[REVISION HISTORY]

Volkswagen and Audi expand global steering recalls

17 recorded revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-28 09:33 UTC → 2026-11-05 21:44 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Volkswagen and Audi have expanded their global steering recalls, which now affect approximately 4.6 million vehicles across the Volkswagen, Audi, Škoda, and Seat brands. The defect involves a fastening screw or bolt in the steering gear that may corrode and break due to environmental factors like road salt, potentially leading to a complete loss of steering control or sudden failure of steering assistance. In the United States, the recall includes approximately 208,724 vehicles, specifically 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan, 2018–2019 Volkswagen Atlas, and 2019–2021 Audi Q3 models. In Germany, nearly one million vehicles are affected. The scope encompasses various models, including the Volkswagen Golf, Tiguan, Touran, and Caddy, as well as Audi Q3, Seat Ateca and Tarraco, and Škoda models such as the Octavia, Karoq, Kodiaq, and Superb. To resolve the issue, authorized workshops will replace the faulty components with corrosion-resistant versions, often featuring a polymer coating, free of charge. While the company has characterized this as a “precautionary measure” and reported no accidents, injuries, or deaths linked to the defect, some owners may require multiple service visits if replacement parts are unavailable. Andreas Krepp, head of group-wide quality assurance, stated that the decision was driven by safety rather than financial considerations, emphasizing that steering safety is a matter of “life and death”. Recent developments indicate that while the defect may have been identified as early as October 2024, the company officially classified it as a safety risk in September 2026. The German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) is overseeing the matter. Additionally, Volkswagen is navigating broader financial challenges, including declining revenue and competition from Chinese manufacturers.

Versions

Select a version to see what changed compared to the one before it.