VW Scirocco Steering Controls: Common Fault and Fix

I had a very similar electrical fault on my 2015 VW Golf GTI. From my experience working on various VW models, this is often related to the steering control module or wiring connections. The symptoms were identical, complete failure of the steering wheel buttons and error codes pointing to the steering controls. After some initial troubleshooting, my workshop found a damaged cable connection in the steering column that was causing intermittent sensor issues. The repair involved accessing the steering column and replacing the affected wiring harness. Total cost was 95€ including diagnostic time. Since the repair 8 months ago, all steering controls have worked perfectly with no recurring electrical faults. To provide more specific guidance for your Scirocco: Is the airbag warning light also illuminated? Did the issue develop gradually or suddenly? Are there any other electrical issues present? Have you had any recent repairs done to the steering system? These details would help determine if your steering control module is experiencing the same failure pattern I encountered.

It turned out to be more serious than originally thought. After last service at 58970km, the mechanic found multiple issues with the steering control wiring. The malfunction indicator was showing error codes related to both the multifunction steering module and airbag system. The workshop discovered corrosion in the main wiring harness connecting the steering controls, requiring a complete replacement of the affected components. The repair cost was 450€ but resolved all steering wheel functionality issues. The vehicle diagnostics now shows no error codes and all buttons work perfectly. Thanks for highlighting the cable connection issue, this helped me ask the right questions during the repair process.

Thanks for the detailed follow-up about your Scirocco repair. The issue does sound quite similar to what I experienced with my Golf GTI, though yours was more extensive with the corrosion damage affecting multiple systems. The connectivity problem between the steering controls and airbag system is a common failure point in these models. My repair was fortunately less complex, but I have since learned that corrosion in the main wiring harness often starts small and can spread to affect multiple vehicle systems if not caught early. The 450€ repair cost seems reasonable given the scope of work needed. The complete replacement of the affected components was definitely the right call, partial repairs on corroded wiring harnesses rarely provide a lasting fix. Good to hear the vehicle diagnostics are now showing all clear and the multifunction steering is fully operational. These steering control issues can be quite concerning when they first appear, but proper diagnosis and complete replacement of affected parts usually resolves the problem permanently.

Thanks for bringing this up regarding the corroded wiring harness and multiple steering control issues. After dealing with error codes from both the multifunction steering module and airbag system post-service at 58970km, I finally got to the bottom of the issue. The workshop found serious corrosion problems in the main wiring harness connecting the steering controls. A complete replacement of the affected components was necessary, not cheap at 450€ but worth it to resolve all the connectivity problems. The electrical fault turned out to be more extensive than initially suspected, affecting multiple systems in the steering column. The vehicle diagnostics now shows no error codes and the steering wheel functionality is fully restored. All buttons work as they should. Your input about checking the cable connections helped me ask the right questions when discussing repair options with the mechanic. Getting the complete harness replaced rather than attempting a partial fix was definitely the right choice for a permanent solution.