This bulletin provides information when there is increased oil consumption; >0.5ltr/1000 km.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Audi A4 engine problems
moderate 19 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 19 engine complaints filed for the 2017 Audi A4, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Engine accounts for 23% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 5 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin provides informaiton when the engine is not running smoothly, misfiring.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information when DTC U140A00 Terminal 30 is stored in the ECM.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information on VIN Plates, Safety Certification labels, and the ordering procedures.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information on the use of the Audi frequencly analysis app, and where the application can be downloaded.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2017 A4 has a recurring coolant leak from the thermostat housing or water pump seal. Owners report low coolant warnings, puddles beneath the engine, and constant refilling every 8,000–10,000 miles starting as early as 26,000 miles. Multiple owners cite dried white residue around the housing and dealerships initially misdiagnosed it as overflow or transmission contamination before confirming the leak. At least one owner experienced complete coolant loss on the highway, forcing an emergency pull-over. Repair costs run $1,000–$3,000. No recall exists despite owners noting this as a widespread B8/B9 generation problem; Audi has issued no TSB.
Owners also report spark plug electrode failure with one reporting two plug electrodes breaking off and lodging in the engine after Audi dealership installation, causing piston scoring and engine seizure at 49,000 miles. A4 start/stop systems occasionally fail to restart in cold conditions, leaving the car stranded in Drive with no throttle response. One intake manifold was replaced twice with persistent sputtering unresolved. An oil leak at the turbocharger was confirmed by a dealership but not addressed. Some owners receive random coolant warnings with no actual leak present, creating diagnostic confusion.
Same Audi A4 engine reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Coolant leaks from thermostat/water pump housing
Persistent coolant loss traced to defective thermostat housing or water pump seal, with owners reporting leaks at relatively low mileage and recurring refills required. Problem acknowledged as widespread across B8/B9 generation models yet no recall issued.
When: 26,000–49,000 miles; some owners report year-long slow leak before detection
Symptoms owners cite: Low coolant reservoir warnings on dashboard; Visible coolant puddles or white residue under engine; Coolant level dropping every 8,000–10,000 miles; Coolant odor near vehicle; Engine overheating due to coolant loss; Loss of coolant pressure
Repairs/costs cited: Thermostat housing or water pump replacement; owners cite $1,000–$3,000 repair costs. Some dealerships initially misdiagnosed as overflow or transmission fluid contamination.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No TSB or recall issued despite multiple owner complaints across model years. Dealer response ranges from monitoring to $2,500+ repairs after warranty expiration; manufacturer declined assistance in at least one case.
Spark plug defect and installation failure
Loose or incorrectly installed spark plugs with electrodes breaking off and falling into engine, causing internal scoring and damage to pistons during operation. Manufacturing defect combined with dealership installation error.
When: 49,000 miles; failure occurred ~9 months after plug replacement at 35,000 miles by Audi dealership
Symptoms owners cite: Engine misfiring; Engine seizure while driving on highway; Unintended engine shut-down while in motion; Blow-by during combustion; Engine scoring and piston damage
Repairs/costs cited: Audi dealership estimated $21,500 for engine replacement due to piston damage. Body shop identified loose installation and broken electrode as root causes.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Audi declined warranty coverage, citing manufacturing defect and installation error as non-covered conditions; no recall or TSB mentioned.
Auto start/stop system failure
Engine fails to restart after auto stop/stop system shuts down engine; starter engages but engine does not continue running, leaving vehicle stranded in Drive with unresponsive accelerator.
When: Below full operating temperature; cold-start conditions (high 40s–50s°F ambient temperature), slightly uphill slopes
Symptoms owners cite: Starter briefly activates but engine does not ignite; Accelerator pedal unresponsive after failed restart; Requires full power cycle (off, brake applied, back on, gear selection) to restore engine operation; Occurred on two separate occasions on different days
Engine oil leak at turbocharger
Oil leaking from turbocharger area with no warning light present. Dealership confirmed diagnosis but offered no repair or assistance.
When: 26,257 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leak visible or detected during inspection
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosed at dealership but not repaired; cost not stated by owner.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware but declined assistance; VIN not under recall.
Intake manifold defects with persistent drivability issues
Intake manifold failure causing engine sputtering and lag despite two replacement attempts. Repeated service visits failed to resolve underlying drivability problem.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Engine sputtering; Engine lag; Check engine light; Persistent drivability issues after intake manifold replacement
Codes mentioned: Intake manifold fault detected
Repairs/costs cited: Intake manifold replaced twice; sputtering and lag continued unresolved.
Random coolant warning light without visible leak
Dashboard coolant warnings appear intermittently with no corresponding visible coolant loss or low reservoir level, affecting multiple owners and occurring at all temperatures and speeds.
When: Since purchase; recurring randomly
Symptoms owners cite: Random engine coolant warning light on dashboard; Pop-up message on dashboard indicating low coolant; Occurs at all speeds and ambient temperatures; Visual inspection shows no actual coolant loss
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
Coolant leakage and pump problem for engine cooling. Unit was replaced.
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…
Coolant reservoir was really low. Filled it right away but it went low again a month after. Confirmed from other owners experiencing the same issue.
Significant leaking from water pump and thermostat housing.
This car has a KNOWN issue with the water pump housing leaking well before the expected lifespan of said part/gasket and Audi has not issued a TSB regarding it. It's unacceptable that a luxury car needs such a major repair with few miles (many users are experiencing this well before 40k miles) and if you are out of the original warranty, you're stuck with a $1k+ bill. My car with just about 47k…
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…
Check engine light only came on once and that is when the intake manifold detected a problem. Audi replaced the intake manifold two times after numerous service visits! The sputter, lag, occurs all the time I even recorded a video but was unable to be rectified.
Had engine trouble with your 2017 Audi A4?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2017 Audi A4?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 19 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 19 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 34,064 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/Audi/A4.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.