VW Lupo Steering Controls Failure: Causes & Fixes

I faced a nearly identical steering controls problem with my VW Polo diesel from 2002. Based on my experience working on various VW models, this sounds very familiar. The vehicle diagnostics showed similar error codes related to the steering wheel control module. After checking multiple possible causes, my mechanic found the root issue was a damaged cable connection in the steering wheel, which caused intermittent failures of all steering-mounted controls. The repair involved replacing the cable connection and recalibrating the control module. Total cost was 95€ including labor. Since the fix, all steering controls have worked perfectly. For more specific guidance on your situation, could you share: Have you noticed any intermittent function before complete failure? Does the malfunction indicator show any specific error codes? Are there any other electrical issues with the car? Has the steering wheel ever been removed or worked on before? This information would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced with my vehicle.

Thanks for sharing your experience. My mileage is now 75060km since the last service in January. In my case, the malfunction started gradually with intermittent steering control failures before complete shutdown. The vehicle diagnostics initially showed error code P1572, but no other electrical issues were present. The steering wheel was never removed or serviced before this problem occurred. During a follow-up inspection, my mechanic discovered corrosion in the steering wheel wiring harness, causing a sensor issue with the control module. They estimated around 150€ for parts and labor to resolve the problem. Before proceeding with repairs, I wanted to confirm if others encountered similar issues and whether this repair cost seems reasonable for this type of multifunction steering problem.

Yes, corrosion in the steering column wiring harness is a common issue with these VW models. In my Polo, the initial symptoms and error codes match exactly what you described. The P1572 code typically indicates a communication fault between the steering controls and the main control module. The 150€ estimate sounds reasonable considering the work involved. My repair was slightly cheaper at 95€ because only the cable connection needed replacement. When corrosion affects the entire wiring harness, more extensive work is required to ensure reliable steering control function. My mechanic mentioned that leaving these sensor issues unaddressed can lead to more serious problems with the control module itself, which would be much more expensive to replace. After my repair, they recommended applying a protective coating to prevent future corrosion in the steering column wiring. Given your mileage and the gradual onset of problems, this repair should resolve the multifunction steering wheel errors completely. Just ensure they perform a full system diagnostic after the repair to confirm all steering controls are working correctly. If you want to avoid future issues, ask them to check the seals around the steering column during the repair, as water ingress often causes these corrosion problems with the wiring harness.

Thank you everyone for the feedback. After considering your responses, I feel more confident about proceeding with the repair. The similar experiences with the steering controls and matching error code P1572 are reassuring. The 150€ repair cost seems fair given the extent of corrosion in my wiring harness. I will ask the mechanic about applying protective coating and checking the steering column seals to prevent future electrical faults. I scheduled the repair for next week. The connectivity problem with the multifunction steering wheel needs fixing before it potentially causes more expensive damage to the control module. The vehicle diagnostics showed the issue is isolated to the steering system, so hopefully this repair will fully resolve the malfunction indicator warnings. I appreciate all the detailed information shared about similar cases and repair experiences. This helped confirm I am on the right track with the diagnosis and planned fix.