Volkswagen CC Air Bags Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jun 3, 2026 · 423 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 423 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the Volkswagen CC across 10 model years. The 2013 model year has the most (89). The words owners use most often: “takata air bags” (20% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Takata air bags: mentioned in 86 of 423 complaints (20%)
  • Clock spring: mentioned in 42 of 423 complaints (10%)

How much does it cost to fix?

Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical air bags repair on the Volkswagen CC at $1,250, and half of them between $1,050 and $1,800.

Based on 8 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2015–2023), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.

At what mileage do air bags problems happen?

Based on 132 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles7 · 5%
10k–25k miles12 · 9%
25k–50k miles33 · 25%
50k–75k miles33 · 25%
75k–100k miles26 · 20%
100k–150k miles18 · 14%
150k+ miles3 · 2%

How serious are the reports?

Of 423 complaints, 22 mention a crash, 14 an injury.

Volkswagen CC air bags complaints by model year

Peak: 2013, with 89 complaints
2008: 1200812009: 592009592010: 842010842011: 322011322012: 862012862013: 892013892014: 522014522015: 8201582016: 112016112017: 120171

n = 423 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearAir Bags complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2017 CC125%28,000
2016 CC1142%50,000
2015 CC827%26,551
2014 CC5265%40,000
2013 CC8960%46,500
2012 CC8637%57,500
2011 CC3237%44,000
2010 CC8435%76,000
2009 CC5943%89,000
2008 CC1100%75,000

When owners reported it

Peak: 2016, with 183 complaints
2011: 1201112012: 1201212014: 3201432015: 172015172016: 18320161832017: 13920171392018: 422018422019: 132019132020: 4202042021: 7202172022: 8202282023: 4202342024: 120241

n = 423 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (5)

Air bags: air bag/restraint control moduleJul 17, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V535000 · 27,822 vehicles

Model years: 2015, 2016

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Tiguan and CC vehicles. The air bag Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may have a defective power supply capacitor that can result in air bag deactivation or inadvertent deployment of the air bags.

Risk: Deactivated air bags increases the risk of injury. Inadvertent deployment of the air bags increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install new software and replace the air bag ECU as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 25, 2019. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Z5.

Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator moduleJan 11, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V014000 · 119,394 vehicles

Model years: 2015, 2016, 2017

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015 Passat, 2015-2016 Eos, 2015-2017 CC, 2016-2017 TT Roadster, TT Coupe, 2017 Audi R8 Coupe, and R8 Spyder vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 4, 2019. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298; Audi owners may contact Audi at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69S8 (Audi) and 69Y5 (Volkswagen).

Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator moduleMar 6, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V148000 · 363,713 vehicles

Model years: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Golf, 2010-2014 Eos, 2007-2010 Passat Sedan and Wagon, and 2012-2014 Passat vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q9. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.

Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator moduleFeb 10, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V078000 · 659,493 vehicles

Model years: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

Air bags:frontalAug 4, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V483000 · 415,825 vehicles

Model years: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.

Risk: A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen CC. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. Additionally, the steering wheel control buttons and the horn became inoperable. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V483000 (Air Bags). The local dealer…

Received Feb 26, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11574118

The clockspring on my vehicle is out. I know this has been a MAJOR issue and recalls with my make and model of cars (Volkswagens). It is not fair that all models and makes are not included in the clockspring recall. This is a major safety issue with the airbag and horn not working.

Received Jun 20, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11527830

I purchased my Volkswagen CC in 2019. It hasn't been officially 4 years of owning the vehicle, and the clock spring or air bag light comes on in which it seems every 1.5 years. It costs over $800 to repair, and the first repair was replaced by certified VW OEM parts. I can't get an inspection and…

Received May 5, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11520704

While I was driving I notice my steering wheel making a crumbling of plastic noise when I made any kind of turn . A few days later my Airbag error lamp started to blink. I parked and restarted my engine then the airbag became solid . My dash read “Airbag Error” . I notice all my steering wheel…

Received Apr 14, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11516993

My Cruise Control unit will not engage. And I have (6) six warning lamps showing every time I operate the car. With these lamps showing on the info system screen, the cruise control Will not engage! I asked the dealership about it. And was told that the wheel bearing unit has moved away from where…

Received Feb 10, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11506690
Volkswagen CC
VW CC 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Technology (Facelift). Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all Volkswagen CCs have air bags problems?

No. NHTSA has 423 owner complaints about air bags for the Volkswagen CC. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the Volkswagen CC air bags?

Yes: 5 safety recalls list air bags. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

How much does it cost to fix air bags problems on the Volkswagen CC?

Owners report a typical cost of $1,250 (half paid between $1,050 and $1,800), from 8 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.

What do owners say about air bags problems on the Volkswagen CC?

The most frequent phrase is “takata air bags”, in 86 of 423 complaints, followed by “clock spring” (42).

Other Volkswagen CC problems

See all Volkswagen CC problems.