2021 Audi A4 Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2021 Audi A4. Part of Generation 5 (B9) — 2017–2025.

20202022
Complaints
19
Crashes
5
Fires
0
Injuries
2
Fatalities
Recalls
4

Worst 2021 Audi A4 Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#13 complaints

Electrical Faults

#22 complaints

Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection

#32 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2021 Audi A4.

Electrical Faults
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Transmission / Drivetrain
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Airbags
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Audi A4. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2021 Audi A4

4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~287,843 vehicles.

22V742000Back Over Prevention:display Function
~170,296 affected

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."

22V034000Tires · Suspension:rear:axle:non-powered Axle Assembly
~31,058 affected

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.

21V606000Seat Belts · Seat Belts:rear/other:retractor
~45,496 affected

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."

21V295000Suspension:rear:axle:non-powered Axle Assembly
~40,993 affected

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.

Other Audi A4 Years

2021 Audi A4 — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2021 Audi A4 reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2021 Audi A4 has 19 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash-related, and 4 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 3 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2021 Audi A4?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (3 complaints); Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection (2 complaints); Transmission / Drivetrain (2 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
How safe is the 2021 Audi A4?
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Audi A4 include 5 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2021 Audi A4 have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 287,843 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2021 Audi A4?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Audi A4 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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