2017 Audi A4 Complaints

ENGINE — Filed 09/11/2026

my initial water pump from Audi was replaced via recall. then I recently changed the thermostat hose and my water pump started leaking again. can you please look into these faulty water pumps?

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 06/01/2025

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 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.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING — Filed 08/06/2025

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.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 08/01/2024

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 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.

ENGINE — Filed 03/16/2024

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 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.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 03/07/2024

Coolant leak from thermostat/ water pump housing.

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 01/25/2024

Turbo needs to be replaced after only 58,000 miles. This has been an issue causing recalls on Audi models in different years.

STEERING — Filed 01/04/2023

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 mounts, and both front upper control arms, total repair bill $3240.27. After vehicle repairs the steering noises and vibration returned again with no warning lamps, or messages. The vehicle was dropped off at Audi Fletcher Jones, Costa Mesa, CA on 11/28/2023. Audi Fletcher Jones now states it is due to possible defective steering rack and quoted $4,237.9 for repairs on 12/27/2023. Possible safety risk to myself and others if there is an Audi Manufacture defect within the steering rack which can cause loss of steering. Steering rack failure should not be occurring on a vehicle with mileage - only 46,742 miles. NHSTA please investigate Audi of America for possible manufacture defects of engine mounts, control arms, and steering racks. My vehicle is available for inspection upon request.

ENGINE — Filed 09/22/2023

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 their spark plugs will last) my engine seized while driving and was misfiring. This caused an engine shut down WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION on the highway. I was able to restart and make it off the highway where the car seized again. I had to then be towed 30 miles back home. Took it to my locally well known body shop that I have used for years for them to say: 1. My spark plugs were loose and installed incorrectly and 2. The electrode at the top of the plug had broken off TWO SEPERATE SPARK PLUGS and fallen into the engine, causing scoring to the engine and #4 piston as well as blow-by during combustion. They said this had to be caused by a manufacturing defect PLUS incorrect install. they fixed what they could and recommended I take it to Audi. Audi is now saying I need a whole new engine because of damage to piston 4, and not saying they will cover the replacement cost of $21,500. 

ENGINE — Filed 05/12/2023

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.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 05/05/2023

I was driving on the freeway at night. There was a sudden explosion that sounded like a gunshot. I was shocked and afraid. I heard the rain outside, so it seemed like there was a hole in the car. I pulled off the freeway and went to a well lit gas station to inspect the car. The sunroof had exploded upward. Fortunately the fabric sunshade was closed so the shards of glass remained above it. There was no hole in the fabric so nothing had fallen through the glass. There is no trajectory of a rock kicked up by another vehicle that could have exploded a roof outward. I did not go under an overpass from which something could have fallen. There was no rock or meteor in my car—as mentioned, the underlying sunshade was not pierced by a falling object. This occurred suddenly and without warning. Consumers are clearly complaining about this problem but nothing is being done. I will talk to my insurance company and Audi tomorrow as this happened late on a Friday night. Audi should not only eat the cost of this repair but these manufacturers should be forced to fix this problem. It is a horrible sudden sound, shards of glass could have hit me driving if the fabric had been open, and anyone in the back seat could have been injured or blinded by shattered glass. This problem has been a problem for years. Shame on everyone for allowing this to continue.

ENGINE — Filed 02/22/2023

The Thermostat and it's house is failing on my of the 2017 audi a4 causing the coolant water to leak which makes the car heat up quickly due to leak and not having sufficient coolant water. So many of the b9 generation of audi a4 owners are also complain about this issue. Audi is charging $2500 to fix this known issue.

ENGINE — Filed 03/29/2022

Random Engine Coolant Warning. Since purchase of vehicle mid-March 2022, I have randomly received engine coolant warnings on the dashboard. Visual checks of the coolant reservoir reveal no issues. Internet search of issue reveals a number of other owners have had the same problem. Issue has occurred at all speeds and temperature conditions.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEATS — Filed 12/30/2022

The contact owns a 2017 Audi A4. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH with the front driver's seat heater engaged, she felt a burning sensation as the seat was overheating. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact disengaged the seat heater. The contact stated that upon arriving at her destination and exiting the vehicle, she noticed that a portion of the seat's lumbar support had melted and created a hole. Additionally, the contact noticed that there was a hole in her coat. There was no warning light illuminated. There was no injury sustained. The contact was able to drive to her residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V874000 (Seats, Air Bags) as the VIN was included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,867.

