According to the German newspaper Handelsblatt, citing its sources, the Volkswagen Group is to recall roughly four million cars worldwide because of possible steering problems. The paper reported this on 25 September 2026.[1][2] More than a million of the cars are to be of the Škoda brand.[1][2]
Scope
According to data so far from the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), the measure is to cover about 2.16 million Volkswagen cars and around 700,000 Audi cars. According to Handelsblatt's sources, it also concerns more than a million Škoda cars and roughly 200,000 Seat cars.[1][2] Handelsblatt reported that the scale of the action has no equivalent in the group since the emissions scandal roughly ten years ago.[1] In Czechia the recall concerns, according to the Czech News Agency, almost 48,000 cars.[1]
The defect
The KBA said that for the Volkswagen brand the defect concerns the models Tiguan, Touran, Golf Variant, Caddy and Golf built from 24 September 2013 to 1 July 2024, and for Audi the Q3 model from the period 31 October 2017 to 23 May 2024.[1][2] The steering can fail because of a broken bolt that secures the steering mechanism. The remedy is replacement with a corrosion-resistant bolt.[1] The KBA reported no damage or injuries and is continuing to examine the case. According to a Volkswagen spokesman, owners of the affected cars can continue to drive.[1][2]
Škoda Auto confirmed to the Czech News Agency that it is calling on owners of the affected vehicles to visit an authorised service centre. Spokesman Martin Ježek said that during long operation in the presence of road salt, the fixing bolt in the steering system may corrode and, in isolated cases, the function of the steering may be impaired. According to him, no one has so far reported any injury or significant property damage in this connection.[1]
Related articles: Škoda Auto
Chronology
- — According to press reports, Volkswagen is to recall about four million cars over steering problems, including more than a million Škoda vehicles. iROZHLAS ČTK / České noviny
Sources
- ČTK / České noviny — 25 September 2026
- Echo24 — 25 September 2026