2021 Audi A4 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

19 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2021 Audi A4, alongside 4 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 9/100 on the trouble index — too lightly reported for a fair score.

19Complaints
9/100Trouble index
4Recalls

Few reports

Where 2021 sits among all A4 years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Driver assistance 4 complaints (21%)
Other 3 complaints (16%)
Electrical 3 complaints (16%)
Speed control 2 complaints (11%)
Suspension 2 complaints (11%)
Transmission & drivetrain 2 complaints (11%)

Recalls (4)

BACK OVER PREVENTION 22V742000 2022

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…

Fix: 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 22V034000 2022

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…

Fix: 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 21V606000 2021

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…

Fix: 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…

SUSPENSION 21V295000 2021

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…

Fix: 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…

Technical service bulletins

1,023 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and body & structure — are on file for the 2021 Audi A4. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.

See the 2021 A4 TSB list →

Complaint history for this model year

When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.

2021peak 13 in 20252025

Questions buyers ask

Is the 2021 Audi A4 reliable?

The 2021 Audi A4 drew 19 complaints in federal safety records — too lightly reported for a fair score. Its trouble index is 9/100, scored against the model's worst year (1998).

What are the most common 2021 Audi A4 problems?

The top reported problems for the 2021 Audi A4 are driver assistance (4 complaints), other (3), and electrical (3).

Does the 2021 Audi A4 have recalls?

4 recall campaigns apply to the 2021 Audi A4. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.

← 2020 A4 All A4 years 2022 A4 →
Data updated 2026-08-20 from NHTSA's public records

Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.