ENGINE — Filed 12/07/2022

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 at a local (non-audi dealership) repair shop. They stated that the low level of coolant was due to a small leak in the thermostat/water pump housing. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance. It will soon be in the local Audi dealership for a second opinion and/or possible resolution. I received a warning indicator on the dash and written pop up message on the dash board that indicated low coolant reservoir level. No OBD codes were collected by the independent service shop. They said that non were being displayed or read besides what was displayed on the dash.

AIR BAGS — Filed 07/04/2022

My 2017 Audi A4, is having a problem with the passenger air bag sensor. Whether there is a person on the passenger seat or not, the air bag sensor with turn on or off without warning and display a message. I have read that this problem has been recalled before.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE — Filed 06/01/2022

Engine light on Dealership found a rodent nest in the engine space in the car. Dealership considers that fluids used to coat Audi engine wiring attract rodents. Dealership considers this to be a health and safety issue. Dealership considers it essential to replace the Audi air filter. Dealership is checking wires to assess any gnawed damage. I need the engine to be power-washed and the nest area treated w/bleaching agents. I do not have the total estimate on this but it will be greater than $1,000.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING — Filed 07/30/2022

anti-freeze started coming out from the bottom of my vehicle... seems like that is a water pump issue, also I seen that I'm not the only person with this same issue with Audi A4... this should be a recall to resolve this problem.... thank you

STEERING — Filed 08/04/2022

The power steering on my A4 went out randomly with only 52k miles on the odometer. Thankfully it went out while the car was parked, but if it went out while I was driving it could've caused an accident. I towed it to a shop to diagnose the issue and they confirmed that the power steering rack went bad. While doing research I found that Audi extended the warranty on the steering racks for 2013-2016 model year A4s. The part number for the 2016 steering rack is shared with the 2017 steering rack as well, which means audi should've included the 2017 model year with that extended warranty.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 05/23/2022

My 2017 Audi A4 transmission started to fail as it frequently was not able to shift gears unless I came to a complete stop and restarted my car. This made it difficult to drive at a higher speed when I was on a major road or highway. I took it to a mechanic specializing in transmissions and he confirmed that the transmission was failing. The car would give me an indicator light of a transmission malfunction. I find it ridiculous that my cars transmission would go out around 5 yrs/60,000 miles. Since the pandemic, it hasn’t been driven a whole lot as I’ve worked from home.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 03/23/2022

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 on the brake. When traffic opens to where I think it is safe to proceed, I press the accelerator while my foot is still on the brake. In the situation this morning, I intended to execute a sharp right turn into the closest lane of a road with 2-lanes going in that direction. I pressed the accelerator hard while turning the steering wheel. Instead of turning right, the car shot across both lanes of traffic, wiped out a traffic sign and entered the lanes of oncoming traffic. I had zero control. It was only dumb luck that I avoided traffic in both directions (both of which were travelling at roughly 60 mph). Even though I knew about this risk from my earlier incident, I didn't think about it at the time. I realize that my actions send conflicting signals to the car (go/don't go), but the last thing the car should do is propel itself forward with no control on the part of the driver. I don't know if this is limited to Audi or the A4, but I wanted to make my experience public to possibly avoid a serious or fatal accident by someone else. It is very avoidable with proper knowledge and attention. I'd be interested in knowing if you have been notified of any other incidents of this type.

STEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS — Filed 02/07/2022

I was driving like normal and the stability light came on and the car started to swing left to right by it self.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 07/30/2017

