warning indicator, don't know what it is!?!?

My girlfriend drives an '03 GTI and it was hit from behind a while ago. Ever since it was hit every now and then right after the car is turned on it starts to shake a little. Like the entire car rattles for a bit. It doesn't happen all the time but it's still a problem. But what really worries her is that there is this this warning indicator showing up on her speedometer that noone can figure out what it means. She bought the car slightly used and the dealership didn't have the maula for it so we can't look to that for help. The indicator is orange and it's this squareish looking thing on the left side of the speedo. It's kind of hard to describe, but I know it's not anything to do with the washer fluid or anything simple like that. It's like this weird shape, but it doesn't really look like anything other than an odd box with a few extra angles and lines. If anyone knows what it could be, or what it might be it would be great. thanks in advance.

This sounds like the "EPC" light. Usually you get a message in the message center as to what it relates to. Regardless you will have to have it scanned with a VAG or simulator to find the problem.