2017 Audi A4 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2017 Audi A4 has 55 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 63, ranking 8th worst out of 20 model years, with a Caution verdict. Engine issues, mostly coolant loss, dominate at 45% of complaints, with one recall for airbag wiring.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 63/100
- #8 of 20 A4 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 55
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 27.5
- 24.5 city / 33 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2017 Audi A4 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine25 (45%)
- Airbags13 (24%)
- Other9 (16%)
- Electrical System7 (13%)
- Fuel System6 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (7%)
- Steering3 (5%)
- Structure & Body3 (5%)
- Seat Belts2 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Coolant reservoir level drops repeatedly, sometimes every several thousand miles, without dealers finding a clear leak.
- Thermostat housing leaks coolant, discovered when the coolant level warning appears.
- Passenger airbag deactivates intermittently, triggering dashboard alerts even after related connector repairs.
- Rear driver-side window rolls itself down about six inches after the car is parked and locked.
- Horn fails to activate when pressed in certain spots on the wheel due to a two-sensor design.
- Stability control light activates unexpectedly and the car pulls left and right on its own while driving.
2017 Audi A4 recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V874000Nov 10, 2021Airbags208,332 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
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.
Risk: 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.
2017 Audi A4 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24.5 MPG
- Highway
- 33 MPG
- Combined
- 27.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,900
- 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Audi A4 reliable?
- NHTSA data shows 55 complaints for the 2017 A4, giving it a complaint index of 63 and a Caution verdict. It ranks 8th worst among the 20 model years with data, mainly due to engine coolant complaints.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2017 Audi A4?
- Engine problems are the top issue, making up 45% of complaints (25 of 55), mostly centered on coolant loss and thermostat housing leaks reported around 28,000 median miles.
- Does the 2017 Audi A4 have any recalls?
- Yes, one recall (21V874000) covers airbag wiring, affecting seat heating mat connectors on multiple Audi models including the 2017-2020 A4 Sedan and A4 Allroad.
- How does the 2017 A4 compare to other A4 years?
- The 2017 A4's complaint index of 63 is worse than years like 2016 (16, Best) and 2019 (42, Good), but better than 2006 (100, Avoid) and 2020 (95, Avoid).