Volkswagen Group has announced the recall of 2.86 million vehicles worldwide. This recall affects models from both Volkswagen and Audi. The reason for the recall is an issue related to the steering system.
The core problem is that the steering rack mounting bolt may loosen due to corrosion. In the worst-case scenario, this could lead to a loss of control over the steering wheel.
The list of affected vehicles includes the Volkswagen Golf, Golf Variant, Tiguan, Touran, and Caddy, as well as the Audi Q3. The company initiated this recall to address the issue before it could potentially cause an accident.
Of the total recalled vehicles, 2.16 million are Volkswagen models, and 696 thousand are Audi Q3. The issue may occur in Volkswagen vehicles manufactured between September 2013 and July 2024. For the Audi Q3, units produced from October 2017 to May 2024 are affected.
The German Federal Motor Transport Authority reported that there have been no reports of any losses related to this issue so far. The defect in Volkswagen Group vehicles is linked to a single bolt connecting the steering rack to the front subframe. Under certain conditions, this bolt can be susceptible to rust.
If the corrosion worsens, the bolt may break, leading to damage to the steering rack housing. This can reduce steering responsiveness and eventually cause a complete loss of control. The company emphasizes that this action is precautionary. Authorized dealerships will replace the damaged bolt with one that is more resistant to corrosion.
In the global list, Volkswagen has many models that were never mass-marketed in the Indian market. However, the Tiguan is a model that has been sold in the Indian market for many years, and Audi has sold several generations of the Q3 there.
Nevertheless, this does not mean that all Volkswagen Tiguan and Audi Q3 produced during this period will be affected. The company conducts recalls based on the vehicle identification number, date of manufacture, and component combination. As of now, Volkswagen Group has not provided any information regarding this matter in India.