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2017 Audi A4
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 54 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2017 Audi A4, most frequently naming the engine, airbags and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 729 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2020 | 1 | 1 |
| Jun 2020 | 1 | 2 |
| Jul 2020 | 1 | 3 |
| Nov 2020 | 2 | 5 |
| Dec 2020 | 1 | 6 |
| Jan 2021 | 1 | 7 |
| Feb 2021 | 2 | 9 |
| Mar 2021 | 1 | 10 |
| Apr 2021 | 2 | 12 |
| May 2021 | 3 | 15 |
| Jun 2021 | 2 | 17 |
| Jul 2021 | 2 | 19 |
| Aug 2021 | 1 | 20 |
| Sep 2021 | 2 | 22 |
| Nov 2021 | 2 | 24 |
| Dec 2021 | 1 | 25 |
| Jan 2022 | 1 | 26 |
| Feb 2022 | 2 | 28 |
| Mar 2022 | 2 | 30 |
| Apr 2022 | 1 | 31 |
| May 2022 | 1 | 32 |
| Jun 2022 | 1 | 33 |
| Aug 2022 | 3 | 36 |
| Oct 2022 | 1 | 37 |
| Dec 2022 | 1 | 38 |
| Feb 2023 | 1 | 39 |
| Apr 2023 | 1 | 40 |
| May 2023 | 2 | 42 |
| Sep 2023 | 1 | 43 |
| Dec 2023 | 1 | 44 |
| Jan 2024 | 1 | 45 |
| Mar 2024 | 2 | 47 |
| May 2024 | 1 | 48 |
| Jul 2024 | 1 | 49 |
| Sep 2024 | 1 | 50 |
| Oct 2024 | 1 | 51 |
| Dec 2024 | 1 | 52 |
| Aug 2025 | 1 | 53 |
| Dec 2025 | 1 | 54 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
Safety recalls
1 campaign cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govRecent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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 register properly. This turned out not to be the case. A short time later, the fuel gauge completely stopped working. I took it to an authorized Audi repair shop that told me the issue was related to a the "Fuel Tank Sending Unit". That part was replaced by the repair shop, however, the issue persisted. The authorized repair shop is now telling me that it the entire tank needs to be replaced in order to fix the issue.. I have searched and this seems to be a common issue among Audi vehicles; the sensor stops working and the gauge stops responding. Audi seems to know that this is an issue. Can this possibly be investigated.
- NHTSA ID
- 11703360
- Incident
- Jun 1, 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 were no signs of outside influence or misuse, and the issue is likely due to internal headlight temperature, external ambient temperature, and age. This defect directly impairs visibility and makes it unsafe to drive the vehicle at night or in low-light conditions. Headlights are a critical safety system. The problem has been confirmed and documented by the Audi dealership in a written inspection report. Audi of America has acknowledged that the defect is unrelated to misuse but refuses to fully assist with repairs, despite admitting it impacts visibility. The issue is ongoing and worsens with time. There were no warning lamps or dashboard messages related to the defect prior to its discovery. The vehicle and documentation are available for inspection upon request. This is a safety concern that puts me and others at risk due to reduced nighttime visibility.
- NHTSA ID
- 11682928
- Incident
- Aug 6, 2025
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 allowed me to slowly delve into the screen functions to reprogram the transmission while driving in these dangerous conditions, but I don't know if I could always do it again, or if others might find it too confusing in the moment.
- NHTSA ID
- 11631789
- Incident
- Aug 1, 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 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 ID
- 11620159
- Incident
- Sep 14, 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 current connection that was in use. As for the navigation or phone connection, this disconnection could result in a sudden dangerous situation. The manufacturer knows of this “bug” and has a software fix, but charges any customer whose vehicle is not still under warranty to diagnose and fix it.
- NHTSA ID
- 11613948
- Incident
- Sep 8, 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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11605079
- Incident
- Jul 14, 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 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 ID
- 11590889
- Incident
- May 10, 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 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 ID
- 11578793
- Incident
- Mar 16, 2024
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
This bulletin provides a statement regarding the bottleneck of supply for VW approved oil types VW 504.00 and VW 507.00.
STRUCTURE:BODY
This service information TSB provides warranty coverage information for vehicles with a broken sunroof panel.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This bulletin provides informatoinw hent here are scratches or a coating on the cover of the instrument cluster, or particles inside of the housing.
STRUCTURE:BODY
This bulletin provides information when there is a film/visible rings on the clear glass cover of the headlight when the dipped beam is switched on.
ENGINE
This bulletin provides information when there is increased oil consumption; >0.5ltr/1000 km.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This bulletin provides information when there are noises from the area around the instrument cluster.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 43.4 |
| 2022 | 6 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 65.1 |
| 2020 | 127 | 3 | 0 | 48.0 |
| 2019 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 59.4 |
| 2018 | 44 | 1 | 0 | 49.2 |
| 2017Viewing | 54 | 1 | 0 | 40.6 |
| 2016 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 35.5 |
| 2015 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 46.4 |
| 2014 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 32.2 |
| 2013 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 44.8 |
| 2012 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 39.7 |
| 2011 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 27.6 |
| 2010 | 64 | 0 | 0 | 31.8 |
| 2009 | 120 | 2 | 0 | 47.1 |
| 2008 | 175 | 4 | 0 | 50.8 |
| 2007 | 196 | 3 | 0 | 46.5 |
| 2006 | 295 | 3 | 0 | 47.0 |
| 2005 | 219 | 4 | 0 | 49.4 |
| 2004 | 189 | 3 | 1 | 50.9 |
| 2003 | 210 | 4 | 0 | 49.2 |
| 2002 | 181 | 2 | 0 | 50.4 |
| 2001 | 131 | 3 | 1 | 57.3 |
| 2000 | 96 | 5 | 3 | 58.5 |
| 1999 | 190 | 7 | 5 | 59.8 |
| 1998 | 258 | 6 | 5 | 59.0 |
| 1997 | 98 | 8 | 4 | 62.0 |
| 1996 | 89 | 6 | 3 | 56.1 |
| 1995 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.