Volkswagen CC Best and Worst Years (2010–2017)
Avoid the 2010 and 2012 Volkswagen CC, which have the highest complaint index scores (86 and 100) and top-ranked worst-year status, driven largely by airbag issues. The 2015 CC is the best year, with only 30 complaints and a complaint index of just 14.
- Model years
- 8
- 2010–2017
- NHTSA complaints
- 844
- Recall campaigns
- 11
- Crashes reported
- 32
- Fires reported
- 3
- Top problem area
- Airbags
CC Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Volkswagen CC problems and recalls by year
CC years to avoid: what went wrong
2012 Volkswagen CC Index 100 · 230 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2012 CC is the single worst-ranked year, with 230 complaints and the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100. Airbags led problem areas at 37% (86 complaints, median mileage 57,500), followed by engine issues at 31% (72 complaints, median 76,000 miles) and fuel system problems at 27% (61 complaints, median 72,800 miles). Owners described sudden loss of gas pedal function with smoke from the exhaust, brake failure while approaching a toll booth, and airbags that did not deploy in a front-end collision. This year also recorded 11 crashes and 3 fires, the highest crash and fire counts among CC years, with 6 recall campaigns.
2012 airbags problems →2012 engine problems →2012 fuel system problems →
2010 Volkswagen CC Index 86 · 240 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2010 CC ranks among the worst years, with 240 complaints and a complaint index of 86. Airbags were the top problem area, accounting for 35% of complaints (84 cases) with a median failure mileage of 76,000. Engine issues followed at 23% (55 complaints, median 91,825 miles), and fuel system problems made up 22% (52 complaints, median 90,000 miles). Owners reported brake pedals extending to the floor, water leaking through vents and the dashboard due to a malfunctioning cowl area, and steering/suspension components separating while driving. The year carries 4 recall campaigns, including airbag inflator replacement and fuel pump control module repairs, though none are do-not-drive recalls.
2010 airbags problems →2010 engine problems →2010 fuel system problems →
Most common Volkswagen CC problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Airbags363 (43%)
- Engine195 (23%)
- Fuel System184 (22%)
- Electrical System123 (15%)
- Transmission & Powertrain71 (8%)
- Steering57 (7%)
- Other46 (5%)
- Brakes43 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires34 (4%)
- Structure & Body18 (2%)
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the Volkswagen CC should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2010 and 2012 Volkswagen CC are flagged to avoid, with complaint index scores of 86 and 100 respectively, both driven mainly by airbag-related complaints.
- What is the best year for the Volkswagen CC?
- The 2015 Volkswagen CC is rated best, with only 30 complaints, no crashes or fires reported, and the lowest complaint index of 14 among all covered years.
- Does the Volkswagen CC have airbag recalls?
- Yes. Airbags are the top problem area across all CC years, accounting for 363 of 844 total complaints (43%), and multiple recall campaigns address driver's frontal air bag inflators, including campaigns 18V148000 and 16V078000.
- Are 2011 and 2013 Volkswagen CC models safe to buy?
- They fall into the Caution category, with complaint indexes of 57 and 71 respectively, lower than the 2010 and 2012 Avoid years but higher than the Good and Best years like 2014-2016.
- How many total complaints does the Volkswagen CC have?
- NHTSA lists 844 total complaints across model years 2010-2017, with 11 recall campaigns and none classified as do-not-drive.