Electric Power Steering Failure: Heavy Wheel & Vibrations

Had a similar issue with my 2006 VW Touran last year. As someone with basic car maintenance experience, I knew this needed professional attention when the electric steering started acting up the same way. The symptoms matched exactly what you describe, heavy steering, vibrations through the steering wheel, and that concerning warning light. Since electric steering systems are complex, I took it straight to a workshop rather than attempting DIY fixes. Turned out the issue was a damaged wiring connection to the steering rack. The mechanic found corroded terminals in the main steering column harness that were causing intermittent power issues to the electric steering system. After replacing the damaged wiring and connectors, the steering went back to normal, total cost was 95€ for parts and labor. Before suggesting more specific solutions, could you share: Are there any clicking or grinding noises when turning? Did the problem start suddenly or develop gradually? Have you had any recent wheel alignment work done? Does the steering feel different between cold and warm engine? The steering system on these VW models is generally reliable, but electrical connections can deteriorate over time. Getting proper diagnosis from a workshop will prevent potential steering rack damage if left unchecked.

Thanks for the responses so far. Just checked my service history, last maintenance was done at 78000km about 6 months ago. The steering issues started gradually over the past few weeks. To answer the questions: there is a slight clicking when turning fully left, but no grinding. The wheel alignment was done during the last service. The steering feels equally heavy whether the engine is cold or warm. The problem seems worse than when I first posted. The steering wheel now requires significant force to turn, especially when parking. The warning light stays on constantly instead of flickering like before. Spoke to a workshop but wanted to get more opinions before booking it in. They suggested it could be related to the steering rack mounting points rather than just electrical connections.

Thanks for those extra details about your Tiguan, this progression of symptoms sounds very familiar. On my Touran, the initial clicking during full steering lock was also the first sign before it got worse. When the steering effort increased dramatically on mine, especially during parking maneuvers, it pointed to a failing electric steering rack rather than just wiring. The mounting points the workshop mentioned could be contributing, but in my case, the entire steering rack assembly needed replacement since the electric motor unit had failed. The total repair came to 850€ including: New electric steering rack, Mounting hardware, Labor for removal and installation, Steering angle sensor calibration The steering column had to be disconnected and the front end partially dismantled to access everything. After replacement, the steering response returned to normal with no more warning lights or excessive steering effort. Given your symptoms match my experience so closely, especially the progression from intermittent to constant issues, I recommend getting it checked soon. Continuing to drive with a failing steering system could lead to additional component stress and higher repair costs. A proper diagnostic scan should confirm if its the steering rack or potentially the control module. The consistent heavy steering regardless of engine temperature suggests an electric component failure rather than hydraulic fluid issues.

It seems very similar to the electric steering problems others have reported. Based on your repair experience, I think my Tiguan might also need the steering rack replaced. The constant warning light and heavy steering match the symptoms you described before your repair. Just called another workshop that specializes in VW electric steering systems. They quoted around 800€ for a complete steering rack replacement including labor, which matches what you paid. They also mentioned checking the pressure hose connections and doing a wheel alignment after installation. Going to book it in next week since the steering is getting dangerously heavy. Will make sure they do a full diagnostic scan first to confirm if its the rack or just the control module. Better to fix it now before any other steering components get damaged. Thanks for sharing your repair experience. It really helped confirm what I was suspecting about the steering pump and rack assembly being the core issue rather than just loose mounting points or wiring problems.