2021 Audi A6 Allroad Safety Report
2021 Audi A6 Allroad Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Audi A6 Allroad
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 Audi A6 Allroad. 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 (8) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (20) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | 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 | 2025 | Compare against the 2025 Audi A6 Allroad with 0 complaints and 1 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2020 | Check the 2020 Audi A6 Allroad before buying across this generation. |
Audi A6 Allroad 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 A6 Allroad 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 A6 Allroad | 8 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2025 Audi A6 Allroad | 0 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2026 Audi A6 Allroad | 1 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2021 Audi A6 Allroad Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 Audi A6 Allroad, 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
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Audi onlyForward Collision Avoidance
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Forward Collision Avoidance issues Audi onlyStructure
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure issues Audi onlyPower Train,Electrical System
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Electrical System issues Audi onlyElectrical System,Unknown Or Other,Forward Collision Avoidance
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Unknown Or Other,Forward Collision Avoidance issues Audi onlySteering,Electrical System,Engine
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering,Electrical System,Engine issues Audi onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Audi A6 Allroad
Reliability Score
The 2021 Audi A6 Allroad receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2021 Audi A6 Allroad
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 A6 Allroad
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Audi A6 Allroad:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System Recalled for instrument cluster and alternator failures, causing potential loss of vehicle controls and warning lights. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Forward Collision Avoidance Recalled for predictive control and pre-sense activation issues, which can cause unexpected vehicle stops. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Transmission Experienced transmission disengagement at highway speeds, posing a safety risk. |
Low | Occasional | 50k-70k miles |
| Electrical System Malfunction Randomly turns off during driving, causing potential loss of vehicle controls and warning lights. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k 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 A6 Allroad:
Issues with the instrument cluster and alternator are the most common problems.
Recalls for predictive control and pre-sense activation issues are less frequent.
Transmission disengagement at highway speeds is a rare but serious issue.
Random malfunctions can cause the car to stop unexpectedly or lose control.
Recall Details for the 2021 Audi A6 Allroad
The following 8 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Audi A6 Allroad by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 SQ8, A6 SEDAN, A7, A8, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S6 SEDAN, S7, S8, A6 Allroad, and SQ7 vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail.
Consequence: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument panel module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 24, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90VC.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi S7, S6 Sedan, RS7, RS6 Avant, A6 Allroad, 2019-2021 A7, and A6 Sedan vehicles. An incorrectly labeled brake fluid cap may have been installed, which can result in the use of the wrong type of brake fluid.
Consequence: Incorrect brake fluid can reduce braking ability and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the brake fluid reservoir cap and, if necessary, replace it, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 17, 2023. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47T9.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Audi S7, S6 Sedan, A6 Allroad, 2021-2022 RS7, RS6 Avant, 2019-2022 A7, and A6 Sedan vehicles. Liquid spilled in the rear seat may penetrate and cause the gateway control module to shut down.
Consequence: A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a protective cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed January 20, 2023. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90V2.
Summary: 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, thes...
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.
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 Audi RS6 Avant, RS7, 2020-2021 A6 Allroad, S6 Sedan, S7, 2019-2021 A6 Sedan, and A7 vehicles. The score line on the passenger air bag may not have been manufactured correctly.
Consequence: An incorrectly manufactured air bag may not deploy properly, and could also eject plastic debris into the passenger compartment, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the passenger air bag score line, and repair it as necessary, free of charge. The recall begin March 26, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 70i2.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2021 Audi A6 Allroad
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2021 Audi A6 Allroad with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
My vehicle was excluded from Recall 25V20100/90VC; however, in early March 2025, it experienced the exact defect described in that recall: a complete failure of the instrument panel module. I paid $3,737.07 for the repair just weeks before the official recall began in late March 2025. I submitted a reimbursement claim to Audi of America under 49 CFR §573 and §577, including the paid invoice and a...
