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Research · Minicompact Cars

1997 Audi CabrioletRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 2 owner complaints for the 1997 Audi Cabriolet. Most complaints involve vehicle speed control (1) and steering (1). The EPA rates it 19 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Oct 1997
Owner complaints
2
Top: vehicle speed control
Fuel cost / yr
$4,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Oct 8, 1997NHTSA 97V175000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 31, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

2 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2003 – Oct 2003
  1. Vehicle speed control1
  2. Steering1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Cabriolet model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
19968
19972
19981
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 31, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Vehicle speed control

1 report
“WHILE DRIVING THE GAS PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND FAILED TO RETURN TO ITS NORMAL POSITION, WHICH CREATED EXCESSIVE SPEED. *AK *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 1, 2003Vehicle speed controlODI 10020012

Steering

1 report
“STEERING LINKAGE FAILED. WHILE PULLING OUT ODF A DRIVEWAY, THE LINKAGE BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND RACK BROKE RENDERING THE CAR UNSTEERABLE. THE STEERING WHEELL SIMPLE SPUN. FORTUNATELY THIS DID NOT OCCUR AT HIGH SPEED. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPT SAID IT WAS " NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE HIGH MILEAGE AND IS MAINTAINED BY AUDI. I HAVE THE BROKEN PART FOR YOUR INSPECTION. IT IS BROKEN IN TWO.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 9, 2003SteeringODI 10000879
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Minicompact Cars
Engines
2.8L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Cabriolet
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172219$4,200468
  • Cabriolet
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L
    17 city · 22 hwy · $4,200/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1997 Audi Cabriolet as of Oct 31, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 31, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1997 Cabriolet questions

How many recalls does the 1997 Audi Cabriolet have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 31, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1997 Audi Cabriolet problems?

Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are vehicle speed control (1), steering (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1997 Audi Cabriolet get?

The EPA rates the 1997 Audi Cabriolet at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 31, 2026