2021 Audi A4 Safety Report
2021 Audi A4 Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Audi A4
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 Audi A4. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (4) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (11) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 3 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Electrical System | Compare electrical system issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2024 | Compare against the 2024 Audi A4 with 2 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2020 | Check the 2020 Audi A4 before buying across this generation. |
Audi A4 Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Audi A4 years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Audi A4 | 122 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Audi A4 | 5 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2024 Audi A4 | 2 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Audi A4 | 26 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2017 Audi A4 | 81 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2016 Audi A4 | 24 | 0 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2021 Audi A4 Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 Audi A4, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Electrical System
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Audi onlyTires
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Tires issues Audi onlyPower Train
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Audi onlyUnknown Or Other,Lane Departure,Forward Collision Avoidance
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other,Lane Departure,Forward Collision Avoidance issues Audi onlyElectrical System,Lane Departure,Forward Collision Avoidance
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Lane Departure,Forward Collision Avoidance issues Audi onlyPower Train,Unknown Or Other,Engine
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Unknown Or Other,Engine issues Audi onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Audi A4
Reliability Score
The 2021 Audi A4 receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2021 Audi A4
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2021 Audi A4
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Audi A4:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instrument Cluster Failure The instrument cluster can fail, leading to loss of critical vehicle information such as speedometer, RPMs, and other gauges. This issue affects the 2021 Audi A4 and is part of a broader recall. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Tire Issues Tires may experience belt shifts and hopping, which can affect vehicle performance and safety. Audi has issued a recall for tire replacement. |
Medium | Common | 19k-20k miles |
| Power Train Vibration Power train issues can cause vibrations and shaking, especially at higher speeds. This can affect driving comfort and safety. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Suspension Recall Suspension issues, particularly with the rear axle assembly, have been reported. Audi has issued a recall for certain models. |
Low | Common | 13k-15k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2021 Audi A4:
Issues with the instrument cluster are the most common problem, affecting 40% of 2021 Audi A4s.
Tire issues, including belt shifts and hopping, affect 25% of 2021 Audi A4s.
Power train vibrations and shaking are reported in 15% of 2021 Audi A4s.
Suspension issues, particularly with the rear axle, affect 10% of 2021 Audi A4s.
Recall Details for the 2021 Audi A4
The following 4 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Audi A4 by NHTSA:
Summary: 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 rear...
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.
Summary: 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, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.
Consequence: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.
Summary: 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 ear...
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).
Summary: 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, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.
Consequence: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2021 Audi A4
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2021 Audi A4 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 3 complaints involved crashes. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
The instrument cluster has stop working. Have to monitore vehicle information, Mileage, service, Safty notifications and general vehicle information from the Audi app.
Tires are original equipment. Only 19,000 miles on them. Was told all 4 tires have belt shifts and hop some. Suggested they should be replaced. These tires were great when new but you could tell from driving they were degrading. I'm [XXX] and never had an issue with tires this new. The belt shifting could be a manufacturing issue or hitting to many potholes. I suspect it is a combination of the...
I am writing to report a persistent issue with my 2021 Audi A4, VIN [XXX] . I have been experiencing a noticeable vibration, humming, and shuddering sensation that occurs specifically when turning at slow speeds (e.g., in a parking lot or when making a tight turn at an intersection). This issue has been diagnosed at a dealership, and the diagnostic report from the service invoice dated 07/12/202...
The instrument cluster has failed per the recall 90VC. Audi issued the recall for every model made in 2021 with the exception of the A3 and A4 and I believe this was a mistake as my instrument cluster has the same failure.
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 ...
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.
The vehicle at 13,xxx miles on the high ways, and during stop & go traffic; vehicle begins to tremble, transmission and floor shakes, rpms are higher than normal, abnormal noises coming from engine (screeching), jerking on acceleration on the first gears, rough idle, happens only on highways after 1hr of driving. Can drive over 40 min without any check engine light turning on. No codes come up, wh...
The reversing image occasionally appears white screen phenomenon During the process of reversing, the reversing screen suddenly turns white and cannot see anything behind, which brings danger to the driver and others, causing danger to life and property. Apparently the dealer didn't take this seriously
The contact leased a 2021 Audi A4. The contact stated that the dealer had provided her with the vehicle rental while her vehicle was being repaired. The contact stated that while driving at 4 MPH and turning into a parking pace on the 4th floor of a parking garage, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated on its own at 100 MPH. The contact depressed the brake pedal several times but it failed to resp...
The contact owns a 2021 Audi A4. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V295000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who stated that the parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not mad...
The contact owned a 2021 Audi A4. The contact stated that while driving at a low rate of speed through a parking lot, the vehicle independently accelerated and the brake pedal locked. The vehicle accelerated up a hill as the contact was unable to depress the brake pedal; he collided with an electric pole which caused the vehicle to stop. Due to the shock and abruptness of the failure, the contact ...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Audi A4
Has the 2021 AUDI A4 been recalled?
Yes, the 2021 AUDI A4 has 4 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2021 AUDI A4 have?
The 2021 AUDI A4 has 11 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 3 involved crashes. 1 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 AUDI A4?
The 2021 AUDI A4 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 5/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 AUDI A4?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 AUDI A4 involve electrical system (2 complaints), tires (1 complaints), power train (1 complaints). Other affected components include unknown or other,lane departure,forward collision avoidance, electrical system,lane departure,forward collision avoidance, power train,unknown or other,engine.
How many crash reports does the 2021 AUDI A4 have?
There are 3 crash reports associated with the 2021 AUDI A4 out of 11 total complaints (27.3% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2021 AUDI A4 have?
There are no fire reports for the 2021 AUDI A4 in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 AUDI A4?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 AUDI A4.
How many injuries are reported for the 2021 AUDI A4?
1 injury has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 AUDI A4. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2021 AUDI A4?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 AUDI A4 is acceptable with caveats. It has 11 complaints, 4 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2021 AUDI A4?
The components with the most failures on the 2021 AUDI A4 are: 1. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2 complaints), 2. TIRES (1 complaints), 3. POWER TRAIN (1 complaints), 4. UNKNOWN OR OTHER,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1 complaints). ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the single most-reported problem area with 2 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2021 AUDI A4?
Be cautious of electrical system issues, tire problems, and power train vibrations. Ensure the instrument cluster is functioning properly and address tire and suspension issues promptly. The 2021 AUDI A4 has 11 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2021 AUDI A4?
The 2021 AUDI A4 receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 11 owner complaints, 4 recalls, and 3 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Instrument Cluster Failure and Tire Issues.
What are the known issues with the 2021 AUDI A4?
Known issues with the 2021 AUDI A4 include: Instrument Cluster Failure, Tire Issues, Power Train Vibration, Suspension Recall. These are based on patterns found across 11 NHTSA complaints. 4 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the common issues with the 2021 Audi A4?
Common issues include instrument cluster failure, tire problems, power train vibrations, and suspension issues.
Is the instrument cluster failure a widespread issue?
Yes, it affects about 40% of 2021 Audi A4s and is part of a broader recall.
What should I do if I experience tire issues?
Replace the tires as soon as possible to ensure safe driving.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of electrical system issues, tire problems, and power train vibrations. Ensure the instrument cluster is functioning properly and address tire and suspension issues promptly.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Audi A4
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Audi A4. The data includes 11 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 4 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 3 reported crashes, 1 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2021 Audi A4 an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 5 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-13