Volkswagen Recalls 2009 CC

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says some of the vehicles may have an electromechanical steering gear control unit that can malfunction due to a damaged capacitor.

"If this malfunction occurs, the driver's steering input is not properly processed by the system, and the vehicle may not respond as the driver intends," NHTSA said in its recall summary of the problem. "This defect can only occur immediately after vehicle start-up when the steering wheel is moved for the first time and at speeds less than 5 mph."

NHTSA notes that driver attempts to "overcome the system during malfunction" can cause vibrations in the steering wheel, the steering system motor to turn off, the red steering system malfunction indicator light to illuminate and audible warnings to chime. "A malfunctioning steering system could lead to a crash without warning," it said.

The recall will begin on December 5. Volkswagen dealers will replace the steering gear in the affected vehicles.

Inside Line says: A small but noteworthy recall involving one of VW's most high-profile 2009 vehicles. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent