VW Transporter Steering Column Controls Dead, Quick Fix

Had this exact steering issue on a 2010 VW Passat. The electric adjustment system completely stopped working, showing similar error messages. The main cause was a faulty wiring harness connection at the steering column. The electric adjustment failure required removing the steering column cover to access the connections. The repair involved replacing the entire wiring harness assembly since individual wire repair is not recommended for steering components. Testing showed the column adjustment motor was fine, it was purely a connection problem. This steering failure is actually a common problem on VW models from that era. The repair is not overly complex but requires proper diagnostic equipment to verify the cause. The steering column needs to be properly calibrated after the repair to ensure smooth operation. Worth noting this is a safety-critical repair that should be done by a qualified shop. Electric adjustment problems can indicate deeper steering control issues. Would suggest having it checked soon, as continuing to drive with faulty steering controls is not recommended. Key components to check: Wiring harness connections, Column adjustment motor, Control module, Position sensors Recommend getting a proper diagnosis rather than attempting DIY fixes given the safety implications of steering issues.

Thanks for sharing that repair experience with the electric steering. The electronic steering issue on my Transporter got fixed about 3 months ago and seems to be working fine now. My mechanical fault also turned out to be related to the wiring harness, though they had to replace the column adjustment motor as well since it was damaged. Just wondering, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the complete repair? And has everything been working properly since the fix? My total repair bill seemed quite high and I want to compare notes.

My repair ended up being much simpler and cheaper than yours. The electronic steering problem was resolved by fixing a loose cable connection at the steering column, no motor replacement needed in my case. The total cost came to 95€ for diagnosing and repairing the faulty connection. The electric adjustment has been working flawlessly since the repair six months ago. There have been no error messages or column adjustment issues since then. The mechanic mentioned these steering problems often stem from basic connection faults rather than complete motor failure, so I got lucky with a straightforward fix. Your repair cost was likely higher because you needed both the wiring fix and a new adjustment motor. The column adjustment motor itself is an expensive component, which explains the price difference between our repairs. Good to hear your steering issue is fully resolved now. These electric adjustment problems can be concerning when they first appear, but proper diagnosis usually leads to a reliable fix.

Thanks everyone for the helpful replies about the steering column repairs. I finally got my VW back from the shop last week after dealing with this car steering nightmare. The total repair came to 780€ including parts and labor, quite steep but at least the problem is fixed. The mechanic found both a damaged wiring harness and a burned out column adjustment motor. They showed me the old parts and explained how moisture had gotten into the system causing corrosion. The steering failure was apparently caused by this gradual water damage. The repair took about 4 hours total. They had to remove several dash components to access the full steering column assembly. After replacing both the wiring and motor, they ran a full diagnostic check to ensure the new parts were properly calibrated. Everything is working perfectly now, the electric adjustment is smooth and the error message is gone. While the cost was higher than expected, I feel better knowing all the faulty components were properly replaced rather than just patched up. Good learning experience about not putting off these steering issues when they first appear.