1996 AUDI CABRIOLET

2 recalls, 14 complaints - 10 TSBs

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

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

39,300 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

Defect Description

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

Consequence

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

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

24,000 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

Complaint Statistics

14 total complaints

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH	6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY	2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS	1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN	1
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER	1
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS	1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL	1
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS	1

Incident date: Jul 18, 2007

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

Incident date: Apr 1, 2005

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 P... Read more

Incident date: Dec 27, 2004

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

Incident date: Jul 12, 2003

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED CAUSING THE STARTER TO "BURN" OUT.*AK

Incident date: Jul 12, 2003

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED CAUSING THE STARTER TO "BURN" OUT.*AK

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING ALL ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES WORK, BUT THE IGNITION DOES NOT START. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. *AK. A DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH CAUSED THE STARTER TO REMAIN ENGAGED. *TS *JB

Incident date: Jun 7, 2002

THIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SAME IGNITION SWITCH DEFECT AS STATED IN RECALL 96 V 017 000; BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILS, IT AFFECTS THE WIPERS, RADIO, LIGHTS AND WINDOWS. *PH

IGNITION SWITCH WAS FAULTY AND CAUSED STARTER TO BURN OUT ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Incident date: Jun 2, 1999

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY HEADLIGHTS/ LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNALS/HORN/ WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND POWER WINDOWS MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

Incident date: Jun 2, 1999

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY HEADLIGHTS/ LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNALS/HORN/ WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND POWER WINDOWS MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

Incident date: Jun 2, 1999

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY HEADLIGHTS/ LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNALS/HORN/ WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND POWER WINDOWS MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

Incident date: Jun 2, 1999

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY HEADLIGHTS/ LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNALS/HORN/ WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND POWER WINDOWS MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

Incident date: Jun 2, 1999

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY HEADLIGHTS/ LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNALS/HORN/ WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND POWER WINDOWS MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

EPA Fuel Economy, 1996 AUDI CABRIOLET

Trim / Engine	City MPG	Highway MPG	Combined MPG	Fuel Type	Annual Fuel Cost
2.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	17.0	22.0	19.0	Premium	$4,000

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Minicompact Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1996 AUDI CABRIOLET

10 manufacturer communications from 4 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
121000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS	2
162900 STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS	1
121100 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES	1
122000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS	1
123000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS	1
124000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS	1
125000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS	1
127000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS	1

203000 WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

AUDI: WHEEL BOLTS REQUIRE TORQUE ADJUSTMENT. TORQUE STICKS AND TORQUE EXTENSION BARS ARE NOT APPROVED BY AUDI OF AMERICA, INC. AND SHOULD NOT BE USED TO APPLY TORQUE TO WHEEL BOLTS. ALL AUDI MODELS INCLUDED. *PE

121000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

HEADLIGHT AIMING, USING HELLA UNIVERSAL BEAMSETTER. *KB

121000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS