2013 Volkswagen CC Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about airbag-related items: the Takata driver-side inflator recall and the slow pace of getting parts, and an airbag warning light with a failed horn and steering-wheel controls traced to the clock spring. A second cluster involves the engine cutting out or losing power while driving, with some complaints pointing to the fuel pump control module recall. The rest is a mix of uneven front tire wear, coolant leaks, lighting and electrical faults.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine cuts out or loses power while driving

   • 13 complaints (9%)
   • median 40,000 mi at 2.8 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2013–2018

   Owners describe the engine stalling at low speed, at a stop light, or on the highway, sometimes with the EPC or check-engine light and a shaking or bucking sensation before power drops. Restarting usually works. Dealers varied: some replaced the battery or could not reproduce the fault, others reported carbon build-up on valves, coil pack or piston misfires, a failed NOx sensor, or a broken timing chain that destroyed the engine. Reported from as low as about 12,000 miles up to roughly 120,000 miles, with many between 30,000 and 70,000.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: During a test drive watch for hesitation or bucking around 2,000-3,000 rpm and any EPC light; ask for service records on coil packs, carbon cleaning and timing chain work, and whether misfire-related bulletins were applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While traveling on the freeway in san diego, my car started shaking and losing power. Then the epc & check engine lights turned on, on the dashboard. I was barely able to pull over to the shoulder, and drive off the upcoming exit ramp. I lost total engine power, and I had to call the towing truck to take me to the closest dealership, as the car is still under warranty. I waited 5 hours to find out what was happening, as I live in another city. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11058163, filed 2018-01, 67,855 miles

   “Driving home on the freeway the engine started making abnormal noise (ticking). Called the dealership where I purchased the car and let them know I was bringing it in to be checked out. On the way there the engine stopped running and I pulled over and had it towed to the dealership. Several days later dealership called and told me the timing chain broke and catastrophicly destroyed the engine. Purchased the vehicle certified used with 25,578 miles. At the time of the engine failure it had 62,569 miles. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11140782, filed 2018-10, 62,569 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Takata driver airbag inflator recall not yet repaired

   • 64 complaints (43%)
   • median 38,000 mi at 4.5 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2018

   Many complaints are about the driver-side airbag inflator recall rather than a new fault: owners describe waiting months for parts, repeated dealer visits with no repair available, and being told to keep driving until replacement inflators arrive. A few describe crashes in which airbags did not deploy. Complaints also note that used cars were sold without mention of the open recall. Reported across a wide mileage range, roughly 20,000 to 105,000 miles, mostly in 2016-2019 filings.

   Recall 16V078000Recall 18V148000Recall 15V483000

   What to check: Check the VIN with a dealer or the NHTSA recall lookup to confirm the inflator recall was completed, and ask for the repair invoice.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall I have repeatedly contacted my Volkswagen dealership regarding replacing my airbags as per NHTSA recall 16v078. I have been trying since april 2016 when I received notification. As per your warnings I am greatly concerned to be driving this vehicle. When can I expect parts to be available to address this safety recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #10948189, filed 2017-01, 20,000 miles

   “Takata recall. I received the recall notice dated april 2016 that indicated that I would be notified when the parts would be available. Now 16 months later and no additional information. I called vw customer service and the local dealer but still no help. Vw told me to wait 2/3 weeks. That was 2 months past.”

   NHTSA complaint #11013680, filed 2017-08, 38,000 miles
3. 3
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light, horn and wheel controls out (clock

   • 14 complaints (9%)
   • median 78,326 mi at 5.7 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2023

   The airbag warning light comes on and stays on, the horn stops working, and in some cars the steering-wheel buttons and cruise control also quit. Several owners link it to the clock spring; some say the problem appeared after a recall repair on the steering-wheel-mounted airbag parts, and dealers in some cases replaced the clock spring while others said the repair was not covered. A clicking noise from the steering wheel is sometimes noted beforehand. Mostly reported between roughly 40,000 and 115,000 miles, often on cars several years old.

