Nearly 2.86 million Audi and Volkswagen vehicles worldwide are subject to a recall after Germany's Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) flagged concerns that a corroded bolt could lead to steering failure and raise the risk of accidents.

According to the KBA, certain conditions could cause corrosion to weaken a screw that secures the steering gear in the affected vehicles. If the bolt breaks, drivers could lose control of steering entirely. The regulator currently lists the case as "under investigation," meaning a final conclusion has not yet been reached.

The models named in the recall include the Audi Q3, along with several Volkswagen vehicles: the Golf, Golf Variant, Tiguan, Touran and Caddy.

Audi confirmed it has issued what it calls a "precautionary recall" after internal checks revealed that exposure to road salt and other environmental factors could, over a period of several years, corrode the screw holding the steering system in place on some Q3 models. The automaker said that if left unchecked, this corrosion could eventually compromise the steering system's function.

The affected Audi Q3 vehicles are those built between 31 October 2017 and 23 May 2024, specifically ones fitted with a particular combination of steering system and front-axle subframe. Audi said the fix would take no longer than an hour to complete and that it would be provided to customers at no charge.

On the Volkswagen side, the recall covers vehicles manufactured between 24 September 2013 and 1 July 2024. Globally, close to 2.16 million Volkswagen vehicles are potentially involved, with nearly 900,000 of those located in Germany. Audi's global total stands at more than 696,000 vehicles, including 58,555 within Germany.

Euronews said it had reached out to Volkswagen for further comment. For its part, the KBA stated it is not currently aware of any accidents, injuries or damage linked to the steering issue.

This latest action adds to a string of recalls for the Volkswagen Group this year. Earlier in 2026, the company recalled close to 100,000 electric vehicles from its ID lineup over battery concerns. Both of these recalls remain far smaller in scale compared with the group's infamous diesel-emissions scandal recall, which impacted roughly 8.5 million vehicles across Europe.

Owners uncertain whether their vehicle falls under the current recall are advised to contact an authorized workshop and provide their vehicle identification number (VIN) for confirmation.

Source: Euronews.com

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