AUDI RS 6 AVANT · model year

2021 AUDI RS 6 AVANT

7 NHTSA complaints, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2021AUDIRS 6 AVANT carries 7 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and Not Rated/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2021 RS 6 AVANT is electrical system with 3 filings, followed by power train (1) and steering (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 9 investigation files overlapping the 2021 RS 6 AVANT. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

7
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

7 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: Not Rated/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
POWER TRAIN1
STEERING1
VISIBILITY/WIPER1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS1

Recalls (2)

25V20100031/03/2025

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 SQ8, A6 SEDAN, A7, A8, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S6 SEDAN, S7, S8, A6 Allroad, and SQ7 vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail.

25V90000019/12/2025

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal M

Recent Complaints

20250117VISIBILITY/WIPER

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. In addition, the other cameras have failed repeatedly resulting in safety systems such as automatic collision sensors working and not-working randomly when driving the vehicle.

20250117FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

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. In addition, the other cameras have failed repeatedly resulting in safety systems such as automatic collision sensors working and not-working randomly when driving the vehicle.

20231113ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Loss of electrical power while cruising on the interstate at 65 mph. 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! Safely stop vehicle." At this point, engine was running but was no longer connected to the transmission, Power steering failed. All I could do was coast to the shoulder and stop. Car would not restart. Appeared to be a complete electrical failure, e.g., could not raise or lower windows.

20231113POWER TRAIN

Loss of electrical power while cruising on the interstate at 65 mph. 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! Safely stop vehicle." At this point, engine was running but was no longer connected to the transmission, Power steering failed. All I could do was coast to the shoulder and stop. Car would not restart. Appeared to be a complete electrical failure, e.g., could not raise or lower windows.

20231113STEERING

Loss of electrical power while cruising on the interstate at 65 mph. 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! Safely stop vehicle." At this point, engine was running but was no longer connected to the transmission, Power steering failed. All I could do was coast to the shoulder and stop. Car would not restart. Appeared to be a complete electrical failure, e.g., could not raise or lower windows.

20230104ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The generator cut off and the car coasted to a stop. The generator on these vehicles is failing on almost every single one.

20220706ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Compare 2021AUDIRS 6 AVANT to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2021 AUDI RS 6 AVANT have?
The 2021 AUDI RS 6 AVANT has 7 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 AUDI RS 6 AVANT?
The 2021 AUDI RS 6 AVANT received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of Not Rated/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2021 AUDI RS 6 AVANT?
Yes, the 2021 AUDI RS 6 AVANT has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 AUDI RS 6 AVANT?
The most-complained component for the 2021 AUDI RS 6 AVANT is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and STEERING.
Is the 2021 AUDI RS 6 AVANT safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2021 AUDI RS 6 AVANT has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.