Volkswagen is recalling more than 208,700 vehicles in the United States after finding that a steering rack bolt in certain models could corrode, break and lead to a loss of steering control, according to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The recall affects owners of specific Tiguan, Atlas and Audi Q3 vehicles, and comes as our consumer reporter continues to track recalls and defects that could put everyday drivers at risk before harm is done.
According to NHTSA, the affected steering rack bolt sits on the right side of the vehicle and can corrode over time. If the bolt breaks, drivers could lose steering control, which the agency warns raises the risk of a crash.
How to spot it
- The recall covers certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles.
- It also includes certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles.
- Certain 2019-2021 Audi Q3 vehicles are affected as well.
- The concern involves the steering rack mounting bolt, which NHTSA says might corrode and break over time.
- A broken bolt can cause a potential loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash, the safety regulator said.
What to do if it happened to you
NHTSA says that as part of the recall remedy, dealers will replace the right-side steering rack mounting bolt free of charge. Owners of the affected Tiguan, Atlas and Audi Q3 models should contact their dealer to schedule this repair.
This recall is a reminder of why it pays to stay alert to safety notices tied to your specific make, model and model year, rather than assuming a vehicle is fine simply because it seems to be running normally. A steering defect like this one may not show obvious warning signs until it fails, which is exactly the kind of hidden risk our consumer reporter regularly flags for readers, whether it involves a scam, a bad deal or, as in this case, a mechanical defect serious enough to warrant a formal recall.
If you own one of the models listed here, checking with your local Volkswagen or Audi dealer is the most direct way to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included and to get the free repair completed before it becomes a safety issue on the road.
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