2017 Audi A4 problems
The 2017 Audi A4 has 81 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2017 Audi A4 has 81 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 23 complaints, typically surfacing around 45,444 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 A4 | 75 | 0 |
| 2015 A4 | 44 | 0 |
| 2016 A4 | 25 | 0 |
| 2017 A4 (this page) | 81 | 0 |
| 2018 A4 | 42 | 0 |
| 2019 A4 | 5 | 0 |
| 2020 A4 | 124 | 1 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 5 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2017 Audi A4 4 DR FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2017 Audi A4? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- airbags — 23 owner reports · tends to show around 45,444 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- engine — 19 owner reports · tends to show around 34,064 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- electrical — 8 owner reports · tends to show around 30,712 mi · ~$850 to fix
- powertrain — 4 owner reports · tends to show around 257,000 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 30,712 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2017 Audi A4
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 5 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2017 A4 Audi Allroad- while making turns at low speeds with the steering wheel, the vehicle makes cracking, popping and vibration noises. The noise was inspected and reproduced, confirmed on 1/4/2023 by Audi Fletcher Jones, Costa Mesa, California and advised to replace engine…
Faulty Audi a4 pods sensor despite previously replacing recalled connector. Passenger airbag deactivates and causes frequent dash alarms. Replacement / repair not covered under manufacturer or extended warranties. Quoted repair by Audi dealership $1700 out-of-pocket for an…
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…
The contact owns a 2017 Audi A4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V874000 (Seats, Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2017 Audi A4 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 81 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 Audi A4 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2017 Audi A4?
On the NHTSA data, the 2017 Audi A4 does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2017 Audi A4?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 23 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 45,444 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2017 Audi A4 a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 81 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 45,444 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2017 Audi A4?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 23 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 45,444 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 45,444 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Audi A4 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2017 Audi A4?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 81 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.