VW Arteon Electrical Issues Linked to Transport Mode

Having dealt with a similar situation on my 2020 VW Passat, I can share some relevant experience. The symptoms you describe match exactly what I encountered, dead navigation and electrical warnings. The transport mode issue is actually quite common in newer VW models and requires a proper software update to resolve it. In my case, the car was still under warranty, and the dealer performed a diagnostic check which confirmed the transport mode was still active. They needed to perform a complete system reboot and run a specific immobilizer reset sequence through their diagnostic tools. The process took about an hour and since the car was new, it was completely covered under warranty. The automotive software configuration needed to be changed from transport to normal operation mode. To provide more specific guidance, could you share: Current mileage on your Arteon, Whether the issue appeared suddenly or developed gradually, If any recent battery disconnection occurred, Whether you still have active warranty coverage These details would help determine if your situation matches what I experienced and whether you might need similar resolution steps.

Thanks for the advice about the transport mode. My mileage just hit 100018km at my latest service. Yes, the issue appeared very suddenly after I tried jump starting another car. The car electronics started acting weird immediately after. The key fob is working inconsistently too, sometimes it opens the car, other times it doesnt respond at all. The immobilizer light keeps flashing on the dash which I didnt mention before. Since the battery incident, the engine start is also unreliable. Think I better get it checked at the shop right away rather than try fixing it myself.

Based on the jump start incident you mentioned, this sounds less like a transport mode issue and more like a voltage spike that affected multiple electronic control units. I had the exact same problem with my VW after helping someone with a jump start, it triggered various car electronics failures including key fob issues and immobilizer problems. The flashing immobilizer light is particularly telling, as this matches my experience. In my case, the voltage surge during the jump start damaged the immobilizer control module and affected several connected systems. The repair required: Complete diagnostic scan of all control modules, Reprogramming of the immobilizer system, Reset of multiple vehicle settings, Recalibration of the key fob system The total repair cost was around 850€, covered partially by my extended warranty. Without the engine start problems, it could have been cheaper, but the starter circuit also needed inspection and reset. The key learning here: modern cars are very sensitive to voltage spikes during jump starts. Always use a surge protector or jump start box rather than direct battery-to-battery connection to prevent car configuration and electronics issues. Looking at your symptoms, I strongly recommend getting it checked soon, as continuing to drive with immobilizer issues could leave you stranded.

Thanks for the detailed response about the voltage spike risks. This really helps explain what might have happened during my jump start attempt. Given all these symptoms and your similar experience, I'll definitely take it to the shop tomorrow. Better to get the diagnostic check done properly than risk more damage or getting stranded somewhere. The potential 850€ repair cost is higher than I expected, but at least I now know what Im likely dealing with. Will make sure to use a proper jump start box next time instead of direct battery connection. Really appreciate you sharing your experience, especially about the immobilizer and key fob issues, since those match my situation exactly. Hopefully the engine start problems can be resolved with just a software update and system reset rather than needing new parts. Will update once I get the official diagnosis from the shop.