Volkswagen Group recalls 4.2 million cars globally

Key highlights:

• Volkswagen Group recalls around 4.2 million vehicles globally
• Corroding steering bolt could affect vehicle control
• Audi Australia says local Audi and Cupra models are unaffected

Volkswagen Group has issued a global recall covering around 4.2 million vehicles over a steering-system bolt that could corrode and, in some cases, affect vehicle control. However, Audi Australia has confirmed the campaign does not affect Audi or Cupra models supplied to Australia, with the local recall applying only to specific left-hand-drive vehicles. 

There are no updates from other car brands about whether Australian models are affected by this global recall campaign.

Steering bolt triggers global recall

According to industry publication Automotive News, the recall involves a steering-system bolt that could corrode, and in some cases, the fault could affect control of the vehicle. No incidents linked to the defect have been reported.

The September 2026 campaign covers vehicles across several Volkswagen Group brands.

Volkswagen-branded vehicles make up the largest share, with around 2.6 million examples affected.

The recalled Volkswagen models include the Golf hatchback, Tiguan SUV, Touran, Atlas and Caddy van, built between 2013 and 2024, and all three models have been sold in Australia. Around 900,000 of the affected Volkswagens were sold in Germany.

Audi and Seat models also affected

The defect extends to around 700,000 Audi vehicles globally and more than one million Skoda vehicles. Seat accounts for another 200,000 vehicles, and the Spanish brand operates in Australia only through its Cupra spin-off.

The affected Audi vehicles include Q3 models built between 2017 and 2024, and the Seat models involved are the Ateca and Tarraco, built from 2016 to 2024.

In Germany, around 370,000 Skoda Octavia models are affected.

Volkswagen, Skoda and Audi Australia were contacted to establish whether any Australian examples are affected.

Audi Australia confirmed that local models are unaffected and that the recall applies to specific left-hand-drive vehicles and does not affect any Audi or Cupra models supplied to the Australian market.

Also read: Next-gen Hyundai Tucson arrives in Australia by early 2027

Not the group’s largest recall

Although the September 2026 recall covers roughly 4.2 million vehicles, Volkswagen Group has previously faced larger recall actions.

The Dieselgate emissions scandal in 2015 remains the group’s largest action, forcing the recall of around 11 million vehicles globally across Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda to address emissions-cheating software.

Volkswagen Group China alone recalled 4.86 million vehicles in 2017 after Chinese safety authorities issued advice over defective Takata airbag inflators.

Going further back, Volkswagen issued a recall covering 3.7 million vehicles in 1972 over a windshield-wiper defect.