2019-2021 Audi Q3, 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas, 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan recall: Loss of Steering Control from Bolt Failure
Report received by NHTSA: Sept. 11, 2026.
Built by the Tribune's code from NHTSA's official records. No AI wrote this page. Updated Nov. 4, 2026.
- What's recalled
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan, 2018-2019 Atlas, and 2019-2021 Audi Q3 vehicles. One of the bolts that attaches the steering rack to the subframe may corrode and break. If this happens, the steering rack housing can break.
- The risk
A broken steering rack housing can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Who's affected
208,724 vehicles potentially affected, according to NHTSA. Models: 2019-2021 Audi Q3, 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas, 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan.
- Compared with
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has 15 NHTSA recalls in 2026 so far, compared with 26 in all of 2025.
Counted by the Tribune from NHTSA's records since Nov. 1, 2016.
- Before this
279 earlier NHTSA recalls by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. since Nov. 1, 2016; the 5 most recent:
- Sept. 10, 2026 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan recall: Body Control Module (BCM) May Reset Unexpectedly/FMVSS 101, 102
- July 22, 2026 2024-2026 Volkswagen Atlas, 2024-2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport recall: Rearview Camera Image May Not Display
- May 20, 2026 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan recall: Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 (agency record)
- April 24, 2026 2025 Audi Q5, 2025 Audi Q5 Sportback, 2025 Audi SQ5 and 1 more model recall: Seat Belts May Not Restrain Occupants (agency record)
- April 22, 2026 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. recall: Fuel Tank May Leak After Crash (agency record)
Counted by the Tribune from NHTSA's records since Nov. 1, 2016.
- What to do and when
Dealers will replace the right-side steering rack mounting bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 10, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 48LG and 48VT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 16, 2026.
NHTSA's record, word for word
- Check it yourself
NHTSA's VIN lookup shows whether a specific vehicle has an open recall.
Models in this recall
- Audi Q3 2019-2021
- Volkswagen Atlas 2018-2019
- Volkswagen Tiguan 2018
The record as NHTSA published it
| NHTSA recall number | 26V590000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. |
| Recall type | Vehicle |
| Component | STEERING |
| Report received by NHTSA | Sept. 11, 2026 |
| Potentially affected | 208,724 vehicles |
| Manufacturer's recall number | 48LG, 48VT |
| “Do not drive” warning | No |
| Fire risk when parked (“park outside”) | No |
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall records (public domain). NHTSA's record