VW Transporter Steering Vibration & Power Loss Issue

I had a similar issue with my 2018 VW Caddy last summer. As someone with moderate experience working on VWs, I recognized the symptoms you described, especially the combination of steering issues and traction control warnings. The steering angle sensor in my case needed recoding and recalibration. The electronic stability system was getting incorrect readings, causing irregular power steering assistance and those warning lights. Taking it to a specialist workshop, they diagnosed the faulty sensor coding within an hour. The total repair cost was 195€, which included diagnostic time and the recalibration procedure. The repair took about 2 hours total. After the fix, they performed a quick wheel alignment check to ensure everything was properly calibrated. The steering column response returned to normal, and all warning lights cleared up immediately. Before suggesting specific solutions for your case, could you share: Have you noticed any unusual tire wear patterns? Does the problem get worse at higher speeds? Are there any other warning lights on the dashboard? Have you recently had any suspension work done? These details would help determine if your issue is purely sensor-related or if there might be additional mechanical concerns to address.

Thanks for sharing your experience. My VW just had its first service at 15427km, where they did a basic inspection but found nothing concerning at the time. After reading your reply, I checked my tire wear patterns which appear normal. The vibration definitely gets worse above highway speeds, and I have no other warning lights except the occasional traction control flash. I noticed the steering issues started gradually over the past two weeks, rather than suddenly. The automotive sensors might need recalibration like in your case, though I wonder if a complete wheel alignment check might be worth doing at the same time. Would hate to fix one issue only to find theres another underlying problem causing these symptoms. Based on your repair costs, seems like a reasonable investment to get this sorted before it potentially causes more extensive damage. Will book it in next week and make sure they check both the angle sensor and alignment while its there.

Your symptoms do sound remarkably similar to what I experienced with my Caddy. The gradual onset of the steering issues combined with highway speed vibrations actually matches exactly what happened with mine. I initially thought just recalibrating the steering sensor would fix everything, but I ended up needing a complete wheel alignment too. The wheel alignment check revealed my front tires were slightly out of spec, which was contributing to the vibration issues. Even though the tire wear looked normal, the alignment was off enough to affect the steering column stability at higher speeds. The electronic stability system was trying to compensate for these small variances, causing those intermittent traction control warnings. The total cost for my complete fix ended up being 320€, that included the steering sensor recalibration and full wheel alignment service. Looking back, doing both at once saved me a second trip to the shop. The vibrations completely disappeared and the steering returned to its original smooth operation. Since your mileage is relatively low, you might just need the sensor recalibration, but having them check the alignment while its up on the lift makes good sense. The steering issues at highway speeds particularly suggest getting both checked would be worthwhile.

Based on your experience and the additional insights about highway speed vibrations, I think getting both the sensor and alignment checked is definitely the way to go. The fact that your Caddy needed both repairs despite similar initial symptoms really helps confirm my decision. The gradual onset of my steering issues matches what you described, and knowing the full fix cost around 320€ helps me budget appropriately. Its reassuring to hear the repair fully resolved your vibration problems and restored proper steering function. Ill make sure to mention both the steering sensor issues and request a complete wheel alignment check when I take it in next week. The automotive sensors in these VWs seem quite sensitive to alignment variations, so addressing both aspects makes sense. Really appreciate you sharing the full details of your repair experience, its exactly the kind of real-world information I was hoping to get before heading to the shop.