2021 AUDI e-tron Sportback

Recalls, Specs & Safety Report

Expert Verdict
βœ“Good Reliability

This 2021 model shows good reliability, primarily driven by a below-average recall rate for the AUDI brand.

Key Factor:below-average recall rate

πŸ“‹Why This Matters

A clean recall record is a positive signal for both safety and ownership costs. Vehicles with no known defects typically qualify for lower insurance premiums and face fewer unexpected repair expenses.

When negotiating insurance rates, a documented history of zero manufacturer recalls can support your case for preferred pricing.

Focus Area:clean safety record
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Expert Analysis

  • πŸ“ˆ
    Recall Trend:No Change in recalls
  • ⚠️
    Primary Risk Area:Warning
  • βš–οΈ
    Vs Brand: Better than avg (1.8)
    πŸ“
    Summary:

Safety & Reliability Score

98/100

Score Breakdown

Recall Impact-0
Complaint Impact-1.65
Investigation Impact-0

Technical Specifications

Key specifications for the 2021 AUDI e-tron Sportback

Model Year2021
MakeAUDI
Modele-tron Sportback
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle

Safety History Timeline

Jan21
NEWProduction
Jan21
ISSUEFirst Report

Consumer Complaint Analysis

⚠️

Most Reported Issue

10 complaints (30% of total)
➑️

Complaint Trend

Stable
No trend data
βœ…

Safety Incidents

No critical incidents

Complaint Severity Distribution

Breakdown of 33 consumer complaints by severity level.

🟠High
6(18%)
🟑Medium
7(21%)
🟒Low
20(61%)

Mileage Failure Analysis

βš™οΈEngineering Insight

Based on consumer reports, issues for this vehicle tend to peak around the 0-20k mileage range. The average reported failure mileage is 17,223 miles.

πŸ“Š Mileage data extracted from 9 of 33 complaints (27% coverage)
0-20k
6 reports (67%)
20k-40k
3 reports (33%)
40k-60k
0 reports (0%)
60k-80k
0 reports (0%)
80k-100k
0 reports (0%)
100k+
0 reports (0%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.

πŸ› οΈ DIY Diagnosis Center

Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).

No Recalls Found

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Zero Defect Certification

2021 AUDI e-tron Sportback

Safety Milestone: The 2021 AUDI e-tron Sportback maintains a perfect record. As of January 2026, there are 0 official recalls.

Compared to other 2021 models which average multiple safety campaigns, this vehicle's clean sheet is a testament to its engineering integrity.

πŸ›‘οΈ Proactive Safety Maintenance Guide

Even with a perfect recall record, regular maintenance safeguards your vehicle's reliability. Our experts recommend monitoring these systems:

πŸ”§
Brake System HealthInspect pads and fluid levels every 12,000 miles to ensure stopping power.
πŸ”‹
Electrical & BatteryTest battery load annually; modern electronics are sensitive to voltage drops.
πŸ‘οΈ
Visibility ComponentsReplace wiper blades every 6-12 months and polish clouded headlights.
πŸ›ž
Tire & Wheel CheckRotate tires every 5,000 miles and check TPMS sensors for accuracy.

NHTSA Investigations

0 investigations
βœ“

No active investigations for this vehicle.

Consumer Complaints

33 total complaints

Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2021 e-tron Sportback.

Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis

Warning30%
Battery12%
Display9%
Leak9%
Stall9%
Accident6%
Burn6%
Fire6%
Acceleration Issues6%
Jerk6%
ElectricalπŸ”Ά Medium
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

ElectricalπŸ”΅ Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Other⚠️ High
UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

BrakesπŸ”Ά Medium
SERVICE BRAKES

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.

ElectricalπŸ”΅ Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

ElectricalπŸ”΅ Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

ElectricalπŸ”΅ Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

ElectricalπŸ”΅ Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE

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).

ElectricalπŸ”΅ Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

ElectricalπŸ”΅ Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

See attached document for complaint

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any recalls for the 2021 AUDI e-tron Sportback?

No, the 2021 AUDI e-tron Sportback currently has no recorded recalls from NHTSA.

Is the 2021 AUDI e-tron Sportback safe to drive?

The 2021 AUDI e-tron Sportback has no active recalls, which is a positive safety indicator. Always maintain regular service intervals for optimal safety.

Where can I check if my 2021 AUDI e-tron Sportback has open recalls?

You can check for open recalls by visiting NHTSA.gov and entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), or by contacting your local AUDI dealer.

πŸ“ŠYear-over-Year Context

➑️Stable Pattern

Compared to earlier years, the 2021 model shows stable reliability patterns. No meaningful structural change detected in recall frequency between adjacent model years.

🧭What This Means for You

Both current owners and prospective buyers benefit from reviewing this safety analysis before making decisions.

If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.

πŸ”‘

If You Own This Vehicle

  • No active recalls are recorded, but maintain regular service intervals and report any unusual symptoms to NHTSA.
  • Consider setting up VIN-specific alerts to receive notification of future recalls.
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If You're Buying Used

  • Request the VIN before purchase and verify recall status at NHTSA.gov.
  • This model year shows favorable reliability metrics compared to alternatives.

This page is designed to help you decide, not alarm you.

Compare with Similar Vehicles

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Last updated: January 10, 2026.