When you see the “ACC and Front Assist not Available” in your Volkswagen car, you should know the following:
- ACC stands for Adaptive Cruise Control. This is the system that controls the speed and has other functions like reading road signs, keeping inside the current lane, keeping distance from other cars, etc.
- Front Assist is the system that detects vehicles, pedestrians, and (in some models) even cyclists and may apply automatic emergency braking or at least warn you about the possible impact.
Why can ACC and Front Assist stop working simultaneously?
Both these systems rely on the front sensor that is usually located behind the grille but this can vary from one model to another.
The radar sensor sends waves continuously in front of the vehicle and when they get mirrored by objects, this sensor can detect that there is a potentially threatening object near the vehicle.
So, in most cases, these are the reasons for the “ACC and Front Assist not Available” message in your Volkswagen:
- Front radar sensor is obstructed. This is absolutely OK for snowy weather, for example. The snow can stick to the front grille and prevent the sensor from working. Also, the sensor area may be covered with mud.
- Front radar sensor is broken. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for modern Volkswagen vehicles to have their radars broken. I don’t know why but this is one of the common reasons people tend to report to dealerships even when the cars are still under warranty (so, pretty new).
- Front radar sensor disconnected. Wiring problems are way less common for Volkswagen cars but still, they are not impossible. In the majority of modern models, it’s not a DIY task to check the wiring because you aren’t likely to get easily to the place where the radar sensor is mounted.
- Additional body tuning. If you use any additional parts to change the look of the front of your vehicle, remove the tuning parts. They are likely creating obstructions for the radar sensor and you will have to drive with this annoying message popping up constantly.
- Software issues. I haven’t heard that such problems are really common but there are several reports about the software problems that can cause the “ACC and Front Assist not Available” message (as well as other messages) to pop up.
What can you do to solve the problem?
Here are several things you may try doing to get rid of the message or at least understand what’s causing it in your car:
1) Clean the area where the radar sensor is located.
You may want to stop the vehicle and have a look at the front end of your car. If you see any snow buildup or mud, clean it carefully with any available tools.
2) Stop the vehicle and start it again.
This may help you reset the system. If the problem is in the software glitch, this easy action can solve it.
3) Disconnect the battery for 5 minutes.
Again, this may help if the problem is with some software issues or control modules’ glitches. This step resets the control modules and makes them start from scratch when the battery is reconnected.
4) Use the scanner to check the radar sensor.
A good scanner (not just a cheap EML unit) will tell you much more about the condition of your radar sensor, wiring, etc. You may go to any garage or dealership and ask them to inspect the vehicle and read all the codes.
5) Go to the dealership.
If you can’t find the reasons for this problem and the annoying message keeps attacking you from time to time, it’s best to go to the dealer and ask for a proper inspection.
How much are the new radar sensors for your Volkswagen?
While some non-OEM radar sensors for a VW car may cost 300-400 pounds/euros, the OEM sensor for the ACC system will be priced at about 1000 pounds/euros or more, depending on the model year and sensor type.
Sensor replacement is not a DIY task and you should also consider labor cost. Fortunately, this is just the plug-and-play part and the hardest thing is to get to the place where it’s mounted. The labor should take up to 1 hour.
Can you drive when you see the “ACC and Front Assist not Available” message?
Yes, you can drive when you see this message because it only affects the adaptive cruise control and collision prevention systems. But you should be careful!
Remember that whenever you see this message, the ACC and emergency braking won’t be working. If you are used to relying on these technologies, you may notice a change in how your car behaves on the road.
Take full control over the vehicle, avoid activating cruise control, and keep the proper distance to any other car and various objects on the road.
Other than that, it’s safe to drive and this won’t affect any other parts or units of your car.
