The 2017 Audi A4 (B9 platform) with the EA888 Gen3 2.0T engine is generally more reliable than its predecessors, but suffers from catastrophic oil consumption issues in certain engines and typical German luxury car problems with cooling and electronic components as mileage accumulates.
Catastrophic Piston Ring Failure / Excessive Oil Consumption
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Burning through 1+ quart of oil every 1,000 miles or less, Blue smoke from exhaust on cold starts or acceleration, Carbon buildup on intake valves causing misfires and rough idle, Check engine light for cylinder misfires (P0300-P0304)
Fix: Complete engine rebuild or short block replacement required. Audi extended warranty to 10yr/120k miles for affected VINs, but coverage is spotty. Involves removing engine, replacing pistons, rings, often bearings. 25-35 hours labor plus parts.
Estimated cost: $8,000-12,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid mixing with coolant (milky pink fluid in reservoir), Transmission overheating warnings on dash, Harsh shifting or limp mode activation, Coolant loss with no visible leaks
Fix: Replace transmission oil cooler and flush both cooling system and transmission. If caught late, transmission may need replacement due to coolant contamination. 4-6 hours labor if just cooler.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,500
Thermostat Housing and Coolant Flange Leaks
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Coolant smell in cabin or under hood, Visible coolant weeping from plastic housing at front of engine, Low coolant warning light, Temperature gauge fluctuations
Fix: Replace thermostat housing assembly and multiple plastic coolant flanges that crack over time. Common on EA888 engines. 3-5 hours labor depending on how many flanges need replacement.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Carbon Buildup on Intake Valves
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Rough idle and hesitation on acceleration, Misfires (especially cylinder 1 and 4), Loss of power and poor fuel economy, Engine runs rough when cold
Fix: Direct-injection engines have no fuel washing over valves. Requires walnut blasting intake ports with manifold removed. 4-6 hours labor. Preventive service every 60k recommended.
Estimated cost: $600-900
PCV System and Valve Cover Breather Failures
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption without visible leaks, Oil in intake system or intercooler, Rough idle and check engine light, Whistling noise from engine bay
Fix: Replace PCV valve integrated into valve cover and diaphragm/breather assembly. Common failure point that exacerbates oil consumption. 2-3 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $500-800
Transmission Mount Collapse
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Excessive vibration at idle in Drive, Harsh engagement into gear, Visible sag or torn rubber on mount
Fix: Replace transmission mount (often the upper/torque mount fails first). Simple job but requires supporting transmission. 1.5-2 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $350-550
Sunroof Drain Tube Clogs and Water Intrusion
Occasional · medium severity
Symptoms: Water pooling in footwells (especially front passenger), Musty smell in cabin, Wet carpet or moisture under floor mats, Electrical gremlins from wet modules
Fix: Clear sunroof drain tubes (all four corners) and check for disconnected hoses. Can damage expensive control modules if ignored. 1-2 hours for cleaning; more if modules damaged.
Estimated cost: $150-300
Owner tips
Check service records for oil consumption complaints - avoid any car with history of excessive use between changes
Walnut blast intake valves every 60k miles as preventive maintenance to avoid misfires
Flush coolant and inspect plastic coolant components at 70k to catch failures before they strand you
Use only VW/Audi 502.00/504.00 spec oil - cheaper oils accelerate carbon buildup and ring wear
Check transmission fluid color at every service - brown or pink means cooler failure is imminent
Buy a 2017 with verified service history under 60k miles and budget $1,500/year for German car maintenance - skip any high-mileage examples or those with oil consumption complaints as engine rebuilds exceed the car's value.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: AGM battery required; located under rear seat or cargo floor; ventilation tube must be connected
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Every control module on the 2017 Audi A4 — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
Transmission Control Module (TCM)3.5 hr R&Rsecurity gateway +1.2 hr
📍 Inside transmission valve body (DSG/S-tronic) or external on case (conventional auto)
📍 Under driver or passenger seat, mounted to seat frame
🔧 VCDS
⚠️ Optional equipment; heated/ventilated seat control integrated
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
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.
Consequence: A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Performance
Horsepower
252hp
Torque
273lb-ft
0–60 mph
5.9sec
Quarter mile
14.3sec
Top speed
130mph
Capability & size
Curb weight
3,627lb
Wiper blades
B9 generation (2017-2023). New platform with different wiper sizes. Sedan body style has no rear wiper.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2017 Audi A4 2.0L Turbo I4 and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.