2017 Audi A4 Reliability Report
NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026
Ranks 3rd of 24 A4 years we score.
- Owner complaints
- 88
- 15 are recall notices
- Per 10,000 cars
- 13.7
- 53,442 made for the U.S.
- Vs the average car
- 0.39×
- same age, 1× is average
- Serious outcomes
- 16
- crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
- Recalls
- 6
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5★
- overall, out of 5
Should You Buy the 2017 Audi A4?
Yes. Our reliability score for the 2017 Audi A4 is 85 out of 100, which rates Excellent. Owners reported about a third as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 3rd of the 24 A4 years we score.
The most reported problem is the cooling system, mostly a leak (17 of 88 complaints). Owners also complain about the occupant sensor and airbag warning lights. 16 of the 88 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.
It has 6 recalls. Audi also offers two warranty extensions that may still apply, for problems with the air conditioning and driver assistance systems. NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. For comparison, the 2018 scores 80.
Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask an Audi dealer about warranty extension AWA-21-01 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.
Pros
- Excellent reliability score of 85
- About a third of the problems of the average car its age
- Recent complaints at or below average
- No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
Cons
- Cooling system: a leak17 complaints
- Passenger airbag sensor: works on and off10 complaints
- Airbag warning light6 complaints
- First year of a new generation
How the 2017 A4 Earned Its Score
Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score
| Item | Vs average | Points lost |
|---|---|---|
| Starting score | 100 | |
| Serious problems | 0.28× | −4 |
| Everyday problems | 0.66× | −4 |
| Problems in the last two years | 0.15× | −1 |
| Recalls | 1.1× | −6 |
| Score | 85 |
What Owners Report
We read all 88 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2017 Audi A4, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first. A complaint that describes more than one problem is counted under each, so the counts add up to more than 88.
Cooling system: a leak
17 complaints (19%)
A leak, a failure that needed a new part and warning lights. 1 of these 17 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 28,000 miles.
Passenger airbag sensor: works on and off
10 complaints (11%)
Problems that come and go and wrong readings. Median mileage when it started: about 36,000 miles.
Airbag warning light
6 complaints (7%)
Warning lights. Median mileage when it started: about 32,000 miles.
Automatic emergency braking: the system acting on its own
5 complaints (6%)
The system acting on its own, a feature that stopped working and hard braking with nothing ahead. 1 of these 5 complaints describes a serious outcome: sudden braking. In 4 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem. Median mileage when it started: about 8,000 miles.
Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking
5 complaints (6%)
Shattering or cracking. 1 of these 5 complaints describes a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 29,000 miles.
Tires: damage
5 complaints (6%)
Damage, parts breaking or coming apart and early wear. 2 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 9,000 miles.
Seats: the system acting on its own
4 complaints (5%)
The system acting on its own, a failure that needed a new part and damage. Median mileage when it started: about 11,000 miles.
Interior trim: parts breaking or coming apart
3 complaints (3%)
Parts breaking or coming apart. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often an injury.
Start-stop system: stalling
3 complaints (3%)
Stalling and a feature that stopped working. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start.
Steering: loss of steering control
3 complaints (3%)
Loss of steering control, a failure and unusual noises. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of steering control. Median mileage when it started: about 47,000 miles.
Dual-clutch transmission failure
2 complaints (2%)
A failure that needed a new part and unable to shift gears. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Fuel gauge or level sensor failure
2 complaints (2%)
A failure and a feature that stopped working.
Turbocharger failure
2 complaints (2%)
A failure that needed a new part.
Warning lights (cause not stated)
2 complaints (2%)
Warning lights.
Windows or locks or sunroof (operate by themselves): the system acting on its own
2 complaints (2%)
The system acting on its own.
Reported Once (22)
Show the 22 problems reported once
- A/C: stopped working
- Ball joints and control arms failure
- Engine failure: locking up
- Engine mounts failure
- Engine oil leak
- Frontal airbags: warning lights
- Fuel system: a leak
- Headlights: shattering or cracking
- Ignition coils or spark plugs: parts breaking or coming apart
- Screen and audio: works on and off
- Intake manifold or runner flaps failure
- Key fob failure
- Fuel tank failure
- Parking brake: not releasing
- Phone and navigation: warning lights
- Piston rings: damage
- Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
- Power windows or regulator: works on and off
- Seat belts failure
- Stability control (ESC): the system acting on its own
- Transmission computer: the system acting on its own
- Unexplained crash (cause not stated)
How the 2017 Audi A4 Compares With Other Years
The other A4 years of the 5th generation (B9), 2017 to 2025, and the years just before and after it.
