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2017 Audi A4

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2017 Audi A4 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 76.5.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 11 of 55 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Engine complaints

22 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2026
Engine

my initial water pump from Audi was replaced via recall. then I recently changed the thermostat hose and my water pump started leaking again. can you please look into these faulty water pumps?

NHTSA ODI #11763714

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2024
Engine

Audi A4 Water pump and Thermostat failure. VW/ Audi USA had a recall on this issue for several models including the Audi A4 models thru 2016. My car was built in 2016 with model year 2017 and according to the recall my car did not qualify. Since then there has been several Class Action Lawsuits for this same issue. I was…

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Audi A4 Water pump and Thermostat failure. VW/ Audi USA had a recall on this issue for several models including the Audi A4 models thru 2016. My car was built in 2016 with model year 2017 and according to the recall my car did not qualify. Since then there has been several Class Action Lawsuits for this same issue. I was fortunate I discovered the leak while the car was parked in my garage and wasn't on the freeway. It seems that VW/Audi USA hasn't corrected this issue leaving many people in danger of a possible breakdown and a premature costly repair. In addition, I was denied the Class Action Lawsuit extended warranty by 3 months. So this premature costly repair was on me. Thank you for all you do to keep us safe.

NHTSA ODI #11620159

Mileage unknown · May 27, 2024
Air BagsEngine

Every time I start the car, a message comes on saying that the passenger airbag is off even when I have an occupant next to me. I spoke with the dealer and he told me that this recall was claimed and fixed in 2022 in Texas by the previous owner but I replied that the problem continues and he told me that this was no longer an …

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Every time I start the car, a message comes on saying that the passenger airbag is off even when I have an occupant next to me. I spoke with the dealer and he told me that this recall was claimed and fixed in 2022 in Texas by the previous owner but I replied that the problem continues and he told me that this was no longer an Audi problem. Furthermore, every time it accelerates over 40 miles per hour, a message about the driving system in malfunction appears and also the automatic on and off system at stops stops working and when I drive it at low speed there is no problem. I took it to Audi and they told me that they should change the turbo and I told them that the car only has 100,000 miles and why they should change a turbo that only has 100,000 miles of use and they told me that’s how it is

NHTSA ODI #11590889

Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2024
Engine

I experienced similar undesirable engine behavior on two occasions. Upon coming to a stop, the auto start/stop system stopped the engine. Shortly after, when attempting to drive away, the stop/start system attempted to start the engine, but failed; the starter briefly activated to turn over the engine, but the engine did not st…

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I experienced similar undesirable engine behavior on two occasions. Upon coming to a stop, the auto start/stop system stopped the engine. Shortly after, when attempting to drive away, the stop/start system attempted to start the engine, but failed; the starter briefly activated to turn over the engine, but the engine did not start and continue running. The car was left in the following condition: Engine off. Gear indicator showing "D". Accelerator pedal unresponsive. Regaining engine power required turning the car off, applying the brake pedal, turning the car on, and selecting "D" with the gear selector. This behavior occurred on two occasions on different days; once on 16 March 2024 and the first time within several days prior. Both occasions occurred before the engine was at full operating temperature, and while the car was on a slight uphill slope. Ambient temperatures were in the high 40's or 50's Fahrenheit. By luck, neither occasion resulted in an unsafe traffic condition.

NHTSA ODI #11578793

Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2024
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

Turbo needs to be replaced after only 58,000 miles. This has been an issue causing recalls on Audi models in different years.

NHTSA ODI #11568964

Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 2023
Engine

2017 A4 B9 premium plus model, AWD, 2.0T. I have had an Audi dealership service my car for all major service intervals outside of oil change, not only at recommended intervals but even early. 3 years ago I had my 40K mile service done at 35K miles. Spark plugs were replaced by Audi Hawthorne in Westchester county, NY. One week …

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2017 A4 B9 premium plus model, AWD, 2.0T. I have had an Audi dealership service my car for all major service intervals outside of oil change, not only at recommended intervals but even early. 3 years ago I had my 40K mile service done at 35K miles. Spark plugs were replaced by Audi Hawthorne in Westchester county, NY. One week ago, at 49K miles (well before the 6 years or 60K miles Audi says their spark plugs will last) my engine seized while driving and was misfiring. This caused an engine shut down WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION on the highway. I was able to restart and make it off the highway where the car seized again. I had to then be towed 30 miles back home. Took it to my locally well known body shop that I have used for years for them to say: 1. My spark plugs were loose and installed incorrectly and 2. The electrode at the top of the plug had broken off TWO SEPERATE SPARK PLUGS and fallen into the engine, causing scoring to the engine and #4 piston as well as blow-by during combustion. They said this had to be caused by a manufacturing defect PLUS incorrect install. they fixed what they could and recommended I take it to Audi. Audi is now saying I need a whole new engine because of damage to piston 4, and not saying they will cover the replacement cost of $21,500. 

NHTSA ODI #11546491

Mileage unknown · May 12, 2023
Engine

Start Stop system failures. Upon engine restarting, it stalls instead. This has happened on multiple occasions and the dealer response is to just turn it off every time you start the car. Causes dangerous situations due to inability to move car until full power cycle happens.

NHTSA ODI #11521754

Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2023
Engine

The Thermostat and it's house is failing on my of the 2017 audi a4 causing the coolant water to leak which makes the car heat up quickly due to leak and not having sufficient coolant water. So many of the b9 generation of audi a4 owners are also complain about this issue. Audi is charging $2500 to fix this known issue.

NHTSA ODI #11517663

Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2023
Engine

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 occurred at all speeds and temperature…

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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 occurred at all speeds and temperature conditions.

NHTSA ODI #11507741

Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 2022
Engine

Symptom of low coolant in overflow reservoir; below minimum line. Pressure test concluded leak in thermostat/water pump part. Appears to be a rampant problem spanning over a decade and affecting multiple trims and redesigns (i.e B8/B9 redesign/updates). Safety put at risk for possible vehicle fire or high pressure damage for …

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Symptom of low coolant in overflow reservoir; below minimum line. Pressure test concluded leak in thermostat/water pump part. Appears to be a rampant problem spanning over a decade and affecting multiple trims and redesigns (i.e B8/B9 redesign/updates). Safety put at risk for possible vehicle fire or high pressure damage for engine coolant/radiator. The problem was reproduced and confirmed at a local (non-audi dealership) repair shop. They stated that the low level of coolant was due to a small leak in the thermostat/water pump housing. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance. It will soon be in the local Audi dealership for a second opinion and/or possible resolution. I received a warning indicator on the dash and written pop up message on the dash board that indicated low coolant reservoir level. No OBD codes were collected by the independent service shop. They said that non were being displayed or read besides what was displayed on the dash.

NHTSA ODI #11496622

Official recalls

1

21V874000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger; Seats

Nov 10, 2021

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 & remedy

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

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.

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.

Seats

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.