Model year record

2011 Volkswagen CC recalls & problems

The 2011 Volkswagen CC has 4 safety recalls and 86 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (32 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints86filed by owners

Crashes · fires2 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Air bagsMar 6, 2018

Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 18V148000363,713 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

Fuel system, gasolineAug 16, 2017

Delivery › Fuel pump

Recall 17V509000280,915 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

Air bagsFeb 10, 2016

Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 16V078000659,493 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

Air bagsAug 4, 2015

Frontal

Recall 15V483000415,825 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
Risk: A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2011 Volkswagen CC 4 DR AWD

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★

2011 Volkswagen CC 4 DR FWD

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

CC

25mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 31 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,300/year to fuel

CC

25mpg combined

City / highway	22 / 31 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,300/year to fuel

CC 4motion

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Air bagsFrontal › Driver clockspring/spiral cassette	32	2	2	44,000 mi
Engine	26	0	0	93,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	16	0	1	107,500 mi
Steering	13	0	0	75,000 mi
Electrical system	7	0	0	51,125 mi
Unknown or other	7	0	0	96,000 mi
Power train	6	0	0	83,680 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)	3	0	0	70,000 mi
Fuel system, gasolineFuel injection system	3	0	0	—
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	2	0	0	—
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer	1	0	0	—
Service brakes	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Air bags › Frontal › Driver clockspring/spiral cassette
The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen CC. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. Additionally, the horn was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with clockspring failure. The dealer informed the contact that the clockspring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.
Jul 25, 2022 · 165,000 miles
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT'S SON OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN CC SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HER SON STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK INDICATOR LIGHT FLASHED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT'S SON RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO DISENGAGE THE LOCK TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IDLING. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GENE LANGAN VOLKSWAGEN (816 NEW LONDON TPKE, GLASTONBURY, CT 06033, (860) 633-0261) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DECLINED TO ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE…
Nov 16, 2020 · 127,000 miles
Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN CC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROGRESSING INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL AND FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED MORE THAN FOUR TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS REDUCED POWER TO THE POINT THAT THE VEHICLE COULD SHUT DOWN AT ANY MOMENT, CREATING THE RISK FOR A POTENTIAL CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO CITY CHEVROLET OF SAN DIEGO (2111 MORENA BLVD, SAN DIEGO, CA 92110, (619) 597-1636). THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, BUT INDICATED THAT IT MAY BE RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V509000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT…
Jan 10, 2014 · 4,700 miles
Engine
TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER
Apr 30, 2019
Engine
I WAS LEAVING THE STORE WHEN I NOTICED MY VEHICULAR WOULDN'T GO OVER 30 MPH. I PULLED INTO ANOTHER STORE TO ASSESS THE SITUATION. WHEN I TURNED MY CAR BACK ON AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE MY CAR STOPPED WORKING. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE SHOP AND THEY ADVISED ME TO CALL VOLKSWAGEN BECAUSE THIS ISSUES WAS LIKELY COVERED UNDER A WARRANTY. I CALLED VOLKESWAGEN AND THEY SAID MY WARRANTY WOULD COVER IT UP TO 120K MILES AND TO TAKE IT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. I HAD THE CAR TOWED AGAIN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS BROKEN AND THEY SAID MY WARRANTY JUST EXPIRED AT 100K MILES. MY CAR HAS 108K MILES. AFTER DOING A LOT OF RESEARCH I FOUND THIS TO BE A FREQUENT PROBLEM…
Mar 16, 2019 · 108 miles
Electrical system
VEHICLE KEEPS MISFIRING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON. EPC LIGHT COMES ON PERIODICALLY AFTER FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. WHILE DRIVING CAR JERKS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGINS TO FLASH. LOTS OF WEAR TO TIRES WITHIN A FEW THOUSAND MILES. BREAKS MUST BE PUSH ON HARD TO STOP. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE ONLY THING THAT WAS WRONG WAS A CODE FOR CARBON BUILDUP. DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT PROVIDE CODE JUST A PRICE OF $1000. SPARK PLUGS AND COILS WERE CHANGED BEFORE PURCHASING VEHICLE. I'M CERTAIN THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOT CHANGED. THE VEHICLE USES 1/8 OF A TANK TO WARM UP.
Aug 25, 2018 · 103,000 miles
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN CC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO OURISMAN HONDA OF LAUREL (3371 LAUREL FORT MEADE RD, LAUREL, MD 20724, (301) 498-7400) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Sep 1, 2018 · 60,000 miles
Engine
BOUGHT THE CAR USED AND TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC TO GET IT CHECKED OUT. LOW AND BEHOLD THEY INFORMED ME I HAVE A FAILING POWER STEERING MODULE, REAR MAIN SEAL, CARBON BUILD UP ON THE INTAKE, AS WELL AS CRACKS IN BOTH FRONT CONTROL ARMS. TOOK IT TO A DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THIS DIAGNOSIS AND GAVE ME A $6250 QUOTE FOR THE WORK. CAR WAS DRIVING FINE AND FELT GREAT. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE SHOP THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. CAR HAS 90K ON IT AND WAS UNDER WARRANTY UNTIL THEN. ALL THESE ITEMS WERE NEGLECTED BY THE DEALER.
Feb 17, 2019

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Air Bag Clockspring FailureOpen
In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure of the clockspring in 2010-2014 Model Year (MY) CC, Passat, Eos, Golf, GTI, Tiguan, Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen models.Contamination of the clockspring can cause the ribbon cable to tear resulting in loss of the electrical connection to the front driver air bag and any steering wheel mounted controls.The loss of the electrical connection to the front driver air bag will result in illumination of the air bag warning light and will prevent operation of the front driver air bag in a crash of sufficient severity requiring a commanded deployment.In November 2017, the Office of…
EA18003 · opened Apr 18, 2018
Air Bag Clockspring FailureClosed
In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure of the clockspring in 2010-2014 Model Year (MY) CC, Passat, Eos, Golf, GTI, Tiguan, Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen models.Contamination of the clockspring can cause the ribbon cable to tear resulting in loss of the electrical connection to the front driver air bag and any steering wheel mounted controls.The loss of the electrical connection to the front driver air bag will result in illumination of the air bag warning light and will prevent operation of the front driver air bag in a crash of sufficient severity requiring a commanded deployment.In November 2017, the Office of…
RQ17009 · opened Nov 13, 2017 · closed May 4, 2018
Air Bag Clockspring FailureClosedLed to recall 15V483000
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of steering wheel clock spring/steering column control module (SCCM) failures in model year (MY) 2012 Volkswagen Passat and CC models.The SCCM is a module within the steering column that incorporates a spiral conductor (a ribbon cable) to electrically connect the steering wheel to the vehicle's electrical system while allowing for the turning of the steering wheel.Complainants alleged that that the clock spring failed while driving and without warning.When the SCCM fails electrically, an air bag warning light is illuminated on the dash of the vehicle.If a vehicle with a failed SCCM were to be involved in a crash of sufficient severity to require deployment, the driver air bag may not deploy properly, or deploy at all.As the result of an Information Request response from Volkswagen, ODI…
PE15010 · opened Mar 24, 2015 · closed Sep 28, 2015