VW Atlas Steering Failure: Heavy Vibration & Shaking

Had the exact same symptoms on a 2018 VW Tiguan. The steering wheel vibration and heavy steering pointed to a failing power steering system. A thorough diagnosis revealed the electric steering control module had damaged wiring connections. The root cause was cable insulation wear near the steering column, causing intermittent signal loss between the power steering control unit and the steering rack. This created those error codes you mentioned and the system would default to manual steering as a safety measure. The fix required replacing the complete wiring harness for the electric steering system and recalibrating the power steering control module. After repair, a wheel alignment was also necessary to ensure everything worked properly. This was a serious issue that required immediate attention, as drop in power steering assist could lead to unsafe driving conditions, especially at higher speeds or during emergency maneuvers. Would recommend having a certified technician check the wiring connections first before replacing any major components like the steering pump. Often these symptoms stem from electrical issues rather than mechanical failures in modern electric power steering systems.

Thanks for sharing your experience. My Atlas had similar power steering problems. The shop eventually found worn connectors in the steering rack that were causing intermittent failures. Really thankful they caught it early before total steering loss. Did you track what the total repair cost came to for your Tiguan? Just curious since I had to shell out quite a bit for the steering rack replacement and alignment work. Also wondering if youve had any other steering-related problems pop up since getting it fixed?

Good to hear you got it sorted out. After my Tiguan was repaired, the power steering has worked flawlessly without any issues. The steering wheel stays steady and the power assist functions perfectly, no more heavy steering or vibrations. My repair was actually much simpler and cheaper than yours. The mechanic found a faulty cable connection to the power steering control module. Total cost was 95€ for fixing the connection, which beats having to replace the entire steering rack like in your case. Since the pressure hose and other steering pump components were all in good condition, no additional repairs were needed. The wheel alignment was spot-on too, so that saved some extra costs. Just make sure to pay attention to any changes in steering feel or new vibrations. Early detection of power steering problems can help avoid more expensive repairs down the road.

Thanks for all the helpful replies. After reading about similar experiences, I finally took my Atlas to a certified VW shop last week. The mechanic found the power steering pressure hose was damaged and leaking, plus some electrical connection issues at the steering pump. Total repair came to 780€ including parts, labor and a wheel alignment. More than I wanted to spend but still better than needing a full steering rack replacement. The steering system feels like new again, no more vibration or heavy steering. The shop actually showed me the worn parts and explained everything clearly, which was refreshing after my previous bad experience elsewhere. They also did a complete steering system inspection to make sure there were no other failing components. Appreciate all the advice that helped me better understand the problem before going in. Will definitely keep an eye out for any steering issues in the future and address them early.