Campaign 26V-590

One of the bolts that attaches the steering rack to the subframe may corrode and break

Defect summary

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.

Consequence

A broken steering rack housing can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file, campaign 26V590000. Text as published by NHTSA.

Vehicles covered

3 product lines are covered

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA about steering on these vehicles: 88, of which 4 involved a crash, fire, injury or death. Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Vehicles covered by campaign 26V-590
Make	Model	Model years	Complaints on this component
Audi	Q3	2019 to 2021	12
Volkswagen	Atlas	2018 to 2019	64
Volkswagen	Tiguan	2018	12

Source: NHTSA ODI recalls and complaints files. Equipment, tire and child-seat campaigns list products, not vehicles.

Investigation

No NHTSA investigation is linked to this recall

Most recalls are started by the manufacturer. This one lists "Manufacturer" as its origin.

Before the recall

12 service bulletins on this component came first

Distinct manufacturer communications on the same component group, make, model and model year in the 24 months before the report date.

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications file.

Service bulletins

25V-526 Aug 13, 2025
Tie rod bolt on the rear axle assembly may be loose, which can lead to a loss of vehicle control
21V-852 Nov 3, 2021
Steering gear may have an incorrectly assembled or missing drive bushing
21V-027 Jan 27, 2021
Production deviation in the belt pully can prevent the circlip from properly engaging the steering rack
21V-026 Jan 27, 2021
Front steering knuckle may fracture in the area of the strut mounting
20V-712 Nov 17, 2020
One or both steering knuckles may have been damaged during production
20V-149 Mar 16, 2020
Bolt connecting the steering shaft to the steering gear may loosen, possibly resulting in a loss of steering control