Steering Lock column Defective !!!

**PDL** · 28-10-2009,10:22 AM

HI Guys i have a Passat 2.0TDI 05 Plate SE.

Problem is when i start the car some times i am getting the error flashing up and beeping saying " Steering lock column defective" When you go to start the car it will cut out.

Then if i go to start it again it starts up still flashing the error.

After couple minutes of driving the error message will go and wont appear may be for a day or so.

Its been happening for about 4 months now but its now started to cut the engine out of which it didnt do at first.

Thanks,

**kenney** · 28-10-2009,12:04 PM

This is an expensive job to repair,the column must be replaced,along with the comfort control unit,and a job,which can only be done in a VAG workshop.If you are lucky you might get a good will contribution,depending on the mileage.Why in Gods name ,do they have to make everything so complicated,?no problems like this on the old Bug

**PDL** · 28-10-2009,05:22 PM

I am gutted i cant believe you have to change to whole steering coloum just for the electronic lock thing on it.

Has anyone else on here had this done?

My car is no where near in warranty so would have to foot the bill myself.

**Quatrelle** · 28-10-2009,07:55 PM

Since this problem is not confined to you, for the price of a stamp it would be worth writing to VW and complain, politely, and suggest they might like to pay for it.

**mickwillow** · 07-11-2009,06:56 PM

hi
I have a passat 2.0 tdi sports, 140 , 2Weeks ago my key fob stopped working on the central locking, so i swapped to my spare ,

Then last week when i went to start the car, the engine would just crank over and the glow plug light would flash, so i tried again same thing happened.

I then took the key out, locked the central locking, then unlocked the car and tried starting it again with no problem. no error

This has happened about 5 times over the week

the car was booked in with vw parkway derby for its 30k service, when i dropped the car off i told them about the problem i had been having, the tec came back later saying that no fault codes had been found and further investgation would be required, on friday they came back saying convienience pack and sterring column is faulty (Key fob too).

Guess what, 6 months out of warrenty and now looking at a £792.26 bill

, Parkway are now in talks with VW about "goodwill" .

Has anyone else had this fault and how much "goodwill" are we talking about

**burbilis** · 10-11-2009,07:44 PM

Hi guys!Tomorrow I'm collecting my vw passat 2006 tdi from the dealer which I had for 2 years.Last year flywheel and the clutch were changed which cost me £700.This time I have to change steering lock costing my £1017.What's next?I've been driving vw for about 7 years,and I'm 100% confident this is the last one.Never again!Nobody mentioned anything about any goodwill at all!Sorry for everyone who's got passat

**Quatrelle** · 10-11-2009,08:11 PM

Perhaps you should join Jason:

https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...t=80659&page=4

**mikeecix** · 13-11-2009,07:22 PM

Take a lookn at this complaint and response from VW in the Irish Times on Nov 4th:

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...258021839.html

The Irish Times - Wednesday, November 4, 2009Stalling problems with a VW Passat

MICHAEL McALEERHELPDESK : Answering all your motoring queries

From P Murphy: My 2007 VW Passat has 47,000km on it, and it has been stalling recently. I took it to the garage and they tell me the steering column lock will have to be replaced (this is connected to the steering column itself, including a control module) at a cost of approximately €1,500 and it is not covered by warranty.
I was a little upset at the cost and typed in “Passat” and “steering lock” on the web. Now I am wondering is there a defect or design fault with this, as there appear to be thousands of posts and blogs about this problem on discussion forums.
They all seem to point to there being a problem or defect with this part. The garage insists it has never heard of the problem before .

According to a spokesman for VW, the problem concerns software on the control unit of a limited number of the current Passat models. VW Ireland now has updated diagnostic software that can rectify the problem on affected vehicles.
VW has added the complaint to the “goodwill list” for its warranty team. Those who believe they might have a problem or who have already paid to have the problem fixed should contact VW customer care on 01-8989700. The spokesman says a full recall has not been considered as it is not necessarily a safety issue.

**Quatrelle** · 13-11-2009,09:08 PM

Something here doesn't make sense - P.Murphy is saying he's had to pay €1500 (he's obviously not the only one), and VW Ireland are saying that they have updated diagnostic software that can rectify the problem on affected vehicles.

So why has P.Murphy, and others, had to pay over a grand for something that VW are saying can be rectified by updating the software?

Am I missing something...?

**kenney** · 13-11-2009,09:24 PM

VW has added the complaint to the “goodwill list” for its warranty team. Those who believe they might have a problem or who have already paid to have the problem fixed should contact VW customer care on 01-8989700