VW and Audi recall almost one million cars
A fault-prone fastening in the steering system could, in the worst case, lead to loss of steering.
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Volkswagen and Audi are recalling more than 2.1 million cars worldwide because of a possible problem with a fastening in the steering system. In Germany, the recall affects almost one million vehicles, including many popular Volkswagen models and the Audi Q3.
According to the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt, the recall applies to the Audi Q3 and the Volkswagen Golf, Golf Variant, Tiguan, Touran and Caddy. The affected cars were built during different production periods: for Audi, the vehicles concerned date from late October 2017 to late May 2024, and for Volkswagen, from September 2013 to July 2024.
The possible cause is corrosion affecting a screw near the steering rack. This could compromise the steering connection. According to the available information, in the most serious scenario the driver could lose control of the steering, increasing the risk of an accident.
The KBA has registered the recalls under reference numbers 17014R for Audi and 17016R for Volkswagen. The manufacturers’ internal codes are 48 LG and 48 VS. Owners can use their vehicle identification number to check with the manufacturer or via the KBA database whether their car is affected by the recall.
The solution consists of checking the steering fastening and, where necessary, replacing the screw with one that is more resistant to corrosion. According to information from the manufacturer, the repair will be carried out free of charge by an authorised workshop.
According to the available information, there have so far been no known cases of material damage or personal injury linked to this specific defect. That does not mean the risk can be ignored: the recall is specifically intended to remedy a possible safety problem before an incident occurs.
For Dutch car owners, the vehicle identification number is particularly important. Not every example of a model mentioned automatically falls within the production and specification details covered by the recall. The official recall database therefore provides general model information; the manufacturer or workshop can give a definitive answer using the vehicle identification number.
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The core claims can be traced directly to the KBA recall registration and ADAC’s technical explanation. No claim has been added about numbers in the Netherlands or confirmed accidents.
- confirmed Volkswagen and Audi are recalling more than 2.1 million cars worldwide. — ADAC reports that more than 2.1 million vehicles are affected worldwide. source
- confirmed In Germany, the recall affects almost one million vehicles. — ADAC refers to knapp eine Million vehicles in Germany. source
- confirmed The recall applies, among others, to the Volkswagen Golf, Golf Variant, Tiguan, Touran and Caddy and the Audi Q3. — These models appear in the recall information from ADAC and the KBA database. source
- confirmed Corrosion can affect the steering-system fastening and potentially cause loss of steering. — ADAC describes the technical cause and possible consequence in these terms. source
- confirmed The repair consists of checking and replacing the affected screw free of charge. — ADAC describes the free workshop measure. source
- confirmed There are no known cases of material damage or personal injury linked to this defect. — ADAC states that no material damage or personal injury has been reported so far. source
Editor's note
The models, production periods, codes and technical cause are based on KBA information as summarised by ADAC. An exact number of vehicles in the Netherlands and information about specific incidents there are unavailable.Sources
- Schroevenbreuk in stuurhuis: terugroepactie bij Audi en Volkswagen — ADAC
- Terugroepdatabank voertuigen — Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt
More on this in Dutch media
- De Telegraaf — „volkswagen audi”
- Trouw — „volkswagen audi”
- RTL Nieuws — „volkswagen audi”