Error Messages and Warning Lights in Volkswagen Cars

Modern Volkswagen vehicles throw a lot of different messages and warnings on the dash. It means that you will need to know what to get ready for when you own such a vehicle. If you don't know what exactly you should do when you see the warning, chances are you will pay hundreds of dollars just for the diagnosis.

In this article, I will cover all common messages and lights that can pop up on the dash of your Volkswagen and give you links for further investigation. This will allow you to figure out what the problem is and maybe even fix your VW on your own. At least, you will not be paying hundreds just for nothing.

"Inspection Now" message in Volkswagen

VW cars have complicated systems to warn you about the upcoming service. If you see the "Inspection Now" message, it means that the oil change should be made right now and there shouldn't be any delay.

Before this message, your vehicle may also tell you that the inspection should be done in 1000 miles, 500 miles, 100 miles, etc.

Resetting this message is not that hard, but I only recommend resetting it after actually changing the oil and filters. Otherwise, your Volkswagen engine may seize very fast without proper maintenance.

Inspection now message highlights:

• Common reasons:oil change interval
• How to fix:reset the notification
• Possible consequences:old engine oil is not efficient
• Priority level:High
• Can you drive?Yes
• DIY repair:Possible
• Repair price range:$0-$100

"Fault Stabilization Control" message in Volkswagen

There are a lot of things taking part in the work of the stabilization system in your Volkswagen. ABS sensors, steering wheel angle sensor, throttle, brakes, various control modules, wires, etc. Everything can cause the "Fault Stabilization Control" message in your Volkswagen.

So, when you see this message, you should check every single thing that has something to do with the stabilization system. But I would start with the two most common culprits: the battery and the steering wheel angle sensor.

Check the battery voltage and verify it's 12.5V. Turn on the engine and turn the steering wheel all the way to the right, hold it there, then turn it all the way to the left. The sensor may reset this way. Otherwise, use a scanner and see which codes the control modules store.

Also, you may see various types of wording for this error, including ESC error, ESC warning, etc.

Fault stabilization control message highlights:

• Common reasons:one of the stabilization system components is bad, battery is low
• How to fix:check the battery, read the codes
• Possible consequences:no stabilization feature when driving
• Priority level:High
• Can you drive?Carefully
• DIY repair:Impossible
• Repair price range:$200-$750

"ACC Deactivated" message in Volkswagen

You may see the "ACC Deactivated" message when the adaptive cruise control deactivates at a certain speed. Usually, it doesn't work over 90 MPH and below 20 MPH. So, it may just alert you that the adaptive cruise control features aren't available now.

Alternatively, there can be a problem with the sensor or camera - they can just be blocked, disconnected, or broken. Also, I've seen several VWs throwing this message just because the voltage in the system was quite low. You need to check the battery and the alternator.

Sometimes, this message can pop up due to bad weather. The camera and the radar sensors can't work properly to scan the road conditions so your VW deactivated the ACC function.

ACC deactivated message highlights:

• Common reasons:radar sensors issues, camera problems, low voltage, bad weather
• How to fix:clean the radar and camera areas, wait for better weather, check the battery
• Possible consequences:some smart features won't be available
• Priority level:Low
• Can you drive?Yes
• DIY repair:Possible
• Repair price range:$0-$1,000

"Front Assist Not Available" message in Volkswagen

If your VW car says "Front Assist Not Available", this most likely means that the radar sensor is blocked by something. Clean the radar area gently and see if the message disappears after several miles. The radar will need some time to recalibrate after being blocked.

Also, this can happen when the front camera is fogged or its view is blocked by something.

Alternatively, a software bug may cause the issue. In this case, you may want to disconnect the battery for 5 minutes and then reconnect it to see if the message is gone. Other than that, you should also check the voltage in your car's electrical system. Maybe, the battery or the alternator is faulty.

