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Your vehicleHome›Audi›RS› 2021
Audi · Compact Wagon

2021 Audi RS

Hybrid Gas
Midsize Cars
4 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
F
Safety Signal
58 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns 13
Complaintsnone reporting a crash, fire or injury 10
Crash ratingnot rated by NHTSA —
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 21 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019

The 2021 Audi RS is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas compact wagon with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the RS 5 Sportback, is EPA-rated at 21 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 10 complaints, most often about the electrical system.

Audi RS7 — photograph via Wikimedia Commons
Audi RS7 (2013 generation) · Photo: Alexander Migl · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
RS 6 AvantHybridAWD4.0L 8-cyl turbo + 48V Li-Ion152217$4,850
RS 7HybridAWD4.0L 8-cyl turbo + 48V Li-Ion152217$4,850
RS 5 SportbackGasAWD2.9L 6-cyl turbo182521$3,900
RS 5GasAWD2.9L 6-cyl turbo182520$4,100

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 43005, 43000, 42776, 42772.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
RS 6 Avant, RS 73 / 10California LEV-III ULEV125 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 125All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—
RS 5, RS 5 Sportback5 / 10California LEV-III ULEV70 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 70All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body styleWagon
Doors4
GVWR classClass 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg)

Engine Basics

Cylinders6
Displacement4 L

Engine Output

Horsepower591 hp

Fuel Economy

FuelGasoline

Seating

Seat rows2
Seating capacity5 seats

Transmission

DrivetrainAWD/All-Wheel Drive
TransmissionAutomatic
Transmission speeds8

Driver assistance

Standard: Anti-lock brakes, Automatic emergency braking, Backup camera, Electronic stability control, Forward collision warning, Lane departure warning

Optional: Adaptive cruise control, Blind-spot monitoring, Lane keeping assist, Rear cross-traffic alert

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: Sportback, quattro). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada
Length196.9 in
Width (body, without mirrors)76.8 in
Height57.5 in
Wheelbase115.4 in
Track, front65.7 in
Track, rear65.0 in
Curb weight4,740 lb

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here one configuration: 6 Avant. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

Also on file Beside the 2021 RS
Head to head vs the 2021 Mazda CX-3 Other years The 2027 RS Recalls Audi recalls
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Factory warranty running out?

The 2021 Audi RS is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.

What to check before you buy →

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

Recalls (13)

Source: NHTSA recall database
○minor

Back Over Prevention

90TV
356,894 vehicles 58% reported repaired
Problem 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 Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility." Risk A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 23, 2025.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 25V900000 reported Dec 19, 2025 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Electrical System

90VC
44,387 vehicles 82% reported repaired
Problem 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. Risk An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will update the instrument panel module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 24, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90VC.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 25V201000 reported Mar 31, 2025 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
○minor

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

47T9
7,499 vehicles 95% reported repaired
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi S7, S6 Sedan, RS7, RS6 Avant, A6 Allroad, 2019-2021 A7, and A6 Sedan vehicles. An incorrectly labeled brake fluid cap may have been installed, which can result in the use of the wrong type of brake fluid. Risk Incorrect brake fluid can reduce braking ability and increase the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will inspect the brake fluid reservoir cap and, if necessary, replace it, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 17, 2023. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47T9.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 23V601000 reported Aug 25, 2023 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Electrical System

90V2
50,883 vehicles 96% reported repaired
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Audi S7, S6 Sedan, A6 Allroad, 2021-2022 RS7, RS6 Avant, 2019-2022 A7, and A6 Sedan vehicles. Liquid spilled in the rear seat may penetrate and cause the gateway control module to shut down. Risk A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will install a protective cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed January 20, 2023. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90V2.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 22V861000 reported Nov 21, 2022 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
○minor

Back Over Prevention

91DZ
170,296 vehicles 95% reported repaired
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, SQ7, S5 Cabriolet, E-Tron Quattro, SQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ5, S8, S7, S6 Sedan, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, 2022 E-Tron GT, and 2021-2022 RSQ8 vehicles. Due to a software issue, a blank or black screen may be displayed instead of the rearview camera image when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility." Risk A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will update the infotainment unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DZ.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 22V742000 reported Oct 5, 2022 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Electrical System

20DN
47,238 vehicles 96% reported repaired
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 RS6 Avant and RS7, 2020-2022 A6 Allroad, S6 Sedan, and S7, and 2019-2022 A6 Sedan and A7 vehicles. The fuel level sender may stick, causing an inaccurate fuel level reading to be displayed on the instrument cluster. Risk An inaccurate fuel reading may cause an engine stall due to lack of fuel, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will install a new sensor in the tank, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 17, 2023. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 20DN.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 22V155000 reported Mar 14, 2022 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Suspension

