VehicleVerdict

2017 Audi A4 allroad problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 48 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.8 times the median A4 allroad year — the 2017 model ranks #4 of 12 A4 allroad years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 14 reports (29% of the total).

48

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2017 compare to other A4 allroad years?

A4 allroad NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted105 complaints2013: 105 complaints2014: 52 complaints2015: 32 complaints2016: 18 complaints2017: 48 complaints2018: 16 complaints2019: 5 complaints2020: 50 complaints2021: 1 complaints2022: 0 complaints2023: 1 complaints2024: 6 complaints
A4 allroad NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all A4 allroad years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Audi A4 allroad problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags1429%
Seats817%
Other715%
Electrical System613%
Brakes48%
Seat Belts36%
Tires & Wheels36%
Steering12%
Visibility & Wipers12%
Engine12%

Does the 2017 Audi A4 allroad have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V547000AirbagsJuly 24, 2019 · 145,337 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi RS5 Sportback, 2018 S5 Cabriolet, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, S4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, and 2017-2018 A4 Sedan and A4 Allroad vehicles. Oxidation on the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) connecting cable may cause the software to misdiagnose a malfunction and disable the passenger air bag.

Consequence

A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will install cable ties to the harness, free of charge. The recall began September 9, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi's number for this recall is 74D9.

18V836000AirbagsNovember 27, 2018 · 12 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Audi A5 Sportback and 2017-2018 Audi A4 Allroad vehicles. A passenger air bag module mounting screw may not have been sufficiently tightened, possibly affecting the deployment of the air bag in the event of a crash.

Consequence

If the air bag does not deploy correctly in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of an injury.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bag mounting screw, tightening or replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 19, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Y4.

17V675000Body & StructureOctober 25, 2017 · 31,323 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad, and 2018 A5 Sportback vehicles. The aluminum trim on the front and rear doors can come loose from around the door speakers, leaving sharp edges exposed.

Consequence

The sharp edges of the speaker trim increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the speaker cover aluminum trim, free of charge. The recall began March 13, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 70G6.

16V955000Seat BeltsDecember 29, 2016 · 5,947 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.

Consequence

In the event of a crash, if the air bags and/or the seat belt pretensioners do not inflate or function properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.

Remedy

Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bags and seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

16V642000LightingSeptember 6, 2016 · 79,895 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 TT roadster, A3 cabriolet, A3 sedan and A3 e-tron, 2016-2017 TT coupe, 2017 A4 sedan and Q7 and 2015-2017 Q3 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence

If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97CB.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“ TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V955000 (AIR BAGS, SEAT BELT) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · February 10, 2017

“The contact owns a 2017 Audi A4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V874000 (Seats, Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · February 1, 2022

“I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN RAINY CONDITIONS. (DRIVING ACCORDING TO SPEED LIMIT) AND I SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL. THE CAR WOULDN'T TURN WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL AND STARTED VEERING OUT OF THE LANE. IT THEN TURNED INTO THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION INTO TRAFFIC AND EVENTUALLY SPUN TO A STOP.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · April 1, 2017 · crash

“I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN RAINY CONDITIONS. (DRIVING ACCORDING TO SPEED LIMIT) AND I SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL. THE CAR WOULDN'T TURN WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL AND STARTED VEERING OUT OF THE LANE. IT THEN TURNED INTO THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION INTO TRAFFIC AND EVENTUALLY SPUN TO A STOP.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 1, 2017 · crash

“I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN RAINY CONDITIONS. (DRIVING ACCORDING TO SPEED LIMIT) AND I SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL. THE CAR WOULDN'T TURN WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL AND STARTED VEERING OUT OF THE LANE. IT THEN TURNED INTO THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION INTO TRAFFIC AND EVENTUALLY SPUN TO A STOP.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 1, 2017 · crash

2017 Audi A4 allroad — common questions

Is the 2017 Audi A4 allroad reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 48 complaints put the 2017 model at #4 of 12 A4 allroad years. It is one of the A4 allroad years to avoid.

What are the most common 2017 A4 allroad problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (14 complaints), seats (8 complaints), other (7 complaints).

Does the 2017 Audi A4 allroad have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 Audi A4 allroad. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Audi A4 allroad years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the A4 allroad years to avoid are 2013, 2014, 2020, 2017, 2015. The cleanest record among A4 allroad years belongs to 2022.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.