Market impact
Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 208,724 SUVs over a steering rack bolt defect that could lead to loss of steering control.
Why it matters: The defect presents a potential steering-control and crash risk, and dealers are set to replace the bolt at no cost.
Key numbers: 208,724 SUVs; 2018 Tiguan; 2018-2019 Atlas; 2019-2021 Audi Q3; Nov. 10
Exposed areas: Automotive; Volkswagen Group of America; Volkswagen; Audi; National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; Tiguan; Atlas
What to watch: Owner notification letters expected Nov. 10; No-cost dealer replacement of the right steering rack mounting bolt
Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 208,724 SUVs in the United States because a steering rack mounting bolt can corrode and break, potentially causing a loss of steering control. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced the recall, which covers certain Volkswagen Tiguan and Atlas vehicles and Audi Q3s. The affected model years range from 2018 to 2021, though only vehicles within specified manufacturing periods and fitted with a particular steering rack are included.
The covered vehicles are certain 2018 Tiguan SUVs, 2018 and 2019 Atlas SUVs, and 2019 through 2021 Audi Q3 vehicles. Affected Tiguan vehicles were manufactured from March 22, 2017, through June 18, 2018. The Atlas production window runs from Nov. 30, 2016, through Sept. 22, 2018. Affected Audi Q3s were manufactured from May 21, 2019, through July 16, 2021. These production ranges define which vehicles in the listed model years fall under the recall.
The recall information says vehicles built with a different steering rack are unaffected. In the affected design, the right-side mounting bolt can corrode after moisture enters the surrounding area, according to the notice. If the bolt head fractures, the steering rack could remain attached to the vehicle’s subframe at only one mounting point. The notice identifies moisture entering the bolt’s surrounding area as the event preceding corrosion and says the bolt head may then fracture.
NHTSA said continued loading could cause the steering rack housing to fracture, potentially leading to a loss of steering capability. In its notice, the agency said, “A broken steering rack housing can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.” The notice describes a possible chain from corrosion at the right-side bolt to a fracture that could affect steering. It presents the housing fracture and loss of capability as potential outcomes.
Dealers will replace the right steering rack mounting bolt at no cost to owners. The replacement bolt has a highly corrosion-resistant polymer coating and is designed to provide greater protection against corrosion. The recall excludes vehicles fitted with a different steering rack, even if they are among the same model lines and model years. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on Nov. 10.
Volkswagen and Audi said they are not aware of any crashes, fires, injuries or deaths linked to the defect. The recall spans Volkswagen’s Tiguan and Atlas SUVs as well as Audi Q3 vehicles, but the listed model years alone do not make every vehicle in those lines part of the recall: the notice specifies production windows and steering rack configuration. The repair is available through dealers at no cost.
