Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Volkswagen CC owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The Power Steering keeps failing while driving. It is available for inspection, ASAP. This is a very dangerous hazard to lose the ability to steer the vehicle at any speed. I have not taken to my mechanic, yet. I have read all sorts of problems with steering since the Takata Air Bag Replacement Recall. Ever since the AirBag Replacement, many of my warning lights have been illuminated. The Dealer told me it is due to the Sensors on my Tires. I see they were previously recalled and now I have a problem with them, too. Right before the Steering Fails, I hear a gone and the Red Steering Wheel Light illuminates. I am then forced to slowly get off the road, barely able to turn the wheel, turn off the vehicle and re-start the engine to get the Power Steering to Re-Set itself. It is happening more and more often. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen CC. While driving uphill at approximately 65 MPH and attempting to pass another vehicle, the contact's vehicle lost acceleration and the epc warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and the engine was turned off. When the vehicle was restarted, the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was coasted to a service station and towed to an independent mechanic (josho auto, 10945 randolph, costa mesa, ca 92626, [phone]) where the vehicle was kept for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. Also, approximately one year ago, the front passenger side of the vehicle was crashed into by another vehicle. None of the air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries that required medical attention. …
My daughter has bought a CC Volkswagen from dealership in 2014... The car has any problems? Such as the air bags... Engine ,,,car started in its own running in garage ,,until battery died all wires melted , I have call vw all they did was send a 1000 credit only too be used if she buys a brand new car or lease? She was in a accident . Three times,,, now? The car a totaled? Air bags didn't protect her first few times at all now smacked her in her face ? They replaced manifold? Not airbags? She could of been killed ... Taking v,w too long too address this problems w airbags nose put her at risk? More then once ... Not right ? They do not sell 2012 CC at v w dealership anylonger yet came a warranty which has not helped her? Cars was unsafe as I told Volkswagen USA,,, I was ignored ? Well car a wreck,, I believe as always have and have notes emails telling them this? Totaled now? Too? …
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 Volkswagen CC. While making a left turn at a green light, another vehicle ran a red light and crashed into the front driver side of the contact's vehicle. None of the air bags deployed. The contact was not notified of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V078000 (air bags) and 15V483000 (air bags). The driver sustained whiplash, neck ligament pains, and shoulder and wrist pains on the left side. One passenger sustained whiplash, and neck and back pains. Another passenger sustained whiplash and abdomen pains. A police report was filed. The insurance company claimed the vehicle as a total loss and it was towed to a repair center. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 65,789.
Wednesday on my home I'm driving going about 35mph gearing down as I am coming up to a tole booth when I notice that brakes literally have shut off. I'm pressing the petal repeatedly as hard and as fast as I can to get them to work but they ended failing and I ran into someone and went through the tole booth and rolled stopped 80 yards after the crash because the brakes still did not work after the crash .with airbag not deploying. It was a very traumatic experience, I no longer feel comfortable in a vehicle I was so happy with moments before this happened.
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 Volkswagen CC. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact rear ended the preceding vehicle. The frontal air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. No injuries were reported. The dealer (north park Volkswagen, 21315 interstate 10 west, san antonio, texas, 78257) was notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.
In a front end collision while slowing down on interstate 84, on October 15, 2015, the air bag did not release. This resulted in a fractured sternum and a hospital stay. The police report with the connecticut state police is case number 1500606623 per article in USA today -- 8.15.15, this car is included in a recall due to airbags not deploying.
I purchased my 2012 vw CC in sept. 2014. I bought the vehicle with approximately 26000 miles on it. Since purchasing the vehicle, the drivers seat no longer heats (quoted $980 for repair) and the clock spring has failed (quoted $450 for repair). I can understand the seat maybe having an issue, but considering I only purchased the vehicle less than 6 months ago vw has failed to provide customer service on this issue. I dont understand how the clock spring is not covered under any warranty. Since the clock spring has failed the horn, the controls on the steering wheel, and the airbag (to my understanding) does not function.there is also and error message for the airbag also. This is a major safety issue. My vehicle will not pass a state inspection without the horn functioning. This is not cosmetic, and I want vw to explain what causes this item to fail. …
Takata recall - there are 3 recalls on my type of car. I have experience one of the serious symptoms of the recall. Please read all. Driver frontal airbag inflator could potentially rupture (due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute high humidity and temperature cycling). 2nd vehicle has had interruption of electrical power, which caused a drained battery and no start condition. [ 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]3.air or other fibers May contaminate the airbag clock spring (a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the airbag powered while the steering wheel is being turned). …
My 2012 Volkswagen CC sport airbag light came on after my husband adjusted the driver seat. I took it to the dealer and they told me it was the control unit ( clock spring) the dealership told me if I drove it and got in an accident the airbags would not deploy. My car is just over 80 thousand miles. I contacted Volkswagen customer care via phone and they would not accept any responsibility and just dismissed me saying my car has excessive mileage. I disagree with this statement! I think that airbags that won't deploy on a car that is a 2012 should remain under an unspoken warranty that protects my family in an accident! After my review of online complaints on volkswagens I see that I am not the only one that has experienced faulty air bags with a Volkswagen. I will never buy another Volkswagen. …
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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.
Remedy: 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.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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.
Remedy: 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…
Air bags › Frontal
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.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off.
NHTSA investigations
Air Bag Clockspring Failure
In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure of the clockspring in 2010-2014 Model Year (MY) CC, Passat, Eos, Golf, GTI, Tiguan, Jetta and Jetta…
Air Bag Clockspring Failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of steering wheel clock spring/steering column control module (SCCM) failures in model year (MY) 2012 Volkswagen Passat and CC models.The SCCM is a module within the steering column that incorporates a spiral conductor (a ribbon cable) to electrically connect the steering wheel to the vehicle's electrical system while…
Air Bag Clockspring Failure
In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure of the clockspring in 2010-2014 Model Year (MY) CC, Passat, Eos, Golf, GTI, Tiguan, Jetta and Jetta…
Airbag complaints in other CC years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2012 Volkswagen CC?
NHTSA has 86 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Volkswagen CC, 37% of the model year's 230 complaints. The component named most often is frontal › driver clockspring/spiral cassette (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Volkswagen CC airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-148 (inflator module, Mar 6, 2018); NHTSA recall 16V-078 (inflator module, Feb 10, 2016); NHTSA recall 15V-483 (frontal, Aug 4, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Volkswagen CC airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 0 fires and 7 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.