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2016 Volkswagen CC Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 20263 Critical Recalls
Ryan Davis
2016 Volkswagen CC Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary

The 2016 Volkswagen CC has 38 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve air bags and fuel/propulsion system.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

7.6/ 10

Based on 38 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

AIR BAGS

11 28.9%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

7 18.4%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4 10.5%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

3 7.9%

SERVICE BRAKES

2 5.3%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is AIR BAGS, accounting for 28.9% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 14 distinct vehicle systems.

  • Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.

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Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2016 Volkswagen CC

The 2016 Volkswagen CC has 38 owner complaints in this dataset. AIR BAGS is the most common complaint category, representing about 29% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2016 Volkswagen CC are AIR BAGS (11), FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (7), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 28 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.

What should buyers inspect on a used 2016 Volkswagen CC?

Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2017 CC complaints2015 CC complaints2014 CC complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 14 of 14 systems

AIR BAGS

11 Reports29% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TAKATA RECALL

11/1/2017

WHAT HAPPENS IS EXACTLY WHAT IS DESCRIBED IN OTHER MODELS AND YEARS OF THE SAME MODEL. FAILURE OF THE STEERING POWER AND AIRBAG FAILURE DUE TO FAILURE OF CLOCKSPRING. THIS IS A NEW CAR AND IT WOULD BE QUITE A COINCIDENCE TO HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THE SAME MANUFACTURER AND NOT HAVE IT BE CAUSALLY RELATED BASED ON THE SAME DEFECT WHICH CAUSED A SIMILAR RECALL. THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT WEN TON, HORN WOULDN'T WORK, ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ON WHEEL WON'T WORK. BRINGING FOR REPLACEMENT OF CLOCKSPRING (SAME AS IN OTHER RECALL).

2/2/2019

9 more complaints are available in this category.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

7 Reports18% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

THERE HAVE BEEN 3 INCIDENTS IN WHICH MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY, WITHOUT WARNING SHUTS DOWN (ABSOLUTELY NO POWER) WHILE I AM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT TRAFFIC AND THE VEHICLE HAD ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO GET TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. I PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND LET IT SIT FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 TO 5 MINUTES. I THEN PUSHED THE START BUTTON AND IT STARTED WITHOUT INCIDENT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO RIVERSIDE VOLKSWAGEN WHERE THEY CONDUCTED A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. AFTER INFORMING THEM OF THE SAFETY RECALL, THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO AND DECLINED TO PROVIDE ME WITH A LOANER VEHICLE. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE COULD NOT CONFIRM OR DENY IF THE ISSUES REPORTED WERE RELATED TO THE SAFETY RECALL. I THEN CONTACTED THE CUSTOMER RELATIONS OFFICE TO REQUEST FURTHER ASSISTANCE; HOWEVER, THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO AND I HAD TO WAIT UNTIL THE RECALL WAS RELEASED. I DO NOT HAVE AN ALTERNATE VEHICLE TO USE AND I COMMUTE A MINIMUM OF 80 MILES A DAY TO GO TO WORK. MY HUSBAND IS RECOVERING FROM A HEART SURGERY AND I HAVE A 2 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER, WHO ARE CONSISTENTLY INSIDE THIS VEHICLE. I AM IN SERIOUS FEAR FOR MY SAFETY AND THAT OF MY FAMILY'S. EVERYDAY I GO TO WORK, I FEAR I WILL BE REAR ENDED AND IT IS FRUSTRATING NOT KNOWING HOW LONG I WILL CONTINUE TO ENDURE THIS RISK, AS I WAS TOLD THE RECALL WILL BE ON HOLD FOR AN UNKNOWN PERIOD OF TIME. PLEASE HELP!

11/5/2017

17V509 RECALL NUMBER ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THERE COULD BE AN INTERRUPTION IN ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE FUEL PUMP RUNNING CONTINUOUSLY, RESULTING IN A DRAINED BATTERY AND/OR A NO START CONDITION, OR CAUSE A LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH CAUSING INJURY AND/OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY IN THE VW RECALL OF THE FUEL PUMP INJECTOR. CAPITAL VOLKSWAGON IN SAN JOSE WANTS ME TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE POTENTIAL DANGEROUS CAR UNTIL THEY GET THE PARTS FROM VOLKSWAGON. I ASKED FOR A LOANER CAR AND THEY WILL NOT GIVE ME ONE OR REIMBURSE ME FOR ONE UNTIL THE PART COMES IN. THIS SEEMS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THEY CLAIM THEY DO NOT HAVE THE RECALL FIX AND THEREFORE I NEED TO KEEP DRIVING THE DEATH TRAP?

11/8/2017

5 more complaints are available in this category.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4 Reports11% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

WHAT HAPPENS IS EXACTLY WHAT IS DESCRIBED IN OTHER MODELS AND YEARS OF THE SAME MODEL. FAILURE OF THE STEERING POWER AND AIRBAG FAILURE DUE TO FAILURE OF CLOCKSPRING. THIS IS A NEW CAR AND IT WOULD BE QUITE A COINCIDENCE TO HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THE SAME MANUFACTURER AND NOT HAVE IT BE CAUSALLY RELATED BASED ON THE SAME DEFECT WHICH CAUSED A SIMILAR RECALL. THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT WEN TON, HORN WOULDN'T WORK, ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ON WHEEL WON'T WORK. BRINGING FOR REPLACEMENT OF CLOCKSPRING (SAME AS IN OTHER RECALL).

