltage battery overheating increases the risk of a fire. Dec 19, 2023 Manufacturer Recall Number 93U6 NHTSA Recall Number 23V842 If a 220V/240V wall plug becomes overburdened when the compact/portable charging system cable is being used to charge the high-voltage batteries in your vehicle, the home wiring can become overheated. If this happens, overheating of the home infrastructure can eventually cause permanent damage to the house socket and charging cable, increasing the risk of a fire. Safety Risk Overheating of the home infrastructure can eventually cause permanent damage to the house socket and charging cable, increasing the risk of a fire.
This issue occurred with my Audi a year after purchasing it and the vehicle had 19,282 miles on it at the time. I received an "Electrical System Malfunction - Please contact service" error message (in yellow) on my 2021 Audi etron vehicle display. The message was displayed for a few minutes as I was traveling home from work and then disappeared. The following day, I was on my commute into work on the highway, traveling 70 mph, and received an "Electrical System Malfunction - Safety stop vehicle" error message. The vehicle immediately started displaying other error messages and the motor turned off, while the vehicle was in motion. Luckily, I was able to move to the shoulder of the highway safely. The experience was frightening as I was traveling 70 mph and experienced a complete vehicle shut down with little to no warning. The Audi etron had to be towed to the dealership to be repaired. The dealership had my vehicle for 3.5 weeks while they repaired the car. They inspected the vehicle and determined it was a front motor failure and it had to be replaced. I am extremely concerned about the safety issues the Audi etron has created for me and others, especially given that it is a newer vehicle with low mileage.
The contact owns a 2021 Audi E-Tron. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V867000 (Electrical System) and 23V842000 (Electrical System) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Twice in the span of 3 months my 2021 Audi eTron with less than 25K miles shutdown while driving with an error message "Electrical system: malfunction! Safely stop vehicle." At this point the drive train is completely disengaged and all that can be done is coast to a stop with limited ability to steer or control the vehicle. The vehicle must then be towed to a dealership. If this had happened on a busy multi-lane highway, there is a high probability of an accident occurring putting occupants of the car and other cars at risk. In both cases there was no prior warning of any problem with the vehicle. The first repair in July required Audi to replace the master controller located in the battery pack and replace the front engine due to a fluid leak. This took 6+ weeks to complete. I had the car back 5 weeks after the first repair when it happened again. I am still waiting diagnosis on second repair.
The contact owns a 2021 Audi E-Tron. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle experienced phantom braking and came to a complete stop. The Forward Collision Avoidance warning light was illuminated. The vehicle stalled and was able to restart after 10-15 attempts. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 12,780.
36 total