Problems · NHTSA complaints
2021 Audi E-Tron Sportback problems
Owners filed 41 complaints about the 2021 Audi E-Tron Sportback with NHTSA between Jan 2021 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (29).
Complaints
41
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system29
- Power train10
- Engine8
- Service brakes3
- Structure1
- Forward collision avoidance1
- Vehicle speed control1
- Fuel/propulsion system1
- Other / unknown11
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
4
8
6
10
5
8
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 8 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
29 reports
“- 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…”
Power train
10 reports
“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…”
Engine
8 reports
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - While on highway the vehicle loosed all Power indicating Electrical Malfunction How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? It happened on I-35 Freeway twice putting me in danger of 18 wheelers around me. I am afraid to be in the vehicle even if they return it to me. Based on records this issue has been present on the car since it rolled off manufacturing. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes and Dealer has reproduced it and has the car with them for 5 Plus months. Have replaced many components and are not able to resolve it. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? South Austin Audi Dealer has been working with Audi Corporate Technical team and have replaced 5 parts to no resolution. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Electrical Malfunction - Red light flashing to pull the care over to the emergency lane but there is no acceleration -…”
Service brakes
3 reports
“Moisture build-up in the high-voltage electrical system through a faulty seal on the charging socket, which can cause a short circuit and significantly increase the risk of a vehicle fire. If you get a warning light saying "electrical system: fault," you should stop driving immediately, park outdoors away from structures, and not charge the vehicle. Braking problems caused by sub-standard welding within the ABS rotor and shaft. High-voltage battery modules that may overheat, also increasing the risk of fire. An infotainment unit that can become internally damaged when the vehicle is shut off, resulting in an inoperative rearview camera display a federal safety standard violation. This clearly shows the vehicle was badly manufactured, during a chip shortage in 2020. This vehicle is a complete failure by Audi and puts so many innocent peoples lives at risk.”
Structure
1 report
“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).”
Forward collision avoidance
1 report
“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.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.