Recall 17V508 affects 8,383 2017-2018 Audi A3 Cabriolet vehicles for ECU software that can stall the engine. Repair is free at any franchised Audi dealer.
Audi is recalling 8,383 2017-2018 vehicles, including the A3 Cabriolet, because engine control software can read flywheel rotation during startup as engine knock and adjust the air and fuel mixture enough to stall the engine. An engine stall increases crash risk, and Audi dealers will update the ECU software free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The engine control unit is the engine computer. On 2017-2018 Audi A3 Cabriolet vehicles in this recall, the problem is software from data packet ECU R4 TFSI 2.0 EA888G3. That software reads signals during startup and tells the engine how much air and fuel to use.
During engine startup, the software can misread flywheel rotation as engine knock. Knock is abnormal combustion, and the engine computer responds by changing the air and fuel mixture. In these vehicles, that correction can make the engine stall as the car begins moving from a stop or from a slow roll.
If the fault occurs and the vehicle stalls, the red "Engine Stop While Driving" light will illuminate. Owners also can notice a sudden loss of motive power at low speeds, followed by an immediate restart after the stall.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2017 and 2018 model years for the A3 Cabriolet, with the engine component listed for both.
| 2017 Audi A3 Cabriolet | Engine |
|---|---|
| 2018 Audi A3 Cabriolet | Engine |
| Units affected | 8,383 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2017-2018 Audi A3 Cabriolet is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
An engine stall raises crash risk because the vehicle can lose power while moving. If the fault occurs, the red "Engine Stop While Driving" light illuminates after the stall. Pull over safely, turn on hazard lights, and contact an Audi dealer for the ECU software update. Repair is free at any franchised Audi dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2018 Audi A3 Cabriolet is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Audi dealer to schedule the free ECU software reprogramming that corrects the engine-start misread and helps prevent a stall.
- Bring the recall notice if Audi mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V508 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the software update is complete. Pull over safely if the engine stalls.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Audi technician reprograms the engine control unit software so the ECU reads flywheel rotation correctly during engine start. The software update and dealer labor are free under the recall. Audi is not offering reimbursement for this campaign, so prior out of pocket repairs are not handled through a separate recall reimbursement program. Ask the service desk to confirm the update is tied to recall 17V508.
| Reimbursement | No separate reimbursement |
|---|
Timeline
| August 16, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 6, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| September 6, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 7, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| September 19, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V508?
Recall 17V508 covers 8,383 2017-2018 Audi A3 Cabriolet vehicles with ECU software that can misread flywheel rotation during engine startup. That error can adjust the air/fuel mixture and result in an engine stall. Audi dealers will reprogram the ECU software for free.
What should I do if my 2017-2018 Audi A3 Cabriolet is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 17V508. If it is, contact a franchised Audi dealer to schedule the ECU software reprogramming. Reference recall number 17V508 or Audi recall number 24DF when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to perform safety recall repairs at no cost, and Audi will reprogram the ECU software free of charge at any franchised Audi dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 17V508?
The safety risk is an engine stall. NHTSA campaign 17V508 says an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. If your VIN is included, schedule the free ECU software update with an Audi dealer and ask the service desk about the safest way to bring the vehicle in.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V508000 |
|---|---|
| Audi customer service | 1-800-253-2834 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V508 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V508000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →