The 1996 Audi Cabriolet has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 63,300 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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.
ACTIVATION OF THE AIR BAG UNDER THESE CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GROUND WIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG.
DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCHES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND CAN CAUSE SOME ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES TO MALFUNCTION.
SOME ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES, SUCH AS, TURN SIGNALS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, LAMPS, POWER WIND0WS AND AIR CONDITIONERS CAN MALFUNCTION WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“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”
“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…”
“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”
“Ignition switch failed causing the starter to "burn" out.*ak”
“Ignition switch failed causing the starter to "burn" out.*ak”
“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”
“While driving on highway headlights/ left and right turn signals/horn/ windshield wipers, and power windows malfunctioned. *ak”
“While driving on highway headlights/ left and right turn signals/horn/ windshield wipers, and power windows malfunctioned. *ak”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1996 Audi Cabriolet as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.