The 2021 Audi e-tron is Audi's first-generation mass-market EV, sharing platform DNA with the Q7/Q8. While the electric drivetrain itself is reasonably robust, this vehicle suffers from typical VAG build quality lapses, brake system quirks unique to regenerative braking integration, and some early-adopter EV teething issues around thermal management and charging.
Brake Booster Vacuum Pump Failure and Hydraulic Issues
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 40,000-70,000 mi
Symptoms: Soft or spongy brake pedal feel, especially after aggressive regen use, Brake warning lights and loss of power assist, Grinding or whirring noise from under dash during braking, Inconsistent pedal travel between regen and friction braking
Fix: Replace electric vacuum pump and/or brake booster assembly. The e-tron uses a blended braking system that transitions between regen and hydraulic friction, and the vacuum pump that assists hydraulic pressure is undersized and failure-prone. Requires brake system bleed and recalibration. 3-5 hours labor depending on pump vs full booster.
Symptoms: Reduced charging speed or 'turtle mode' power limiting with no temperature extremes, Battery thermal management fan runs constantly even when parked, Error messages about HV battery cooling system, Intermittent loss of DC fast-charging capability
Fix: Usually corrected with software updates from Audi (covered under 8-year/100k battery warranty if applicable), but some cases require coolant loop bleeding or replacement of thermal management valve. Diagnosis requires ODIS scan tool access. If software only, 1 hour; if hardware, 4-6 hours for valve or pump replacement.
Estimated cost: $0-1,800
Front and Rear Differential Seal Leaks and Bearing Noise
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Gear oil puddles under vehicle or visible seepage at diff covers, Whining or humming that increases with speed, independent of motor noise, Vibration during acceleration or coasting, Clunking when transitioning from drive to reverse
Fix: e-tron uses traditional mechanical differentials paired with electric motors. Seals fail from heat cycling and the instant torque stresses bearings. Minor seal jobs are 2-3 hours per axle; full diff rebuild with bearings and ring/pinion runs 8-12 hours for front, slightly less for rear. Not warranty-covered outside powertrain period.
Estimated cost: $800-4,500
AC Evaporator Core Leaks and Expansion Valve Failures
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Loss of AC cooling performance or intermittent cold air, Sweet or musty smell from vents, Fogging on inside of windshield when AC runs, Refrigerant low warnings or AC compressor cycling rapidly
Fix: Dashboard-out job to replace evaporator core — 12-16 hours labor due to Audi's typical over-engineering. Expansion valve (TXV) can fail separately and is accessed from engine bay side, 3-4 hours. Both require full AC evacuation and recharge. This is a known weak point on MLB Evo platform vehicles.
Estimated cost: $2,200-5,000
MMI Infotainment Screen Freezing and Camera System Failures
Occasional · low severity
Symptoms: Dual touchscreens freeze, lag, or reboot randomly, Backup camera displays 'camera unavailable' or distorted image, Virtual cockpit gauge cluster black screen or flickering, Loss of 360-degree camera views or parking sensors
Fix: Software updates fix many screen issues (1 hour at dealer with ODIS). Camera failures often require full camera module replacement due to moisture intrusion in connectors — 2-3 hours per camera. Screen replacements for persistent failures are dealer-only parts and run 4-6 hours labor for upper or lower display unit.
Estimated cost: $0-3,500
Transmission/Motor Mount Deterioration and Subframe Bushing Wear
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when launching from stop or shifting drive/reverse, Vibration or shudder during acceleration, Steering feels vague or delayed response over bumps, Visible cracks or tears in motor mount rubber
Fix: The instant torque delivery of electric motors accelerates mount wear. Front and rear motor mounts together are 4-6 hours; subframe bushings add another 4-6 hours if doing all four corners. Subframe may need to be dropped for rear bushings. Common wear item on heavy EVs.
Estimated cost: $1,200-3,200
Owner tips
Flush and bleed brake fluid every 2 years religiously — the blended braking system is sensitive to moisture and contamination
Check differential fluid levels at every tire rotation; Audi's service intervals are optimistic for high-torque EV use
Keep software updated through dealer even out of warranty — many thermal management and charging issues are software-correctable
Inspect AC system annually and address any refrigerant loss immediately to avoid expensive evaporator replacement
Buy one if you're getting a screaming deal and it's still under the 8-year battery warranty — solid EV fundamentals undermined by typical Audi parts costs and fragile auxiliaries.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES · 26V240000
2026-04-15
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Audi E-Tron and 2020-2024 Audi E-Tron Sportback vehicles. The fastener that connects the brake pedal and the brake booster may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake pedal to detach from the brake booster.
Consequence: Brake pedal detachment can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the pushrod screw joint as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on June 12, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 46P7. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V621. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 17, 2026.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · 25V900000
2025-12-19
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 23, 2025.
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.
Consequence: A high-voltage battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will install onboard diagnostic software to monitor battery module performance, and replace affected battery modules where necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 3, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's numbers for this recall are 93U9 and 93V2.
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.
Consequence: An overheated outlet or charging cable can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to use the 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable and only use the 110V home charging cable or public charging stations. Dealers will supply a new 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable with an incorporated temperature sensor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2024. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's numbers for this recall are 93U6 and 93U8.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 AUDI A8, A6 Allroad, E-TRON Quattro, 2022 S3, RSQ8, RS7, RS6 Avant, Q8, Q7, Q3, E-TRON Sportback Quattro, S5 Cabriolet, E-TRON GT, S5 Sportback, A7, A6, A5 Sportback, A5 Cabriolet, A4, A4 Allroad, A3, S8, SQ7, SQ8, S6, and S4 vehicles. The infotainment main unit may become damaged internally when the vehicle is shut off, resulting in an inoperative rearview camera display the next time the vehicle is started. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: An inoperative rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the infotainment main unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 91Ei.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION · 22V742000
2022-10-05
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."
Consequence: 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · 21V707000
2021-09-13
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.
Consequence: A loss of braking assist, ABS, and ESC will increase the effort and distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake booster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 30, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 47R7.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR · 21V606000
2021-08-05
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."
Consequence: 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).
STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD · 21V595000
2021-08-02
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.
Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy properly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the glove box, and secure the hinge pin as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 68H6.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · 21V569000
2021-07-26
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake booster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 14, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47R1.
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