Volkswagen Group steering recall expands to more than 4.6 million vehicles

Volkswagen Group brands are recalling selected vehicles because corrosion could weaken a steering-gear mounting bolt. The campaign now covers Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT and Škoda models, with more than 4.6 million vehicles listed as potentially affected worldwide.

The published production periods identify vehicles that may be involved, but they do not confirm that every car within those dates requires repair. Equipment specifications and installed components can differ. Owners should therefore use the vehicle’s 17-character VIN in an official recall checker or ask an authorised dealer to verify it.

Why the vehicles are being recalled

Under certain environmental conditions, particularly after prolonged exposure to moisture and road salt, a mounting bolt in the steering system can corrode. If the bolt fractures, the steering-gear connection may be compromised and, in the worst case, steering control could be lost.

The prescribed remedy is replacement of the affected fastening with a more corrosion-resistant bolt. German authority records cited for the campaigns reported no known associated injuries or property damage when the recalls were announced. Nevertheless, the fault concerns a safety-critical system and should be addressed promptly. ([tagesschau.de](https://www.tagesschau.de/wirtschaft/unternehmen/vw-lenkungsausfall-100.html?utm_source=openai))

Models and production periods listed in the recall

The following ranges come from German Federal Motor Transport Authority recall records and information reported by ADAC. Worldwide totals refer to potentially affected vehicles rather than confirmed defective cars. Market coverage can differ, so owners outside Germany must check with the manufacturer or their national recall authority. ([tagesschau.de](https://www.tagesschau.de/wirtschaft/unternehmen/vw-lenkungsausfall-100.html?utm_source=openai))

Volkswagen

Approximately 2.16 million Volkswagen vehicles are listed worldwide under KBA reference 17016R. The associated manufacturer campaign code is 48VS.

Potentially affected models include:

• Golf and Golf Variant
• Golf Sportsvan
• Tiguan and Tiguan Allspace
• Touran
• Caddy

The broad production window runs from 24 September 2013 to 1 July 2024, although individual model and equipment restrictions may apply. ([tigerfasteners.com](https://www.tigerfasteners.com/resources/a-new-screw-of-the-old-type/?utm_source=openai))

Audi

The Audi campaign covers selected Q3 vehicles built from 31 October 2017 to 23 May 2024. Around 696,500 vehicles are listed worldwide.

• KBA reference: 17014R
• Manufacturer campaign code: 48LG ([tigerfasteners.com](https://www.tigerfasteners.com/resources/a-new-screw-of-the-old-type/?utm_source=openai))

SEAT

Selected Ateca and Tarraco vehicles produced between April 2016 and September 2024 are included. The KBA record lists approximately 66,200 potentially affected vehicles worldwide.

• KBA reference: 17017R
• Manufacturer campaign code: 48T7 ([tigerfasteners.com](https://www.tigerfasteners.com/resources/a-new-screw-of-the-old-type/?utm_source=openai))

Škoda

The Škoda part of the campaign has now been confirmed, rather than merely being under consideration. It covers selected examples of the following models:

• Kodiaq
• Karoq
• Octavia
• Superb

The published production range extends from November 2015 to August 2026. About 1.72 million vehicles are listed worldwide under KBA reference 17091R, with manufacturer campaign code 48LS. ([adac.de](https://www.adac.de/news/auto-rueckruf-vw-audi-lenkung/?utm_source=openai))

How to find out whether your car is affected

Do not rely solely on the model, registration year or production window. A car may have been registered months after it was built, and only vehicles with the relevant component configuration are included.

Use this process:

1. Find the 17-character VIN in the registration documents, at the base of the windscreen or on the vehicle identification label.
2. Enter it into the official recall checker for your brand and country, where one is available.
3. If the result is unclear or the campaign has only recently been announced in your market, contact an authorised dealer.
4. Give the dealer both the VIN and the relevant campaign or authority reference.
5. Recheck later if your vehicle falls within a listed production period but no campaign initially appears, as owner-notification systems may be updated in stages.

Official Volkswagen and Audi recall tools confirm that VIN—not a general model description—is used to identify applicable recalls and service campaigns. ([vw.com](https://www.vw.com/en/owners-and-services/about-my-vehicle/recalls.html?utm_source=openai))

What happens at the workshop

The recall remedy involves replacing the relevant steering-system fastening with a version offering greater corrosion resistance. Recall work should be completed without charge to the owner, although appointment timing and parts availability will depend on the country and dealer network. ([vw.com](https://www.vw.com/en/owners-and-services/about-my-vehicle/recalls.html?utm_source=openai))

Owners should follow the instructions in their local recall notice rather than assuming that guidance issued in another country applies to their vehicle. If the steering develops unusual resistance, looseness, noises or inconsistent responses, stop in a safe place and contact roadside assistance or an authorised workshop.

The practical takeaway

Being within one of the listed production periods does not automatically mean that the car is affected. It does mean that checking the VIN is worthwhile. Because the potential fault involves the steering system, confirmed recall work should be booked promptly even if the vehicle currently drives normally.

Sources

1. Volkswagen recalls and service campaigns lookup — https://www.vw.com/en/owners-and-services/about-my-vehicle/recalls.html
2. Audi recall and service campaign lookup — https://www.audiusa.com/en/recalls/
3. https://www.vw.com/en/owners-and-services/about-my-vehicle/recalls.html/__layer/layers/myvwportal/myvw_app/how-to-find-your-vin/master.layer
4. https://www.tigerfasteners.com/resources/a-new-screw-of-the-old-type/
5. https://www.jacobs-gruppe.de/rueckruf-check-schraube-am-lenkgetriebe/
6. Tagesschau: Volkswagen, Audi and SEAT steering recall — https://www.tagesschau.de/wirtschaft/unternehmen/vw-lenkungsausfall-100.html
7. https://recall.volkswagen.ru/
8. ADAC: VW steering bolt recall now also affects Škoda — https://www.adac.de/news/auto-rueckruf-vw-audi-lenkung/
9. https://vw.servicenet.vwgroup.com/content/public/servicenet/en.html
10. https://www.autobond.tr/haberler/volkswagen-direksiyon-kutusu-geri-cagirma/
11. https://auto.news/artikel/volkswagen-konzern-ruft-pkw-der-marken-vw-audi-seat-und-skoda-zurueck
12. https://www.drweb.de/rueckruf-eine-schraube-fast-eine-million-werkstatttermine/
13. Associated Press: Volkswagen steering recall — https://apnews.com/article/0cdee0c2409edd5431638075ac9726ce
14. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCRIT-24V110-3950.pdf
15. https://www.automotivesafetycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/NHTSA-Recalls-of-Interest-July-7-2025.pdf
16. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCRIT-24V465-7954.pdf
17. https://www.automotivesafetycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/NHTSA-Recalls-of-Interest-October-6-2025.pdf
18. https://www.automotivesafetycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/NHTSA-Recalls-of-Interest-March-23-2020.pdf
19. https://www.autoevolution.com/pdf/news_attachements/volkswagen-recalls-atlas-atlas-cross-sport-and-id4-for-incorrect-wheel-bolts-262410.pdf
20. VW, Audi, Seat müssen mehr als eine Million Autos zurückrufen | tagesschau.de — https://www.tagesschau.de/wirtschaft/unternehmen/vw-lenkungsausfall-100.html?utm_source=openai