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NHTSA vehicle safety data

1996 Audi Cabriolet Recalls & Complaints

The 1996 Audi Cabriolet has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 8 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Audi dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1996 Audi Cabriolet. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

1996 Audi Cabriolet owner complaints

Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Audi Cabriolet, describing incidents dated June 2, 1999 to July 18, 2007.

Most-cited components

  • Electrical System 7 complaints
  • Exterior Lighting 1 complaint
  • Structure 1 complaint
  • Visibility/Wiper 1 complaint

Newest complaints

  • ODI #10197024 · Filed

    IGNITION SWITCH IS BAD. CAUSING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS: TURN SIGNAL FAILURE, A/C FAILURE, POWER WINDOWS FAILURE, HEADLIGHT FAILURE. THESE OCCUR WHEN CAR IS STARTED. *TR

  • ODI #10138571 · Filed

    DT: THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. THE LATCH BROKE INSIDE THE DOOR. ALL THE OTHER MECHANISMS WORKED. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED ON APRIL OF 2005. THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE LATCH WITHOUT CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS STILL NOT GUARANTEEING THAT THEY COULD FIX THE PROBLEM…

  • ODI #10106724 · Filed

    NHTSA RECALL 96V017000 CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL REGARDING IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. *AK

Read all 8 complaints

VW/AIR BAG GROUND CONTACT WIRE

NHTSA #97V175000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice

Reported October 8, 1997 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

Potentially affected: 39,300 vehicles

Owners notified October 13, 1997 · Vehicles built July 1, 1994 – September 30, 1996 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DISCHARGE OF STATIC ELECTRICITY UNDER LOW HUMIDITY CONDITIONS CAN ACTIVATE THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WHEN THE DRIVER ENTERS OR EXITS THE VEHICLE AND FORMS AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT BY TOUCHING CERTAIN AREAS OF THE STEERING WHEEL.

Safety consequence

ACTIVATION OF THE AIR BAG UNDER THESE CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GROUND WIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 13, 1997.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

Electrical System — Ignition — Switch

NHTSA #96V017000 · NHTSA notice

Reported January 29, 1996 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

Potentially affected: 24,000 vehicles

Owners notified April 23, 1996 · Vehicles built January 1, 1994 – December 1, 1995 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCHES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND CAN CAUSE SOME ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES TO MALFUNCTION.

Safety consequence

SOME ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES, SUCH AS, TURN SIGNALS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, LAMPS, POWER WIND0WS AND AIR CONDITIONERS CAN MALFUNCTION WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

Notes

SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL; IGNITION; SWITCH. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, SHOULD CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

Other Audi Cabriolet model years

Check your 1996 Audi Cabriolet VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Audi Cabriolet at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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