Volkswagen Group has issued a global recall of approximately 2.9 million vehicles after a steering-mounting bolt was found capable of corroding and fracturing, creating a risk of steering failure. The German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) announced the action on September 25, 2026.
The recall covers 2.2 million Volkswagen vehicles and almost 700,000 Audi vehicles. Audi said it was recalling 696,547 vehicles worldwide over the steering issue and described the measure as a 'precautionary recall'.
The KBA said moisture and road salt can build up around the steering gear bolt over several years. That exposure can corrode the component and eventually cause it to break, potentially leading to a loss of steering control.
No accidents or injuries connected with the defect have been reported to date. Even so, the issue concerns a component central to the vehicle's steering system, and the campaign spans models produced over a long period.
Volkswagen models affected include the Tiguan, Touran, Golf, Golf Variant and Caddy produced between September 24, 2013 and July 1, 2024. Audi Q3 vehicles from October 31, 2017 to May 23, 2024 also require inspection and, where necessary, repair.
Owners can check whether their vehicle is included by providing its vehicle identification number, or VIN, to an authorized dealer. Authorized workshops will inspect the vehicles and replace defective bolts with corrosion-resistant parts free of charge. The work is expected to take up to one hour.
Germany accounts for a substantial part of the campaign. Almost 900,000 Volkswagen vehicles being recalled are in Germany, alongside 58,555 Audi vehicles. The brief did not specify where the remaining affected vehicles are located or when owners will receive notice of the recall.
Volkswagen Group's previous diesel-emissions campaign involved 8.5 million cars across Europe.
The current recall concerns a different problem and covers vehicles sold across multiple continents. The total cost of the campaign, the deadline for repairs and whether Volkswagen Group brands beyond Volkswagen and Audi are affected have not been disclosed.
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