Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly (Isuzu and Volkswagen)
Vehicle recall 81V-106. NHTSA received VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC’s report on Sep 9, 1981.
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The short answer
NHTSA received VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC’s report on Sep 9, 1981. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 26, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
The notice gives no hazard in a field of its own.
THE LEFT AND RIGHT OUTER TIE ROD ENDS OF THE STEERING SYSTEM MAY HAVE CIRCUMFERENTIAL CRACKS DUE TO AN IMPROPER MACHINE SET-UP IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly.
What should you do?
THE TIE ROD ENDS WILL BE INSPECTED AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND PICK-UP TRUCKS.SYSTEM: STEERING; TIE ROD ENDS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IF A VEHICLE HAVING A CRACKED TIE ROD IS DRIVEN OVERROUGH ROADS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE TIE ROD COULD LOOSEN ANDEVENTUALLY THE OUTER SHELL WOULD SEPARATE FROM ITS BALL SOCKET. THIS COULDRESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND, POSSIBLY, AN ACCIDENT.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 4,800 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily.
- Isuzu Pickup Truckand 1981, before the model years listed here
- Volkswagen Rabbitand 1981, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).
Released Oct 26, 2026 and checked Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 26, 2026.