   Recall 15V4830001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Turn the key on and confirm the airbag light goes out and the horn and steering-wheel buttons work; ask whether the clock spring was replaced under the 15V483000 recall and keep the paperwork.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata inflators. I went and got my fuel pump recall completed months ago and my local dealer didn't have the parts to complete the airbag recall. They said it takes about a month or two to receive the part and it has been much longer than that and they still aren't able to complete the recall on my vehicle. My airbag light has recently come on and I saw that there is also a recall for a clock spring. I got my car checked by a mechanic and was told I would need a clock spring replacement. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11151314, filed 2018-11, 105,000 miles

   “Regarding the ongoing investiagtion for failed replacement of the clock spring recall. (NHTSA action number: ea18003). Two weeks ago, while turning into a parking spot my steering wheel made a discerning clicking sound. After returning to my car I noticed an airbag error as well as all controls on the steering wheel not functioning including the horn. Since then these problems have remained. I have checking my VIN to see if the previous owner had the clock spring replaced for the recall but there are none. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11234060, filed 2019-07, 77,000 miles
4. 4
   Fuel system

   Stalls tied to fuel pump control module

   • 14 complaints (9%)
   • median 66,000 mi at 5.1 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2014–2018

   Complaints describe the car shutting off in motion or failing to accelerate, with the EPC light on, and dealers diagnosing the fuel pump module, fuel pump or high-pressure fuel pump. Many of these owners cite the fuel pump control module recall and say parts were unavailable, leaving the car undrivable while they waited. A rough idle or jerking on acceleration is sometimes mentioned first. Typically reported between about 50,000 and 125,000 miles.

   Recall 17V509000

   What to check: Confirm the 17V509000 fuel pump control module recall was completed, and ask whether the fuel pump module or pump has ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall. And also have the 20ae recall which is an interruption in electrical power to the fuel pump control module. My vehicle was in motion when it suddenly stopped and turned off in the middle of the road. Leaving me 9 months pregnant straded in the middle lf the road with my 4 year old in the back seat on our way to take her to school.”

   NHTSA complaint #11039362, filed 2017-10, 66,000 miles

   “As of november 2017 my Volkswagen CC has become inoperable and a safety hazard due to the fuel pump control module - recall 20ae. At any given time why driving my car will completely shut off in traffic daily/consistently. Notices were sent out to us in october about recall but still says no repair information available at this time. Dealer has yet to resolve issue. Under my rights it's unfair and I should have to pay for this to be fixed in which there is a pending recall. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11045456, filed 2017-11, 124,000 miles
5. 5
   Wheels

   Uneven front tire wear and road noise

   • 7 complaints (5%)
   • median 19,493 mi at 2.7 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2014–2017

   Owners report cupped, feathered or out-of-round front tires causing a rumbling or grinding sensation and loud road noise, sometimes within the first 10,000-20,000 miles. Some dealers blamed the tires themselves, others pointed to the factory alignment settings; replacement tires sometimes wore the same way. Mostly reported under about 40,000 miles, often on the original tires.

   What to check: Run a hand over the inside and outside edges of the front tires for scalloping, and ask for a recent alignment sheet and tire replacement history.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Purchased this car new. Started experiencing shuddering and grinding sensation from the front end of car when in motion. It is especially bad at lower speeds. The dealership claims to have checked the brakes and suspension of the car and found nothing wrong. However, they found that my tires are cupping and that is causing the problem. I am fearful to drive this car at highway speeds. I believe a tire or suspension failure is imminent.”

   NHTSA complaint #10724662, filed 2015-06, 21,987 miles

   “Volkswagen CC has significant problems with poor tire wear, cupping. I was told by service department that Volkswagen has a european alignment that toes in ? For handling. The tires wear poor. They replaced one tire that was in really bad shape and I purchased another. Soon after the other two tires did the same thing. The tire company dobbs in st. Louis told me that the Volkswagen alignment causes bad wear. Volkswagen says the alignment is fine.”

   NHTSA complaint #10713042, filed 2015-04, 29,362 miles

Buying note. Check the VIN for open airbag inflator, clock spring and fuel pump module recalls and get proof they were completed, since complaints often center on repair delays rather than new faults. A test drive should include a check of the horn, steering-wheel buttons and airbag light, plus a listen for tire roar and any hesitation under acceleration.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.