Front assist not available message highlights:

• Common reasons:front radar sensor or camera blocked, software issue
• How to fix:clean the radar and camera areas, disconnect the battery for some time
• Possible consequences:some smart features won't be available
• Priority level:Low
• Can you drive?Yes
• DIY repair:Possible
• Repair price range:$0-$750

"Engine On Due To System/Power Needs" message in Volkswagen

If your Volkswagen throws the "Engine On Due to System/Power Need" error message, it means that the start/stop system failed to turn the engine off when it was supposed to do so. There is nothing much to worry about, in most cases.

This may happen when the engine stays on to power the AC or other units in your car that consume power or need the engine to rev. The only possible issue that can trigger this message may be a low battery which you can easily check with the multimeter.

But if there are no power-consuming units working in your car right now and you see this message, then the battery will most likely need some attention.

Engine on due to system/power needs message highlights:

• Common reasons:power-consuming units are working, battery is low
• How to fix:check the battery
• Possible consequences:start-stop may not work
• Priority level:Low
• Can you drive?Yes
• DIY repair:Possible
• Repair price range:$0-$200

"Travel Assist Not Available" message in Volkswagen

In most cases, when you see the "Travel Assist Not Available", the problem is with the steering wheel. As the weather gets hot and the steering wheel warms up much, some switches or sensors inside it go mad and you will see the message.

There are some TSBs for different models of Volkswagen and you should check in the dealership if yours is eligible for the free steering wheel replacement. Unfortunately, dealers always try to reset the warning and assure you everything is fine. But it's not, the steering wheel requires replacement.

Alternatively, there can be some issues with the adaptive cruise control features, but you should check the first reason before you make any other conclusions.

Travel assist not available message highlights:

• Common reasons:faulty steering wheel, bad ACC units
• How to fix:replace the steering wheel under TSB in dealership
• Possible consequences:ACC functions won't be working
• Priority level:Low
• Can you drive?Yes
• DIY repair:Impossible
• Repair price range:$0-$1,000

"Key Not Detected. Hold Key On Designated Surface" message in Volkswagen

The "Key Not Detected" message will usually pop up in your Volkswagen when the key fob battery is completely dead and the vehicle can't verify that the key you have in your pocket is the right key.

In this case, you will need to hold your key on the designated surface. In most VW cars, this surface is the steering column. Put your key in the place where you usually had the ignition cylinder in older cars. This will allow your VW to recognize the key even if there is no battery in it at all.

If replacing the key fob battery doesn't help, try your spare key. Otherwise, you will need to disconnect the battery for some time. If this doesn't help either, you should take your car for an inspection.

Key not detected message highlights:

• Common reasons:key fob battery dead, damaged key fob, software issues
• How to fix:replace key fob battery, use another key, disconnect the 12V battery for some time
• Possible consequences:car won't start as it should
• Priority level:Low
• Can you drive?Yes
• DIY repair:Possible
• Repair price range:$5-$250

"Check Oil Level" message in Volkswagen

Modern engines of Volkswagen all have oil-level sensors. The problem is that not all of them have the dipstick. This is a pretty weird thing but you can check the oil level using your infotainment system, in the vehicle's settings.

If you see the "Check Oil Level" message, it means that the oil level may be low. Or the oil pressure is insufficient for the engine to work properly. If the sensor or the dipstick shows a low level, add oil immediately. Driving further is not a good idea.

If the level is OK, you may have problems with the oil level sensor or with the oil pump. In this case, you should ask for professional help.

Check oil level message highlights:

• Common reasons:low oil level, bad sensor, bad oil pump
• How to fix:check oil level, add oil, have the car inspected
• Possible consequences:engine damage is possible
• Priority level:High
• Can you drive?Not recommended
• DIY repair:Possible
• Repair price range:$5-$550

"Error: Start/Stop System" message in Volkswagen

When you see the "Error: Start/Stop System" message in your Volkswagen, there is a big chance that the 12V battery (the main or the auxiliary one) is broken. It means that the battery will require recharging or replacement.

