YearToAvoid

2017 Audi A8 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

67/100

#6 most-complained of 16 A8 years

The 2017 Audi A8 has a Complaint Index of 67 and ranks 6th worst of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 8 complaints, 3 recalls, and 1 crash, with Engine problems accounting for 50% of complaints at a median 51,000 miles.

Complaints
8
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
22
18.5 city / 29 hwy

Top 2017 Audi A8 problems

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

  1. Engine4 (50%)
  2. Brakes2 (25%)
  3. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (13%)
  4. Fuel System1 (13%)
  5. Other1 (13%)
  6. Steering1 (13%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (13%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain1 (13%)

What owners report

  • Engine start-stop system fails to restart the car after stopping at a light, leaving it stalled in traffic.
  • Fuel rail leaks produce a gas smell from the engine bay, matching a known recall pattern on earlier model years.
  • A tire pressure warning came on shortly before a tire went flat while driving on the highway.
  • Adaptive Cruise Control and Brake Guard shut off with a dashboard warning, traced to a failed camera.
  • Rack and pinion steering failure occurred past 100,000 miles, described as related to a silicone component issue.
  • A crankcase ventilation valve problem matches an extended warranty issue found on 2013-2016 models but affects this 2017 model too.
2017 Audi A8 complaints: complaints filed per month5Feb 2022Aug 2022Sep 2023Jan 2024May 2024Dec 2025Jun 2026
12 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2022 to Jun 2026; peak May 2024 (5).

2017 Audi A8 recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 22V178000Mar 23, 2022Engine26,093 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2013-2017 A8, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, and 2014-2017 RS7 vehicles. The turbocharger oil supply strainer can become blocked, causing wear to the bearings due to lack of lubrication.

    Risk: Worn bearings can cause the turbine wheel to contact the turbocharger housing or cause the shaft to break, causing an engine stall and increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the oil strainer and perform an oil change, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 4, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 21H7.

  2. NHTSA 20V397000Jul 7, 2020Structure & Body12,964 vehicles

    Structure:body:hood

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Audi S8 and A8 vehicles. The seal around the engine compartment may come loose and contact hot engine components.

    Risk: If the seal contacts hot engine components, there could be an increased risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will install a retaining plate to prevent the engine compartment seal from loosening. The recall began September 4, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 51G6.

  3. NHTSA 19V035000Jan 16, 2019Fuel System74,881 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system:fuel rail

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Q7, A6 and A7 vehicles, and 2015-2018 Audi A8 vehicles. The left and right fuel rails may leak fuel.

    Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the left and right fuel rail, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 24DP.

2017 Audi A8 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18.5 MPG
Highway
29 MPG
Combined
22 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,650
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 A8 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2015Avoid9331522
2016Caution6011422
2017Caution678322
2018No verdict00220.5
2019Avoid8714320

All Audi A8 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Audi A8 reliable?
Relative to other A8 model years, NHTSA data gives the 2017 a Complaint Index of 67, ranking it 6th worst of 16 years, which earns a Caution verdict rather than Avoid or Good.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Audi A8?
Engine issues make up 50% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 51,000 miles, followed by brake-related complaints at 25%.
Does the 2017 Audi A8 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2017 A8: a turbocharger oil strainer blockage, an engine compartment seal that can loosen and contact hot parts, and a fuel rail leak issue.
How does the 2017 A8 compare to other Audi A8 years?
The 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2019 A8 model years carry Avoid verdicts with higher Complaint Index scores (100, 80, 93, and 87), while the 2017 sits lower at 67 with a Caution verdict.

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.