2021 AUDI E-TRON Complaints and Recall Information
The 2021 AUDI E-TRON has 2 complaints and 48 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report partial brake failure caused by the transition from regenerative to mechanical braking failing, leading to reduced braking power. One complaint involves a spontaneous sunroof explosion while driving with no external impact.
Common Issues
- Brake system failure. Partial brake failure occurs when regenerative braking disengages but mechanical brakes do not activate, reducing overall braking effectiveness.
- Sunroof explosion. The sunroof reportedly exploded outward spontaneously while driving, scattering glass shards on the roadway.
The 2021 AUDI E-TRON is subject to 48 recalls that cover electrical, braking, safety restraint, and airbag systems. The recalls address risks such as overheating charging cables, defective brake components, airbag deployment interference, and seat belt malfunctions.
Recalls
- Charging cable overheating. Recall 23V842000 affects 93,196 vehicles and involves industrial 220V/240V charging cables overheating home outlets or cables, increasing fire risk. Owners are advised to avoid using the 220V/240V cable until dealers provide a replacement with a temperature sensor at no charge.
- Rearview camera black screen. Recall 22V742000 impacts 170,296 vehicles with software that may cause a blank rearview camera display when in reverse gear, reducing rear visibility and increasing crash risk. Dealers will update the infotainment system software free of charge.
- Battery module overheating. Recall 23V867000 covers 26,866 vehicles where certain high-voltage battery modules may overheat, posing a fire hazard. Dealers will install diagnostic software and replace affected battery modules as needed at no cost.
- Glove box hinge interference. Recall 21V595000 involves 58 vehicles where the glove box hinge pin may interfere with knee airbag deployment, increasing injury risk. Dealers will secure the hinge pin free of charge.
- Brake booster defect. Recall 21V569000 affects 498 vehicles with improperly welded brake system components that may separate, causing loss of ABS, ESC, and braking assistance and increasing crash risk. Dealers will replace the brake booster for free.
- Corroded brake booster. Recall 21V707000 affects 38 vehicles and addresses corrosion in the brake booster that can disable ABS, ESC, speedometer, and brake assist, raising crash risk. Dealers will replace brake boosters at no charge.
- Rear seat belt retractor failure. Recall 21V606000 covers 45,496 vehicles with rear seat belt retractors that may deactivate early, failing to secure child restraints and increasing injury risk. Dealers will inspect and replace seat belts if necessary free of charge.
Owners facing repeated brake failures, sunroof defects, or unresolved recall repairs on the 2021 AUDI E-TRON may want to explore their rights under applicable lemon laws. Persistent safety-related problems warrant consultation with a consumer protection attorney.
2021 AUDI E-TRON Summary
2021
Model Year
2
Total Complaints
7
Total Recalls
336448
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2021 AUDI E-TRON
93196 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:CHARGING:CABLE/CORD:ONBOARD
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022-2024 RS e-tron GT, e-tron GT, Q4 e-tron Sportback, Q4 e-tron, 2020-2021 Audi A8, 2019-2024 e-tron Quattro, 2020-2024 e-tron Sportback Quattro, Q5, and 2021-2022 A7 vehicles. When using the industrial 220V/240V plug at the 100% charge setting, some home power outlets may be incapable of handling the electrical current required to utilize the compact charging system, causing the outlet or charging cable to overheat.
Risk: An overheated outlet or charging cable can increase the risk of a fire.
2021 AUDI E-TRON
26866 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY THERMAL:MANAGEMENT:SOFTWARE
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2020-2022 E-Tron Sportback Quattro and 2019-2022 E-Tron Quattro vehicles. Certain high-voltage battery modules may overheat.
Risk: A high-voltage battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
2021 AUDI E-TRON
170296 vehicles affected
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.
2021 AUDI E-TRON
58 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi E-Tron Quattro and E-Tron Sportback Quattro vehicles. The right hinge pin for the glove box cover may not be properly secured, allowing the glove box lid trim to interfere with the knee air bag during deployment.
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy properly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
2021 AUDI E-TRON
498 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 E-Tron Quattro and 2020-2021 Audi E-Tron Sportback Quattro vehicles. An improperly welded rotor and shaft may separate within the integrated brake system.
Risk: Separation of the rotor and shaft may cause a reduction in braking assistance and a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), increasing the risk of a crash.
2021 AUDI E-TRON
45496 vehicles affected
SEAT BELTS
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.
2021 AUDI E-TRON
38 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi E-Tron Quattro and E-Tron Sportback Quattro vehicles. Corrosion in the brake booster may cause the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), speedometer display, and brake assist to stop functioning.
Risk: A loss of braking assist, ABS, and ESC will increase the effort and distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
Complaints
2021 AUDI E-TRON
ID: 2085995UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving on the highway and my sunroof spontaneously exploded. Nothing hit it, but there was a loud noise like a gunshot and the roof exploded outwards. Shards of glass landed in front of the car behind me who swerved to avoid them.
2021 AUDI E-TRON
ID: 2061002SERVICE BRAKES
On five separate occasions across two separate drivers, we have experienced a partial brake failure in this vehicle. We strongly believe this to be a software defect and not a mechanical fault. On the e-Tron, the first portion of the brake pedal swing typically activates the regenerative braking. About mid-way through pressing the pedal, it changes to "real" mechanical brakes. When this brake failure occurs, we get to that midway point and the car lets off the regenerative braking but does NOT apply the mechanical brakes, so the end result is that the more you press the brake pedal, the less it works. Three of these five occasions occurred in one day, so by the time the third time came around, I was really paying attention and I'm very confident this wasn't driver error. In at least one case, the only reason that a crash was avoided is because the automatic braking / forward collision system activated. The vehicle has been inspected by a dealer, who found "No Repairs Recommended". We requested an update to the ABS module software, as this software update is known to resolve multiple other problems with the braking system (see TSBs 2072977, 2061906) but we were denied the update.