VW Amarok Mirror Heating Failure, Winter Safety Alert

Having moderate experience with VW vehicles, I faced a similar issue with my 2016 VW Tiguan. The rearview mirror heating suddenly stopped working during winter driving, which was particularly concerning for vehicle safety. After some initial troubleshooting, I brought it to a workshop where they diagnosed the problem as a faulty cable connection between the door wiring harness and the mirror assembly. The car electronics were showing similar error codes to what you describe. The issue turned out to be corroded connectors that were failing to provide proper contact for the heating elements. The repair involved cleaning the connection points and replacing some damaged wiring, costing 95€ in total. No need for complete mirror replacement in my case, which was a relief. To better assist with your specific situation, could you share: Have you noticed any other electrical issues with the mirrors (like adjustment problems)? Did this issue start gradually or suddenly? Are there any visible signs of water damage around the mirror housing? Does the temperature control system show any other warning messages? This information would help determine if your Amarok is experiencing the same connection issue or if there might be a different underlying problem.

Last serviced at 48000km, so fairly fresh on maintenance. After checking the technical service bulletins, I can confirm this mirror heating failure seems to be a known issue with our model year. The heater element typically fails due to water intrusion at the mirror base, causing corrosion of the electrical connections. No adjustment problems with the mirrors, and all other temperature control functions work normally. The issue appeared suddenly during the first cold snap. Might be worth checking the mirror wiring harness connection points before replacing the entire assembly, as the fix could be much simpler and cheaper. Would appreciate if anyone has specific experience with the 2014 Amarok mirror assembly wiring diagram or knows the correct testing procedure for the heating circuit.

Thanks for those details about your Amarok. My experience with my 2016 Tiguan mirror heating issue actually started similarly, sudden failure during cold weather with no prior warning signs. The lack of mirror adjustment problems is a good indicator. On my Tiguan, accessing the wiring harness connection point required removing the door panel trim, but the repair was straightforward once exposed. The workshop found green corrosion residue at the connector, typical of water intrusion. The testing procedure involved: Measuring voltage at the mirror connector (should read 12V), Checking continuity across the heating element, Inspecting the rubber seal between mirror and door for water damage Since your Amarok shares a similar mirror heating system design, these connection points are worth investigating first. The total diagnostic and repair time on my vehicle was about 2 hours, costing 95€ for labor and materials. Before considering a full mirror replacement, requesting a thorough check of these connection points could save significant cost. Winter driving safety depends heavily on clear mirrors, so addressing this electrical fault properly is essential.

Thanks for the detailed input about the Tiguan repair experience. After researching the TSB and getting your feedback, I feel more confident about the repair path forward. The similarities between these issues, sudden failure during cold weather and likely water intrusion, make sense given the design. The testing steps you outlined seem like a logical approach before jumping to a complete mirror replacement. I managed to locate the correct wiring diagram for the 2014 Amarok mirror assembly. Will schedule time with my regular mechanic to check those connection points and test the voltage/continuity. Given the car electronics are otherwise working fine and the mirror adjustment still functions, focusing on the wiring harness connection seems like the right first step. Really hoping this can be resolved with a simple cleaning and rewiring like your case. Winter driving without proper mirror heating is definitely not ideal for safety. Will update once we complete the diagnosis and repair.