Amarok Radio Dead: Antenna Signal Issues Confirmed

Had the same problem with my 2016 VW Tiguan diesel. The static noise started gradually getting worse until the car radio completely stopped working. The vehicle electronics displayed an antenna error code similar to yours. The issue turned out to be serious, not just a loose connection. The antenna ground was completely corroded at the base mount, and water had damaged the amplifier module. These problems are fairly common in this generation of VW infotainment systems. The repair required: Complete antenna assembly replacement, New amplifier module installation, Recoding of the infotainment system, Testing signal strength across multiple frequencies Poor signal reception is typically the first warning sign before complete failure. The work took about 4 hours at the shop. Would strongly recommend getting it checked soon, as continuing to operate with a faulty antenna can potentially damage other connected modules in the infotainment system. The symptoms you describe match exactly what happened with mine, weak FM signal followed by complete system failure. This is not something that typically resolves itself or can be fixed with basic troubleshooting.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the antenna and radio issues. My Amarok showed nearly identical symptoms last year, starting with static noise and eventually complete signal loss. Definitely agree about getting it checked quickly, waiting made my repair bill significantly higher when the amplifier got damaged too. Just curious, do you remember approximately how much the repair cost in your case? Also, has the signal strength remained stable since the fix, or have you noticed any other electronics issues popping up?

The repair costs on my Tiguan came to 255€ total, which covered both parts and labor. The antenna booster and ground connection were the main culprits. Since having the work done, the radio reception has been perfect with crystal clear signal strength. The vehicle electronics are all functioning normally with no interference issues. The repair shop actually installed an updated antenna signal amplifier model that seems more resistant to corrosion than the original part. The mechanic mentioned these antenna problems are a known weak point, but once properly fixed with quality parts, they rarely resurface. No other electronic gremlins have appeared in the 8 months since the repair. The FM reception is actually better now than when the car was new. Worth every cent to have it done right, trying to save money with temporary fixes often leads to more expensive repairs down the line when dealing with integrated vehicle electronics systems.

After reading your response, I finally took my Amarok to the shop last week. The diagnosis confirmed exactly what you described, corroded antenna ground and failing amplifier. The total repair came to 320€, a bit more than yours but still reasonable considering the extent of damage. The mechanic found additional water damage near the antenna mount that needed sealing. The repair included a new amplifier module and complete antenna assembly with upgraded weatherproofing. Took about 5 hours total, but the results are worth it. The FM signal is incredibly clear now. The static is completely gone, and radio interference has disappeared. The vehicle electronics are all functioning perfectly, no more error codes or system warnings. Really glad I got this sorted before more components failed. The signal strength is actually better than I remember it being when the car was new. Should have done this months ago when the reception first started getting spotty, but at least its fixed properly now.