Recall 19V535 affects 27,822 2015-2016 Volkswagen Cc and Tiguan vehicles for air bag ECU capacitor defects. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
Volkswagen is recalling 27,822 2015-2016 Cc and Tiguan vehicles because a defective power supply capacitor in the air bag ECU can deactivate the air bags or trigger unintended deployment. Deactivated air bags increase injury risk, unintended deployment increases crash risk, and Volkswagen dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The air bag control unit in the 2015-2016 Volkswagen Cc and Tiguan is the computer that watches the restraint system and tells the air bags when to deploy in a crash. It depends on a stable internal power supply. A small capacitor inside the unit helps smooth that power so the control unit can read sensors and command the air bags correctly.
In affected vehicles, that capacitor can be defective. As it breaks down, resistance inside the control unit rises and the 5V power supply falls out of its intended range. When the control unit loses the power quality it needs, the air bags can deactivate or deploy when they are not supposed to.
The warning sign is the air bag warning light. Volkswagen reported that when the failure is detected, the warning light turns on, and in the majority of reported cases owners had that light on. If that light appears, treat it as a restraint-system warning and have the vehicle checked by a Volkswagen dealer.
Who's affected?
Covers both Cc and Tiguan models across the 2015 and 2016 model years, with the air bag system listed for each.
| 2015 Volkswagen Cc | air bag system |
|---|---|
| 2016 Volkswagen Cc | air bag system |
| 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan | air bag system |
| 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan | air bag system |
| Units affected | 27,822 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 3 field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
An air bag ECU problem can deactivate the air bags or trigger unintended deployment. Disabled air bags increase injury risk in a crash, and unintended deployment increases crash risk. If the airbag warning light turns on, schedule service promptly. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2016 Volkswagen Cc or Tiguan is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule the free air bag ECU software update and ECU replacement if needed, which addresses air bag deactivation or inadvertent deployment.
- Bring the recall notice if Volkswagen mailed one. If not, reference recall number 19V535 and Volkswagen recall 69Z5 when you call.
- Ask the dealer whether the vehicle needs any driving precautions before the repair appointment.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Volkswagen technician installs updated software for the air bag system and checks whether the air bag Electronic Control Unit needs replacement. If the ECU is affected, the technician replaces it as part of the recall repair. Parts and labor are covered, so the dealer repair is free. This repair addresses the ECU capacitor problem tied to air bag deactivation or unintended air bag deployment.
Timeline
| July 17, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 13, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| September 13, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 13, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| November 25, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V535?
Recall 19V535 covers 27,822 2015-2016 Volkswagen Cc and Tiguan vehicles with an air bag ECU capacitor defect. The defect can deactivate air bags or trigger unintended air bag deployment. Volkswagen dealers will install new software and replace the air bag ECU as needed for free.
What should I do if my 2015-2016 Volkswagen Cc or Tiguan is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 19V535. If it is, contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer and ask for recall 69Z5. The dealer will install new software and replace the air bag ECU as needed for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires Volkswagen to repair this defect at no cost to owners. A franchised Volkswagen dealer will install the required software and replace the air bag ECU as needed, with parts and labor covered under recall 19V535.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is air bag protection that does not work as intended. In NHTSA campaign 19V535, Volkswagen reported that deactivated air bags increase injury risk, while unintended air bag deployment increases crash risk. The free dealer repair addresses the ECU defect.
What if I bought my Volkswagen Cc or Tiguan used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2015-2016 Volkswagen Cc or Tiguan is included, then reference recall 69Z5 when you call a Volkswagen dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V535000 |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen customer service | 1-800-893-5298 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V535 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V535000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →