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2017 Audi A4

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2017 models.

Audi A4
Pictured: Audi A4 B9 sedans (FL) 1X7A2441. Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Compact Cars
Body styles
4dr Sedan, Allroad
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Horsepower
252 hp
Transmission
automatic
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Seats
5
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
31 combined · 27 city / 37 hwy
Length
186.2–187 in
Curb weight
3,627–3,825 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
6 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 31 MPG combined — 15% better than the average 2017 compact car (26.9 MPG).
  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
  • 6 recallsMore than similar models (about 3). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 24 similar 2017 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2017 Audi A4 is a compact car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 186 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,627 lb (4dr Sedan).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 31 MPG combined (27 city / 37 highway), 15% better than the 2017 compact car average of 26.9 MPG, for an estimated $2,650 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 87 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2017

  • Best combined MPG up from 27 to 31

Compared with 2016; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2016 A4 →

Trims, performance & features

Engine252 hp2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissionautomatic
DriveAWD/4WD
Seating5 seats · 2 rows

Trims

quattro Premium Plusquattro Premiumquattro PrestigePremium Plus, Ultra Premium PlusPremium Plus

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingStandard
Pedestrian emergency brakingStandard
Forward collision warningStandard
Blind-spot monitoringStandard
Parking assistStandard
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsStandard
Keyless startStandard

Built in: Neckarsulm, Germany · Ingolstadt, Germany

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2017 A4 configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan186.2 in71.3 in55.1 in111 in61.8 / 61 in3,627 lb56/44
Allroad187 in72.4 in58.7 in111 in62.2 / 61.8 in3,825 lb

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
A4 Ultra2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S7)Front-Wheel Drive27 / 37 / 31+15%$2,650284
A42.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S7)Front-Wheel Drive25 / 33 / 28+4%$2,950315
A4 quattro2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S7)All-Wheel Drive24 / 31 / 270%$3,050330
A4 quattro2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdAll-Wheel Drive24 / 33 / 270%$3,050329
A4 allroad quattro2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S7)All-Wheel Drive23 / 28 / 25-14%$3,300349
7/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
7/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $1,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
26.9 MPG2017 Compact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2017 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2017 Audi A4.

Similar 2017 compact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2017 Audi A4 (this car)31 MPGNot rated6
2017 BMW 3 Series36 MPG★★★★★0
2017 Lexus IS26 MPGNot rated2
2017 Audi A628 MPG★★★★★3
2017 Tesla Model S335 miNot rated9
2017 Audi A526 MPGNot rated3
2017 Lexus ES40 MPGNot rated1

Recalls (6)

Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger · Nov 10, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V874000 · 208,332 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix
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.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jul 24, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V547000 · 145,337 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi RS5 Sportback, 2018 S5 Cabriolet, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, S4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, and 2017-2018 A4 Sedan and A4 Allroad vehicles. Oxidation on the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) connecting cable may cause the software to misdiagnose a malfunction and disable the passenger air bag.
Risk
A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will install cable ties to the harness, free of charge. The recall began September 9, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi's number for this recall is 74D9.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Nov 27, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V836000 · 12 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Audi A5 Sportback and 2017-2018 Audi A4 Allroad vehicles. A passenger air bag module mounting screw may not have been sufficiently tightened, possibly affecting the deployment of the air bag in the event of a crash.
Risk
If the air bag does not deploy correctly in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of an injury.
Fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bag mounting screw, tightening or replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 19, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Y4.
Structure › Body › Door › Hinge And Attachments · Oct 25, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V675000 · 31,323 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad, and 2018 A5 Sportback vehicles. The aluminum trim on the front and rear doors can come loose from around the door speakers, leaving sharp edges exposed.
Risk
The sharp edges of the speaker trim increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Fix
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the speaker cover aluminum trim, free of charge. The recall began March 13, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 70G6.
Seat Belts › Pretensioner · Dec 29, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V955000 · 5,947 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.
Risk
In the event of a crash, if the air bags and/or the seat belt pretensioners do not inflate or function properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Fix
Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bags and seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Exterior Lighting · Sep 6, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V642000 · 79,895 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 TT roadster, A3 cabriolet, A3 sedan and A3 e-tron, 2016-2017 TT coupe, 2017 A4 sedan and Q7 and 2015-2017 Q3 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk
If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97CB.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2017 Audi A4 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

87Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
4Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
2Injuries reported
19,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags27
Engine23
Unknown Or Other17
Seats11
Electrical System10
Fuel/Propulsion System6
Service Brakes5
Seat Belts5
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
22/03: 322/04: 222/05: 122/06: 122/08: 322/10: 122/12: 123/01: 123/02: 123/04: 123/05: 223/09: 123/12: 124/01: 124/03: 224/05: 124/07: 124/09: 124/10: 124/12: 125/08: 125/12: 126/09: 126/10: 122/0322/0622/1223/0423/1224/0524/1025/12max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2017 Audi A4 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 27 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Engine — 23 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Seats — 11 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 19,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2017 Audi A4. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other A4 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2025 A429187.4 inNot rated01
2024 A430187.4 inNot rated06
2023 A428187.4 inNot rated111
2022 A429187.4 inNot rated37
2021 A428187.4 inNot rated413
2020 A430187.4 inNot rated3158
2019 A430186.2 inNot rated113
2018 A431186.2 inNot rated454
2016 A427185 inNot rated326
2015 A426185.8 inNot rated443
2014 A426185.8 inNot rated470
2013 A426185 inNot rated490

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →