Volkswagen Recalls 2.86 Million Cars Worldwide Over Steering Failure Risk

German automaker Volkswagen Group is recalling around 2.86 million vehicles worldwide over a potential steering failure risk caused by corrosion of a screw in the steering system, Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) said.

The recall covers Volkswagen Tiguan, Touran, Golf, Golf Variant and Caddy models manufactured between September 2013 and July 2024. It also affects around 700,000 Audi Q3 vehicles built between October 2017 and May 2024, according to KBA information reported by the Associated Press and AFP.

The problem involves a screw used to secure the steering gear. Under certain environmental conditions, including prolonged exposure to road salt, corrosion could weaken the screw and eventually cause it to fracture. In the worst case, this could result in a loss of steering control and increase the risk of an accident.

Volkswagen said the corrosion problem was detected during quality-control checks and that it was launching the recall as a precautionary measure. The company said there had been no reported injuries, while KBA said there were no known incidents involving damage to people or property.

The defective screw will be replaced with a more corrosion-resistant component. The repair is expected to take up to about one hour, according to the AP report. Volkswagen has also said affected drivers can continue using their vehicles while waiting for an appointment with a dealer.

The recall affects vehicles in multiple markets. Germany alone accounts for close to one million affected vehicles, according to reports, while Volkswagen Sweden has separately said about 51,000 vehicles in Sweden are covered, including models from Volkswagen, Audi and Seat.

Owners of affected vehicles will be contacted and the repair will be carried out free of charge through authorised workshops. Volkswagen India also maintains an online recall checker where owners can enter their vehicle identification number (VIN) to determine whether their vehicle is covered by a recall campaign.