German automotive manufacturers Volkswagen and its subsidiary Audi are initiating a significant German car recall. They are calling back almost one million vehicles throughout Germany. This large-scale action addresses a potential steering fault.
The KBA road traffic authority confirmed the necessity of this recall. Officials stated that potential bolt failures could damage the steering gearbox. In some severe instances, this defect might even lead to a complete loss of steering control.
The affected components are prone to corrosion caused by humidity. Therefore, new, more resistant bolts will replace the faulty ones. However, Volkswagen believes only a smaller proportion of the recalled vehicles will actually experience this steering issue.
Importantly, the company has not received any reports of accidents or injuries linked to this potential bolt failure. This suggests the recall is a proactive safety measure.
Several Volkswagen models are included in this widespread German car recall. These comprise the Tiguan, Touran, Golf Variant, Caddy, and Golf. These vehicles were produced between September 24, 2013, and July 1, 2024. This accounts for approximately 900,000 cars in Germany alone, and a substantial 2.16 million vehicles worldwide.
Meanwhile, Audi’s Q3 model is also affected by the recall. Over 58,555 Audi Q3s in Germany are impacted. Globally, this figure rises to about 700,000 vehicles.
This recall arrives as Volkswagen faces ongoing challenges in the automotive market. The firm has grappled with declining sales in recent years. Consequently, VW has implemented tens of thousands of layoffs and reduced its manufacturing plant footprint to cut operational costs.
