The defect
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.
The risk
ACTIVATION OF THE AIR BAG UNDER THESE CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GROUND WIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Audi 90 | 1995, 1996, 1997 |
| Audi A4 | 1995, 1996, 1997 |
| Audi A6 | 1995, 1996, 1997 |
| Audi A8 | 1995, 1996, 1997 |
| Audi Cabriolet | 1995, 1996, 1997 |
Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audi 90 | 1995 | 18 | 3 |
| Audi 90 | 1996 | 0 | 2 |
| Audi 90 | 1997 | 0 | 1 |
| Audi A4 | 1995 | 1 | 1 |
| Audi A4 | 1996 | 89 | 4 |
| Audi A4 | 1997 | 98 | 6 |
| Audi A6 | 1995 | 16 | 2 |
| Audi A6 | 1996 | 51 | 2 |
| Audi A6 | 1997 | 20 | 2 |
| Audi A8 | 1995 | 0 | 1 |
| Audi A8 | 1996 | 1 | 2 |
| Audi A8 | 1997 | 10 | 2 |
| Audi Cabriolet | 1995 | 3 | 3 |
| Audi Cabriolet | 1996 | 8 | 2 |
| Audi Cabriolet | 1997 | 2 | 1 |
Other air bags recalls in 1997
8 of the 268 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 1997 concerned the air bags; VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC filed 204 campaigns in all.
| 97V193000 1 Nov 1997 | AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. |
| 97V172000 6 Oct 1997 | VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC |
| 97V107000 28 Jun 1997 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 97V080000 16 May 1997 | CHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 97V049000 27 Mar 1997 | ROLLS-ROYCE MOTORS, INC. |
| 97V043002 20 Mar 1997 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 97V043001 20 Mar 1997 | TOYOTA MOTOR CO., LTD. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 1997