2023 e-tron
1st generation
Good
Most reported problems
- Automatic emergency braking: the system not working when needed33%
- Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)33%
- Per 10k cars
- 15.4
- Complaints
- 6
- Recalls
- 3
Audi e-tron Reliability Rankings: Years to Avoid and Best Years to Buy
NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026
According to our reliability score system, the best Audi e-tron years to buy are the 2019, 2021 and 2023. All three come from the 1st generation, model years 2019 to 2023.
Across all e-tron years, the 2019 and 2021 to 2023 rate Good. The 2020 has too little data to score.
73
Good
Model score, all years
5
Model years tracked
178
Owner complaints
13
Recalls, all years
Excellent 80+Good 70–79Caution 60–69Avoid under 60 Provisional, with 80% range 70 = average for a car of the same age
Best Years to Buy an Audi e-tron
No e-tron year reaches 80, our Excellent line. These three score highest, all rated Good, led by the 2021 and 2023 at 75.
75
2021 e-tron
1st generation
Good
Most reported problems
- Electric drive motor or inverter failure15%
- Loss of power (cause not stated)12%
- EV charging failure7%
- Hybrid battery failure7%
- Brakes: sticking or stiffness5%
- Several warning lights at once5%
- Per 10k cars
- 41.1
- Complaints
- 41
- Recalls
- 10
2019 e-tron
1st generation
Good
Most reported problems
- Hybrid battery failure11%
- EV charging: stopped working10%
- Electric drive motor or inverter failure10%
- Body seals (water leak): water leaking in9%
- Brake hold or auto hold: the system not working when needed7%
- Brakes: loss of braking6%
- Per 10k cars
- 66.2
- Complaints
- 82
- Recalls
- 5
Also rated Excellent or Good: 2022.
Audi e-tron Years to Avoid
No e-tron year rates Caution or Avoid.
Audi e-tron Reliability by Year
All model years, newest first. Tap a year for its full report, with the problems owners report, recalls, Audi programs and crash ratings.
| Year | Generation | Rating | Score | Vs average | Complaints | Per 10k cars | Recalls | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1st generation | Good | 75 | 0.71× | 6 | 15.4 | 3 | Report |
| 2022 | 1st generation | Good | 71 | 0.74× | 45 | 36.9 | 6 | Report |
| 2021 | 1st generation | Good | 75 | 0.67× | 41 | 41.1 | 10 | Report |
| 2020 | 1st generation | Not enough data | – | – | 4 | 50.4 | 5 | Report |
| 2019 | 1st generation | Good | 72 | 0.75× | 82 | 66.2 | 5 | Report |
Vs average: how this year's complaint rate compares with the average car of the same age. 1× is average, 2× is twice as many. Per 10k cars: complaints so far for every 10,000 cars Audi made for the U.S. that model year. The complaint count also includes owners who wrote in only about a recall notice, with no problem to report. The score leaves those out. Generations follow Audi's own model history.
How We Score Each Model Year
1
Count What Owners Report
Every complaint filed with NHTSA for the model year, plus its recalls. Recall-notice filings with no fault are left out.
2
Adjust for How Many Were Made
A popular car gets more complaints just because there are more of them. We divide by the number Audi made for that model year and compare with the average car of the same age.
3
Turn It Into a Score
70 is average. Twice the average rate of complaints costs 10 points, half the rate adds 10. Serious problems count more than everyday ones.
What to Do Next
Check a Model Year →Open the full report for one year: score, the problems owners report, recalls, coverage and crash ratings.Compare e-tron Years →Put up to four model years side by side and see which one is more reliable.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs the automaker may still pay for after the factory warranty ends, with its own documents.Look Up a VIN →Confirm the exact model year, engine and trim of the car you are looking at.