Audi · A4 · 2017
2017 Audi A4
1
Recall
85
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2017 Audi A4 has 1 recall and 85 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: engine (16 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2017 Audi A4 page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is engine with 16 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2017 Audi A4 currently shows 1 NHTSA recall listed on this page and 85 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are engine (16), air bags (14), unknown or other (12).
- Vehicle
- 2017 Audi A4
- Recalls
- 1
- Complaints
- 85
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
9.9% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: StandardLane Departure Warning: Optional
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 21V874000November 10, 2021
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.
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
85 totalEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Aug 6, 2025
The headlights on my 2017 Audi A4 have developed stress cracks in the headlamp housing. According to the inspection performed by an authorized Audi dealer, these cracks will obscure headlight projection and lower the visibility range at night. The dealer specifically noted there ...
Preview excerpt
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Jun 1, 2025
I have been trying to register my vehicle in California for several months, however, in order to do so, I need the car to pass SMOG. Initially I was told that the issue was related to an emissions sensor and that I had to drive the vehicle a few more miles to get the sensor to r...
Preview excerpt
ENGINE
Sep 14, 2024
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...
Preview excerpt
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sep 8, 2024
Randomly, sometimes multiple times in a 30-60 minute time window while driving, the media center turns itself off and reboots. While driving with the navigation system or other key functionality of this system (phone connectivity, radio, etc) the driver suddenly has lost the curr...
Preview excerpt
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Aug 1, 2024
The Audi "Drive Select" transmission function switches to "Sports Mode" in rain and snow. This makes the vehicle dangerously jumpy in slippery conditions. This has happened to me (I think) three times in the last couple of years, always in rain or snow. My knowledge of the car ...
Preview excerpt
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Jul 14, 2024
The fuel level sensor that is built into the gas tank, sensor #2, has failed and I only had 30,354 miles on the car at the time of failure. Audi Birmingham, in Birmingham, MI, confirmed the failure via a diagnostic test.
AIR BAGS
May 10, 2024
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 cont...
Preview excerpt
ENGINE
Mar 16, 2024
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 ...
Preview excerpt
POWER TRAIN
Mar 7, 2024
Coolant leak from thermostat/ water pump housing.
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Jan 25, 2024
Turbo needs to be replaced after only 58,000 miles. This has been an issue causing recalls on Audi models in different years.
Showing 10 recent complaints from 85 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2017 Audi models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Audi A4 Years
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2017 Audi A4 have?
The 2017 Audi A4 has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2017 Audi A4?
NHTSA has received 85 owner-reported complaints for the 2017 Audi A4.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2017 Audi A4?
The 2017 Audi A4 received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Audi A4?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2017 Audi A4 are engine (16 reports), air bags (14 reports), unknown or other (12 reports).
Does the 2017 Audi A4 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2017 Audi A4. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.