Owners of certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan, 2018–2019 Volkswagen Atlas and 2019–2021 Audi Q3 SUVs can get a free replacement of a steering rack mounting bolt that may corrode and break. Volkswagen says dealers will do the repair at no charge, and owners can check their VIN on NHTSA.gov.
What Is Being Recalled?
Volkswagen Group of America filed a safety recall with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on September 11, 2026, covering 208,724 vehicles: certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan, 2018 and 2019 Volkswagen Atlas, and 2019 through 2021 Audi Q3 SUVs. NHTSA lists it as campaign 26V590.According to the recall report, one of the bolts that attaches the steering rack to the subframe may corrode and break. If that happens, the steering rack housing can break, which can cause a loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash. Dealers will replace the right-side steering rack mounting bolt free of charge.
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Which Vehicles Are Covered?
NHTSA’s records list six model-year groups in campaign 26V590:- 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan
- 2018 and 2019 Volkswagen Atlas
- 2019, 2020 and 2021 Audi Q3
What Happens Next
Volkswagen expects to mail owner notification letters on November 10, 2026. The repair is a free replacement of the right-side steering rack mounting bolt at a Volkswagen or Audi dealer, under Volkswagen recall numbers 48LG and 48VT. There is nothing to file; the recall works through the VIN.Questions
Which Volkswagen and Audi models are in the steering bolt recall?
Certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan, 2018 and 2019 Volkswagen Atlas, and 2019, 2020 and 2021 Audi Q3 vehicles. Not every vehicle of those model years is included; eligibility is by VIN.
What is the fix for the VW and Audi steering rack bolt?
Dealers will replace the right-side steering rack mounting bolt free of charge. Volkswagen’s recall numbers are 48LG and 48VT.
When will VW and Audi owners be notified?
Volkswagen expects to mail owner notification letters on November 10, 2026. VINs in the recall have been searchable on NHTSA.gov since September 16, 2026.
Is there a cost or claim form for the VW steering recall?
No. The repair is free at a dealer, and eligibility is set by VIN. There is no claim form.
Sources
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, recall campaign 26V590 (Volkswagen Group of America, filed September 11, 2026), via NHTSA’s recalls data: NHTSA Recall Record• NHTSA VIN recall lookup: NHTSA Recalls
