VOLKSWAGEN CC · model year

2016 VOLKSWAGEN CC

38 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2016VOLKSWAGENCC carries 38 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2016 CC is air bags with 11 filings, followed by fuel/propulsion system (7) and electrical system (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 6 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 37 investigation files overlapping the 2016 CC, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

38
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

38 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS11
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
SERVICE BRAKES2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING2
STRUCTURE:BODY2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
SUSPENSION1
STEERING1
ENGINE1
VISIBILITY/WIPER1
POWER TRAIN1

Recalls (6)

17V28700028/04/2017

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016-2017 CC vehicles. Incorrect front seat head restraints (rests) may have been installed, possibly resulting in the seat occupant's head being inadequately restrained in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to com

16V46400024/06/2016

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 CC vehicles manufactured January 12, 2016, to February 3, 2016, Golf R and Tiguan vehicles manufactured November 25, 2015, to January 28, 2016, and e-Golf vehicles manufactured November 25, 2015, to January 11, 2016. Vibration

19V53500017/07/2019

AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE

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.

17V50900016/08/2017

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2016 Volkswagen CC, 2006-2010 Passat and Passat Wagon vehicles. Interruption of electrical power to the fuel pump control module may cause the fuel pump to fail.

18V32900016/05/2018

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period ma

19V01400011/01/2019

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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.

Recent Complaints

20230505AIR BAGS

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 pass because the horn will not work. My safety is put at risk as I can't warn other drivers who aren't paying attention that I am close by. I actually ended up getting a ticket for switching lanes so fast due to getting out of the way of a vehicle on the interstate who almost ran into me. There is no warning when this happens, it just decides to stop at any given time. This page will not allow me to upload the other scanned diagnosis that was repaired from 2020. Please advise.

20230107STRUCTURE:BODY

When I put my car in drive (to move forward) from a cold start, the vehicle hesitates, does not respond to the accelerator pedal, and does not move. During this time, the transmission does not engage, and the vehicle shakes and produces a loud clunking sound from underneath. After that faulty start, the vehicle operates normally, until the next cold start (vehicle is at rest for 30 or more minutes). Here is an example that shows the danger of this situation. When I back out onto my street, and I put the car in drive, a driver behind me expects me to move. That driver is not expecting a stationary car (stalled, in park, or anything else like the situation I am describing). That creates a safety issue because the driver behind me may not slow down. That driver could then collide with my stationary vehiclle. That could result in injuries or loss of life, to me, or to the driver or passengers in the car that hit me. I spoke to a VW dealer about this, Cherry Hill Volkswagen. They looked u

20230107POWER TRAIN

When I put my car in drive (to move forward) from a cold start, the vehicle hesitates, does not respond to the accelerator pedal, and does not move. During this time, the transmission does not engage, and the vehicle shakes and produces a loud clunking sound from underneath. After that faulty start, the vehicle operates normally, until the next cold start (vehicle is at rest for 30 or more minutes). Here is an example that shows the danger of this situation. When I back out onto my street, and I put the car in drive, a driver behind me expects me to move. That driver is not expecting a stationary car (stalled, in park, or anything else like the situation I am describing). That creates a safety issue because the driver behind me may not slow down. That driver could then collide with my stationary vehiclle. That could result in injuries or loss of life, to me, or to the driver or passengers in the car that hit me. I spoke to a VW dealer about this, Cherry Hill Volkswagen. They looked u

20221205ENGINE

unknown

20221205VISIBILITY/WIPER

unknown

20221205EXTERIOR LIGHTING

unknown

20221006AIR BAGS

Clock spring broke, now NO airbag and nothing on the steering panel works including the horn and airbag. First I was told by the dealship that it was a California car so they would fix it, today I was told they would not. So we are driving a car with NO airbag. They want $700 to replace this part with a long waiting period.

20220706AIR BAGS

The clock spring in the steering wheel broke causing the airbag light to come on, the audio controls on the steering wheel to stop working and a noise coming out of the wheel when I turn it. The failure has been confirmed by a mechanic. There were no symptoms of the issue prior to failure.

