VW Fox Mirror Heater Failure Fix and Cost Guide

Had a similar electrical fault with the mirror heating on my 2011 VW Polo TDI at 160000km. The problem typically stems from either corroded wiring connections or a failed heating element, both common issues during cold weather operation. After diagnosing at the garage, they found the wire harness between the mirror and door had deteriorated where it flexes. The temperature control module was receiving power but not delivering it to the heating elements. This is a known weak point that often develops after years of door opening and closing. The repair involved replacing the complete wire harness assembly. It was a moderate repair job, not particularly complex but required careful dismantling of the door panel and mirror housing to access the connections. The winter driving safety aspect made it worth fixing properly rather than leaving it. Most mirror heating failures on these VW models trace back to either: Damaged wiring near door hinges, Corroded connectors from moisture exposure, Faulty heating element in mirror glass, Control module issues Worth having a professional diagnose it since an incorrect repair can lead to other electrical issues. The stored error code will help pinpoint if its a wiring or component problem.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the VW Polo mirror heating repair. My Fox had the same electrical fault last winter and the heater element stopped working completely. After reading about your wiring harness fix, I wonder if I have a similar issue since the symptoms match. The temperature control module seems to get power but the mirror stays cold. Did you have any other electrical problems show up after the repair was done? Also curious what the total repair cost was in your case, as I need to budget for this fix before winter hits.

Had an update since my last post about the mirror heating problem. Got it checked at the garage and the issue was exactly what I suspected, a faulty connection where the wiring meets the heater element in the rearview mirror assembly. The repair was straightforward and cost 95€ total, which included fixing the plug connection that had corroded over time. The electrical fault cleared immediately after the repair, and the mirror heating now works perfectly. No other electrical problems have surfaced since the fix was completed. Much cheaper than replacing the entire wiring harness I originally thought might be needed. The vehicle safety system is back to full function, making winter driving much safer. If your Fox shows similar symptoms, definitely worth having them check the connector first before considering more extensive repairs. Just make sure they properly test the heating element and all connections after repair, you want to ensure the fix lasts through the cold season when you need it most. My experience shows these mirror heating issues are often simpler than they first appear.

Thanks everyone for the helpful advice on mirror heating repairs. I took my Fox to the garage last week and wanted to share how it went. The mechanic found corroded terminals inside the rearview mirror housing, similar to what others described. The repair was pretty quick, they cleaned the connections and replaced one damaged wire for 75€ total. Much better than the 300€ quote I got from another shop. The car electronics are all working normally now and the mirror heats up perfectly in cold weather. Glad I asked here first since it helped me understand the likely issue and typical repair costs. The garage confirmed these connection problems are common on VWs of this age. No other electrical gremlins have shown up since the fix.