VW Virtus Steering Controls Failure: Sensor Issues Reported

The steering wheel connectivity problem you describe sounds very familiar. I experienced almost the exact same malfunction indicator and steering control issues with my 2018 VW Polo last year. With some experience working on basic car maintenance, I initially tried checking the fuses but quickly realized this was beyond my skill level when the vehicle diagnostics showed multiple sensor issues. Took it to my regular workshop where they found a damaged cable connection in the steering wheel clockspring, which is the part that maintains electrical connectivity while the wheel turns. The cables had worn through from regular use, causing intermittent failures in the control buttons. The total repair came to 95€, which included diagnostic testing and replacing the damaged wiring harness. The fix took about 2 hours and has worked perfectly since then. To help diagnose your case more accurately, could you share: Have you noticed any other electrical issues? Does the airbag warning light come on? Did the problem start suddenly or develop gradually? Are there any clicking sounds when turning the wheel? The symptoms sound very similar, but knowing these details would help confirm if your Virtus has the same underlying issue.

Last service was done at 35000km and the control module showed no issues back then. Mine is also showing the airbag warning light and makes a distinct clicking noise when turning left. The steering wheel buttons stopped responding gradually over 2-3 days before failing completely. Have not noticed any other electrical faults with the car. From what you describe, the clockspring diagnosis seems to match my symptoms exactly, especially with the failing controls and clicking sound. Good to know the repair costs were reasonable, will get this checked out at a workshop this week.

Thanks for those additional details, they really help confirm the diagnosis. The clicking sound when turning left combined with the gradual button failure and airbag warning matches exactly what my Polo displayed when the clockspring failed. The vehicle diagnostics in your case are showing the classic signs of a steering column clockspring issue. The electrical fault pattern developing over 2-3 days is particularly telling, as worn clockspring cables typically deteriorate in exactly this way before complete failure. When my clockspring was replaced, the workshop also checked the entire steering wheel wiring harness to ensure there were no other potential failure points. Worth asking them to do the same during your repair to prevent future malfunction indicator warnings. Since your mileage and symptoms are so similar, you should expect comparable repair costs around 95-100€. The job itself is straightforward for an experienced technician with the right diagnostic equipment. For peace of mind, request that they scan for any other stored error codes while they have the steering wheel apart. This helps catch any related issues early, especially since the airbag system is involved.

Thanks for the detailed information about the clockspring repair. The gradual failure pattern plus the clicking noise during left turns definitely matches what I am experiencing with my steering wheel controls. It is reassuring to hear this is a known issue with a straightforward fix. The repair cost estimate of 95-100€ seems reasonable, especially since it includes diagnostic testing. I will make sure to ask them to inspect the full wiring harness and check for additional error codes while they have the steering column open. I have booked the car in for next week and will make sure to mention the sensor issue symptoms you described, the clicking, gradual control failure, and airbag warning. Having this information beforehand will help them diagnose the problem more quickly. Will update the thread once the repair is complete in case it helps others with similar steering wheel malfunctions. Thanks again for sharing your experience with this connectivity problem.