VW Virtus Power Steering Issue: Vibrations and Stiffness

Having some experience with VW repairs, I encountered a similar issue with my 2020 VW Polo. The symptoms matched exactly what you describe, heavy steering and vibrations through the steering wheel. The electronic stability system warning light also came on intermittently. The steering sensor required recoding due to a fault in the calibration. The workshop performed a complete diagnostic scan of the steering column assembly and found the steering angle sensor was sending incorrect signals to the power steering unit. Total repair cost was 195€, which covered diagnosis and recoding of the steering sensor. The fix took about 2 hours, and the steering returned to normal immediately after. To provide more specific guidance about your case, could you share: Has the electronic stability light appeared on your dashboard? Did the issue start suddenly or develop gradually? Have you recently had any alignment problems or front-end work done? Are there any other warning lights active? The steering sensor issues can sometimes be related to other automotive sensors in the system, so these details would help determine if your case is similar to what I experienced.

Just had my regular service at 78166km where they checked all systems but didnt spot this issue. The stability light started flashing yesterday, and the problem came on quite suddenly while driving on a straight road. No recent alignment or front work done. The information about sensor recoding is really helpful, definitely sounds similar to my symptoms. My steering column also makes a slight clicking noise when turning which I forgot to mention initially. Did your repair shop have to do a complete steering sensor replacement or was recoding alone enough to fix it? Good to know the repair time is relatively quick.

Thanks for those additional details. Like your case, my steering issue also developed suddenly, though I didnt have the clicking noise you mentioned. For my Polo, recoding alone wasnt sufficient, we ended up needing a complete sensor replacement since the diagnostic tests showed the steering angle sensor had actually failed. The clicking sound you describe could indicate an additional mechanical issue within the steering column that needs inspection. When the sensor fails, it can sometimes mask other steering components that might need attention. In my case, the full sensor replacement with programming cost 480€, notably more than just the recoding attempt. The repair included: New steering angle sensor, Full wheel alignment check, Electronic stability system testing, System recalibration The total repair time extended to about 4 hours. The extra time was needed because they had to confirm the new sensor was properly communicating with other steering components. Based on your description of the sudden onset and stability light, plus that clicking sound, you might want to push for a complete sensor replacement rather than just recoding. The symptoms are quite similar to what my Polo displayed just before the sensor failed completely. Have you noticed if the steering feels different when the stability light is flashing versus when its not?

Thanks for the input. I called the dealership and they can get me in tomorrow morning. The steering definitely feels worse when the stability light is flashing, almost like the power assist cuts out completely. Given what I learned here about potential sensor failure, I asked them to specifically check the steering angle sensor and steering column assembly during diagnosis. The clicking noise seems concerning so I made sure to mention that too. Really helpful to know the repair times and costs shared here, gives me a good baseline for what to expect. Will probably end up needing the full sensor replacement based on these symptoms matching up with similar cases. At least its a relatively quick fix compared to some other steering problems. The stability light started flashing more frequently on my drive home today, so dealing with this before any alignment problems develop seems like the smart move. Will update once I get the official diagnosis tomorrow.