Volkswagen recalls more than 4 million cars over possible steering defect
Around 1 million vehicles in Germany will be inspected; Volkswagen says corrosion on a bolt can lead to steering failure and will be replaced with a rust‑resistant part.
25 September 2026 — Volkswagen Group has launched a major global recall affecting more than 4 million cars after authorities flagged a possible defect in a steering-component fastener that, in rare cases, can lead to loss of steering function.
Inspection and bolt replacement planned
The company will call roughly one million vehicles in Germany to workshops for inspection and repair, the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) said. The measure is part of a wider action that covers multiple marques within the Volkswagen Group.
According to the KBA, about 2.16 million Volkswagen, Audi and SEAT cars worldwide from the Tiguan, Touran, Golf and Caddy model lines will be subject to the campaign. In addition, nearly 700,000 units of the Audi Q3 are included.
Skoda was also reported to be affected on a large scale, with more than one million vehicles globally, while SEAT models amount to around 200,000 units. Altogether the recall notification to the KBA covers more than four million cars across the group's brands.
A Volkswagen Group spokesperson said that under certain environmental influences and after many years of use in conditions where road-deicing salt is present, corrosion can develop on one of the bolts that fasten the steering mechanism. In some isolated cases this can affect the attachment of the steering and thus its function. The remedy is to replace the joint bolt with a corrosion-resistant fastener.
The campaign is the largest recall for the group since the emissions scandal more than a decade ago. The company has begun contacting owners and national authorities to organise the inspections and replacements.
Photo: press material from the event
