2012 Volkswagen CC Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2012 Volkswagen CC has 230 complaints and a complaint index of 89, ranking 2nd worst out of 10 model years, with an Avoid verdict. Airbags (37% of complaints), Engine (31%), and Fuel System (27%) are the top problem areas, backed by 6 recalls.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 89/100
- #2 of 10 CC years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 230
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 11
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 8
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21 city / 31 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 0
Top 2012 Volkswagen CC problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during frontal or side collisions, sometimes resulting in serious injuries.
- Owners describe sudden loss of brake function while driving at moderate speeds, leading to crashes.
- Some vehicles stalled without warning at highway speeds, later traced to a defective fuel pump.
- Owners report smoke and fire emerging from the dashboard or vents while driving, with a loud pop before flames appeared.
- The engine reportedly lost throttle response on the highway, accompanied by heavy smoke from the exhaust and engine bay.
- Electrical issues included complete loss of power while driving and a horn that failed to sound properly.
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, 2012 ranks 2nd worst out of 10 years tracked, with a complaint index of 89 and an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Volkswagen CC?
- NHTSA data shows Airbags account for 37% of complaints, Engine 31%, and Fuel System 27%. Median mileage at failure ranges from 57,500 to 76,000 miles depending on the system.
- Does the 2012 Volkswagen CC have airbag recalls?
- Yes. It is covered by three separate airbag recalls (18V148000, 16V078000, 15V483000) related to driver's frontal air bag inflators and a steering wheel clock spring cover.
- Which Volkswagen CC model years should I avoid?
- 2009, 2010, and 2012 all carry an Avoid verdict, with 2010 having the highest complaint index at 100 and 2012 close behind at 89.
- Is there a fuel system recall for the 2012 Volkswagen CC?
- Yes, recall 17V509000 covers a fuel pump control module that can lose electrical power and cause the vehicle to stall.