The Volkswagen Group has initiated a widespread recall process covering millions of vehicles worldwide due to a corrosion risk identified in the steering system. According to a report submitted to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the number of potentially affected vehicles reaches 4.64 million.
According to technical information reported by the Germany-based Handelsblatt, the issue relates to the formation of corrosion under certain conditions on a connecting bolt in the steering gear. It is assessed that the connecting elements may be damaged, particularly in vehicles exposed to road salt for long periods, which could negatively affect the function of the steering mechanism.
The report states that Volkswagen identified the first case regarding the issue in October 2024, and following investigations lasting approximately two years, the official process was initiated in September 2026 after a safety risk assessment was conducted. According to NHTSA data, the defect is expected to be actually present in approximately 1 percent of the vehicles examined in the U.S.
Authorities noted that no cases of injury or serious property damage linked to the defect in question have been reported to date. Within the scope of the recall, it is planned to inform vehicle owners through authorized service centers and to carry out the necessary part replacements.
WHICH MODELS ARE COVERED
The recall list includes models from different brands within the Volkswagen Group. According to the shared information, the brands and production ranges covered are as follows:
- - Volkswagen: Tiguan, Touran, Golf Variant, Golf Sportsvan, and Caddy models produced between September 2013 and July 2024.
- - Audi: Q3 models produced between October 2017 and May 2024. It was reported that approximately 700 thousand Q3s worldwide and more than 58 thousand 500 in Germany are potentially covered.
- - Seat: Ateca and Tarraco models produced between April 2016 and September 2024. The exact number of affected vehicles has not yet been announced.
The operation in question is considered one of the most extensive recall processes of the Volkswagen Group in recent years. Vehicle owners are advised to follow official notifications and authorized service announcements.
News Source: 12punto
