YearToAvoid

2017 Audi A4 allroad Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

73/100

#4 most-complained of 12 A4 allroad years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2017 Audi A4 allroad has a Complaint Index of 73, ranking 4th worst out of 12 model years, with a "Caution" verdict. NHTSA logged 31 complaints, 5 recalls, and 2 crashes, with airbags as the top problem area (45% of complaints).

Complaints
31
Recalls
5
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
25
23 city / 28 hwy

Top 2017 Audi A4 allroad problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags14 (45%)
  2. Structure & Body8 (26%)
  3. Other7 (23%)
  4. Brakes5 (16%)
  5. Electrical System4 (13%)
  6. Seat Belts3 (10%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (10%)
  8. Engine1 (3%)
  9. Steering1 (3%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers1 (3%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the driver seat airbag sensor triggering false seatbelt-unbuckled warnings, sometimes requiring a full seat replacement.
  • Some describe the automatic precrash braking system engaging hard during a turn on wet roads and locking the steering wheel, leading to a curb collision.
  • Others report losing steering control on a wet highway with the car veering out of its lane and spinning.
  • Owners report the driver-side front window losing power function intermittently, unresponsive even after multiple power cycles.
  • Several owners describe delays getting the Takata airbag recall parts, with dealers unable to source replacement parts for extended periods.
  • Owners report tire sidewalls developing bulges or "ballooning" defects at low mileage.
2017 Audi A4 allroad complaints: complaints filed per month7Nov 2016Jul 2017Apr 2018Jan 2019May 2019Nov 2021Mar 2022
47 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2016 to Jan 2023; peak Nov 2016 (7).

2017 Audi A4 allroad recalls

5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 19V547000Jul 24, 2019Airbags145,337 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  2. NHTSA 18V836000Nov 27, 2018Airbags12 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  3. NHTSA 17V675000Oct 25, 2017Structure & Body31,323 vehicles

    Structure:body:door:hinge and attachments

    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.

    Risk: 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.

See all 5 recalls for the 2017 Audi A4 allroad →

2017 Audi A4 allroad fuel economy and fuel cost

City
23 MPG
Highway
28 MPG
Combined
25 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,200
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2017 compared with other A4 allroad years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2015Avoid82254—
2016Good45153—
2017Caution7331525
2018Caution5593—
2019No verdict273025

All Audi A4 allroad years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Audi A4 allroad reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2017 A4 allroad a Complaint Index of 73, ranking 4th worst among 12 model years tracked, with a "Caution" verdict relative to other A4 allroad years.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Audi A4 allroad?
Airbags account for 45% of complaints (14 of 31), followed by Structure & Body issues at 26% and Brakes at 16%, based on NHTSA owner complaints.
Does the 2017 Audi A4 allroad have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2017 A4 allroad covering airbags, structure & body trim, seat belts, and electrical software, none marked do-not-drive.
How does the 2017 A4 allroad compare to other years?
Its Complaint Index of 73 is lower than 2013 (100), 2014 (91), and 2015 (82), all rated "Avoid," but higher than 2016 (45, "Good") and 2018 (55, "Caution").

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.