2017 Audi A4 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
54 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
28,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 21 of 54 complaints (38.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 7.4% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 7.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 5.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 5.6% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 3.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 21 |
| Air Bags | 13 |
| Unknown Or Other | 9 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Seats | 3 |
| Steering | 3 |
Engine: 21; Air Bags: 13; Unknown Or Other: 9; Electrical System: 6; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Power Train: 4; Seats: 3; Steering: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 43 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 19 |
| 2022 | 13 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2020: 6; 2021: 19; 2022: 13; 2023: 6; 2024: 8; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11372649 · 2020-11-02 (November 2, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AC BEGAN TO BLOW HOT AIR. THE DASHBOARD WAS REMOVED TO REPLACE THE SENSOR USED FOR RELEASING COLD AIR. THEN WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION WARNING SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO USE THE PADDLES TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (AUDI FORT LAUDERDALE - SALES DEPARTMENT 1200 N FEDERAL HWY, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33304; [phone removed]) WHO REMOVED THE CONSOLE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 257,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11372649 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11432081 · 2021-09-08 (September 8, 2021)
I took my car in for a routine check and the dealership noted a potent is coolant /transmission fluid leak. However they said that it could have just been when coolant bubbled over so they decided not to repair anything and to just monitor. The next time I brought my car in my warranty was done and they noted the same issue and told me that I now had a coolant / transmission fluid lead that requires $3,000 to repair. I can clearly see the coolant reservoir tank leaking and upon googling this issue, it looks like a lot of 2017 A4s have the same …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11432081 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11457955 · 2022-03-23 (March 23, 2022)
I have been an Audi A4 owner for more than 10 years. During that time, I have had 2 incidents where I could have easily been killed as well as injured or killed passengers in oncoming vehicles. The latest was this morning on March 23, 2022. The other was nearly 10 years ago. My personal investigation has led me to a conclusion that I have not yet seen anywhere else. In both cases, I am trying to get into a heavy flow of traffic. I know that I will have to "gun it" to get up to speed. For that reason, I have one foot on the accelerator and one …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11457955 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11402580 · 2021-03-12 (March 12, 2021)
I RECENTLY PURCHASED MY AUDI A4 AND IMMEDIATELY HAVE HAD ELECTRICAL ISSUES. JUST RECENTLY THE BACK WINDOW WILL RANDOMLY ROLL DOWN AND LAST NIGHT WHEN I STARTED MY CAR THE SAFETY SYSTEM LIGHT AND MESSAGE CAME ON. IT STATED SEE OWNERS MANUAL. I BEGAN TO DRIVE AND THE LIGHT TURNED OFF. AS I DROVE IT BEGAN TO BLINK ON AND OFF THEN FINALLY STAYING ON AND MAKING IT DISTRACTING TO DRIVE.
Owner-reported narrative. 36,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11402580 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11426691 · 2021-07-27 (July 27, 2021)
While driving on Interstate at normal speed the tire pressure light for the driver rear came on. There was no road debris or road hazard material present. On exiting the tire was going flat . The car was placed on the jack and removed and noted tread separation and protruding steel belt wiring . The steel belt wiring protruded through the tread in several places up to several inches away from site of the tread separation and exposed steel belt material . There was probably 10000 miles on this tire. The tire was purchased from the Audi deal…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11426691 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11420291 · 2021-06-09 (June 9, 2021)
While driving on the highway, there was a message that flashed on the dashboard about the coolant system, within a couple minutes, I felt like the car was shutting down while going 65 miles per hour. So I pulled over on the shoulder of the Turnpike Southbound in Miami. This cased a great safety problem for me, as this happened while I was driving on the highway then I had to be on the right shoulder of the highway and had to call for road ranger. When the road ranger came to inspect the car, he tried to add coolant and realized that there was…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11420291 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11605079 · 2024-07-29 (July 29, 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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11605079 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11578793 · 2024-03-21 (March 21, 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…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11578793 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11521754 · 2023-05-12 (May 12, 2023)
Start Stop system failures. Upon engine restarting, it stalls instead. This has happened on multiple occasions and the dealer response is to just turn it off every time you start the car. Causes dangerous situations due to inability to move car until full power cycle happens.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11521754 at NHTSA ↗