My alternator was not working and it was a recall and I paid to fix it and they don’t wanna pay me back. I got a new part from audi and fix it at the shop and they don’t wanna pay anything just called and she said we don’t pay only if he’s done at the dealer. And I don’t believe that! Bc dealer told me they pay if I fix it any where to get done quick bc was out stock
While driving at normal speed, the entire digital instrument panel suddenly went black and a red warning triangle appeared. I lost all gauges, including speedometer, fuel level, and warning indicators. This created a serious safety risk because I was in active traffic and had no way to know my speed or see alerts. My VIN shows an open recall for this exact defect (instrument cluster blackout), but...
The car has traffic sign recognition and uses it for "predictive control" where the vehicle will read traffic signs and adjust the adaptive cruise control setting to based on road signs. It had previously been working well but a software update was recently performed under TSB 2074688/3 on November 6th, 2025 and problems have shown up. Specifically, the system is incorrectly reading signs and some...
The Audi Pre-sense is activated by weather. I was driving during a thunderstorm and Audi Presence activated causing the car to come to a hard stop due to precipitation. It happened again backing out of my driveway the Audi Pre-sense was activated and the car came to a hard stop. I thought I had back into another vehicle. This is very dangerous.
The Virtual Cockpit of the car (electronic screen right in front of the driver that displays speed, etc.) randomly turns off during driving, reboots, and displays an error message "Instrument Cluster Malfunction". A loud tone then chimes. This malfunction, while brief, is a safety issue due to the lack of speed information while driving.
The car has had multiple issues with warning lights and malfunctioning systems. Including : 1.Child locks 2.Every single component of the ADAS 3. Emergency services being activated at least a few times a month - this is an SOS for emergency 911 service. The repeated, continuous and mostly false warning lights are a driving distraction that can easily cause an accident. I have photos of all w...
Vehicle had electrical system malfunction. Vehicle provided an electrical system malfunction and vehicle starting system malfunction warning message a few days prior to the incident. Vehicle has approximately 20.5K miles on odometer. Before I was able to bring it to service, the electrical system malfunction message became more severe and turned from yellow to red. While driving, the vehicle progr...
Notice of electronic failure on dash, then car notified me to pull over safely due to the failure after 20 min of driving. Car stopped shifting gears and electronic power steering failed while the vehicle was moving. Difficult to maneuver the car to safety once the Safely Pull Over light came on. 28,680 miles on the vehicle. Dealer stated the problem is the starter generator.
Car reported an engine restarter issue (with battery symbol) and recommended to contact the dealer. Car next shut down automatic restart system, and air conditioning stopped working. Within a short period of time (same day), the car listed a red battery symbol and advised to stop the car. After doing so and contacting the Audi roadside, the car was listing a series of issues on multiple symptoms w...
The contact owns a 2021 Audi A6. The contact stated while his father was driving 45 MPH, the electrical system Malfunction warning light illuminated. The contact stated that several electronic components started to turn off until the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the starter generator to be repl...
At a highway speed of 50 MPH the transmission completely disengaged. I was driving on a busy highway with no shoulder. The vehicle continued to coast until I was forced to stop in an unsafe location. I placed the car in park, then in drive, and it was still disengaged. I needed to turn the car off, turn it on and it drove normally. Before I was able to bring it into Audi it occurred a second ...
The contact's wife owns a 2021 Audi A6. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V155000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was contacted and was unable to confirm when parts would become available. The contact ha...
Multiple warnings indicating to contact dealer (Lane departure, adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance, electrical system, start/stop, etc) then 1 minute later transmission failure and engine failure imminent. After a minute or two my center MMI went blank then my electronic dash went blank, transmission went into neutral and the engine died all within a few seconds. Fortunately I was able t...
Audi has failed to come up with a repair for recall 22V742. My car consistently shows 1/4 tank of fuel when it’s actually near zero.
Sunroof spontaneously shattered while driving. No other cars around when this occurred. Caused a very loud BANG. Was driving on the freeway when this occurred. Dealer would not confirm issue was spontaneous - felt something must have hit the car to cause this. No defined impact location on roof. Also, roof glass was pushed up in the middle instead of down like would be expected if something ...
The car's fuel guage has been inaccurate since the initial purchase. It would always hang at around 50% and then drop to 5% within 10 miles. Thankfully, we are aware and just check the miles driven so we do not get stranded. Requested fix by dealership, they said there was nothing wrong. The recall for my car appeared and I asked for a fix, they said it's not available yet. It's been 6 months and ...
