VW Caddy Navigation Dead, Transport Mode Lockdown Fix

I had a nearly identical situation with my 2021 VW Transporter last month. Having some experience with car electronics, I first noticed similar symptoms with the navigation system being unresponsive and multiple electrical warnings on the dash. The issue was indeed related to transport mode being active. This is a factory setting that limits various vehicle settings and electronic functions to preserve battery during shipping. The dealership resolved this through a quick software update which was covered under warranty since the vehicle was new. They also performed a basic key fob verification to ensure all systems were communicating properly. The entire process took about 30 minutes and required no parts replacement. Since your vehicle is new, this should also be covered under warranty at no cost. To help diagnose this further, could you share: Exact build date of your Caddy, Whether this started happening suddenly or gradually, If you notice any pattern with the engine start behavior, Which specific warning messages you see, Whether all key fob functions still work normally This information would help confirm if your situation matches what I experienced and could save you time at the workshop.

Thanks for sharing your experience. My Caddy had its last service at 95000km about 2 months ago. Just to update on my situation, after reading your detailed response, I checked all key fob functions and found the remote locking is now also intermittent. The engine start works fine, but the immobilizer warning occasionally flashes. The electrical issues began suddenly after a cold start yesterday morning. The build date shown in my manual is 03/2023. The main warning message reads System Error: Car Configuration Required which appears right after startup. Given these symptoms and your similar experience, it does sound like the transport mode could be the root cause.

Thanks for those additional details. Your symptoms definitely match what I experienced with my VW Transporter, especially the System Error message and immobilizer warning. When my transport mode issue occurred, I also noticed the intermittent key fob behavior you described. A key difference I noticed in your case is the timing, having these issues emerge after 95000km and recent service suggests there might be more at play than just transport mode. In my situation, the car electronics started acting up within the first few months of ownership. The specific warning message you mentioned typically appears when the vehicle settings need reconfiguration, which can happen after a battery disconnect or voltage drop. Given your mileage, I would suggest checking: 1. Battery voltage levels, as a weak battery can trigger similar vehicle setting errors 2. Have the workshop verify if any car electronics were reset during the recent service 3. Request a full software update scan, as multiple system failures often indicate a needed update While transport mode could be involved, based on how my situation was resolved and your specific symptoms, I suspect your case might need a more comprehensive diagnostic approach. The good news is that these electrical gremlins are usually fixable through software updates or reconfiguration rather than expensive part replacements.

Thanks for the input. After taking the car to the workshop today for a diagnostic check, you were right about it being more complex than just transport mode. They found that during my last service, a software update was only partially completed due to a power interruption. This left several car electronics modules in a confused state. The fix involved a complete system reset and proper software update installation. They also had to do a key fob reprogram since the security module was one of the affected systems. Total cost was 180€ for the diagnostic and reprogramming work. The engine start is now completely normal and all electrical functions are working as they should. Really glad I asked here first as it helped me explain the symptoms more clearly to the technician and understand what they were doing to fix it. Lesson learned, always make sure software updates complete properly and dont skip the recommended key fob checks after major system work. Thanks again for helping me get to the bottom of this!