Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2021 Audi A4
NHTSA data on file today
The 2021 Audi A4 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 11 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, for the 1 NHTSA-tested trim.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #22V742000 Rearview Display Inoperative/FMVSS 111 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #22V034000 Rear Axle May Be Misaligned NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V606000 Seat Belt Locking Retractor Malfunction/FMVSS 208 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V295000 Rear Axle Lock Nuts May Break NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 3 complaints
- Unknown or Other 3 complaints
- Forward Collision Avoidance 2 complaints
- Lane Departure 2 complaints
- Power Train 2 complaints
- Suspension 2 complaints
Of the 11 complaints on file, 3 report a crash; across all 11 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $7,000–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2021 Audi A4 has faced several recalls affecting safety and electronic systems. Common issues include electrical system complaints and rear axle alignment problems. While these recalls impact reliability, the problems are generally addressed by Audi under warranty, maintaining an overall average rating.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| rear axle | 40,000–60,000 miles | $800–$1,500 | common |
| electrical system | 30,000–50,000 miles | $400–$1,200 | common |
| seat belts | 50,000–70,000 miles | $200–$400 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change
- Tire rotation
- Brake fluid replacement
- Spark plug replacement
- Cabin air filter replacement
- Alignment check
- Coolant flush
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Unusual tire wear
- Check engine light
- Electrical system malfunctions
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2021 Audi A4 at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.