2021 Audi Q3 Steering Recall (26V590)

Recall 26V590 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2021 Audi Q3 in recall 26V590?

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

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.

Is it safe to drive a 2021 Q3 with recall 26V590?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A broken steering rack housing can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: A broken steering rack housing can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Q3 shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the steering, have it checked before driving further.

Which vehicles are included in recall 26V590?

Recall 26V590 covers 208,724 vehicles: 2021 Audi Q3.

NHTSA lists 208,724 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the Q3 steering recall?

Yes. Dealers will replace the right-side steering rack mounting bolt, free of charge.

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.

Manufacturer recall number: 48LG, 48VT.

When was recall 26V590 announced?

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. reported recall 26V590 to NHTSA on September 11, 2026. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as November 10, 2026.

This recall was filed 0 months ago. If your Q3 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my Q3 is part of recall 26V590?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 26V590 is open on your Q3, it will be listed there.

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. It shows any open safety recall on your vehicle, including 26V590000. Your VIN is on the registration card, the insurance card, and the driver side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. Recent recalls can take a few days to appear in the lookup.

What should Q3 owners do about recall 26V590?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 26V590000 applies to your Q3.
2. Call a Audi dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
3. Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
4. Keep a simple log of any steering symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.

What are Q3 owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 1 of them about the steering.

Too few NHTSA complaints about the steering have been filed since recall 26V590 was reported (0) to say whether the fix is holding.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 15 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 1 of them involve the steering. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.

• 2021 Audi Q3: 15 complaints in total, 1 about the steering

Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):

The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized. The " Steering Failure " message was displayed. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road.

2021 Audi Q3 owner, FL, NHTSA complaint 11757395, filed August 17, 2026

Can recall 26V590 make my Q3 a lemon in California?

Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.

Recall 26V590000 does not automatically make your Q3 a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?

Steering defects go straight to safety. Under California's lemon law, a defect likely to cause death or serious injury can create a presumption after just two repair attempts, if the manufacturer was also notified directly.

The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.

For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the Q3 went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.

An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.

Frequently asked questions about recall 26V590