Volkswagen T-Roc recall over steering system issue at Autoeuropa

The Volkswagen T-Roc-often seen as the standout of Portugal’s car industry-is being recalled over a fault affecting the steering system. Built at the Autoeuropa plant, which accounts for more than 70% of all cars produced in Portugal, the T-Roc is also a flagship for Volkswagen itself, as it ranks among the brand’s best-selling models in Europe.

For now, there is no indication that any vehicles in Portugal are affected. “At the moment we still have no information that there are vehicles in Portugal with this situation,” said a spokesperson for SIVA | PHS, the brand’s official importer and distributor in the country.

What the Volkswagen T-Roc recall covers (steering system)

The issue concerns the steering tie rod, which in some cases may not have been properly secured to the wheel bearing housing. In real terms, this could lead to a partial-or, in the worst case, complete-loss of steering control, increasing the risk of an accident.

Beyond Germany, affected vehicles have been identified in countries including France, Croatia, Sweden and Slovenia. So far, there are no reports of incidents directly linked to this defect. As is standard in these cases, owners will be contacted and asked to visit an authorised dealer, where the vehicle will be inspected and the problem rectified free of charge.

Production dates and official references for the recall

According to the alert issued by the authorities (SR/00799/26), the vehicles concerned are units produced between 6 September 2025 and 5 February 2026, and they already relate to the model’s second generation. The recall-tracked internally by Volkswagen under code 48AX-is already under way.

“The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, as well as of systems, components and separate technical units intended for those vehicles,” states Safety Gate, the EU platform where potentially dangerous consumer products are published.

How to check if your vehicle is affected in Portugal

If you are unsure, ACAP, working with IMT, provides the RECALL platform, where you simply enter the VIN or the vehicle registration number to confirm whether there is (or is not) an active recall action for your car. It is worth noting that since 1 March this year, vehicles with an outstanding recall may automatically fail the periodic roadworthiness inspection.