2018-2021 VW & Audi Steering Rack Bolt Recall
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has issued a recall (NHTSA ID: 26V590000) for certain 2018-2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, Atlas, and Audi Q3 models. The recall addresses a steering rack mounting bolt that can corrode and break, potentially causing a loss of steering control.
Also applies to
- Volkswagen Atlas
- 2018–2019
- Audi Q3
- 2019–2021
Why This Matters: Safety Risk
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has identified a critical safety concern affecting certain 2018-2021 Volkswagen and Audi vehicles. A bolt that secures the steering rack to the subframe may corrode and break. Should this bolt fail, the steering rack housing could break, leading to a sudden loss of steering control. This significantly increases the risk of a crash, posing a serious danger to vehicle occupants and others on the road.
What's Being Recalled
This recall, identified by Volkswagen's internal numbers 48LG and 48VT, involves 208,724 vehicles across the U.S. The affected component is the steering system, specifically one of the bolts attaching the steering rack to the subframe. The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan recall specifically targets this issue, alongside other models.
How to Check if Your Vehicle is Affected
Owners of potentially affected vehicles, including the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan, Atlas, and Audi Q3 models from 2018-2021, should be aware of this recall. Owner notification letters are anticipated to be mailed on November 10, 2026. Additionally, Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 16, 2026. You can check your vehicle's recall status by entering your VIN on the NHTSA website or contacting Volkswagen customer service.
Manufacturer's Remedy
Volkswagen dealers will address this issue by replacing the right-side steering rack mounting bolt. This repair will be performed free of charge to the owner. For any questions or concerns regarding the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan recall or other affected models, owners can contact Volkswagen customer service directly at 1-800-893-5298.
Important Owner Information
It is crucial for owners to understand the timeline for this recall. While VINs became searchable in September 2026, formal owner notification letters will not be mailed until November 10, 2026. Owners should proactively check their vehicle's recall status using their VIN to determine if their vehicle is included in recall 48LG or 48VT and arrange for the necessary repair as soon as possible after notification.
Source: NHTSA Recall ID: 26V590000
What Volkswagen Tiguan owners report
Counted from the records in our database across 18 model years.
- 2,339
- Owner complaints
- 39
- Recalls
- 2,476
- Service bulletins
- 65
- Crashes reported
- 26
- Fires reported
- 59
- Injuries reported
The 2018 model year
288 complaints, the 1st most of 18 model years on file. Owners reported 5 crashes, 3 fires and 11 injuries for this year, which also has 14 recalls on file.
Steering, the system this article covers, accounts for 196 of 2,339 complaints (8%), including 15 for 2018.
Complaints by model year
| 2009 | 168 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 110 | |
| 2011 | 162 | |
| 2012 | 153 | |
| 2013 | 140 | |
| 2018 | 288 | |
| 2019 | 196 | |
| 2020 | 141 | |
| 2021 | 144 | |
| 2022 | 274 |
Most-reported systems
- Engine — 710
- Electrical System — 555
- Air Bags — 319
- Power Train — 211
- Steering — 196
Latest recalls for the 2018 model year
- 26V590000 — Steering (Sep 2026)
- 22V226000 — Structure (Apr 2022)
- 21V732000 — Structure (Sep 2021)
Recent owner reports about steering
The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a clunking sound coming from the vehicle while depressing the brake pedal and making left turns.
Read owner complaints →My vehicle is under safety recall NHTSA 26V590 (Volkswagen 48LG / 48VT). The steering rack mounting bolt can corrode and break, which can cause a loss of steering control. I was notified of this recall about a month ago.
Complaints are owner reports filed with NHTSA. They are unverified, and counts depend on how many vehicles were sold, so they are not a failure rate.
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