Volkswagen and Audi Recall 208,724 SUVs Over Bolt Issue That Could Cause Steering LossMotorBiscuitSaajan JogiaWed, September 23, 2026 at 3:49 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleVolkswagen has issued a recall that involves multiple SUVs due to an issue with the steering rack mounting bolt, which can fracture from corrosion and lead to potential steering loss.According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall report, affected vehicles include the 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas (82,601 units), the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan (85,713 units), and the 2019-2021 Audi Q3 (40,410 units).The report reveals that "Corrosion at the affected left-hand-drive steering rack-to-subframe mounting connection may lead to a fracture of the bolt head." The safety risk arising from this condition could have serious consequences, since the issue could cause a crash. The recall report explained:AdvertisementAdvertisement"If the bolt head fractures, the steering rack remains attached to the subframe by only one mounting point. Continued loading may result in a fracture of the steering rack housing, which could lead to a loss of steering capability and increase the risk of a crash.red audi coupe on road during daytime"Vehicle testing and field reports indicate that such a housing fracture is most likely to occur during parking or low-speed maneuvering events, where steering loads are particularly high."Moisture has been identified as the key factor that could trigger the problem since it could corrode the bolt and increase the chances of a fracture. Owners whose vehicles have been included in the recall are advised to look out for "unusual metallic rattling or knocking noises originating from the front axle area."The investigation began in October 2024 after Volkswagen received a report of a corroded steering rack mounting bolt and fractured housing. Further testing found that moisture could reach the mounting area, causing corrosion that may weaken and break the bolt and housing.AdvertisementAdvertisementBy 2026, testing showed a fracture could occur during high-load, low-speed maneuvers and might not be immediately noticeable to the driver. After reviewing the findings, Volkswagen and Audi determined that a safety defect could exist and announced a voluntary recall on September 4, 2026.The recall report mentioned that the automakers are not aware of incidents related to this issue:"Volkswagen and Audi are not aware of any crashes, fires, injuries, deaths, warranty claims, field reports, service reports, or other information associated with this topic in the North American Region."The remedy for the problem would be to replace the right steering rack mounting bolt with a bolt coated with a highly corrosion-resistant polymer, according to the NHTSA recall report.AdvertisementAdvertisement"This coating provides enhanced corrosion protection and significantly improves long-term durability," the report added.Volkswagen notified dealers about the recall on September 16, 2026, while owner notifications are scheduled to begin on November 10, 2026. The affected vehicles' VINs became searchable starting September 16, 2026.