VW Tiguan Power Steering Woes Point to Failed Sensor

Having worked on European cars for a few years, I encountered a similar issue with my 2009 VW Touran diesel. The symptoms you describe match closely with what I experienced, heavy steering and vibrations that got worse over time. The steering sensor failure caused issues with both power steering and the electronic stability control. After initial diagnostics, my workshop confirmed the angle sensor needed recoding due to faulty calibration. The repair involved resetting and recoding the steering angle sensor, which cost 195€ including diagnostic time. To help further with your specific case, could you provide: Current mileage, Any warning lights on the dashboard, Whether the issues started suddenly or developed gradually, If the problem changes when the engine is cold vs warm The steering angle sensor is a crucial component for both steering assist and vehicle stability. Getting this fixed promptly is important, as continued use with a faulty sensor can potentially affect other electronic stability components. Watch out for additional symptoms like: Uneven steering response at different speeds, Electronic stability control light staying on, Power steering cutting out intermittently If these symptoms sound familiar, I would recommend having it checked soon to prevent more extensive sensor failure or related issues.

Thanks for the input. Following up with the details, I had my last service at 59000km (about 3 months ago) and currently at 63495km. The issue started gradually over the past month. No warning lights initially, but now the traction control light occasionally flickers. Noticed the steering feels significantly heavier when the engine is cold, improving slightly after warm-up. The wheel alignment was checked during the last service and was fine, but the automotive sensors weren't specifically tested. Given the progression of symptoms and your experience with the steering sensor, I will book it in for diagnosis next week. The intermittent power steering issues are becoming more frequent, especially during parking maneuvers.

Thanks for those details. Looking at your mileage and symptoms, this sounds nearly identical to what I experienced with my Touran. The cold start behavior and flickering traction control light particularly match my case, which confirms my initial thoughts about the steering angle sensor. After my sensor replacement, I noticed immediate improvements: Consistent steering effort regardless of engine temperature, No more traction control light issues, Smooth power steering operation during low-speed maneuvers The steering column angle sensor diagnosis should be straightforward for a workshop with VW diagnostic equipment. Based on current rates, expect around 250€ for a complete sensor replacement if needed, though recalibration alone might be sufficient as it was in my case. Since your electronic stability system is showing signs through the flickering light, addressing this promptly is crucial. The correlation between cold starts and increased steering effort strongly suggests the automotive sensors are deteriorating. In my experience, these symptoms typically worsen quickly once they begin. Make sure the workshop performs a full electronic stability system test along with the steering sensor check, as sometimes related components can be affected. Getting this resolved soon will help prevent additional steering column component wear.

I appreciate your detailed response and experience with a similar issue. The symptoms you described with your Touran match what I am experiencing perfectly, especially the part about cold starts affecting steering effort. Your repair costs seem reasonable too, and I am relieved to hear it might just need recalibration rather than full replacement. I have scheduled the car for next Tuesday at my regular workshop. I mentioned the steering angle sensor specifically and asked them to check the entire electronic stability system as you suggested. They quoted 85€ for initial diagnostics, which seems fair. The fact that your repair fully resolved similar issues is encouraging. I will make sure they inspect for any related sensor failure or steering column wear while they have it in. In the meantime, I am being extra cautious during low-speed maneuvers where the power steering seems most affected. I will post an update once I get the diagnosis and repair completed. Thanks again for the specific insights about the automotive sensors and potential fixes, it really helps to hear from someone who dealt with the same problem.