2021 Audi E-TRON problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
36 owner complaints analyzed
9 distinct recall campaigns
12,780 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 23 of 36 complaints (63.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 20 | 55.6% |
| Braking behavior | 6 | 16.7% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 5.6% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 23 |
| Unknown Or Other | 10 |
| Power Train | 9 |
| Engine | 7 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Electrical System:Propulsion System:Charging:Module:Accessory | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
Electrical System: 23; Unknown Or Other: 10; Power Train: 9; Engine: 7; Service Brakes: 3; Electrical System:Propulsion System:Charging:Module:Accessory: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 33 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 5 |
2021: 4; 2022: 8; 2023: 6; 2024: 9; 2025: 4; 2026: 5
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 20 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11439557 · 2021-11-06 (November 6, 2021)
While I was on vacation a couple states away, I drove the Audi Etron Sportback for the first time since three days before when I drove to the vacation destination. After several minutes driving I got an "ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION - PLEASE CONTACT SERVICE" notification. Several minutes later I got very large red alert that said "ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION - STOP VEHICLE". I immediately pulled over to the side of the road into a parking lot just before the electric motors shut down completely. This put myself and my dog in danger. Car was…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11439557 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11444100 · 2021-12-17 (December 17, 2021)
Vehicle traveling when electrical systems malfunction message came on. Said pull over safely and call for service. After car was slowed to a stop, the vehicle was disabled with no forward or reverse drive possible. The car was stranded close to the middle right of the street. Car had to be towed to the nearest dealership around midnight. Problem has been confirmed with the dealer and they are still looking into the problem. Prior warnings messages of headlamp malfunction, Audi emergency assist unavailable, high beam headlight faulty were pr…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11444100 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11447317 · 2022-01-13 (January 13, 2022)
Had multiple instances as I approached intersection stops of the vehicle suddenly jerking and the drive train becoming disengaged. The car maintained electrical power and had working steering and braking as I coasted to a stop. This occurred 5 times over the course of 3 miles as I attempted to make my way home, and I would estimate that each occurrence happened at a speed under 10 mph. The car was near full battery charge level when this occurred. With each occurrence, the vehicle would generate a series of warning messages (indicating failur…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11447317 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11488720 · 2022-10-11 (October 11, 2022)
Car turns on but won’t move. Take it to dealership as it happens for the second time and turns out the brakes are sticking to the rotors. Audi says it’s perfectly normal just put force to the accelerator. When you do that in fact, it sound like the car is about to split in half. Dangerous as they could stick while driving anywhere. Scared for my life in the car.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11488720 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11489296 · 2022-10-14 (October 14, 2022)
While on the highway, the car threw the following error message: "Electrical system: malfunction! Safely stop vehicle" I was able to drive for a mile or so to pull into a residential street and at that point, the vehicle just wouldn't move. It was essentially stalled, and I had to call roadside assistance to have it towed. After a few days, I receive an update from the dealer that the motor needs to be replaced - this car has done like 19,000 miles and the motor has apparently died abruptly. On further research, I noticed that there have been o…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11489296 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11541700 · 2023-08-30 (August 30, 2023)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 12,780 miles reported. Look up ODI 11541700 at NHTSA ↗