VW Arteon Multiple Sensor Failures Frustrate Owners

I had a very similar issue with my VW Passat 2017, and as someone with moderate experience working on VWs, this sounds exactly like what I encountered. The root cause in my case was bubbles forming under the gel pad that connects the rain-light sensor to the windshield. This created an electrical fault affecting multiple auto sensor functions, exactly as you describe. The malfunctioning sensor was causing a chain reaction of electronic issues, including the auto headlights and rain detection features. The repair involved removing the old sensor assembly, cleaning the mounting area thoroughly, and installing a new gel pad with a replacement sensor unit. The workshop completed this in about 2 hours, costing 62€ for parts and labor. A few car electronics checks worth mentioning: Get the exact error codes read out, Check if the sensor is properly aligned with the windshield, Verify there are no visible gaps between sensor and glass Before proceeding with repairs, could you share: Has your windshield been replaced recently? Are the error codes permanent or intermittent? Did these issues start gradually or all at once? This would help determine if your case matches the common sensor mounting failure pattern I experienced.

Thanks for the detailed response. Just got my car back from the 90000km service last month, and these issues started appearing right after. The error codes are permanent and all functions failed simultaneously. No recent windshield work was done. The sensor fault is consistently present in the error memory even after clearing it. After reading about the gel pad issue you mentioned, I checked more closely and can see what looks like tiny air pockets between the sensor and windshield. The electrical fault messages always return after a short drive. Your repair solution and cost breakdown is really helpful. Will have the workshop check specifically for the gel pad separation issue you experienced with your sensor unit.

Thanks for the update. Those symptoms occurring right after service is a red flag, could be related to someone disturbing the sensor area during maintenance. The air pockets you spotted between the sensor and windshield confirm my initial suspicion. When performing the repair on my VW, the technician mentioned that even slight pressure or cleaning around the sensor housing during routine service can compromise the gel pad seal. Given that: The sensor fault appears consistently, You can visually confirm gel pad separation, Issues started after service, Multiple electrical faults occur simultaneously This matches the failure pattern I experienced exactly. The compromised seal is causing the light sensor and rain detection to malfunction, triggering cascading electronic issues. You might want to discuss this with the service center, as the timing suggests potential warranty coverage for the repair. The fix itself is straightforward, new gel pad and properly mounted sensor should resolve all issues, similar to my case. Just ensure they: Fully clean the mounting surface, Check sensor alignment specs, Verify proper adhesion of new gel pad, Test all affected functions after repair The car electronics should return to normal once the sensor gets proper contact with the windshield again.

This looks identical to my issue. Will definitely take it back to the service center and discuss the likely connection between the recent maintenance and these sensor problems. The air gap I found matches what you described perfectly. Really appreciate you sharing the details about the gel pad failure and repair process. Having this information will help when discussing with the workshop, especially knowing it took around 2 hours and involved a fairly straightforward fix rather than extensive car electronics troubleshooting. I feel much more confident now that we have identified the likely root cause. Will push for them to properly clean and realign the light sensor when installing the new gel pad. Your experience helps confirm this is a known issue with a clear solution, not some mysterious electronic gremlin. Will update once I get it checked out and hopefully fixed under warranty since the timing clearly points to service-related damage. Thanks for walking me through your similar sensor fault experience.