2/2/2019

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.

11/12/2019

2 more complaints are available in this category.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

3 Reports8% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

BACK UP CAMERA DOES NOT DEPLOY (INTERMITTENT) AFTER USE, THE BACK UP CAMERA WILL OCCASIONALLY DISPLAY "PARK PILOT IS CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE". MY VEHICLE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE PARK PILOT OPTION.THIS DISABLES THE BACK UP CAMERA UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF COMPLETELY AND THE SYSTEM IS RESET. I BELIEVE THIS CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD, AS THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE CAMERA MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE DURING A STREET MANEUVER, SUCH AS PARALLEL PARKING WHEN THE SYSTEM IS UNUSABLE THE FAULT IS INTERMITTENT AND DOES NOT APPEAR TO FOLLOW ANY PATTERN. OTHER THAN OCCURRING AFTER USING THE CAMERA TO REVERSE.

8/1/2018

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.

5/3/2021

1 more complaint is available in this category.

SERVICE BRAKES

2 Reports5% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN CC. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING, THE CONTACT APPLIED EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL; HOWEVER, IT CRASHED INTO A CEMENT WALL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK, SHOULDER, AND ARM INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SCHUMACHER VOLKSWAGEN OF WEST PALM BEACH (LOCATED AT 3001 OKEECHOBEE BOULEVARD, WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33409, (561) 935-4490), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

2/1/2019

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.

11/12/2019

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

2 Reports5% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

CONSTANTLY RECEIVING MESSAGE, ' ADAPTIVE FRONT LIGHTING SYSTEM.' AFTER RESEARCH I NOTICED THAT THIS IS A RECALL ISSUE ON OTHER MODELS OF THE SAME YEAR AND I FEEL THAT THIS IS CONNECTED BEING THAT IT'S THE SAME MESSAGE RECEIVED AS THE OTHER MODELS. VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND I RECEIVE THE MESSAGE EVERY TIME I START THE CAR. JUST PURCHASED CAR AND PICKED UP FROM DEALER SATURDAY EVENING SO I CAN ONLY STATE WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THE MESSAGE MYSELF AND NOT WHEN IT ACTUALLY FIRST APPEARED.

11/4/2019

unknown

12/5/2022

STRUCTURE:BODY

2 Reports5% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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

11/2/2021

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 up information, and then replied to me "that's normal for that vehicle". The problem is this. That's not normal for any vehicle. That's a bad answer. I have been driving for 50 years, and I have never had any vehicle that performed this way, and I don't know anyone who has. That means it's not normal. If the dealer said "many drivers who own the same vehicle as you do have reported the same problem", that makes it a frequently occurring problem. It does NOT make it normal. Because the dealer did not acknowledge a problem, there has been no effort to correct it. - If every driver who purchased a 2016 VW CC encountered this problem, then every one of those vehicles should have been recalled so that Volkswagen could repair the problem. - If some of the vehicles that were purchased had the problem and others did not, that proves that it is a correctable problem. If NHTSA is aware of this problem and has not directed Volkswagen to correct it, then you are not doing your job.

1/7/2023

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN CC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V509000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH RIVERHEAD BAY VOLKSWAGEN (1521 OLD COUNTRY ROAD, RIVERHEAD, NY 11901, 888-289-9637) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE AND DID NOT KNOW WHEN IT WOULD ARRIVE. THE DEALER PLACED THE CONTACT ON A WAITING LIST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

7/3/2018

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN CC. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING, THE CONTACT APPLIED EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL; HOWEVER, IT CRASHED INTO A CEMENT WALL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK, SHOULDER, AND ARM INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SCHUMACHER VOLKSWAGEN OF WEST PALM BEACH (LOCATED AT 3001 OKEECHOBEE BOULEVARD, WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33409, (561) 935-4490), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

2/1/2019

SUSPENSION

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

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

11/2/2021

STEERING

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

Clock spring went out so airbag and horn do not work

3/21/2022

ENGINE

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

unknown

12/5/2022

VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

unknown

12/5/2022

POWER TRAIN

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

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 up information, and then replied to me "that's normal for that vehicle". The problem is this. That's not normal for any vehicle. That's a bad answer. I have been driving for 50 years, and I have never had any vehicle that performed this way, and I don't know anyone who has. That means it's not normal. If the dealer said "many drivers who own the same vehicle as you do have reported the same problem", that makes it a frequently occurring problem. It does NOT make it normal. Because the dealer did not acknowledge a problem, there has been no effort to correct it. - If every driver who purchased a 2016 VW CC encountered this problem, then every one of those vehicles should have been recalled so that Volkswagen could repair the problem. - If some of the vehicles that were purchased had the problem and others did not, that proves that it is a correctable problem. If NHTSA is aware of this problem and has not directed Volkswagen to correct it, then you are not doing your job.

1/7/2023

About This Data

Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2016 Volkswagen CC?

The most reported complaint category for the 2016 Volkswagen CC is AIR BAGS, with 11 owner reports. That is about 29% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include AIR BAGS, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Are complaints about the 2016 Volkswagen CC a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 28 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2016 Volkswagen CC?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2016 Volkswagen CC severe?

28 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

Volkswagen CC: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

Return to full vehicle report
Complaint entries
38
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

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In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

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