VW Fox Steering Controls Dead: Diagnostic Alert

I had a very similar issue with my VW Polo 2013 diesel last month. As someone who has some basic experience with car repairs, I first suspected a sensor issue, but it turned out to be more straightforward. The multifunction steering controls stopped working completely, just like in your case. The steering wheel buttons were unresponsive, affecting radio, cruise control, and phone controls. After running vehicle diagnostics, my workshop found a damaged cable connection in the steering wheel, likely from regular wear and tear. The repair involved replacing the spiral cable assembly behind the steering wheel. Total cost was 95€ including labor. The fix took about an hour and all steering controls have worked perfectly since then. Before suggesting more specific solutions, could you share: Have you noticed any warning lights on the dashboard? Did this issue start suddenly or develop gradually? Has the steering wheel been removed or serviced recently? What error code exactly is showing in your diagnostics? This information would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced with my steering wheel system.

Thanks for your input. Last service was done at 79324km and they didnt mention any issues with the steering controls. The error code showing is B100087, and no warning lights appeared on the dashboard. The problem started gradually over the past week, first affecting only the volume controls, then spreading to all steering wheel functions. Based on your experience with the spiral cable repair, this sounds like it could be a similar connectivity problem. No recent work has been done on the steering wheel itself. Would it be worth getting the control module checked first before replacing any parts? Just trying to avoid unnecessary repairs if possible.

Thanks for those details. Having gone through this exact issue, I understand wanting to avoid unnecessary repairs. The error code B100087 and gradual failure pattern actually matches perfectly with my spiral cable situation. The way your issue progressed, starting with volume controls, is exactly how mine developed. The connectivity problem typically starts affecting one function before spreading to others. While checking the control module is possible, based on my repair experience, when theres this gradual failure pattern with that specific error code, its almost always the spiral cable in the steering column. I originally considered just checking the module too, but my mechanic explained that diagnostic fees plus module testing would have cost around 60€, and if it turned out to be the spiral cable anyway, Id have spent more in total. The spiral cable replacement fixed everything in one go. Since your vehicle age and symptoms align so closely with what I experienced, Id recommend going straight for the spiral cable inspection and replacement. It should cost roughly the same as what I paid (around 95€) and resolve all your multifunction steering wheel issues. Just ensure the workshop has experience with VW steering systems, the spiral cable replacement requires proper alignment during installation to work correctly.

Based on your feedback and comparing it to my steering wheel issue, Im feeling more confident about getting the spiral cable checked first. The gradual failure pattern starting with the volume controls really does sound identical to what youre describing. Its helpful to know the repair was straightforward and relatively affordable at 95€. Since my car hasnt had any recent steering column work and the error code matches your case, this electrical fault seems the most likely culprit. The steering wheel functions failing one by one definitely points to a connectivity problem rather than a full sensor issue or malfunction indicator error. Ill contact a workshop that specializes in VW steering systems and get them to inspect the spiral cable. Better to address this directly than waste money on unnecessary diagnostics. Really appreciate you sharing your repair experience, its helped narrow down the problem and given me a clear direction for fixing these steering controls.