Which Volkswagen CC years should I avoid?

NHTSA complaint and recall data point to 2009, 2010, and 2012 as the years to avoid, with 2010 ranking worst at a complaint index of 100.

What year Volkswagen CC is best?

2015 is rated Best with the lowest complaint index in the lineup at 22 and only 30 complaints. 2014 and 2016 are rated Good.

What is the most common problem with the Volkswagen CC?

Airbags are the top problem area across all model years, accounting for 423 complaints, or 43% of all complaints filed.

Does the Volkswagen CC have airbag recalls?

Yes. Multiple campaigns, including 18V148000 and 16V078000, cover driver's frontal airbag inflator replacement across the 2009-2014 model years.

Are 2011 and 2013 Volkswagen CC models risky?

They are rated Caution, with complaint indexes of 56 and 67 respectively, between the Avoid years and the Good/Best years.

Volkswagen CC Best and Worst Years (2008–2017)

Volkswagen CC years 2009, 2010, and 2012 rank worst, led by 2010 with a complaint index of 100 and 242 complaints. The 2015 model year is rated Best with an index of 22, while 2014 and 2016 earn Good ratings.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2009 Avoid 2010 Avoid 2012 Best 2015

Model years: 10; 2008–2017
NHTSA complaints: 983
Recall campaigns: 12
Crashes reported: 37
Fires reported: 4
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.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Volkswagen CC problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2008	No verdict	0	1	0	0	0	Airbags	—	—
2009	Avoid	78	136	5	1	4	Airbags	22	—
2010	Avoid	100	242	7	0	4	Airbags	23	—
2011	Caution	56	86	2	0	4	Airbags	25	—
2012	Avoid	89	230	11	3	6	Airbags	24	—
2013	Caution	67	148	7	0	5	Airbags	23	—
2014	Good	44	80	3	0	5	Airbags	25	—
2015	Best	22	30	0	0	4	Fuel System	25	—
2016	Good	33	26	1	0	6	Airbags	25	—
2017	No verdict	11	4	1	0	3	Electrical System	22.5	—

CC years to avoid: what went wrong

2010 Volkswagen CC Index 100 · 242 complaints · 4 recalls

The 2010 CC carries the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100, based on 242 complaints, 7 crashes, and 7 injuries. Airbags are the top problem area at 35% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 76,000, followed by engine issues (23%, 91,825 miles) and fuel system problems (21%, 90,000 miles). Owners report brake pedals sinking to the floor, water leaking into the cabin through the cowl, and steering/suspension failures. Four recall campaigns apply, covering airbag inflators and the fuel pump control module.

2010 airbags problems →2010 engine problems →2010 fuel system problems →

2012 Volkswagen CC Index 89 · 230 complaints · 6 recalls

The 2012 CC shows a complaint index of 89 from 230 complaints, with 11 crashes and 8 injuries, the highest crash count among the avoid years. Airbags lead problem areas at 37% (57,500 miles median), followed by engine issues at 31% (76,000 miles) and fuel system problems at 27% (72,800 miles). Owners describe loss of accelerator function with smoke from the exhaust, airbags failing to deploy in front-end collisions, and brake failures. Six recall campaigns apply to this year, more than any other avoid year.

2012 airbags problems →2012 engine problems →2012 fuel system problems →

2009 Volkswagen CC Index 78 · 136 complaints · 4 recalls

NHTSA lists 136 complaints for the 2009 CC, with a complaint index of 78. Airbags account for 43% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 89,000, followed by fuel system issues (29%, also 89,000 miles) and engine problems (25%, 88,500 miles). Owners describe stalling, warning lights, and one fire tied to engine trouble. Four recall campaigns cover this year, including airbag inflator replacement and a fuel pump control module fix that can cut power to the fuel pump.

2009 airbags problems →2009 fuel system problems →2009 engine problems →

Most common Volkswagen CC problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Airbags423 (43%)
Engine229 (23%)
Fuel System224 (23%)
Electrical System137 (14%)
Transmission & Powertrain80 (8%)
Steering65 (7%)
Other54 (5%)
Brakes46 (5%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires37 (4%)
Structure & Body21 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

Which Volkswagen CC years should I avoid?: NHTSA complaint and recall data point to 2009, 2010, and 2012 as the years to avoid, with 2010 ranking worst at a complaint index of 100.
What year Volkswagen CC is best?: 2015 is rated Best with the lowest complaint index in the lineup at 22 and only 30 complaints. 2014 and 2016 are rated Good.
What is the most common problem with the Volkswagen CC?: Airbags are the top problem area across all model years, accounting for 423 complaints, or 43% of all complaints filed.
Does the Volkswagen CC have airbag recalls?: Yes. Multiple campaigns, including 18V148000 and 16V078000, cover driver's frontal airbag inflator replacement across the 2009-2014 model years.
Are 2011 and 2013 Volkswagen CC models risky?: They are rated Caution, with complaint indexes of 56 and 67 respectively, between the Avoid years and the Good/Best years.