The problem may seem very small: a bolt in the steering system that can wear out over time. But when this screw leads to the recall of about a million cars in Germany and millions of vehicles around the world, the defect turns from a technical problem into a new industrial and logistical challenge for the Volkswagen Group.
According to the latest data from the German Federal Transport Authority, Volkswagen, Audi and Seat are recalling cars due to the possibility of a defect in the steering system installation, which in the worst cases could affect the driver’s ability to steer the car. In Germany alone, the operation includes approximately 900,000 Volkswagen cars, 58,555 Audis, and 43,574 Seats, or about one million cars, according to the Tagesschau website.
What exactly is the problem?
According to the German Automobile Club ADAC, under certain circumstances, one of the bolts used to install the steering system can be exposed to corrosion. If the corrosion is sufficiently advanced, the screw may break, which may affect the connection of the steering system and, in the worst cases, lead to its failure and increase the risk of an accident.
Volkswagen says that the problem may appear after years of use, especially under the influence of environmental factors and repeated exposure to road salt used in winter. This may explain why the campaign includes cars, some of which are more than ten years old.
The issue is sensitive because we are not talking about a defect in a screen or entertainment system, but rather about one of the most important safety elements in the car: the steering.
What models are included?
The Volkswagen recall includes well-known models such as the Golf, Tiguan, Touran and Caddy, for cars produced during the period between September 2013 and July 2024. The number of Volkswagen cars potentially affected globally is about 2.16 million vehicles, according to Tagesschau.
As for Audi, the recall includes the Q3 model produced between October 2017 and May 2024, with about 696,000 cars globally. At Seat, the list includes the Ateca and Tarraco models produced between April 2016 and September 2024.
But the scope of the problem may be larger. Recent German reports indicated that Škoda may also suffer from the same problem, with more than a million cars around the world, and that the recall may reach about four million vehicles across the Volkswagen Group in total, which may make it the largest recall for the group since the diesel scandal in 2015.
Are cars dangerous now?
So far, according to the announced information, no injuries or material damage related to this defect have been recorded. German reports also quoted a Volkswagen spokesman as saying that the car can continue to be used until the repair date, and that there is no acute and immediate danger, according to the German Automobile Club website. But this does not mean ignoring the summons.
A simple fix...and a huge logistical task
Technically, the treatment seems relatively simple. The workshop will inspect the connection and replace the current bolt with one that is more resistant to corrosion. The companies say the process takes about one hour and is free.
But what seems simple for one car becomes a challenge when it comes to about one million cars in Germany. The campaign means appointments in thousands of workshops, securing spare parts, communicating with car owners, and bearing the costs of work and management. Volkswagen has not yet announced the total cost of the campaign.
Why does the recall come at a bad time?
Recalls are common in the auto industry, but for Volkswagen the problem lies in scale and timing. The group is already going through a process of extensive restructuring and cost reductions, while the German auto industry faces increasing pressure due to production costs, Chinese competition, the shift towards electric cars, and global trade tensions, according to Tagesschau.
Moreover, the production period of the cars in question spanned from 2013 to 2024, begging the question of how a potential weakness in a safety-related component could have survived all these years. However, the company's explanation indicates that the problem does not appear immediately, but may develop gradually after years of exposure to moisture and road salt.
However, there is a factor that is in the company's interest. According to Volkswagen, the problem was discovered during internal quality checks, before known injuries were recorded, and its repair is relatively limited.
