2021 Audi e-tron Electrical Malfunction Light Complaint
A 2021 Audi e-tron owner reported an 'Electrical malfunction light' at 20,759 miles, leading to the discovery of coolant seepage into the front motor and a required full motor replacement. This issue is described as a common problem with a lengthy repair time.
What Owners Are Reporting
An owner of a 2021 Audi e-tron, with 20,759 miles on the odometer, experienced an "Electrical malfunction light" illuminating on the dashboard. Upon inspection at the dealership, it was determined that the entire front motor needed to be replaced. The root cause identified was coolant seepage into the front motor.
This specific 2021 Audi e-tron complaint highlights a significant repair, with the owner noting that the issue appears to be a "very common problem." The repair process was also described as having a lengthy turnaround time, estimated at two weeks or more.
Severity
As detailed in NHTSA Complaint 11525033, this particular incident did not report any crashes, injuries, or fatalities. The primary concern is the failure of a major component—the front motor—and the inconvenience and cost associated with its replacement.
Pattern
The owner's statement that this is a "very common problem" suggests a potential pattern of coolant seepage into the front motor of Audi e-tron vehicles. While this specific complaint does not provide data on other affected vehicles, it indicates that this issue may not be isolated. Owners experiencing an "Electrical malfunction light" in their 2021 Audi e-tron should be aware of this potential cause.
If You've Experienced This
If you own a 2021 Audi e-tron and have experienced an "Electrical malfunction light" or suspect coolant seepage into your vehicle's front motor, it is important to have your vehicle inspected by a qualified service center. Document all symptoms, diagnostic findings, and repair actions. You can also file a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to contribute to their database and help identify potential safety trends. Your report helps NHTSA investigate widespread issues.
Source: NHTSA ID 11525033
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does an 'Electrical malfunction light' indicate in a 2021 Audi e-tron?
- For some 2021 Audi e-tron vehicles, an 'Electrical malfunction light' has been reported to indicate coolant seepage into the front motor, necessitating a motor replacement, as per NHTSA Complaint 11525033.
- Is coolant seepage into the front motor a common problem for the Audi e-tron?
- According to an owner's report in NHTSA Complaint 11525033, the issue of coolant seepage into the front motor leading to an 'Electrical malfunction light' is perceived as a 'very common problem' for the 2021 Audi e-tron.
- How long does it take to replace a front motor due to coolant seepage in an Audi e-tron?
- The repair for coolant seepage into the front motor, which involves replacing the entire motor, was estimated to take two weeks or more, according to the owner's experience in NHTSA Complaint 11525033.
- What should I do if my 2021 Audi e-tron shows an 'Electrical malfunction light'?
- If your 2021 Audi e-tron displays an 'Electrical malfunction light', it is recommended to have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Audi service center to diagnose the underlying cause, which could be related to coolant seepage into the front motor.
What Audi e-tron owners report
Counted from the records in our database across 5 model years.
- 158
- Owner complaints
- 14
- Recalls
- 1,706
- Service bulletins
- 7
- Crashes reported
- 6
- Fires reported
- 3
- Injuries reported
The 2021 model year
36 complaints, the 2nd most of 5 model years on file. Owners reported 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries for this year, which also has 10 recalls on file.
Complaints by model year
| 2019 | 84 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | |
| 2021 | 36 | |
| 2022 | 31 | |
| 2023 | 6 |
Most-reported systems
- Electrical System — 81
- Power Train — 24
- Engine — 23
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 18
- Service Brakes — 18
Latest recalls for the 2021 model year
- 26V240000 — Service Brakes, Hydraulic (Apr 2026)
- 25V900000 — Back Over Prevention (Dec 2025)
- 23V867000 — Electrical System (Dec 2023)
Recent owner reports
I own a 2021 Audi e-tron with approximately 58000 miles. Beginning in March 2026, the vehicle developed intermittent Virtual Cockpit/instrument-cluster problems with blank display. I reported the condition to Audi dealer of Princeton NJ.
Read owner complaints →Moisture build-up in the high-voltage electrical system through a faulty seal on the charging socket, which can cause a short circuit and significantly increase the risk of a vehicle fire.
Complaints are owner reports filed with NHTSA. They are unverified, and counts depend on how many vehicles were sold, so they are not a failure rate.
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