Volkswagen Recalls CC and Tiguan for Sudden Airbag Deployment

Close to 28,000 units of the Volkswagen CC and Tiguan are being recalled due to inadvertent airbag deployment.

Models affected by the recall include the 2015 to 2016 Tiguan built between March 12, 2015 and December 19, 2015, as well as the 2015 to 2016 CC with build dates between May 6, 2015 and December 17, 2015.

According to Volkswagen, the problem is caused by the airbag’s control module, which generally controls when an airbag should or should not deploy. The module apparently has a defective capacitor that can cause the airbag system to act incorrectly. Simply put, it could cause the deactivation and deployment of the airbags, the seatbelt pretensioners, or both when not necessary.

And although the airbag warning light may illuminate and let owners of something that might be wrong, the defect significant increases the risk of injury for passengers.

Volkswagen first discovered the problem after a field case in late 2017. The following year, the company received information of a second case and supplier ZF/TRW found out the problem. After a third case was reported in late 2018, Volkswagen worked closely with the supplier before eventually deciding that a recall is necessary.

Unfortunately for owners of the affected CC and Tiguan models, the fix is a little more complex than usual. Dealership technicians will have to do a software update on the cars to detect an increase in resistance within the module, which is caused when the faulty capacitor fails. If there is an increased resistance, technicians will replace the airbag control module.

Owners of affected cars can expect to receive their recall notifications via first-class mail by mid-September.