The problem
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 fix
Dealers will install a ground wire on the driver side air bag.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 97V-175 (97V175000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. |
| Component | Air bags › Frontal |
| Report date | October 8, 1997 |
| Owners notified | October 13, 1997 |
| Vehicles affected | 39,300 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
- 1995 Audi 90
- 1996 Audi 90
- 1996 Audi A4
- 1997 Audi A4
- 1995 Audi A6
- 1996 Audi A6
- 1997 Audi A6
- 1996 Audi A8
- 1997 Audi A8
- 1995 Audi Cabriolet
- 1996 Audi Cabriolet
Plus 4 other model/year combinations not covered on this site.
Owner complaints about the air bags
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 97V-175 repair free?
Yes. Audi dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will install a ground wire on the driver side air bag.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 39,300 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.