Today, I was in a protected left turn lane prior to making the turn. When oncoming traffic (4 lanes) cleared, I gently pressed the gas pedal to start the turn, but a red “pre-sense” error triggered and slammed on the brakes. I moved my foot to the brake and then back to the gas, and the error cleared, allowing me to continue the turn. This was dangerous as I could have stopped in front of oncoming...
Liquid spulked in the trunk and somehow was able to get to the control module that is located under the rear seat similar concerns as recalled Audi Q5. Vehicle malfunctioned in the middle of a busy intersection.
DOORS MUST BE FORCEFULLY CLOSED IN ORDER TO FULLY LOCK. FREQUENTLY THE DOORS (ANY OF THE 4 ON THE CAR) DO NOT CLOSE UPON VEHICLE ENTRY. NO WARNING THAT THE DOOR IS NOT CLOSED IS PROVIDED BY THE VEHICLE. I HAVE DRIVEN MANY MILES WITH THIS UNSAFE CONDITION, ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT THE DOOR WAS NOT FULLY LATCHED UPON MY ARRIVAL AT MY DESTINATION. THE REAR HATCH ON THIS CAR ALSO SPONTANEOUSLY CLOSED DOW...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Audi A6 Allroad
Has the 2021 AUDI A6 ALLROAD been recalled?
Yes, the 2021 AUDI A6 ALLROAD has 8 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 A6 ALLROAD have?
The 2021 AUDI A6 ALLROAD has 20 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 AUDI A6 ALLROAD?
The 2021 AUDI A6 ALLROAD 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 A6 ALLROAD?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 AUDI A6 ALLROAD involve electrical system (9 complaints), forward collision avoidance (3 complaints), structure (2 complaints). Other affected components include power train,electrical system, electrical system,unknown or other,forward collision avoidance, steering,electrical system,engine.
How many crash reports does the 2021 AUDI A6 ALLROAD have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2021 AUDI A6 ALLROAD in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2021 AUDI A6 ALLROAD have?
There are no fire reports for the 2021 AUDI A6 ALLROAD in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 AUDI A6 ALLROAD?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 AUDI A6 ALLROAD.
How many injuries are reported for the 2021 AUDI A6 ALLROAD?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 AUDI A6 ALLROAD.
Should I buy a 2021 AUDI A6 ALLROAD?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 AUDI A6 ALLROAD is acceptable with caveats. It has 20 complaints, 8 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 A6 ALLROAD?
The components with the most failures on the 2021 AUDI A6 ALLROAD are: 1. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (9 complaints), 2. FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (3 complaints), 3. STRUCTURE (2 complaints), 4. POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1 complaints). ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the single most-reported problem area with 9 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2021 AUDI A6 ALLROAD?
Be aware of potential electrical system issues and forward collision avoidance system malfunctions. Regularly check for recalls and address any warning lights promptly. The 2021 AUDI A6 ALLROAD has 20 NHTSA complaints and 8 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2021 AUDI A6 ALLROAD?
The 2021 AUDI A6 ALLROAD receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 20 owner complaints, 8 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Electrical System and Forward Collision Avoidance.
What are the known issues with the 2021 AUDI A6 ALLROAD?
Known issues with the 2021 AUDI A6 ALLROAD include: Electrical System, Forward Collision Avoidance, Transmission, Electrical System Malfunction. These are based on patterns found across 20 NHTSA complaints. 8 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common electrical system issues in the 2021 Audi A6 Allroad?
The most common electrical system issues include instrument cluster problems and alternator failures, which can cause warning lights and loss of vehicle controls.
Have there been any recalls related to the forward collision avoidance system?
Yes, there have been recalls for predictive control and pre-sense activation issues, which can cause the car to stop unexpectedly.
What should I do if I experience electrical system malfunctions?
Address any electrical system malfunctions immediately by contacting the dealer for repair or replacement.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential electrical system issues and forward collision avoidance system malfunctions. Regularly check for recalls and address any warning lights promptly.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Audi A6 Allroad
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Audi A6 Allroad. The data includes 20 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 8 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2021 Audi A6 Allroad 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