Earlier this month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced a recall for the 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas, 2018 Tiguan, and 2019-2021 Audi Q3. The campaign concerns a steering rack bolt that could break and cause a complete loss of steering. However, the U.S. recall may represent only a small portion of the wider problem.
The NHTSA notice lists 208,274 affected vehicles in the United States. A new report indicates that the safety issue is far more extensive globally, potentially making the campaign Volkswagen’s largest recall since Dieselgate.
German publication Handelsblatt reports that the worldwide total could approach four million vehicles. The figure reportedly includes around two million Volkswagen models, more than one million Skodas, approximately 700,000 Audis, and 200,000 Seats.
Information from Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority indicates that the affected Volkswagen models include the Golf, Golf Variant, Tiguan, Touran, and Caddy. The Q3 appears to be the only Audi involved, while the Seat models are believed to include Ateca and Tarraco vehicles built between April 2016 and September 2024.
How Will the Defect Be Repaired?
The recall centers on the right-hand steering rack mounting bolt, which is vulnerable to failure. The same component is presumably responsible for the issue in other markets. It is considered especially susceptible to moisture and corrosion in countries where roads are treated with salt during winter.
The positive news for Volkswagen is that, although the company could need to recall millions of vehicles, the remedy will not involve repairing or buying back cars as it did during the Dieselgate scandal. Dealers only need to replace the steering rack bolt with one featuring a more corrosion-resistant coating.
A steering rack mounting bolt susceptible to moisture and corrosion could lead to a loss of steering in millions of Volkswagen Group vehicles worldwide. While the U.S. recall covers 208,274 vehicles, the global campaign could involve nearly four million Volkswagen, Skoda, Audi, and Seat models. The remedy is expected to involve replacing the bolt with a more corrosion-resistant version.
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