Audi and Volkswagen are recalling almost 2.86 million cars worldwide over a faulty bolt in the steering rack, Germany's Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) and the ADAC motoring club say.
The bolt holds one of the steering rack parts in place, and under certain conditions it can rust. If it breaks, the steering mechanism can lose its connection and the driver could lose control of the car, which raises the risk of a crash, the KBA says.
Volkswagen has 2,159,054 cars that could be affected, and Audi has 696,547. In Germany, 954,387 cars from the two brands are involved. Officials first reported more than 2.1 million cars, but the final count turned out to be higher.
Volkswagen's list includes the Golf, Golf Variant, Tiguan, Touran and Caddy, built between 24 September 2013 and 1 July 2024. For Audi, only the Q3 is affected, built between 31 October 2017 and 23 May 2024. So many cars are covered because these models were built for years in large numbers.
At the garage, mechanics check the part and fit a new bolt that resists rust better. The whole steering rack does not need replacing, and the manufacturer covers the cost.
If a car was built during that period, that alone does not mean it is affected. What matters is a check of the VIN, the car's identification number, done by the manufacturer or an authorized dealer. In the KBA register, the recall is listed under number 17016R for Volkswagen, with manufacturer code 48VS, and number 17014R for Audi, with code 48LG.
The KBA has also logged a separate recall for Seat over a similar problem. Tagesschau reports it covers the Ateca and Tarraco, built from April 2016 to September 2024.
There's a similar recall in the US, but it covers different models there: some Audi Q3, VW Tiguan and Atlas cars.
So far, no damage or injuries linked to the fault have been reported.