2012 Volkswagen CC Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 8 CC years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2012 Volkswagen CC ranks worst of 8 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 100 and 230 complaints, 11 crashes, and 6 recalls. Airbags are the top problem area at 37% of complaints, making 2012 an Avoid year relative to other CC model years.
- Complaints
- 230
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 11 / 3
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21 city / 31 hwy
Top 2012 Volkswagen CC problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags86 (37%)
- Engine72 (31%)
- Fuel System61 (27%)
- Electrical System42 (18%)
- Brakes16 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires13 (6%)
- Steering12 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain11 (5%)
- Other10 (4%)
- Structure & Body5 (2%)
What owners report
- Airbags fail to deploy in front-end and side collisions, sometimes resulting in fractured bones or whiplash despite the crash.
- Brakes reportedly lose function suddenly at moderate speeds, causing drivers to be unable to stop before a collision.
- The engine loses throttle response while driving on the highway, accompanied by heavy smoke or soot from the exhaust and under the hood.
- Electrical system issues cause total power loss while driving, sometimes with smoke from the vents followed by a dashboard fire.
- The fuel system reportedly causes the vehicle to stall without warning at highway speeds, later traced to a defective fuel pump.
- Owners report the horn fails to sound with a quick press and only works with a long, sustained press.
2012 Volkswagen CC recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V329000May 16, 2018Other252 vehicles
Unknown or other
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
Risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
- NHTSA 18V148000Mar 6, 2018Airbags363,713 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Golf, 2010-2014 Eos, 2007-2010 Passat Sedan and Wagon, and 2012-2014 Passat vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q9. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
- NHTSA 17V509000Aug 16, 2017Fuel System280,915 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2016 Volkswagen CC, 2006-2010 Passat and Passat Wagon vehicles. Interruption of electrical power to the fuel pump control module may cause the fuel pump to fail.
Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump control module, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20AE.
2012 Volkswagen CC fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 31 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,300
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2012 compared with other CC years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Volkswagen CC reliable?
- Among CC model years with data, 2012 ranks worst, with a complaint index of 100 and 230 NHTSA complaints. It carries the Avoid verdict relative to other CC years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2012 Volkswagen CC?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 37% of complaints (86 complaints) with 8 associated crashes and a median failure mileage of 57,500 miles.
- Does the 2012 Volkswagen CC have airbag recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists three separate airbag-related recalls for the 2012 CC (campaigns 18V148000, 16V078000, and 15V483000) covering inflator and clock spring issues.
- How many recalls does the 2012 Volkswagen CC have?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2012 Volkswagen CC, covering airbags, fuel system, suspension/wheels/tires, and other components, with none classified as do-not-drive.
- How does the 2012 CC compare to other years?
- The 2012 CC has the highest complaint index (100) of the 8 years tracked, worse than 2010 (86), 2013 (71), and far worse than 2015, which has the lowest index at 14 and the Best verdict.