Volkswagen and its luxury subsidiary Audi have announced the recall of nearly one million vehicles in Germany following concerns over a potential steering malfunction. According to German media reports citing the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), the safety measure addresses defects in bolts that could lead to damage of the steering gearbox or, in severe instances, a complete loss of steering control.
The primary issue involves bolts susceptible to corrosion from humidity. The manufacturer plans to replace these components with corrosion-resistant alternatives. While Autor Motor Sport magazine reported that VW believes the defect will affect only a subset of the recalled vehicles, the company confirmed there have been no known accidents or injuries directly linked to the faulty bolts.
The recall impacts specific Volkswagen models, including the Tiguan, Touran, Caddy, Golf Variant, and Golf, produced between September 24, 2013, and July 1, 2024. This timeframe encompasses approximately 900,000 vehicles in Germany and 2.16 million units worldwide. For Audi, the problem affects 58,555 cars in Germany, contributing to a global total of 700,000 affected vehicles.
This massive recall occurs against a backdrop of financial challenges for the automotive giant. Volkswagen has been grappling with declining sales in recent years, prompting significant cost-cutting measures that include workforce reductions and the consolidation of production facilities across the company.
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