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Volkswagen Steering Recalls Involving Knuckles, Mounting Bolts and Control
⚠ 1 of these recalls carries a do-not-drive advisory.
Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport recur most often in these Volkswagen steering notices. Both the November 2020 and January 2021 notices cover certain 2021 Atlas and 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles, addressing steering knuckles with different stated problems. The September 2026 notice covers a steering rack mounting bolt that may corrode and break in certain 2018-2019 Atlas and 2018 Tiguan vehicles. Separate notices concern a steering gear drive bushing on one 2021 ID.4 and a loose rear axle tie rod bolt on certain 2025 Tiguan vehicles. The July 2018 notice addresses ignition key removal outside Park in certain 2015-2018 Golf and Golf Sportwagen vehicles.
Warning signs to watch for
- July 2018 Golf and Golf Sportwagen recall (37L5): the ignition key may be removable while the shift lever is not in Park.
Can you keep driving? What the notices say
One listed notice carries a stop-driving instruction: the November 2020 Atlas steering knuckle recall, 40Q6, tells owners not to drive until the vehicle has been inspected and repaired. The July 2018 Golf key-removal, January 2021 Atlas knuckle, November 2021 ID.4 steering gear, August 2025 Tiguan tie rod bolt and September 2026 steering rack bolt notices do not tell owners to stop driving. None gives a park-outside instruction. The November 2020 instruction applies specifically to the vehicles covered by 40Q6.
What the free repair involves
Each listed notice specifies a free remedy. Dealers inspect knuckles and replace them as necessary under 40Q6 and 40Q7. For 37L5, they install an additional switch and circuit board. For 48Q7, they replace the steering gear; for 42E7, the affected tie rod bolt; and for 48LG/48VT, the right-side steering rack mounting bolt.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 1 |
| high | 5 |
Models affected most
Where owners report steering problems most
NHTSA owner complaints filed under steering for the Volkswagen models and years in this guide. Complaints are unverified reports and are not limited to the recalled defects.
| Vehicle | Steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2019 Volkswagen Atlas | 35 |
| 2018 Volkswagen Atlas | 24 |
| 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport | 8 |
| 2018 Volkswagen Golf | 2 |
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 11, 2026 | Volkswagen Atlas And Tiguan Steering Bolt May Break | high |
| Aug 13, 2025 | Volkswagen Tiguan Rear Tie Rod Bolt Loose | high |
| Nov 3, 2021 | VW ID.4 Steering Gear May Have Faulty Bushing | high |
| Jan 27, 2021 | VW Atlas Front Steering Knuckle May Fracture | high |
| Nov 17, 2020 | Volkswagen Atlas Steering Knuckle May Fail · do not drive | critical |
| Jul 11, 2018 | VW Golf key may remove without shifting to Park | high |
Common questions
Do both Atlas steering knuckle notices tell owners to stop driving?
The November 2020 notice, 40Q6, tells owners not to drive until inspection and repair. The January 2021 notice, 40Q7, does not tell owners to stop driving. Both name certain 2021 Atlas and 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles.
Why is a Golf ignition key problem included in these steering recalls?
The July 2018 notice describes silicate buildup on shift lever microswitch contacts that may permit key removal outside Park. It identifies an unintended rollaway risk for certain 2015-2018 Golf and Golf Sportwagen vehicles. Dealers install an additional switch and circuit board.
Which bolt does the September 2026 Atlas and Tiguan recall replace?
The notice specifies replacement of the right-side steering rack mounting bolt, free of charge. It covers certain 2018 Tiguan and 2018-2019 Atlas vehicles, alongside specified Audi Q3 vehicles. A mounting bolt may corrode and break, allowing the steering rack housing to break.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.