20220321AIR BAGS

Clock spring went out so airbag and horn do not work

20220321STEERING

Clock spring went out so airbag and horn do not work

20220321UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Clock spring went out so airbag and horn do not work

20211102AIR BAGS

My 2016 VW CC (VIN: [XXX]) has a clock spring failure. I brought my car in to Riverhead Bay Motors on 2/12/2019, with the hope of diagnosing and fixing the part. They had to order the part, so only diagnosis was done. Diagnosis confirmed that the clock spring (in VW’s own words from the bill): “Upon further diag found clock spring defective”). I was told in conversations prior to bringing the car in, with corporate, if they identified a torn clock spring as the cause, a case manager would look into and consider if my car perhaps had a faulty part and the fix could be covered by Volkswagen. After many days spent waiting for the opportunity to speak to a supervisor, I finally was able to on 2/15/2019. Volkswagen is refusing to acknowledge that my clock spring issue is the same as what prompted: both a recall, and an extended warranty, and is peer to of an active investigation—escalated to an engineering analysis--by the NHTSA (EA18-003). They are insisting I pay out of my own poc

20211102ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My 2016 VW CC (VIN: [XXX]) has a clock spring failure. I brought my car in to Riverhead Bay Motors on 2/12/2019, with the hope of diagnosing and fixing the part. They had to order the part, so only diagnosis was done. Diagnosis confirmed that the clock spring (in VW’s own words from the bill): “Upon further diag found clock spring defective”). I was told in conversations prior to bringing the car in, with corporate, if they identified a torn clock spring as the cause, a case manager would look into and consider if my car perhaps had a faulty part and the fix could be covered by Volkswagen. After many days spent waiting for the opportunity to speak to a supervisor, I finally was able to on 2/15/2019. Volkswagen is refusing to acknowledge that my clock spring issue is the same as what prompted: both a recall, and an extended warranty, and is peer to of an active investigation—escalated to an engineering analysis--by the NHTSA (EA18-003). They are insisting I pay out of my own poc

20211102SUSPENSION

Vehicle has factory installed splash guards, the car bottoms out when hitting the slightest bump. Nina at VW corporate has been totally useless.

20211102STRUCTURE:BODY

Vehicle has factory installed splash guards, the car bottoms out when hitting the slightest bump. Nina at VW corporate has been totally useless.

20210503UNKNOWN OR OTHER

LOCK FOR DOOR REAR PASSENGER FELL INTO DOOR WITH NO FORCE. BROKE NO CLIPS. CAUSED $350 REPAIR AND SHORTED OUT A CORD WAS NOT COVERED BY CERTIFIED CAR POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. BLAMED AS NEGLIGENCE TO OWNER. AGAIN LOCK PUSH BUTTON FELL INTO DOOR BROKE NO CLIPS AND LITTLE TO NO FORCE USED. LOOSENED THE UNLOCK WIRE.

Mileage: 40,000

20210121AIR BAGS

THE CLOCK SPRING HAS FAILED ON MY CC CAUSING ALL AIRBAGS TO BE DISABLED. VOLKSWAGEN REFUSES TO FIX THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE. I'M FILING THIS IN THE EVENT THAT SOMETHING HAPPENS I WILL HAVE FULL RECOURSE AGAINST THEM FOR NEGLIGENCE OVER PROFIT.

Mileage: 55,000

20210121ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE CLOCK SPRING HAS FAILED ON MY CC CAUSING ALL AIRBAGS TO BE DISABLED. VOLKSWAGEN REFUSES TO FIX THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE. I'M FILING THIS IN THE EVENT THAT SOMETHING HAPPENS I WILL HAVE FULL RECOURSE AGAINST THEM FOR NEGLIGENCE OVER PROFIT.

Mileage: 55,000

20200603FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

SEVERAL TIMES NOW WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN OUT INTO TRAFFIC MY CAR STUTTERS AND CAUSED ME TO ALMOST GET HIT. RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC MY CAR STOPPED RECEIVING GAS AND STARTED COASTING. IT LITERALLY STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT WITH MYSELF AND CHILD IN THE CAR. *TR

Mileage: 39,000

20191112AIR BAGS

IT LOOKS LIKE A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER SYSTEM ALL MY LIGHT AND SENSORS CAME ON INCLUDING AIRBAGS ETC.. IT HAPPENS WHEN I TURN MY CAR ON TO GO TO WORK.

Mileage: 70,000

Compare 2016VOLKSWAGENCC to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN CC have?
The 2016 VOLKSWAGEN CC has 38 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN CC?
The 2016 VOLKSWAGEN CC received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN CC?
Yes, the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN CC has 6 recall(s). The most common affected component is SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN CC?
The most-complained component for the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN CC is AIR BAGS with 11 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN CC safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2016 VOLKSWAGEN CC has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.