AI Damage2021 Audi RS 6 Avant: common problems
Owners of the 2021 Audi RS 6 Avant filed 4 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and steering. The maker issued 1,080 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 4
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 1,080
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 75% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 25% of all complaints
- 3 Visibility 25% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 25% of all complaints
- 5 Forward collision avoidance 25% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (75% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 387.
- Steering: 1 complaints (25% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 44.
- Visibility: 1 complaints (25% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 41.
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (25% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 33.
- Forward collision avoidance: 1 complaints (25% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 4 L · hybrid · turbo · 8 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 4 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 | 3 | 0 | 387 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 44 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 41 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 33 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 186 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 98 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 68 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 54 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 38 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 37 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 19 |
| Backover prevention | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 0 | 0 | 12 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The rear camera on the car repeatedly does not work. The car has been to the dealership for replacement parts several times with the problem recurring. The rear camera does not work most days.
There was a series of warning messages, YELLOW colored malfunctions such as "Sport differential malfunction", "electric system malfunction". Then RED colored warning message "Electric system: Malfunction!
The generator cut off and the car coasted to a stop. The generator on these vehicles is failing on almost every single one.
The last few times I've started my car, the instrument cluster takes multiple minutes before it turns on, while the yellow check engine and red warning lights flash repeatedly.
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 1,741 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 17% least complained about).
On average one model year of the RS 6 Avant has 1 complaints (6 years in the data). This year has 4, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
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 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.
- This bulletin provides informaiton when DTC B200FF0 is stored
NHTSA lists 1,080 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 RS 6 Avant?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, steering, visibility. Total complaints: 4. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (50%), rear-view camera (25%), steering or power steering problems (25%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 Audi RS 6 Avant?
NHTSA lists 1,080 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 RS 6 Avant 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.