Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Limited data: fewer than 30 complaints, so shares and indexes are unstable.
Complaints filed between 2021-05-25 and 2025-10-08. Median delay from incident to filing: 84 days.
Analysis
The previous model year (2020) drew 23.5 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2022) drew 1.3 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2021 model collected 4 complaints, 93% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Electrical (25.0% of complaints), followed by Wheels, tires & suspension (25.0%) and Driver-assist systems (16.7%). Electrical complaints are 1.6 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 3 reports (25.0%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 1 injury and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 47 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was years three to five (58% of incidents). 1 complaints were filed in the last 12 months.
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for this model year. 58% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses.
Safety recalls (4)
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION Campaign 22V742000 · 2022-10-05
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, SQ7, S5 Cabriolet, E-Tron Quattro, SQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ5, S8, S7, S6 Sedan, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, 2022 E-Tron GT, and 2021-2022 RSQ8 vehicles. Due to a software issue, a blank or black screen may be displayed instead of the rearview camera image when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DZ.
TIRES Campaign 22V034000 · 2022-01-26
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.
Risk: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR Campaign 21V606000 · 2021-08-05
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69CR (VW) and 69CS (Audi).
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY Campaign 21V295000 · 2021-04-26
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.
Risk: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.
How to check whether your car has an open recall ›
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2021 Audi A4?
12 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Audi A4, or about 2.1 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2021 Audi A4?
The most common category is Electrical, accounting for 25.0% of complaints.
Does the 2021 Audi A4 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 safety recall(s) for this model year.
Is the 2021 Audi A4 still generating complaints?
1 complaints were filed in the last 12 months.
How does the 2021 Audi A4 compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 12 owner complaints about the 2021 Audi A4, or 2.1 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.05, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 85 model-year 2021 vehicles we track, it ranks #1 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Audi models its rate is 77% lower; against other Luxury sedans it is 59% lower.