Volkswagen Atlas And Tiguan Steering Bolt May Break

NHTSA campaign 26V590000 · Reported Sep 11, 2026 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

high How serious is it? About this label

A broken steering rack housing can cause a loss of steering control, raising the risk of a crash. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

Key facts

NHTSA campaign number	26V590000
Reported to NHTSA	Sep 11, 2026
Manufacturer	Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Part affected	Steering
Vehicles covered	2 model/year combinations, model years 2018
Do-not-drive advisory	No
Park-outside advisory	No
Repair	Free at any franchised dealer

What's wrong, in plain English

This recall covers certain Volkswagen Tiguan and Atlas SUVs, along with related Audi Q3 vehicles. A bolt that attaches the steering rack to the subframe can corrode, or rust, and break over time. If that bolt breaks, the steering rack housing itself can break as well, affecting the steering system on these vehicles. The bolt involved is located on the right side of the steering rack.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your vehicle is affected. 2. Contact a Volkswagen dealer or Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. 3. The steering rack mounting bolt will be replaced free of charge.

Where do I find my VIN, and what do I tell the dealer?

Your VIN is the 17-character code on the lower left of the windshield, on your registration and usually on your insurance card. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether this recall is still open on your car. When you call the dealer, say you have an open safety recall and give them NHTSA campaign number 26V590000. More in how recalls work.

Affected vehicles (2)

2018 Volkswagen Atlas
2018 Volkswagen Tiguan

Who to contact

Volkswagen — official Volkswagen recall lookup

Customer service: 1-800-893-5298

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

Volkswagen steering recalls: which Atlas, Tiguan and ID.4 are affected? · all 6 Volkswagen recalls in this area

Other Volkswagen Atlas recalls

Jul 22, 2026VW Atlas rearview camera image may not displaymedium
Jun 30, 2025VW Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, ID.4 Loose Boltshigh
May 21, 2025Volkswagen Atlas Rearview Camera Image Distortionmedium
Feb 17, 2025Volkswagen Atlas Engine Cover May Cause Firecritical
Feb 12, 2025Volkswagen Atlas Transmission Loss Of Powerhigh
Sep 27, 2024Volkswagen Atlas Brake Master Cylinder May Failhigh

All 47 Atlas recalls

Official notice

Component: STEERING
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.
Safety risk: 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.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.