Volkswagen CC Electrical Problems

Owners have filed 123 complaints about electrical system problems with the Volkswagen CC — 13% of all CC complaints. The worst model years are 2012 (38), 2010 (26) and 2013 (17). Problems typically start around 66,000 miles. No electrical recall has been issued for the CC.

123complaints
2012worst year
66ktypical miles
0related recalls
3crashes
1fires

Electrical complaints by model year

20092010201120122013201420152016201713267381710543
Electrical complaints per model year, Volkswagen CC.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
2017375%10,000 miles
2016415%55,000 miles
2015517%99,000 miles
20141013%50,000 miles
20131711%49,000 miles
20123817%55,000 miles
201178%64,000 miles
20102611%78,000 miles
20091310%118,000 miles

Which parts fail

  • Horn
    2
  • 12V/24V/48V battery
    1
  • Wiring › Rear compartment/trunk
    1

Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    1112%
  • 25k–50k
    1719%
  • 50k–75k
    2325%
  • 75k–100k
    1820%
  • 100k–150k
    2123%
  • 150k+
    11%

What owners report

The DQ250 6-speed DSG (dual clutch) automatic transmission in my 2017 Volkswagen CC Executive has catastrophically failed at 37,768 miles. COMPONENT FAILURE: The mechatronic unit, the electro-hydraulic controller that manages all gear selection and clutch engagement inside the DSG transmission has failed. The transmission is available for inspection upon request. WHAT HAPPENED: Symptoms began with intermittent failure to engage gear after stopping at intersections and stop signs. The transmission would slip out of gear or refuse to engage, leaving the vehicle momentarily unable to accelerate from a dead stop in traffic, a dangerous condition with cross-traffic approaching. The condition progressed to include an audible whining and slipping noise during downshifts, consistent with inadequate hydraulic clamping pressure on the clutch pack. …

2017 CC · May 2026

Vehicle was parked, returned to vehicle and headlights were on, instrument panel lights were on, as well as airbag lights, brake lights, and e-brake light was blinking. The vehicle was unresponsive to the remote and I was unable to get inside the vehicle. It was towed to the dealership at which point they kept it for 5 days to attempt to replicate and resolve. They engaged their technical teams and could not determine the issue after 5 days. They've requested that I pickup the vehicle and advised if it happens again to bring it back. My concern is that this is an undiagnosed electrical/computer issue that could pose a safety issue if it happens while driving, particularly on the freeway at a high rate of speed. I simply want to ensure you're made aware of the issue and potential risk should this be something beyond just my vehicle. …

2017 CC · 10,000 miles · Jul 2017

My 2016 VW CC (VIN: [redacted]) 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. …

2016 CC · Nov 2021

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).

2016 CC · 41,000 miles · Jan 2019

As I was making a u-turn I could hear a noice from my steeling wheel and immediately the airbag light came on and read "error: airbag". I couldn't help but panic thinking of all the possibilities that can happen. I noticed the buttons on the steering wheel weren't working and later realizing my horn didnt work either. I called the nearest dealership and they automatically wanted to charge me for a diagnosis. They insisted that they had already worked on an airbag recall (69y5) my car had and that the diagnosis found "numerous codes." one of them was code vag00588 -driver airbag igniter upper limit exceeded telling me they need to install a new steeling wheel clock spring. Debris like fibers and hairs interfered with the wires causing the wires to break internally and resulting in a loss of electrical connection to the drivers frontal airbag. …

2015 CC · 99,000 miles · Oct 2020

I started to hear a weird noise when turning. A couple of days later the airbag light came on and the horn and buttons on the steering wheel stopped working. It's very dangerous to drive without a horn and it's scary to know that your airbag won't deploy in a crash. This happened at 50,000 miles.

2015 CC · Mar 2020

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 was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

2014 CC · 50,000 miles · Aug 2023

The airbag light went off in the instrument cluster. I hear what sounds like a disconnected cable rubbing against the steering wheel whenever I try to make a turn. All buttons in the steering wheel are non functional after the incident. Really concerned if the airbag won't deploy and cause fatal or deadly injuries in case of crash. I don't feel safe driving it in this condition.

2014 CC · Apr 2022

Frequently asked questions

Which Volkswagen CC years have electrical problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2012 (38), 2010 (26), 2013 (17), 2009 (13) and 2014 (10) model years. Electrical complaints make up 17% of all complaints for the 2012.

Is there a recall for Volkswagen CC electrical problems?

No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for any Volkswagen CC model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.

At what mileage do Volkswagen CC electrical problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles; 31% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the horn (2 mentions), followed by the 12v/24v/48v battery (1).

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.