42L5
31,058 vehicles 98% reported repaired
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed. Risk Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 22V034000 reported Jan 26, 2022 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Seat Belts

69CR, 69CS
45,496 vehicles 99% reported repaired
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Cr Risk An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash. Fix Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69CR (VW) and 69CS (Audi).
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V606000 reported Aug 5, 2021 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Engine

10G9
15 vehicles 100% reported repaired
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi SQ7, RSQ8, RS7, RS6 AVANT, and SQ8 vehicles. Cracks may develop on the surface of the engine cylinder bore. Risk Cracks may cause engine damage and a stall or an oil leak, increasing the risk of a crash or fire. Fix Dealers will replace the engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 9, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 10G9.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V339000 reported May 12, 2021 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Suspension

42L1
40,993 vehicles 99% reported repaired
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion. Risk A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V295000 reported Apr 26, 2021 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Air Bags

70i2
3,421 vehicles 97% reported repaired
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi RS6 Avant, RS7, 2020-2021 A6 Allroad, S6 Sedan, S7, 2019-2021 A6 Sedan, and A7 vehicles. The score line on the passenger air bag may not have been manufactured correctly. Risk An incorrectly manufactured air bag may not deploy properly, and could also eject plastic debris into the passenger compartment, increasing the risk of injury during a crash. Fix Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the passenger air bag score line, and repair it as necessary, free of charge. The recall begin March 26, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 70i2.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V159000 reported Mar 10, 2021 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Electrical System

69BM
166 vehicles 99% reported repaired
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A6 Allroad, Q7, RS6 and RS7 vehicles. The electrical connector can detach from the door crash sensor in either of the front doors. Risk A detached connector can delay the activation of the restraint systems, including the side air bag, curtain air bag and/or seat-belt pretensioners during a side impact crash, increasing the risk of injury. Fix Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and as necessary, replace the crash sensors in both front doors, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BM.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 20V749000 reported Dec 2, 2020 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Electrical System

97EU
5,426 vehicles 98% reported repaired
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi RS5 Sportback, 2020-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, and S5 Sportback vehicles. The wiring harness for the rear lights could be missing the anti-abrasion protection in the area of the spare wheel well. Risk Without the scuff protection, the wires may become damaged during a rear crash, disabling the doors from being opened from the outside, causing a loss of hazard lights, and increasing the risk of injury. Fix Audi will notify owners, and dealers will apply scuff protection, free of charge. The recall began January 21, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 97EU.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 20V737000 reported Nov 25, 2020 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

Whether any of this applies to one specific RS

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2021 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Audi publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →Audi’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2021 Audi RS, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2021 Audi RS

Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.

Find parts for this RS →

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
10complaints filed

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2022: 1 · 2023: 4 · 2024: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2026: 1

Most-cited components

Electrical System 5
Unspecified 3
Power Train 2
Steering 1
Visibility/Wiper 1
Forward Collision Avoidance 1

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

This website shows the wrong information. Recall was successfully repaired but it shows here as unrepaired
Electrical System Apr 10, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11730497
While driving, car suddenly started overheating. Warning message asked me to pull over and let the car run idle. However, I was on a free way that was under construction and all shoulders were closed. So no way for me to stop for at least 4 miles. I was afraid that the engine would blow while driving the whole time.
Power Train Oct 2, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11691071
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.
Visibility/Wiper Jan 17, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11636422
The car continues to smell like coolant and burns excessive oil. It has been taken in for service. Repairs have been attempted but problem still exists. On one occasion, service records indicate a test drive when the mileage remained the same.
Engine Apr 10, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11582098
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!
Electrical System Nov 13, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11554925
The car stopped in the middle of the intersection due to a 48V issue that is back ordered worldwide. It has been in the shop five times in reference to this stopping multiple times in the road
Electrical System Sep 15, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11544671

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR AWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★★10%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Extended coverage on file 1 filing by the manufacturer with NHTSA naming this model year

The term and the vehicles it covers are the manufacturer’s, as NHTSA’s summary of each filing states them; a dealer checks one particular car by its VIN. Every warranty extension on file, all makes →

Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 3,726
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-09-25
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 3647 service bulletins, 45 others, 32 service campaigns

Most often about: Electrical System, Equipment, Unknown Or Other, Engine, Structure.

