2013 Volkswagen CC Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2013 Volkswagen CC has a Complaint Index of 67, ranking 4th-worst out of 10 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. Airbags account for 60% of its 148 complaints, tied to five recall campaigns, including Takata inflator issues.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 67/100
- #4 of 10 CC years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 148
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 19 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2013 Volkswagen CC problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags89 (60%)
- Engine24 (16%)
- Electrical System20 (14%)
- Fuel System19 (13%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (6%)
- Steering8 (5%)
- Brakes5 (3%)
- Other5 (3%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (2%)
- Structure & Body2 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Driver and side curtain airbags failed to deploy in multiple crash scenarios, including frontal and side impacts.
- Owners linked non-deploying airbags to Takata inflator recalls, in some cases discovering the recall only after a crash.
- Steering wheel shook violently or lost control while turning, in one case followed by an axle and wheel separation and crash.
- Engine stalled unexpectedly at low speeds, sometimes accompanied by a battery warning or locked steering wheel.
- Brake pedal was depressed but vehicle continued to accelerate, with engine stalling repeated multiple times.
- Idle stayed elevated above 900 rpm, forcing drivers to apply heavy brake pressure to keep the vehicle stopped.
2013 Volkswagen CC recalls
5 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.
2013 Volkswagen CC fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,500
- 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.
2013 compared with other CC years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Volkswagen CC reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2013 CC a Complaint Index of 67, ranking 4th-worst among 10 model years, with a Caution verdict. Airbags are the dominant complaint area, making up 60% of the 148 complaints filed.
- Does the 2013 Volkswagen CC have an airbag recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists five recalls tied to this model year, three of which involve airbags, including Takata inflator replacement and a steering wheel clock spring cover for the airbag system.
- What is the most common problem with the 2013 Volkswagen CC?
- Airbags are the top problem area, with 89 complaints (60% of the total), followed by engine issues at 24 complaints and electrical system problems at 20 complaints.
- How does the 2013 CC compare to other CC model years?
- The 2013 CC ranks 4th-worst out of 10 years with a Complaint Index of 67. Years like 2010 and 2009 scored worse with Avoid verdicts, while 2015 earned a Best verdict with an index of 22.
- At what mileage do 2013 Volkswagen CC airbag problems occur?
- The median mileage at failure for airbag complaints on the 2013 CC is 46,500 miles.