| Year | Rating | Score | Vs average | Per 10k cars | Recalls | Most reported problem |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Not scored | – | – | 9.8 | 0 | – |
| 2024 | Not scored | – | – | 7.0 | 0 | Tires: damage |
| 2023 | Good | 78 | 0.56× | 5.9 | 1 | Stall (cause not stated) |
| 2022 | Good | 75 | 0.55× | 7.5 | 3 | – |
| 2021 | Excellent | 80 | 0.45× | 6.6 | 4 | Instrument cluster: stopped working |
| 2020 | Caution | 62 | 4.4× | 146.6 | 4 | Screen and audio: works on and off |
| 2019 | Excellent | 87 | 0.25× | 4.5 | 1 | Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead |
| 2018 | Excellent | 80 | 0.44× | 12.1 | 4 | Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead |
| 2017 This year | Excellent | 85 | 0.39× | 13.7 | 6 | Cooling system: a leak |
| 2016 | Excellent | 86 | 0.38× | 11.2 | 3 | Steering: locking up |
2017 Audi A4 Recalls
Six recalls cover the 2017 Audi A4. The most recent was issued in November 2021: “Disabled Passenger Air Bag.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.
Disabled Passenger Air Bag
A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
NHTSA 21V874000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Nov 10, 2021. By the fourth quarter of 2023, 77% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Air Bag May Switch Off/FMVSS 208
A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
NHTSA 19V547000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jul 24, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 92% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air Bag Mounting Screw May Be Loose
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. If the air bag does not deploy correctly in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of an injury.
NHTSA 18V836000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Nov 27, 2018. By the first quarter of 2020, 75% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Aluminum Trim for Speakers Can Come Loose
The sharp edges of the speaker trim increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
NHTSA 17V675000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Oct 25, 2017. By the first quarter of 2019, 92% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air Bags or Seat Belt Pretensioners May Not Deploy
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.
NHTSA 16V955000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Dec 29, 2016. By the second quarter of 2018, 86% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Side Marker Lights May Not Illuminate/FMVSS 108
If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 16V642000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Sep 6, 2016. By the first quarter of 2018, 95% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
2017 Audi A4 Warranty Extensions and Programs
Audi has two warranty extensions for the 2017 Audi A4, separate from its recalls. They are for problems with the air conditioning and driver assistance systems. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which an Audi dealer can check.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-21-01
Air conditioning evaporator failure
- The problem:
- The air conditioning evaporator can fail. The bulletin does not describe the symptoms.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer repairs or replaces a failed A/C evaporator, with any parts and labor needed.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain A4, S4 and Q7 from model year 2017 and A5, S5 and Q5 from 2018. The bulletin gives no last model year. Cars already repaired still qualify, but totaled cars do not.
- Coverage:
- 10 years or 100,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-24-04
Automatic emergency braking system faults
- The problem:
- The automatic emergency braking, or AEB, system can malfunction when its control unit, a camera, the LIDAR or a sensor fails.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer repairs the AEB fault and Audi pays 75 percent of the cost. Damage from crashes, impacts, moved sensors or weather is not covered.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain Audis covered by the settlement, with a confirmed fault in the AEB control unit, cameras, LIDAR or sensors. If the new car warranty's time ran out by May 16, 2024, the extension's time limit was November 16, 2024.
- Coverage:
- Up to 12 months or 12,000 miles after the new car warranty ends. Ask an Audi dealer for the exact terms.
NHTSA Crash Test Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for this model year. See the 2017 A4 ratings on NHTSA.gov.
4-door FWD and 4-door AWD
allroad AWD
Check Before You Buy
A checklist for the 2017 A4, from its six recalls, two Audi warranty extensions that may still apply and the problems owners report most.
Confirm the Recalls Were Done
Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.
- Disabled Passenger Air Bag NHTSA 21V874000
- Passenger Air Bag May Switch Off/FMVSS 208 NHTSA 19V547000
- Air Bag Mounting Screw May Be Loose NHTSA 18V836000
- Aluminum Trim for Speakers Can Come Loose NHTSA 17V675000
- Air Bags or Seat Belt Pretensioners May Not Deploy NHTSA 16V955000
- Look up the VIN at NHTSA to see all 6 recalls and which are still open.
Ask an Audi Dealer
Ask whether each of these warranty extensions applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.
- AWA-21-01: air conditioning evaporator failure
- AWA-24-04: automatic emergency braking system faults
On the Test Drive
- Check the coolant level and watch the temperature gauge on the test drive.
- With an adult in the front passenger seat, the passenger airbag-off light should stay off.
- Watch for sudden braking or steering with nothing ahead, and ask whether the driver-assist software updates were done.
Ask the Seller
Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.
- Cooling system
- Occupant sensor
- Airbag warning lights
- Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.
Before You Pay
- Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
- Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
- Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.
What to do next