  • TSB_2083409_1 Service bulletin
    2026-09-25 · Unknown Or Other
  • 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.
  • TSB_2052680_2 Service bulletin
    2026-09-25 · Unknown Or Other
  • This bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.
  • TSB_2083385_1 Service bulletin
    2026-09-23 · Electrical System
  • This bulletin provides information when there is a warning message in the instrument cluster about external sound.
  • TSB_2076396_3 Service bulletin
    2026-09-23 · Electrical System
  • This bulletin provides information regarding driver assist systems; Audi adaptive light, Audi pre sense system fault, adaptive cruise assist inop (DTC C12D5FA).
  • TSB_2063336_5 Service bulletin
    2026-09-23 · Electrical System
  • This bulletin provides information when DTC C12BFF0 is stored in the lane change modeul or the radar sensor; intersection assist/lane change assist are inoperable.
  • TSB_2074846_5 Service bulletin
    2026-09-22 · Steering
  • This bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.
  • TSB_2065871_4 Service bulletin
    2026-09-22 · Steering
  • This bulletin provides informaiton when DTC B200FF0 is stored.
  • TSB_2020552_15 Service bulletin
    2026-09-22 · Visibility/Wiper
  • This bulletin provides service information regarding exterior glass cleaning.

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints

Codes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.

CodeWhat it meansMost often filed underWhere it appears
P0300
P0300 on Audi →		Misfire detected, but not isolated to one cylinder.Engine · Ignition coils →4 bulletins
P0301
P0301 on Audi →		Cylinder 1 is misfiring.Engine · Ignition coils →4 bulletins
P0302
P0302 on Audi →		Cylinder 2 is misfiring.Engine · Ignition coils →4 bulletins
P0303
P0303 on Audi →		Cylinder 3 is misfiring.Engine · Ignition coils →4 bulletins
P0304
P0304 on Audi →		Cylinder 4 is misfiring.Engine · Ignition coils →4 bulletins
P0305
P0305 on Audi →		Cylinder 5 is misfiring.Engine · Ignition coils →4 bulletins
P0306
P0306 on Audi →		Cylinder 6 is misfiring.Engine · Ignition coils →4 bulletins

Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

Compare the 2021 RS with

Any vehicle, your weights →
Head-to-headVerdict
2021 Mazda CX-3 · Compact Wagon · grade ACX-3 +12.6

RS by model year

all years, side by side →
Year Safety Recalls Complaints
2027 A 0 0 22 mpg2026 A 1 1 23 mpg2025 A 1 2 23 mpg2024 A 1 2 23 mpg2023 B 3 0 23 mpg2022 C 8 1 23 mpg2021 this page F 13 10 21 mpg2020 A 1 1 23 mpg2019 D 7 8 22 mpg

Common questions about the 2021 RS

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2021 Audi RS have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 13 recall campaigns for the 2021 Audi RS. The most serious on file is 22V861000, covering Electrical System. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2021 Audi RS?

NHTSA has not published a crash-test rating for the 2021 Audi RS yet. On the recall record WhichTrim grades it F (58/100), which measures open and severe recalls rather than crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Audi RS?

Across the 4 EPA-rated configurations of the 2021 Audi RS, the best EPA combined figure is 21 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2021 Audi RS?

Transport Canada measured it at 196.9 in long, 76.8 in wide (body, without mirrors), 57.5 in tall, on a 115.4 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 4,740 lb. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2021 Audi RS?

Owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Audi RS, most often about electrical system, unspecified, power train. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2021 Audi RS?

The EPA smog rating for the 2021 Audi RS runs 3 to 5 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-III ULEV125, California LEV-III ULEV70, Federal Tier 3 Bin 125, Federal Tier 3 Bin 70 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2021 Audi RS?

The manufacturer has filed 3726 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2021 Audi RS, most often covering electrical system, equipment, unknown or other. The most recent is dated 2026-09-25. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

Is the 2021 Audi RS better than the 2021 Mazda CX-3?

The Mazda CX-3 wins clearly, 85.1 to 72.5, on safety, fuel & range. The Audi RS is ahead on performance. Raise the performance weight from 2 to 3.9 and it flips. We publish a full side-by-side of the 2021 Audi RS against the 2021 Mazda CX-3 — specifications by family, equipment feature by feature, safety record and ownership costs. You can re-weight what matters to you and the verdict recalculates.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations4 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates4 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls13NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints10NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings1 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins3726NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
InvestigationsnoneNHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationNo defect investigation has been opened.
Driver-assist crash reportsnoneNHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like.
Specifications filed with NHTSA12 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions7 fieldsTransport Canada, Canadian Vehicle SpecificationsLength, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Where to go next

pages beside this one
Head to head 2021 Audi RS vs 2021 Mazda CX-3 Scored on price, fuel, safety, space, performance and warranty — the weights are yours.Other years The 2027 RS The RS model year with the cleanest record on file — grade A, 0 recalls.Recalls Every Audi recall on file All campaigns filed against Audi vehicles, newest first, with the manufacturer's own number.Recall Watch Watch this RS by VIN Give it the VIN and you hear the night a campaign is filed — from $29 a month for a lot, free for ten.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

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