VehicleVerdict

2017 Audi A4 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2017 Audi A4 sits mid-pack among A4 years: 75 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 96, with a single recall and no defect investigations.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 23 reports (31% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

75

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2017 compare to other A4 years?

A4 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted343 complaints1995: 1 complaints1996: 133 complaints1997: 119 complaints1998: 321 complaints1999: 242 complaints2000: 115 complaints2001: 153 complaints2002: 218 complaints2003: 282 complaints2004: 225 complaints2005: 267 complaints2006: 343 complaints2007: 226 complaints2008: 204 complaints2009: 150 complaints2010: 77 complaints2011: 17 complaints2012: 23 complaints2013: 28 complaints2014: 38 complaints2015: 23 complaints2016: 18 complaints2017: 75 complaints2018: 39 complaints2019: 16 complaints2020: 226 complaints2021: 19 complaints2022: 10 complaints2023: 17 complaints2024: 4 complaints
A4 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all A4 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Audi A4 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine2331%
Airbags1317%
Other912%
Electrical System68%
Fuel System68%
Transmission45%
Steering34%
Seats34%
Tires & Wheels23%
Seat Belts23%
Brakes11%
Speed Control11%
Suspension11%
Lighting11%

Does the 2017 Audi A4 have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

21V874000AirbagsNovember 10, 2021 · 208,332 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2017-2020 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, 2018-2019 RS5 Coupe, 2019 RS5 Sportback, 2018-2020 A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, and Audi S5 Sportback vehicles. The cable connecting the seat heater to the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) may have a contact fault, causing 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

Dealers will replace the connecting cable and either the heating mat or entire seat cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 74E3. This recall is an expansion of Recall 19V-547 (74D9). Vehicles previously repaired under 19V-547 will need to return for the new remedy.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“Random Engine Coolant Warning. Since purchase of vehicle mid-March 2022, I have randomly received engine coolant warnings on the dashboard. Visual checks of the coolant reservoir reveal no issues. Internet search of issue reveals a number of other owners have had the same problem. Issue has…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 29, 2022

“FAULTY AUDI A4 PODS SENSOR DESPITE PREVIOUSLY REPLACING RECALLED CONNECTOR. PASSENGER AIRBAG DEACTIVATES AND CAUSES FREQUENT DASH ALARMS. REPLACEMENT / REPAIR NOT COVERED UNDER MANUFACTURER OR EXTENDED WARRANTIES. QUOTED REPAIR BY AUDI DEALERSHIP $1700 OUT-OF-POCKET FOR AN OBVIOUSLY FAULTY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 1, 2020

“SOS LIGHT TURNED ON AND HAS BEEN ON FOR A YEAR. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND IT COSTS $1300 TO REPAIR AS THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. DOESN'T AFFECT THE CAR SAFETY, BUT THIS ISSUE APPEARS TO BE HAPPENING TO A LOT OF AUDI A4 CARS AND I THINK A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED TO FIX THIS AS THIS DOES NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 11, 2020

“THE HORN WILL NOT ACTIVATE WHEN PRESSED IN THE LOCATION OF ABOUT 3 - 6 O'CLOCK (LOWER RIGHT QUADRANT). THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THERE IS TWO SENSORS IN THIS MODELS UNIT, ONE AT AROUND 12 (TOP) AND 7 (LOWER LEFT), AND THAT THE HORN CAN ONLY EASILY ACTIVATE IF PRESSED IN EITHER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 1, 2020

“I have been an Audi A4 owner for more than 10 years. During that time, I have had 2 incidents where I could have easily been killed as well as injured or killed passengers in oncoming vehicles. The latest was this morning on March 23, 2022. The other was nearly 10 years ago. My personal…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · March 23, 2022 · crash

2017 Audi A4 — common questions

Is the 2017 Audi A4 reliable?

It is close to typical for the A4: 75 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2017 A4 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (23 complaints), airbags (13 complaints), other (9 complaints).

Does the 2017 Audi A4 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2017 Audi A4. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Audi A4 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the A4 years to avoid are 2006, 1998, 2003, 2005, 1999, 2020, 2007, 2004, 2002, 2008, 2001, 2009. The cleanest record among A4 years belongs to 1995.

How safe is the 2017 Audi A4?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2017 Audi A4 earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

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.