VW Up ABS Warning + Steering Issues = Safety Risk

Last month, my 2020 VW Polo with the 1.0 TSI engine showed similar symptoms. The tire monitoring system indicated low pressure, but proper tire inflation did not resolve the issue. The root cause turned out to be a defective tire pressure monitoring sensor valve in the front right wheel. The faulty valve was causing inconsistent pressure readings and actual air leaks. When using a tire gauge, the pressure would drop noticeably within hours after inflation. This is a serious safety concern as unstable tire pressure affects both ABS functionality and steering response. The shaking steering wheel often indicates uneven tire wear caused by running on underinflated tires for too long. The increased steering effort is typically related to the same issue. The repair required: Complete TPMS sensor replacement, Wheel alignment check, Tire inspection for uneven wear patterns, ABS sensor cleaning and testing Your symptoms strongly suggest more than just a simple punctured tire. The combination of ABS warnings and steering issues points to potential safety-critical components requiring professional diagnosis. Continuing to drive with these symptoms risks further damage to tires and suspension components.

Thanks for sharing your experience. My situation was nearly identical, with the same deceptive tire pressure warnings and steering problems. Glad to hear you got it sorted out. Quick question, what was the final cost for the complete fix? And have you noticed any recurring issues since the repair was done, especially with the pressure loss or ABS warnings? Just want to compare against what my mechanic quoted me. Keep me posted since these tire pressure sensor problems seem common in our VW models. A proper tire gauge has become my best lately to double check the readings.

Since having the defective valve replaced last month, my VW Polo has been running perfectly. The tire monitoring system now gives accurate readings with no false alarms, and the pressure loss issues are completely resolved. The ABS warning disappeared immediately after the repair. The total repair cost was 280€, which included replacing the faulty TPMS valve and a full system diagnostic check. Considering the safety implications of driving with unreliable tire pressure monitoring, it was worth every cent. Have not experienced any recurring problems since the fix. The steering is back to normal, and all tire pressures remain stable when checked with a manual gauge. For peace of mind, I still verify the pressures monthly, but the electronic sensors have been working reliably since the repair. The mechanic mentioned these valve failures are a known weak point that can cause air leaks and erratic pressure readings. Getting it fixed promptly helps prevent uneven tire wear and more expensive repairs down the line.

Thanks for all the helpful replies. Just got back from the mechanic and wanted to share my experience. The issue ended up being exactly as described, a faulty TPMS valve that was causing the air leak and inconsistent readings. Total repair came to 310€, including a full system check. The mechanic found slight uneven wear on the front tires from running them underinflated, but not enough to need replacement yet. They cleaned the ABS sensors while doing the work, which cleared that warning light. Got it back yesterday and the difference is incredible. Steering is smooth again, no more shaking, and the tire monitoring system shows steady pressure readings. The extra steering effort I needed before is completely gone. Definitely learned my lesson about taking tire pressure warnings seriously. Going to keep checking the pressures monthly with a proper gauge to catch any issues early.