2016 Volkswagen CC Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2016 Volkswagen CC has a complaint index of 33 and ranks 7th of 10 model years, earning a 'Good' verdict relative to other CC years. It has 26 complaints, 6 recalls, and airbags are the top problem area at 42% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 33/100
- #7 of 10 CC years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 26
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 21 city / 31 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2016 Volkswagen CC problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags11 (42%)
- Fuel System8 (31%)
- Electrical System6 (23%)
- Other3 (12%)
- Brakes2 (8%)
- Engine2 (8%)
- Structure & Body2 (8%)
- Steering1 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbag warning lights and sensor faults appear along with reports of clockspring failures tied to steering and airbag systems.
- Takata airbag inflator recall repairs were delayed for some owners due to parts unavailability.
- The fuel pump control module can lose electrical power, causing sudden loss of engine power while driving or a no-start condition.
- Some owners report the vehicle shutting off completely at low highway speeds with no warning, requiring the car to coast to a stop.
- An 'adaptive front lighting system' warning message appears repeatedly on startup even while the vehicle is stationary.
- One owner reported the brakes failing to respond with expected force, resulting in a low-speed crash into a wall.
2016 Volkswagen CC recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V535000Jul 17, 2019Airbags27,822 vehicles
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.
Risk: Deactivated air bags increases the risk of injury. Inadvertent deployment of the air bags increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 19V014000Jan 11, 2019Airbags119,394 vehicles
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.
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.
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 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).
- NHTSA 18V329000May 16, 2018Other252 vehicles
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 may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
Risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
2016 Volkswagen CC fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 31 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,200
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other CC years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Volkswagen CC reliable?
- Among CC model years, 2016 ranks 7th of 10 with a complaint index of 33 and a 'Good' verdict, making it one of the better years for this model.
- What problems does the 2016 Volkswagen CC have?
- NHTSA complaints center on airbags (42% of complaints), fuel system issues (31%), and electrical system faults (23%). The median mileage at failure across these areas ranges from about 44,000 to 50,000 miles.
- Does the 2016 Volkswagen CC have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2016 CC, covering airbags, the fuel pump control module, front seat head restraints, and a child lock inspection.
- How does the 2016 CC compare to other CC years?
- The 2016 CC's complaint index of 33 is far lower than 2010 (100) and 2012 (89), both rated 'Avoid,' but higher than 2015 (22), which is rated 'Best.'