Tensions are mounting within the German automotive giant Volkswagen, which announced a broad global recall covering 2.8 million vehicles from the Volkswagen and Audi brands, due to a proven risk of steering corrosion.
This large-scale safety campaign, validated by the German automotive regulator (KBA), affects 2.16 million Volkswagen vehicles and about 700,000 Audi vehicles, according to 20 Minutes.
The models targeted by this corrective measure are the Volkswagen Golf, Golf Variant, Tiguan, Touran, and Caddy, assembled between 2013 and 2024, as well as the Audi Q3 SUV produced from 2017 to 2024.
Moisture ingress
According to the technical information reported by the trade press, the failure stems from moisture ingress into the steering gear housing.
This oxidation phenomenon can lead to premature rupture of an essential fastening bolt. In the long run, the defect could cause the steering to seize and a total loss of steering control.
According to initial assessments, the direct bodily risk for users remains limited, with the incident mainly manifesting during parking maneuvers.
This failure, however, represents a new financial blow for the German group, facing substantial costs to bring models back into compliance.
