VW Touareg Key Fob Battery Issues, Quick Fix Guide

Having faced a similar issue with my 2019 VW Tiguan, I can confirm this sounds exactly like a low battery problem in the key fob. The symptoms match perfectly, unreliable central locking and keyless access failures are typical signs of a dead key battery. My auto key started acting up the same way, first with intermittent issues, then complete failure. The dashboard warning is a clear indicator that the fob battery needs replacement. I took mine to a workshop where they diagnosed and replaced the key battery in about 15 minutes. Total cost was 37€, which included the new battery and labor. The fix was immediate and all functions returned to normal. However, to provide more specific guidance, could you share: Whether you have a spare key fob that works normally, If the physical key inside the fob still works in the door lock, When you last replaced the key battery, If you notice the issue gets worse in cold weather While my experience with key fob issues is moderate, these details would help confirm if your situation matches what I encountered. Sometimes a low battery can cause these exact symptoms, but its worth ruling out other potential issues.

Just had my 127058km service done last month. A low voltage key battery was also my first thought, but in my case it turned out the electronic key itself was faulty. The physical backup key worked fine in the door, but the keyless system kept failing even after replacing the battery twice. The dealer diagnosed a defective circuit board inside the key fob. Since my car was still under warranty, they replaced the entire unit at no cost. The new key fob works perfectly now, full keyless access functionality restored. Worth checking if you still have warranty coverage before spending money on battery replacements. The dealer can run a proper diagnostic to confirm if its truly just a low battery or something more serious with the key electronics.

Thanks for the update on your key fob situation. Interesting that it wasnt just a battery issue in your case. Actually had a very similar experience with my Tiguan, initially thought it was just a low battery when the keyless access started acting up, but replacing the battery didnt solve it. Like you, my physical backup key worked fine, but the electronic functions remained problematic. After two battery replacements that didnt fix anything, the dealer confirmed a faulty circuit board in the key fob itself. The electronic key system required a complete replacement unit to restore proper function. The important lesson here is that while a low voltage warning often points to a simple battery replacement, persistent keyless access issues after changing batteries likely indicate deeper electronic problems in the key fob itself. Getting a proper diagnostic check saved time and prevented more wasted money on unnecessary battery changes. Good call on using the warranty coverage. These electronic key units can be quite expensive when paid out of pocket.

Thanks everyone for the helpful replies about key fob issues. Really glad I asked here before spending money on multiple battery replacements. My dealer appointment is tomorrow and Ill make sure they do a full diagnostic on the key fob electronics rather than just swapping the battery. Makes sense that persistent keyless access problems could mean a faulty circuit board rather than just low voltage issues. The physical backup key still works perfectly in the door lock, which matches what others experienced with defective electronic keys. Since my car only has 127058km and is under warranty, hopefully they can replace the entire key fob unit if needed without cost, just like others here. Will update the thread after the dealer checks it out. This discussion probably saved me from wasting time and money trying battery replacements when the key fob itself might be the real problem.