VW Group is recalling almost a million cars in Germany
Because of steering screws that are susceptible to corrosion, the VW Group is launching a large-scale recall for various models from VW, Audi and Seat.
Quick Look
- The VW Group calls millions of vehicles worldwide, including almost a million in Germany, into workshops because steering screws are susceptible to corrosion.
- Various models from VW, Audi and Seat from the production years 2013 to 2024 are affected.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Federal Motor Transport Authority monitors recalls in the event of safety defects in vehicles. Corrosion on safety-relevant components usually requires replacement.
The VW Group is calling almost a million cars into the workshops in Germany as a precaution. There are even more worldwide. The reason is a screw on the steering that can corrode under certain conditions. This should be exchanged for a more resistant model. The most important questions and answers at a glance:
What's the problem?
A small component - namely a steering fastening screw. It can corrode under certain environmental influences and after many years of operation under the influence of road salt. VW and Audi announced that the possible problem was discovered during internal quality checks.
What's the worst that can happen?
If the corrosion progresses, the attachment of the steering and thus its function could be impaired in individual cases, the manufacturers said. This means: In the worst case scenario, the driver can no longer control the car. According to the Federal Motor Transport Authority, no incidents involving property damage or personal injury have been reported so far. Audi also points this out.
Which vehicles are the companies recalling?
According to VW, the Tiguan, Touran, Caddy, Golf Variant and Golf Sportsvan models with the production period September 2013 to July 2024 are affected. According to the KBA, there are almost 2.16 million vehicles worldwide, of which almost 900,000 are in Germany.
The problem also occurs with the Audi Q3 with the production period October 31, 2017 to May 23, 2024. Almost 700,000 vehicles worldwide are potentially affected, including a good 58,500 in Germany.
There is also a recall for the Seat models Ateca and Tarraco in the production period from April 2016 to September 2024. The exact number of potentially affected vehicles from the Spanish VW subsidiary was initially not known. There was initially no information in the KBA database for other VW Group brands such as Skoda.
Can I continue to drive my car?
According to a Volkswagen spokesman, this is possible. The problematic screw is installed in all vehicles that are called into the workshops. However, the cars can be more or less affected by the problem - depending on how much road salt they were exposed to, for example.
How do I find out if my vehicle is affected?
According to a VW spokesman, all owners of potentially affected cars will receive a letter. It contains all the important information - for example, the exact process of the callback and the contact person. Anyone who does not receive such a letter is not affected.
If you are concerned, you can also contact a VW service partner - for example a dealer or a workshop. The so-called vehicle identification number (FIN) is crucial for this. It is in the registration certificate. Car owners can also obtain information by calling 0800 8655 792 436 (VW) and 0800 2834 7378 423 (Audi). The recall code should also be kept ready. The recall codes are 48VS for VW, 48LG for Audi and 48T7 for Seat.
What happens in the workshop?
The affected screw connection is replaced there. The VW spokesman said the repairs would take up to an hour. This is free.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Affected owners will be invited to the workshop by post for repairs.
Very likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- How high are the total costs of the recall campaign for the group?
