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ProblemsByVin File / 2021-AUDI-A4 NHTSA data synced 9 hours ago
2021 · Audi

Audi A4 problems

Light NHTSA footprint — 11 owner complaints and 2 active recall campaigns. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.

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Reliability score
8.4 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

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Critical
2
Severe
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Moderate
Should you avoid this 2021 A4?
Generally reliable

Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 1 category with 3+ complaints

electrical
3 reports · avg $850
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2021 A4's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2021 A4?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
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What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2021 A4 · suspension Crash
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…
11/16/2021 · at 1,347 mi · NHTSA ODI #11440644.0
2021 A4 · electrical
The instrument cluster has stop working. Have to monitore vehicle information, Mileage, service, Safty notifications and general vehicle information from the Audi app.
2021 A4 · powertrain
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…
08/16/2025 · NHTSA ODI #11681029.0
2021 A4 · electrical
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…
View all 11 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2021 Audi A4? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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Active recalls showing 2 of 2

severe NHTSA 21V295000 April 26, 2021

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc

A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.

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 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.
severe NHTSA 22V034000 January 26, 2022

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc

Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.

Common questions

Is the 2021 Audi A4 reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.4 out of 10 based on 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 Audi A4 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2021 Audi A4?

On the NHTSA data, the 2021 Audi A4 does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.4/10 — above the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2021 Audi A4?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 3 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Audi A4 has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2021 Audi A4?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 11 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 9 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/Audi/A4. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Audi. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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