AI Damage2021 Audi A6 Allroad: common problems
Owners of the 2021 Audi A6 Allroad filed 9 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and fuel/propulsion system. The maker issued 1,068 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 9
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 1,068
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 44% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel/propulsion system 22% of all complaints
- 3 Forward collision avoidance 22% of all complaints
- 4 Structure 11% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 11% of all complaints
- 6 Engine 11% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (44% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 389.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 2 complaints (22% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 12.
- Forward collision avoidance: 2 complaints (22% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Structure: 1 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 104.
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 54.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 9 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 389 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 12 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 104 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 54 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 35 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 185 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 51 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 46 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 37 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 34 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 32 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Backover prevention | 0 | 0 | 16 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
It would also have random computer issues such as screen shutdowns, and "take to dealership warnings" after the 1st 10k checkup. Had to bring back to the dealership, they replaced the entire computer. Seems to be fine, except a couple restarts.
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.
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,524 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 27% least complained about).
On average one model year of the A6 Allroad has 3 complaints (7 years in the data). This year has 9, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has…
This bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.
- This bulletin provides information when there is a warning message in the instrument cluster about…
- This bulletin provides information when there is an abnormal knocking noise from the engine compartment;…
- This bulletin provides information regarding various complaints about front or rear door locks
- This bulletin provides information regarding fault finding and repair information for electric tailgate
- This bulletin provides information about billing for a broken sunroof glass panel
- This bulletin provides information regarding driver assist systems; Audi adaptive light, Audi pre sense…
This bulletin provides information regarding driver assist systems; Audi adaptive light, Audi pre sense system fault, adaptive cruise assist inop (DTC C12D5FA).
- This bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations
- This bulletin provides general information about SOS Emergency Assist
- This bulletin provides information when there are stails/marks on the sill panel trim
- This TSB describes a corrosion issue due to outside influence and the prohibition of warranty in these cases
- This bulletin provides information when the rear parking sensor sometimes does not work, rear parking…
This bulletin provides information when the rear parking sensor sometimes does not work, rear parking sensor loose, rear parking sensor fault message.
NHTSA lists 1,068 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Audi A6 Allroad?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, fuel/propulsion system, forward collision avoidance. Total complaints: 9. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: infotainment or screen glitches (22%), driver assists: adaptive cruise, lane keeping (11%), steering or power steering problems (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 Audi A6 Allroad?
NHTSA lists 1,068 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2021 Audi A6 Allroad from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2021 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.