Photo: VW
A potential loss of steering for the 2015 Volkswagen and its performance-oriented GTI counterpart has resulted in Volkswagen issuing a stop-sale for units currently sitting on dealership lots, and it will eventually lead to a recall of these sporty hatchbacks. According to various reports including Automotive News, the problem affects close to 2,500 vehicles sold or waiting to be sold in the U.S. and Canada.
The problem is due to the steering stabilizer links that were incorrectly installed at the factory with the improper amount of torque to meet manufacturer specifications. Over time, the links could loosen or even separate from their mounts, which could cause reduced steering response and possibly lead to a crash. To remedy this potentially dangerous condition, VW is replacing the front stabilizer links.
No recall has been issued yet, but when it is, VW will be recalling 2,001 GTIs in the U.S. (including 705 that remain in dealer inventory) and another 446 total GTIs in the Canadian market (including 108 still in dealer inventory). An official response from VW to Autoblog indicates that there have been no accidents or injuries associated with this steering problem.
It isn’t clear how soon a recall will be issued or how long the stop-sale will last, but it comes at a crucial time when the all-new seventh-generation Golf is getting ready to go on sale. The 2015 GTI hit dealers in May, while the standard Golf is set to hit dealers next month.
Another interesting element of these stop-sale orders is that the Automotive News report says that not all 2015 GTIs are being affected, which would indicate the problem was contained between a certain time frame and eventually remedied.
No recall has been issued yet, but when it is, VW will be recalling 2,001 GTIs in the U.S. (including 705 that remain in dealer inventory) and another 446 total GTIs in the Canadian market (including 108 still in dealer inventory). An official response from VW to Autoblog indicates that there have been no accidents or injuries associated with this steering problem.
It isn’t clear how soon a recall will be issued or how long the stop-sale will last, but it comes at a crucial time when the all-new seventh-generation Golf is getting ready to go on sale. The 2015 GTI hit dealers in May, while the standard Golf is set to hit dealers next month.
Another interesting element of these stop-sale orders is that the Automotive News report says that not all 2015 GTIs are being affected, which would indicate the problem was contained between a certain time frame and eventually remedied.
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