Tiguan Key Fob Issues Linked to Faulty Antenna System

I had a very similar issue with my 2015 VW Touareg diesel last year. As someone with moderate experience working on VWs, I immediately recognized these symptoms. The radio signal and keyless entry problems were indeed related to the antenna system. After checking error codes, my workshop found a damaged cable connection between the antenna mount and the central control unit. The antenna repair involved replacing the wiring harness and checking all connecting points. The symptoms matched exactly, inconsistent key fob operation, keyless start failures, and radio reception issues. The repair took about 2 hours and cost 95€, including diagnostic time and parts. Before assuming its the same issue though, could you share: Which error codes your car is showing? Are you experiencing any radio reception problems? Did these issues start suddenly or develop gradually? Have there been any recent repairs or modifications near the antenna areas? Car antenna problems can be tricky to diagnose since the symptoms often overlap with other electrical issues. Getting this additional information would help determine if your Tiguan is facing the same antenna replacement needs mine did.

Thanks for the detailed response. Checking my fault codes again, I get B12801 (central locking) and B189200 (antenna circuit). The radio reception has indeed gotten worse over the past weeks, especially in areas where it used to work fine. These issues started gradually about a month after my last service at 11228km. No recent repairs or modifications were done to the vehicle during that maintenance. The vehicle antenna connections seem like the likely culprit based on your similar experience. Especially since both the key fob signal and radio reception are affected simultaneously, pointing to a shared antenna circuit problem.

From my previous experience with the same issues on my Touareg, those specific error codes (B12801 and B189200) confirm what I initially suspected. Signal interference patterns affecting both the key fob and radio reception strongly indicate a deteriorating antenna system, just like what happened in my case. Since you mention gradual degradation following service, check if any work was done near the vehicle antenna components during maintenance. Sometimes routine service can accidentally disturb antenna connections or wiring. In my situation, I discovered that a slightly loose ground connection was contributing to the signal interference. The similarity between your fault codes and my previous repair case suggests you should focus on: 1. Checking antenna module connections 2. Testing ground points near the antenna mounting locations 3. Inspecting the wiring harness for any signs of wear Getting these issues fixed sooner rather than later is important. In my case, delaying the antenna repair led to complete failure of the keyless system. The 95€ I spent on the repair was worth avoiding that inconvenience. Would you mind checking if theres any visible damage around the antenna mount areas? This could help determine if youre dealing with physical damage or just loose connections.

Thanks for sharing those details about your antenna diagnosis. Those error codes definitely match my symptoms, and Im feeling more confident about the source of the problem now. I took a closer look at the fm antenna and surrounding areas as suggested. While I dont see obvious physical damage, I noticed the antenna base seems slightly loose when touched. There might be an issue with the mounting or connections underneath. Given the matching fault codes and similar symptoms with your Touareg case, Im planning to have the car radio antenna system checked professionally. The gradual signal interference with both the radio and key fob really points to antenna circuit problems rather than separate electrical issues. The repair cost you mentioned seems reasonable to fix these annoying problems. Ill schedule an appointment to have the antenna connections and ground points inspected before it potentially fails completely. Thanks for helping me narrow down the likely cause, this will save time when I bring it to the shop.