AFTER PARKING MY CAR, MY DAUGHTER, THE PASSENGER IN THE RIGHT BACK SEAT, OPENED THE DOOR TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. SHE SUDDENLY FELT ACUTE PAIN ON THE TOP OF HER FOOT AND SAW BLOOD GUSHING OUT OF IT. I WENT TO HER SIDE OF THE CAR AND SAW AN AVULSION OF THE SKIN ON THE TOP RIGHT OF THE FOOT, AND BLOOD ALL OVER THE FLOOR OF THE CAR AND THE DOOR. A SHARP PIECE OF METAL TRIM LABELED "BANG & OLUFSON" (SEE PHOTO) HAD SEMI-DETACHED FROM THE DOOR PANEL AND LACERATED HER FOOT, PIERCING THROUGH HER FOOT AND COMING OUT BETWEEN HER TOES. THIS METAL TRIM PIECE LOOKED LIKE A SHARP KNIFE BLADE, AND HAD COME OUT OF ITS GLUED SPOT ON THE DOOR, STICKING OUT AT A 25-30 DEGREE ANGLE. I PUT PRESSURE ON THE WOUND AND REMOVED THE PIECE FROM THE CAR TO PREVENT FURTHER INJURY, CUTTING MYSELF IN THE PROCESS. IT WAS COVERED WITH BLOOD. I IMMEDIATELY DROVE HER TO THE ER AT MERCY HOSPITAL. DR. MILLER, A PLASTIC SURGEON, SPENT 2 HOURS CLEANING THE WOUND, PULLING THE FLAYED SKIN BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL POSITION, AND STITCHING TENDONS AND BLOOD VESSELS THAT WERE AFFECTED IN THE INJURY. HE PLACED CONTINUOUS ABSORBABLE SUTURES THE LENGTH OF THE WOUND. (SEE PHOTO) SHE WAS DISCHARGED WITH ORDERS NOT TO WALK OR PUT ANY WEIGHT ON THE FOOT, EXCEPT TO GO TO THE BATHROOM, FOR AT LEAST 3 WEEKS. THE DOCTOR TOLD HER SHE MAY LOSE THE SKIN ON THE FOOT AND MAY HAVE TO RECEIVE SKIN GRAFTS TO REPAIR THE WOUND. MY DAUGHTER WAS IN EXCRUCIATING PAIN AND IT IS STILL UNKNOWN WHETHER SHE WILL HAVE PERMANENT SCARRING OR PAIN, OR IF SHE WILL REGAIN FULL FUNCTIONING OF THE FOOT. SHE HAS UNDERGONE A COURSE OF ANTIBIOTICS AND REMAINED ON BED REST FOR 30 DAYS SINCE THE INCIDENT. THE SHARP METAL BLADE WAS ONLY GLUED ON THE DOOR SURFACE, WITH NO SCREWS TO ATTACH IT TO THE DOOR. THIS IS WHAT APPEARED TO CAUSE THIS BLADE TO DETACH FROM THE DOOR AND STAB INTO MY DAUGHTER'S FOOT.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 04/01/2017

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN RAINY CONDITIONS. (DRIVING ACCORDING TO SPEED LIMIT) AND I SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL. THE CAR WOULDN'T TURN WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL AND STARTED VEERING OUT OF THE LANE. IT THEN TURNED INTO THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION INTO TRAFFIC AND EVENTUALLY SPUN TO A STOP.

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) — Filed 11/08/2016

A FEW DAYS AGO I HAD AN ACCIDENT. I MADE A LEFT TURN ONTO THE EXPRESSWAY RAMP AT 42 MPH. THE ROAD WAS WET AND AUDI IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN ACTIVATED “PRECRASH SENSORS” AND BEGAN TO BRAKE HARD AND THE SYSTEM LOCKED THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY UNCONTROLLABLE AND CRASHED THE FRONT WHEEL INTO THE HIGH CURB, WHICH DAMAGED THE WHEELS, RIM AND AXLES. THE AUDI EXCHANGE DEALERSHIP IN IL CHECKED AND THE SENSORS ARE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THEY CLAIMED THAT I IMAGINE THINGS THAT DO NOT EXIST AS THEY SAID IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE CAR TO TAKE CONTROL AND TO BRAKE THE CAR. THEY ALSO SAID I DO NOT HAVE THESES FEATURE ON THE CAR, BUT THE CAR IS SO EQUIPPED WITH THIS TECHNOLOGY. ( BECAUSE MANY TIMES IT HAPPENED TO ME OUT OF THE CAR STARTED TO BRAKE WITHOUT A REASON TO BRAKE, WHEN I TRIED TO GO AROUND BIKERS AT THE SAFE DISTANCE, OR WHEN PARKING. WHEN I MADE THE COMPLAINT IN THE AUDI DEALER THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE, AND LAUGHED IN JUNE). I AM AWARE THAT I WAS MOVING FAST BUT FROM MY EXPERIENCE I KNOW THAT I COULD DO THIS TURN WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. PREVIOUSLY I OWNED A 2013 BMW 528 XDRIVE AND THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES SLIP ON THE SNOW AND I COULD CONTROL THE CAR STILL. I BELIEVE THE PRESENSE SENSORS ACTIVATES THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL IN THE CAR AND SUBSEQUENT ACCIDENT.