VW Polo Warning Light Points to Emergency Call System

As someone with moderate experience working on VWs, I had a similar issue with my 2012 VW Golf. The SOS signal malfunction warning appeared alongside stored diagnostic codes, which was quite concerning given the car safety implications. The problem turned out to be exactly what youre describing, an emergency call system malfunction. My workshop found a faulty cable connection to the emergency call module. The repair involved replacing some corroded wiring and reconnecting the component properly. Total cost was 95€ for parts and labor. The call failure was resolved completely after the fix, and I havent seen any warning lights since. The repair was pretty straightforward once they identified the exact connection point that was causing issues. To better assist with your situation, could you share: Have you noticed any other electrical issues? Did the warning light appear suddenly or intermittently? What specific error codes are showing up? Has the car been exposed to water damage or extreme temperatures? This information would help determine if youre dealing with the same root cause I experienced.

Dealing with the same emergency call system error in my Polo too. After my last service at 115569km, the telematics unit started showing similar warning messages. The stored codes pointed to automotive electronics connectivity issues between modules. In my case, replacing the control unit completely fixed the malfunction, costing around 450€ with programming. I first tried cleaning the connections, but that only provided temporary relief. The warning messages would come back every few days until the full replacement. Definitely get the exact error codes checked, it helps narrow down if its just a connection issue or a failed unit like mine.

Thanks for sharing your repair experience. Interesting that you ended up needing a full control module replacement, that matches what happened with my Golf too after initial attempts at fixing connections failed. The telematics malfunction symptoms were nearly identical. I also tried cleaning connections first, which worked temporarily but the automotive electronics errors kept returning. The intermittent nature of these warning messages is typically a clear sign of control module failure rather than just loose wiring. Your repair cost of 450€ is in line with what I was quoted for a replacement unit, though I held off too long trying cheaper fixes. The warning lights coming back every few days is exactly what I experienced before finally getting the complete replacement. For anyone else facing similar car safety warnings, when multiple error codes point to communication issues between modules, and cleaning connections only provides short-term relief, its usually most cost-effective to replace the control module directly rather than attempting partial repairs. Have you noticed any other electrical systems working better since the replacement? My audio system performance actually improved after the new unit was installed, which apparently was related to the same malfunction.

Thanks for the informative replies everyone. The recurring diagnostic codes definitely helped confirm it was more than just a simple connection issue. Like many of you experienced, my telematics control unit needed a complete replacement to properly resolve the SOS signal malfunction. After the 450€ repair, all systems are working perfectly. The car safety features are fully functional, and surprisingly, the audio system does seem clearer now. No more intermittent warning lights or call failure messages in the display. For others searching for solutions to similar emergency call system problems, get the full diagnostic scan done first. The stored error codes will show if its just a wiring issue or a complete unit failure like in my case. Trying temporary fixes might work briefly, but a faulty control module will keep triggering malfunctions until properly replaced. Really appreciate the detailed repair experiences shared here. They helped me make an informed decision about the fix needed for my Polo.