2021 audi e-tron vs 2021 mercedes-benz S-Class
Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.
2021 audi e-tron
2021 mercedes-benz S-Class
Stories from the shop
The 2021 mercedes-benz S-Class edges this one, but it's tight. We're talking 4.2 versus 3.9 on the reliability index. Close enough that the right answer for you might be the other truck — depends what you're using it for and what you can afford to fix when something does go.
If you're leaning 2021 audi e-tron, know what you're getting into on electrical and powertrain. Those categories have noticeably more complaints than what the 2021 mercedes-benz S-Class sees, and they're not cheap items when they go.
Going with the 2021 mercedes-benz S-Class? Watch the wheels and engine. The 2021 audi e-tron has fewer reports in those categories, so you'd be trading one set of weak spots for another.
On the dollars-and-cents side, total repair exposure across the top problem areas runs 1.3x higher on the 2021 mercedes-benz S-Class. That's the number to keep in mind when you're pricing the deal — a $2,000 difference in purchase price disappears the first time you're staring at a transmission rebuild.
Bottom line: pick based on use case more than the spec sheet. If you tow heavy and don't want to think about it, that's one calculation. If you're a daily driver and want the cheapest path forward, that's another. Both of these will get you down the road. We're just telling you where each one is most likely to break.
Side-by-side by problem area
Common questions
Which is more reliable, the 2021 Audi e-tron or the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
Based on the NHTSA data we track, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class comes out ahead with a reliability score of 4.2 versus 3.9. The margin is narrow, so the verdict could shift if you weight specific categories differently or factor in your own use case.
What goes wrong more often on the 2021 Audi e-tron?
Compared to the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the 2021 Audi e-tron sees more reported issues in electrical and powertrain. That doesn't mean it's a bad truck — it means those are the categories worth budgeting for if you go that direction.
What goes wrong more often on the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
Compared to the 2021 Audi e-tron, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has more complaints in wheels and engine. Whether that's a deal-breaker depends on the cost and severity — see the comparison table above for repair cost ranges.
Which has more recalls?
The 2021 Audi e-tron has more active recalls (3 vs 0). Total count is less important than severity, though — a vehicle with one critical recall and zero moderate ones is generally riskier than one with five moderate recalls.
Is an extended warranty worth it on either of these?
Both vehicles are out of factory bumper-to-bumper coverage at this point. Combined repair exposure across the top problem categories runs around $4,350 on the higher-risk vehicle. A quality service contract typically costs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years, so a single major failure usually pays for the contract. The math favors warranty coverage on whichever vehicle you choose, especially if you plan to keep it past 100,000 miles.