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Alfa Romeo 145, 146 Recall R/1997/026: Unscheduled Deployment Of Air Bag, Who Is Affected And What To Do

DVSA reference R/1997/026. Data updated daily from DVSA.

Urgent
How serious
23 Jun 1997
Launched
1,590
vehicles in the UK
R/1997/026
DVSA reference

Alfa Romeo recalled 145, 146 vehicles built between 1 January 1996 and 31 December 1996. A heavy impact on the underside of the vehicle could cause unscheduled activation of the airbag. The dealer will replace the air bag control unit with a modified component. You won't usually pay for it.1

What’s Wrong

A heavy impact on the underside of the vehicle could cause unscheduled activation of the airbag.

DVSA's Original Wording

Concern: UNSCHEDULED DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG Defect: It is possible that a heavy impact on the underside of the vehicle could cause unscheduled activation of the airbag. Remedy: On affected vehicles the air bag control unit will be replaced with a modified component.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

The Risk

If the fault occurs, the recall notice says it could cause unscheduled activation of the airbag.

The Fix

The dealer will replace the air bag control unit with a modified component.

Are You Affected?

145, 146 built between 1 January 1996 and 31 December 1996 may be included. Alfa Romeo estimates 1,590 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Alfa Romeo, because not every car in the date range may be included.

What To Do Now

  1. Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Alfa Romeo.
  2. Book with any franchised Alfa Romeo dealer, quoting the DVSA reference R/1997/026. See how to get a Alfa Romeo recall fixed.
  3. Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.

No other recalls for this model in DVSA’s data.

This is one of 55 Alfa Romeo recalls in DVSA’s data. The Alfa Romeo recall launched before it was R/1996/026 on 12 Mar 1996, for security of seat belt. The one launched after it was R/1998/097 on 23 Dec 1998, for brake pipe connector may crack and leak. You can also see every Alfa Romeo recall, all recalls launched in 1997 and airbag recalls across every make.

Source: DVSA recall R/1997/026, launched 23 June 1997. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.

Sources

  1. The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.