VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DISCHARGE OF STATIC ELECTRICITY UNDER LOW HUMIDITY CONDITIONS

Oct 08, 1997 — Recall Campaign #97V175000

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 recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 39,300 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

97V175000

Manufacturer:	Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Recall date:	October 08, 1997
NHTSA Campaign #:	97V175000
Units affected:	39,300

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.
Consequeces:: ACTIVATION OF THE AIR BAG UNDER THESE CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.
Corrective action:: 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.

Affects the following:

1997 AUDI A4 Complaints
I WAS SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT AND WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 40 TO 60 MILES A HOUR. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY DRIVER SEAT CAME LOSE FROM THE FLOOR AND BECAUSE OF THIS I RECEIVED INJURIES TO MY NECK AND FACE. *JS;
1997 AUDI A6 Complaints
1997 AUDI A6 QUATTRO. FILLED UP WITH GAS AT 8PM, PARKED CAR IN DRIVEWAY IN FRONT OF GARAGE. BY 2PM NEXT DAY THERE WAS A LARGE PUDDLE OF GAS (NEARLY 1/2 TANK) LOCATED UNDER THE ENTIRE REAR END OF THE CAR PAST THE WHEELS MORE THEN 2 FT ON BOTH SIDES. THE FUMES COULD SMELT OVER 5 FT AWAY. I'M POSITIVE THE SLIGHTEST SPARK WOULD'VE IGNITED THE FUEL, THAT WOULD HAVE DESTROYED THE CAR, MY NEIGHBORS AND MY GARAGE. I TOOK VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC, HE POINTED OUT THE LEAK, A PORT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE TANK THAT HAS A HOSE ATTACHED TO IT IS CRACKED. HE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THE GAS WAS LEAKING ON MY EXHAUST, TRAVELING UP THE EXHAUST TOWARD THE ENGINE, I WAS LUCKY THAT THE HEAT DIDN'T IGNITE THE GAS. MECHANIC TOLD ME THERE HAS BEEN RECALLS FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE, AFTER CALLING, WERE INFORMED THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL WITHIN THE RECALL THAT HAS BEEN ISSUED. AFTER DOING HOURS OF RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND COUNTLESS OTHER VW/AUDI OWNERS COMPLAINING THEIR VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL EVEN THOUGH ITS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE WITH THE SAME PART!! BY USING THE AUDI PARTS WEBSITE TO LOOK UP OTHER MODELS ITS EASY TO SEE THEY USE FUEL TANKS THAT HAVE THE SAME DESIGN ISSUE BUT NOT COVERED IN RECALL. PLEASE GET VW/AUDI TO INCLUDE ALL OF THEIR VEHICLES THAT HAVE THE FUEL TANKS WITH THE VALVE NIPPLES THAT HAVE PROVEN TO FAIL OVER AND OVER. IT SHOULD ALSO BE NOTED THAT THERE ARE REPORTS OF PART FAILURE AFTER RECALL HAS BEEN PREFORMED AND AUDI IS REFUSING TO FIX THE ISSUE AFTER THE FACT FORCING OWNERS TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. JUST BECAUSE NO ONE COMPLAINED ABOUT A MAKE/MODEL THAT IS USING THE SAME DESIGN FLAWED PART SHOULDN'T BE AN EXCUSE NOT TO ISSUE OR INCLUDE IN A RECALL! WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR SOMETHING MAJOR TO HAPPEN BEFORE A RECALL IS ISSUED.;
1997 AUDI A8 Complaints
MY 1997 AUDI A8 IS EQUIPPED WITH A VEHICLE JACK THAT IS GROSSLY INADEQUATE FOR CHANGING A TIRE AND IS HAZARDOUS TO ANYONE USING IT-- IT IS PRONE TO COLLAPSE. MANY USERS OF THIS JACK HAVE EXPERIENCED COLLAPSE, AND AUDI DOES NOT CARE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *JB;
1997 AUDI CABRIOLET Complaints
WHILE DRIVING THE GAS PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND FAILED TO RETURN TO ITS NORMAL POSITION, WHICH CREATED EXCESSIVE SPEED. *AK *JB;