2021 Audi A4 Problems & Complaints

Better than average65% fewer complaints than a typical year of the A4 at the same age

Owners have filed 11 complaints about the 2021 Audi A4 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 65% fewer than a typical A4 model year at the same age, making the 2021 one of the better A4 years. The most reported problem area is the electrical system (3 complaints). 4 recalls cover this model year.

11complaints
4recalls
3crashes
0fires
1injuries
0deaths

Most common 2021 Audi A4 problems

  • Other / not specified
    327%
  • Electrical system
    327%
  • Speed control & acceleration~4,000 miles
    218%
  • Suspension~1,000 miles
    218%
  • Transmission & drivetrain
    218%
  • Driver assistance
    218%
  • Air bags~4,000 miles
    19%
  • Engine & cooling
    19%
  • Wheels & tires
    19%

Share of the 11 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Audi A4 complaints by model year

’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’238998258190961311812101892192951961751206411192432191156451012811610
Owner complaints per model year, Audi A4. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best A4 years: 2011, 2016, 2012. Years to avoid: 2020, 2008, 1998, 2006, 1999. Compare all years →

2021 Audi A4 recalls (4)

Back over prevention › Display function

NHTSA recall 22V-742 · Oct 5, 2022 · 170,296 vehicles

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,…

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.

Tires

NHTSA recall 22V-034 · Jan 26, 2022 · 31,058 vehicles

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,…

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.

Seat belts › Rear/other › Retractor

NHTSA recall 21V-606 · Aug 5, 2021 · 45,496 vehicles

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,…

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.

Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-powered axle assembly

NHTSA recall 21V-295 · Apr 26, 2021 · 40,993 vehicles

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,…

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.

What 2021 Audi A4 owners say

Electrical system

I have a 2021 audi a4 that is also being affected by the instrument cluster failure/recall. My model , a4 was not included but I am experiencing the same failure and this was reported to the dealership. An online search will show just how many people have issues with the instrument cluster. The instrument cluster screen just went out while driving. I have to monitor my functions via the app on my phone. The dealer wants to charge me full price when every other model in 2021 has been recalled for the same issue. The A4 should be added to the instrument cluster recall for 2021 audi.

Mar 2025

The main instrument cluster is not stable- it tries to start up then crashes. As a result, speedometer, rpm's, gas tank gauge, etc are not available while driving. The screen displays blank with a red triangle, tries to start up then crashes again. This seems similar to Audi recall campaign 90VC, but for some reason the A4 was not included in the recall, but I'm having similar symptoms with my A4.

Dec 2024

2021 Audi A4 engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
2.0L 4-cyl turbo hybrid7-speed dual-clutchAWD25 / 34 / 28

EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Audi A4 a good car?

Based on 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 A4 rates better than average: 65% fewer complaints than a typical year of the A4 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2021 Audi A4?

The electrical system — 3 complaints, 27% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the speed control & acceleration (2) and suspension (2).

How many recalls does the 2021 Audi A4 have?

There are 4 recalls for the 2021 Audi A4, the most recent from October 5, 2022 (display function). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Audi A4?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011, 2016 and 2012. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2020, 2008, 1998, 2006 and 1999. See the full Audi A4 years comparison.

At what mileage do 2021 Audi A4 problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 4,000 miles; 100% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.