Volkswagen and Audi issued two related recalls for braking issues across multiple cars and SUVs.
The automakers recalled 10,206 vehicles because an improper coating on a brake component may lead to reduced braking performance, including a brake pedal that may travel all the way to the floor. Affected Volkswagen vehicles include the 2018 Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen, and GTI. Affected Audi vehicles include the 2018 Q5 and SQ5.
Volkswagen is also recalling 8,416 of its 2018 Atlas SUVs and 2017 to 2018 Passat sedans—some of which were repaired under the previous recall—for a related issue: A brake caliper bolt may become loose, leading to increased stopping distances, wheel damage, or loss of vehicle control. Drivers may notice a rattling sound if the bolt becomes loose. A Volkswagen spokesperson told CR that there have been no crashes or injuries related to the loose bolt issue.
Volkswagen says that vehicles repaired at dealerships under the first recall were fixed correctly. However, the automaker says some vehicles that had not yet been sold when the first recall was announced were improperly “reworked at the factory,” leading to the second recall.
