CarBrief

The 2017 Audi A4 has 87 owner complaints and 6 recalls on file with NHTSA[1][2]. Air bag and engine complaints lead the list, and four of the recalls involve the passenger air bag or seat belt pretensioners[3][4][5][6].

87owner complaints[1]
6recalls[2]
25–31MPG combined (EPA)[7]
5★NHTSA overall rating[8]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 87 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Four mention a crash, none a fire, two an injury and none a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several components..

The groups with the most complaints:

We read a small sample of the complaint texts. Counts below come only from that sample, so they do not show how common a problem is among all owners.

Air bags. In a sample of 12 air bag complaints, 7 describe warning lights or messages about the passenger air bag or the safety system, some saying the air bag showed as switched off[9]. Four describe waiting for parts for an air bag recall[9].

Seats. In a sample of 11 seat complaints, 7 describe waiting for parts for the passenger occupant sensor recall, and several of those owners said they had not had a failure[12].

Engine. In a sample of 12 engine complaints, 8 describe coolant loss or leaks, and some name the thermostat or water pump housing as the source[10]. Others in the sample mention an oil leak and an intake manifold issue[10].

Electrical system. In a sample of 10 electrical complaints, 3 describe power windows that stopped working or moved on their own[13].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 6 recalls for this model year[2]. Newest first:

Keep, or drop it. Owners in our complaint sample said parts for the occupant sensor recall were not available when they asked[12].

Fuel economy

The EPA lists five versions, all with a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo engine and premium fuel[19][20][7][21][22]. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new[19].

Version City / Hwy / Combined MPG Annual fuel cost
A4 Ultra, front-wheel drive, Automatic (AM-S7)[7] 27 / 37 / 31 $2,650
A4, front-wheel drive, Automatic (AM-S7)[20] 25 / 33 / 28 $2,950
A4 quattro, all-wheel drive, Automatic (AM-S7)[19] 24 / 31 / 27 $3,050
A4 quattro, all-wheel drive, Manual 6-spd[22] 24 / 33 / 27 $3,050
A4 allroad quattro, all-wheel drive, Automatic (AM-S7)[21] 23 / 28 / 25 $3,300

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4-door all-wheel-drive and front-wheel-drive versions the same scores[8][23]. Overall is 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars and rollover 5 stars, with a rollover risk of 9.9%[8][23].

Engine and size

The EPA test car list shows a 2.0L 4-cylinder rated from 190 to 252 hp depending on version[24]. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models[25].

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
A4 4-door sedan[25] 186 in 71 in 55 in 111 in 3,627 lb
A4 allroad[26] 187 in 72 in 59 in 111 in 3,825 lb

How 2017 compares with other years

1996: 89 complaints, 4 recalls19961997: 98 complaints, 6 recalls1998: 258 complaints, 4 recalls1999: 190 complaints, 4 recalls19992000: 96 complaints, 2 recalls2001: 131 complaints, 1 recalls2002: 181 complaints, 1 recalls20022003: 210 complaints, 3 recalls2004: 189 complaints, 2 recalls2005: 219 complaints, 3 recalls20052006: 298 complaints, 4 recalls2007: 219 complaints, 5 recalls2008: 191 complaints, 6 recalls20082009: 144 complaints, 6 recalls2010: 64 complaints, 0 recalls2011: 43 complaints, 0 recalls20112012: 45 complaints, 0 recalls2013: 111 complaints, 4 recalls2014: 78 complaints, 4 recalls20142015: 44 complaints, 4 recalls2016: 26 complaints, 3 recalls2017: 87 complaints, 6 recalls8720172018: 54 complaints, 4 recalls2019: 13 complaints, 1 recalls2020: 158 complaints, 3 recalls20202021: 13 complaints, 4 recalls2022: 7 complaints, 3 recalls2023: 11 complaints, 1 recalls20232024: 6 complaints, 0 recalls2025: 1 complaints, 0 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each A4 model year. The 2017 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
1996894
1997986
19982584
19991904
2000962
20011311
20021811
20032103
20041892
20052193
20062984
20072195
20081916
20091446
2010640
2011430
2012450
20131114
2014784
2015444
2016263
2017876
2018544
2019131
20201583
2021134
202273
2023111
202460
202510

NHTSA lists 87 complaints and 6 recalls for 2017[2]. The 6 recalls match 1997, 2008 and 2009, and no A4 model year on the list has more[2]. For complaints, many earlier years are higher, such as 2006 with 298, and 2020 has 158[2]. The neighbors are lower: 2016 has 26 complaints and 3 recalls, and 2018 has 54 complaints and 4 recalls[2]. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat them as a rough guide[2].

Should you buy a used 2017 Audi A4?

The crash ratings and fuel economy are solid, with 5 stars overall and 25 to 31 combined MPG depending on version[8][19][20][7][21][22]. The main things to check are the open or past air bag recalls, especially the occupant sensor cable ones, and any coolant loss[3][4][10]. Run the VIN for recalls and ask for service records on the cooling system. Owners in our sample described several coolant leaks, which is a reason to ask, not proof that every car has the problem[10]. Complaints are unverified, so weigh them with an inspection.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Audi A4?
NHTSA has 87 complaints, with 27 naming air bags and 25 naming the engine[1][9][10]. In the sample we read, owners describe passenger air bag warnings and coolant leaks[9][10].
Does the 2017 Audi A4 have recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 6, including two for the passenger air bag occupant sensor cable (21V874 and 19V547)[2][3][4].
What is the gas mileage of a 2017 Audi A4?
EPA combined ratings run from 25 MPG for the allroad quattro to 31 MPG for the A4 Ultra[21][7].
How safe is the 2017 Audi A4?
NHTSA rates it 5 stars overall and 4 stars for frontal crash[8][23].
Is 2017 a good year for the Audi A4?
It has 87 complaints and 6 recalls, with fewer complaints than 2020 (158) and more than 2016 (26)[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 87 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Audi A4 (4 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Audi A4 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 21V874, filed November 10, 2021: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 19V547, filed July 24, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 18V836, filed November 27, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 16V955, filed December 29, 2016: Seat Belts › Pretensioner. NHTSA recall database
  7. EPA rating for A4 Ultra, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM-S7), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 37 highway / 31 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,650. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  8. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 27 complaints name the air bags component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 25 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 27,128). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 17 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 10,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 11 complaints name the seats component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 10 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 3,800). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 6 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 5 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. 5 complaints name the seat belts component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  17. Recall 17V675, filed October 25, 2017: Structure › Body › Door › Hinge And Attachments. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 16V642, filed September 6, 2016: Electrical System › Software. NHTSA recall database
  19. EPA rating for A4 quattro, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM-S7), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 31 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for A4, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM-S7), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 33 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA rating for A4 allroad quattro, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM-S7), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 28 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. EPA rating for A4 quattro, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 33 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  23. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  24. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Audi A4 with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 190 to 252 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A4 4DR SEDAN: length 186 in, width 71 in, height 55 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,627 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  26. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A4 ALLROAD: length 187 in, width 72 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,825 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.