AUDI Q3: NHTSA recall 26V590000 explained

This recall concerns a steering-related mounting bolt that may corrode and break. The official record says the resulting damage to the steering rack housing can lead to a loss of steering control. The manufacturer’s remedy is replacement of the specified mounting bolt at no charge. An official VIN lookup is the only way to confirm whether a particular vehicle has an open recall.

What the official recall record says

AUDI, VOLKSWAGEN: Q3, ATLAS, TIGUAN

The recalled vehicles may have a steering rack mounting bolt that can corrode and break. According to the official record, this can allow the steering rack housing to break and may result in a loss of steering control. Dealers will replace the specified right-side mounting bolt without charge. The official record does not specify further practical details beyond the stated remedy.

Official record

• NHTSA recall ID: 26V590000
• Vehicles listed: AUDI Q3 (2021, 2020, 2019); VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS (2019, 2018); VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN (2018)
• Potentially affected: 208,724
• Components: STEERING
• Report received: September 11, 2026
• Owner notification: Not provided in the source record
• Defect: 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 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.

What owners should do next

Owners of an Audi Q3, Volkswagen Atlas, or Volkswagen Tiguan covered by this report should use an official VIN lookup to verify recall status for their individual vehicle. Recall status can differ by vehicle, and the official record remains the source for the defect, consequence, and remedy.

Atlas owners can review the separate rearview-camera recall, while Tiguan owners can review the separate 26V587000 report; each campaign should be checked independently by VIN.

A headline cannot confirm whether a particular vehicle is affected. Use the official NHTSA recall lookup with the vehicle identification number and contact the manufacturer or an authorized dealer for vehicle-specific guidance.

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