2021 Audi A4 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
64/100
#6 most-complained of 15 A4 years
The 2021 Audi A4 has a complaint index of 64, ranking 6th worst out of 15 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 11 complaints, 4 recalls, and 3 crashes, with Electrical System, Engine, and Suspension issues tied as the top problem areas.
- Complaints
- 11
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 3 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 27.5
- 24.5 city / 32.5 hwy
Top 2021 Audi A4 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System3 (27%)
- Engine3 (27%)
- Other3 (27%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (27%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (18%)
- Lane Departure2 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (18%)
- Airbags1 (9%)
What owners report
- Owners report the instrument cluster screen going blank or showing a red triangle, then failing to restart while driving.
- Some describe sudden unintended acceleration at low speeds, including one case where the brake pedal reportedly locked and the vehicle struck an object.
- Owners report engine trembling, higher-than-normal RPMs, screeching noises, and rough idle during highway driving after about an hour.
- Some report original equipment tires developing belt shifts and hopping at relatively low mileage.
- Owners note the instrument cluster failure resembles a known Audi recall campaign but say their 2021 A4 was not included in that recall.
2021 Audi A4 recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V742000Oct 5, 2022Collision Avoidance & Cameras170,296 vehicles
Back over prevention:display function
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.
- NHTSA 22V034000Jan 26, 2022Suspension, Wheels & Tires31,058 vehicles
Tires
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.
- NHTSA 21V606000Aug 5, 2021Seat Belts45,496 vehicles
Seat belts:rear/other:retractor
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).
2021 Audi A4 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24.5 MPG
- Highway
- 32.5 MPG
- Combined
- 27.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,900
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2021 compared with other A4 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Audi A4 reliable based on NHTSA data?
- NHTSA lists 11 complaints and 4 recalls for the 2021 Audi A4, giving it a complaint index of 64 and a Caution verdict relative to other A4 model years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Audi A4?
- The top problem areas are Electrical System, Engine, and Suspension, Wheels & Tires, each accounting for 27% of complaints, followed by Collision Avoidance & Cameras, Lane Departure, and Transmission & Powertrain at 18% each.
- Does the 2021 Audi A4 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2021 Audi A4 covering collision avoidance/camera software, suspension lock nuts, rear axle alignment, and seat belt assemblies.
- How does the 2021 Audi A4 compare to other A4 years?
- With a complaint index of 64, the 2021 model ranks 6th worst among 15 model years, better than 2020 (100, Avoid) and 2017 (86, Avoid) but worse than years like 2022 (14, Best) and 2016 (21, Best).
- What is the median mileage for reported failures on the 2021 Audi A4?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 2,673.5 miles for the 2021 Audi A4 overall, with the Suspension category showing 1,347 miles and Airbags showing 4,000 miles.