VW Up Radar Sensor Failure Causing Multiple Errors

Had a similar issue with my 2016 VW Polo last winter. I have some experience with basic car maintenance and electronic issues on VWs. The symptoms were identical, multiple system errors and the adaptive cruise control stopped functioning. The collision avoidance system also failed. After checking online forums, I took it to a workshop specializing in automotive sensors and driving assistance systems. Turned out the radar sensor at the front was just heavily covered in road grime and debris. The technician cleaned the sensor housing thoroughly and recalibrated the system. Total repair time was about 1 hour and cost 45€. No parts needed replacement. Since then, I regularly check and clean the sensor area to prevent similar issues. The driving assistance systems have worked flawlessly. To help diagnose your specific case, could you share: Does your Up have front parking sensors? Are there any visible damages to the front bumper? When did the problem first appear, suddenly or gradually? Have you recently driven through harsh weather conditions? These details would help determine if your issue is similar to what I experienced or if it might be more serious.

Thanks for sharing those details. Just had my last service at 61000km and experiencing the exact same issues with my Up. I took mine to a certified workshop and the diagnostic revealed a faulty radar sensor module. The calibration attempt failed, suggesting internal damage rather than just dirt buildup. The technician mentioned safety systems like adaptive cruise and emergency braking rely heavily on proper radar calibration. The replacement radar sensor plus labor came to 890€. Repair took a full day since they needed to perform precise radar calibration after installing the new unit. Worth noting that skipping proper calibration can lead to safety system malfunctions. Would recommend getting it properly diagnosed since these electronic issues rarely resolve themselves. The symptoms match what I experienced exactly before the repair.

Thanks for the update on your Up. This matches my experience exactly, radar sensor failures are unfortunately common on our model year. My repair costs were similar, around 850€ for the complete sensor replacement and calibration. The driving assistance systems are quite sensitive and when the radar sensor fails, it triggers multiple error messages. The calibration process is crucial, my workshop also took a full day to complete the proper setup. After the repair, all safety systems returned to normal operation. The adaptive cruise control and emergency braking now work perfectly. The technician mentioned that sensor failure often occurs around the 60000km mark on these models, so your timing lines up with the typical pattern. One tip: since the repair, I have been more mindful about keeping the front radar sensor area clean, especially during winter. This helps maintain optimal performance of the driving assistance systems, though it would not have prevented the internal failure we both experienced. The high repair cost is justified considering these sensors are critical safety components. Did they give you any warranty on the new radar sensor?

Since my initial concern was addressed and I got helpful confirmations from others who experienced the same sensor malfunction, I want to close this thread with some final details. The workshop provided a 2-year warranty on the new radar sensor and calibration work. Their thorough diagnostic approach helped identify the root cause quickly. For anyone else facing similar electronic issues with their Up, the key signs were: Multiple system failure warnings, Adaptive cruise control completely non-functional, Failed calibration attempts, Problems persisting after restart The total repair cost around 890€ was steep but necessary for restoring all driving assistance features. Regular maintenance of the radar sensor area is important, though it would not prevent internal electronic failures like mine. What really helped was getting proper diagnosis from a workshop equipped to handle automotive sensors and electronic systems. The full day repair time for replacement and calibration seems standard for this type of work. Thanks everyone who shared their experiences. Having similar repair stories and costs helped confirm I received fair service pricing for this sensor malfunction repair.