Volkswagen recalls nearly 2.9 million cars worldwide over steering‑failure risk

Over 2.8 million Audi and Volkswagen vehicles worldwide are potentially affected by a safety recall due to a broken screw that could lead to steering failure, according to Germany's Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA). The issue, currently under investigation, arises when corrosion causes a bolt securing the steering gear to break, potentially resulting in a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of an accident.

The recall is prompted by internal inspections of Audi Q3 vehicles which found that road salt and environmental conditions could corrode the screw securing the steering system over several years, impairing the steering system if left unchecked.

Audi and Volkswagen have taken precautionary measures to address this safety concern. Audi has initiated a recall after discovering the potential for corrosion in specific models, including the Q3 manufactured between October 2017 and May 2024, with a particular steering system and front-axle subframe combination. Volkswagen's affected vehicles were produced between September 2013 and July 2024, with nearly 900,000 impacted in Germany. Globally, almost 2.16 million Volkswagen vehicles and over 696,000 Audi vehicles are at risk.

The repair process, which involves replacing the faulty screw, is expected to take up to an hour and will be provided free of charge to customers. As of now, the KBA has not reported any incidents related to the issue, and there is no evidence of damage or injury associated with the problem. Volkswagen's recall comes after an earlier action by the Volkswagen Group involving batteries in some electric ID models, which affected nearly 100,000 electric cars.

While these recalls are significant, they pale in comparison to Volkswagen's previous diesel-emissions recall, which impacted 8.5 million cars across Europe. Vehicle owners who suspect their car may be included in the recall can reach out to an authorized workshop and provide their vehicle identification number (VIN) for further assistance.