Steering column fault??? Is this a recall?

**blackdubbin** · 22-08-2012,04:31 PM

I have had my 07 Passat SE 140 now for almost a month...not a bad thing to say about until yesterday, even then it was hard to say. Jumped into the car, put the key in and the dash died. No start, no lights, nothing. Key out, jumped out to check under the hood and see if it was a battery issue. (1st thot). Shut the door and the dash came on. Same thing today but it sounded like the computer was resetting. Clocks back to 0.00, miles left in tank changed to a random 340miles (only filled it the day before.)
I have been reading up on the forums and some are saying its a recall due to customer complaints. Has anyone come across this and have you got any hints on cause or solution? Thanks. Passat sketch.jpg

**martin1810** · 22-08-2012,04:50 PM

Originally Posted by blackdubbin

I have had my 07 Passat SE 140 now for almost a month...not a bad thing to say about until yesterday, even then it was hard to say. Jumped into the car, put the key in and the dash died. No start, no lights, nothing. Key out, jumped out to check under the hood and see if it was a battery issue. (1st thot). Shut the door and the dash came on. Same thing today but it sounded like the computer was resetting. Clocks back to 0.00, miles left in tank changed to a random 340miles (only filled it the day before.)
I have been reading up on the forums and some are saying its a recall due to customer complaints. Has anyone come across this and have you got any hints on cause or solution? Thanks. Passat sketch.jpg

The cause is usually wear in the steering lock and the solution is a £300 repair by VW. I have not heard of a recal for this.

**bigstuff** · 22-08-2012,08:20 PM

The recall for this is in US not UK

**blackdubbin** · 23-08-2012,07:44 AM

Yeah....i think it was a recall in the US. Which doesnt make sense to me seeing as it seems to be the same common fault. Cheers martin1810 for the cost - going to have to wait till next month!

**RichardSEL** · 23-08-2012,09:02 AM

Get yourself a VCDS scan at least, and post here? Clean and check your battery terminals and connections.
Hoping it's something simple and not a steering column fault. Good luck

**Teflon** · 23-08-2012,01:08 PM

Originally Posted by blackdubbin

Yeah....i think it was a recall in the US. Which doesnt make sense to me seeing as it seems to be the same common fault. Cheers martin1810 for the cost - going to have to wait till next month!

Unfortunately, the US seems to have better consumer law so things get fixed whereas in the UK we just get fobbed off.

There was a problem with early DSG gearboxes which resulted in a 10 year, 100k guarantee over there and they have now even offered a 10 year warranty in China! Here in the UK people had to spend their own money and I'm sitting on eggshells after two DSG faults (one out of warranty) until I can chop the car in for something else. I've just coughed up £175 for a problem on the wife's car that was a freebie in the US. The infamous injector problem went on for years here until enough people contacted VOSA to complain they were driving a death trap. The list goes on. I'm betting the next one will be the EPB that Martin spends so much time advising people about.

Forget the famous VW reliability and any chance of getting an underlying poor design-related fault acknowledged and dealt with. You might as well be driving any make of tin box now.

**bigstuff** · 24-08-2012,07:26 AM

spot on teflon unfortunately.

OP if you get steering column repair done at dealer let us know how it goes please ££wise

**martin1810** · 24-08-2012,09:25 AM

This seems to be what the USA got.

Code: 48I5
Subject: 2006-2010 Passat/Passat Wagon and 2009-2010 CC/Passat CC
Electronic Steering Column Lock

U.S.A.
2006-2010 Passat/Passat Wagon (Emden)
WVW_ _ _3C_6E002717 – WVW_ _ _AN_AE058994
Production date: March 5, 2005 – October 19, 2009
2006-2010 Passat/Passat Wagon (Mosel)
WVW_ _ _3C_6P005115 – WVW_ _ _AN_AP022099
Production date: June 1, 2005 – October 17, 2009
2009-2010 CC (Emden)
WVW_ _ _3C_9E502245 – WVW_ _ _AN_AE526509
Production date: May 20, 2008 – October 19, 2009

**blackdubbin** · 09-09-2012,02:26 PM

Well no errors showing on scan....service completed with the VW dealership with the following results:
- Battery required
- alternator required
- ignition relay required

I have since purchased a new 780A Bosch battery (upgraded the 540A original) and tested the alternator. Alternator test passed, therefore I dont understand why they would tell me its faulty.
No problems starting, but going back in to get the ignition relay changed. Unless someone can tell me where to get one? I will change it myself.

Thanks for the comments, and i will keep yous informed. Oh...and they quoted my £50-£60 for the Steering Column switch, and a further £250-£300 to fit it. But that was prior to the service, so obviously they feel the ignition relay will solve that infrequent issue.

**martin1810** · 09-09-2012,03:46 PM

I doubt you needed a battery, alternator or an ignition relay. I still think you have the early signs of steering lock failure. As garage said it's about £60 for the part and £250 to fit and code it.
The terminal 15 (ignition) relay costs about £10 and fits above the drivers knees...sort of. I suspect that you will still be having the steering lock repaired in the future.