Volkswagen is recalling 208,724 vehicles in the United States because of a faulty steering rack bolt that could break and result in a loss of steering control, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Friday.
The recall affects certain 2018 Tiguan, 2018-2019 Atlas and 2019-2021 Audi Q3 vehicles. The affected models span several production years and include vehicles sold under both the Volkswagen and Audi brands.
According to NHTSA, the steering rack mounting bolt in the affected vehicles may corrode and eventually break. If the bolt fails, the vehicle could experience a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect centres on the right-side steering rack mounting bolt, which plays a role in securing the steering system. Corrosion affecting the bolt could therefore have consequences beyond a conventional mechanical fault, potentially affecting a driver’s ability to control the vehicle.
As part of the recall remedy, dealers will replace the right-side steering rack mounting bolt free of charge. The measure is intended to address the defect before the component can corrode and break, reducing the potential safety risk identified by the US auto safety regulator.
The recall adds to a series of vehicle safety actions involving major international manufacturers, in which defects affecting individual components can lead to large-scale corrective measures. In this case, the potential consequence identified by NHTSA is particularly significant because the affected component is connected to steering control.
The vehicles covered by the recall include the Volkswagen Tiguan and Atlas, as well as the Audi Q3. Although the affected models differ in size and positioning within the Volkswagen Group’s vehicle range, the recall concerns the same type of steering rack bolt defect.
NHTSA warned that a breakage could increase the risk of a crash through a potential loss of steering control. Volkswagen’s remedy will therefore involve replacement of the specified mounting bolt at no cost to vehicle owners through dealers.
The recall affects more than 208,000 vehicles across the US, making it a substantial safety action for Volkswagen and Audi. The regulator’s announcement places the focus on preventing a potentially serious steering failure by replacing the affected component before corrosion can lead to breakage.