Also, this message may mean that there are issues with your engine, starter motor, or software. If the batteries are completely OK, you may need a professional inspection. Or get a good code scanner and see if you can get all the needed codes.

Start/stop system error highlights:

• Common reasons:low 12V battery, software issues, starter problems
• How to fix:check and charge the batteries, read the codes
• Possible consequences:start/stop won't be working
• Priority level:Low
• Can you drive?Yes
• DIY repair:Possible
• Repair price range:$200-$400

"Transmission in Emergency Mode" message in Volkswagen

When your Volkswagen repeatedly tells you "Transmission in Emergency Mode", you may be sure that the problem is exactly in the transmission systems, mainly in the electronics.

A lot of VW vehicles in 2020-2022 had issues with their transmission control units - they just had to be replaced because of some internal failures. Also, I've seen this happening because of vacuum hoses falling off and sensors going crazy.

VW owners claim that this can happen if you start driving aggressively before the car warms up to optimal temperatures. But this seems a bit weird to me.

I would try to read codes and look at the hoses under the hood. Also, I would check the battery. If I couldn't find the problem, I would just let Volkswagen dealer deal with this.

Transmission in emergency mode message highlights:

• Common reasons:transmission control unit problem, low voltage, transmission problems
• How to fix:check the battery, check hoses under the hood, take it in for inspection
• Possible consequences:transmission may fail
• Priority level:High
• Can you drive?Carefully
• DIY repair:Impossible
• Repair price range:$200-$4,500

"Component Protection Active" message in Volkswagen

When you see the "Component Protection Active" message in your Volkswagen, you may be sure that the infotainment is now blocked and you can't use it. The problem is that the system believes it's been hacked and it won't activate and function in any way.

Component protection is the feature that doesn't allow you to install an infotainment screen from one car to another. If you actually installed the used screen, you will need to reconsider this. If your OEM screen is doing this, just go to the dealer and let them deal with this.

Unfortunately, there is no way you can bypass this message without serious engineering work that would probably cost you more than the new infotainment system for your Volkswagen.

Component protection active message highlights:

• Common reasons:infotainment glitch, infotainment from another car
• How to fix:go to the dealer
• Possible consequences:no way to use the infotainment screen
• Priority level:Medium
• Can you drive?Yes
• DIY repair:Impossible
• Repair price range:$800-$1,200

Triangle with exclamation point light in Volkswagen

Whenever you see the triangle with the exclamation point in your Volkswagen, it just means that it draws your attention to the possible error or warning. The triangle itself doesn't mean anything - it's kind of a master warning light for your vehicle.

So, the wise decision, in this case, is to check for error codes, search for any possible warning lights or error messages that may be displayed on the dash or on the infotainment screen.

Also, it's quite possible that the triangle light is telling you about some ghost problem that can't be found right after the light turns off. Try looking at your dash at the moment this light is on and catch the other warning.

Triangle with exclamation point light highlights:

• Common reasons:master warning - look for other warnings or codes
• How to fix:read the codes
• Possible consequences:something may malfunction
• Priority level:Medium
• Can you drive?Carefully
• DIY repair:Possible
• Repair price range:$150-$300

Yellow or Red Steering Wheel Light in Volkswagen

The yellow steering wheel light usually tells you that the power steering efficiency is not at its full potential right now. It's been reduced due to some problems. The problem may be with the power steering system or with the voltage, for example. You will need to inspect the car to get all the needed answers.

The red steering wheel light in your VW means that the power steering has a serious fault. It's possible that when this light is on, your power steering will not be working at all. In this case, driving your car is not recommended, you need to solve the problem.

Sometimes, disconnecting the battery for some time will solve the issue temporarily and will allow you to drive. But this depends on the actual reason for the light.

Steering wheel light highlights:

• Common reasons:power steering problem, software glitch, low battery
• How to fix:read the codes, disconnect the battery for some time
• Possible consequences:power steering may be reduced or disabled
• Priority level:High
• Can you drive?Not recommended
• DIY repair:Impossible
• Repair price range:$250-$1,500