Atlas Steering Column Lock Fix, Cost and Solutions

Had the same electronic steering issue on a 2016 VW Tiguan. The steering column adjustment stopped working completely, no movement up or down. The problem turned out to be a faulty wiring connection in the steering column electrical harness. These electric adjustment mechanisms often develop issues where the cables get pinched or the connectors work loose over time. In my case, the repair involved dismantling part of the steering column to access and replace the damaged wiring harness. It was a serious repair that required specialized diagnostic equipment to properly reset the steering column control module after the fix. The steering issue needs proper attention since it affects both comfort and safety systems. A certified shop should scan for exact error codes, as several components in the electronic steering system could trigger similar symptoms, from the adjustment motor to the control module itself. While the car remains drivable, postponing repairs risks further electrical issues spreading to other steering components. The repair time was about 4 hours in my case, with most of that spent on careful disassembly and testing to ensure proper function after reassembly.

Thanks for sharing your Tiguan experience. The steering column wiring issue sounds exactly like what I am experiencing in my Atlas. Do you remember roughly what the total repair cost was? Also curious if you had any recurring electronic steering problems since getting it fixed? My local shops quotes seem high so trying to get a sense if they are being reasonable.

Just got back from having this exact electric steering column repair done last week. The technician found a loose connection where the wiring harness connects to the adjustment motor, pretty much identical to what my Tiguan had before. Total cost came to 95€ for the repair, which mainly involved fixing the cable connection rather than replacing entire components. The electronic adjustment now works perfectly smooth again with no error codes showing. Much better value than the initial quotes I received suggesting full steering column replacement. Since fixing that defective wiring connection, all electric steering functions have worked flawlessly. No recurring adjustment issues or error codes. A proper diagnosis really helped keep the repair costs reasonable by identifying the exact connection problem rather than just swapping parts. The key was finding a shop familiar with electric steering systems who could properly test the wiring before jumping to expensive component replacements. Getting those error codes properly scanned made all the difference in targeting the real issue.

Thanks everyone for the steering column advice. Just got mine fixed yesterday and wanted to share how it went. Found a certified mechanic who specializes in electronic steering systems. They did a proper diagnostic scan first and found the exact same wiring harness issue. The mechanical fault was traced to a pinched wire near the column adjustment motor. The repair took about 3 hours. They fixed the damaged wiring and tested all electric adjustment functions thoroughly. Total cost came to 480€ including diagnostic time. Higher than some quotes here but still way better than the 1200€ another shop wanted for a full column replacement. Everything works perfectly now, smooth up and down movement with no error codes. Really glad I got a second opinion and found someone who knew how to properly diagnose the steering issue rather than just replacing parts. Lesson learned, proper diagnosis is key for these electronic adjustment problems. Getting those error codes properly read helped target the exact issue and saved serious money in the end.