Volkswagen and Audi recall 2.8 million vehicles globally over steering bolt defect
Germany's motor transport authority announced a recall of 2.8 million Volkswagen and Audi vehicles worldwide after finding steering gearbox bolts risk corrosion and breakage.
Technical fault and affected vehicle lines
The German Federal Motor Transport Authority, the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) based in Flensburg, announced on Friday, 25 September 2026, a worldwide recall covering 2.8 million vehicles from Volkswagen and its subsidiary Audi. The technical defect involves a mounting bolt on the steering gearbox that can rust and weaken over time. Under KBA findings, this corrosion risk can lead to bolt fracture and cause a complete loss of steering control. The measure affects five Volkswagen models: the Golf, Golf Variant, Tiguan, Touran, and Caddy produced between 24 September 2013 and 1 July 2024, logged under KBA reference number 17016R. For Audi, the recall applies to the Q3 compact sport utility vehicle manufactured between 31 October 2017 and 23 May 2024 under reference number 17014R.
- Production begins for affected Volkswagen models
- Production begins for affected Audi Q3 vehicles
- Production ends for affected Audi Q3 vehicles
- Production ends for affected Volkswagen models
- Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt publishes recall notice for 2.8 million vehicles
Global and domestic recall numbers
The total global scope includes 2.16 million Volkswagen-branded cars and approximately 700,000 Audi vehicles. In Germany, the recall encompasses 895,832 Volkswagen vehicles and 58,555 Audi Q3 models, bringing the domestic total to more than 954,000 cars. The German automobile club ADAC had earlier reported on the global scale of the campaign before official KBA database entries were finalized. A Volkswagen representative stated that the company discovered the bolt corrosion during internal vehicle quality checks. The spokesperson noted that while the exact location of the initial discovery was unconfirmed, the issue is presumed to originate in countries where heavy road salt application during winter accelerates corrosion on underbody components.
- Volkswagen
- 2.16 million vehicles
- Audi
- 0.7 million vehicles
Repair procedures and safety directives
To resolve the mechanical vulnerability, authorized workshops must replace the existing steering bolt with a more corrosion-resistant fastener. Volkswagen confirmed that the recall is a precautionary step and that no accidents resulting in personal injuries or bodily harm have occurred. The carmaker emphasized that owners do not need to immediately ground their vehicles before their scheduled service visits.
We are now recalling the affected vehicles as a preventive measure, without any personal injury having occurred.
Volkswagen will contact vehicle owners directly using vehicle registration data obtained through the KBA. The notification process is expected to take several days to weeks, after which motorists are instructed to schedule a repair appointment with their authorized dealership or service partner.
Industry pressures and restructuring plans
The worldwide recall adds operational demands to Volkswagen as the group navigates high European manufacturing expenses and intense competition from Chinese automakers, particularly in the electric vehicle sector. In early September 2026, the company agreed on terms with labour unions to cut 50,000 additional jobs by 2030. This agreement elevated the group's planned total workforce reductions to approximately 100,000 employees globally. Volkswagen has not disclosed the expected financial costs of executing the global bolt replacement campaign across the 2.8 million affected vehicles.
