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Volkswagen CCModel year report

2011 Volkswagen CC Problems

Compared with other Volkswagen CC years

Fewer complaints than typical for this model

22/100 0.5× a typical year · 50 = typical

Open NHTSA investigationAir Bag Clockspring Failure

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
86filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
71,075miles, 56 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
25 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 31 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 Volkswagen CC (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of the 2011 Volkswagen CC most often write about two very different things: long-running air bag recall notices (Takata inflators and the steering wheel clock spring) that many say went unfixed for months because parts were unavailable, and engine problems — above all timing chain tensioner failures that sometimes ended in engine replacement. Fuel pump failures and stalling complaints form the third large group, and a smaller set of owners describe sudden loss of power steering. Apart from the air bag notices, most of these reports involve vehicles past 60,000 miles.

  1. Engine

    Timing chain tensioner failure and engine damage

    • 11 complaints (13%)
    • median 106,500 mi at 6.4 yrs old (10 state mileage)
    • filed 2016–2019

    Owners describe the engine failing to start cleanly, rough running or a check engine light, and then finding the timing chain has jumped because the tensioner failed; several report the engine had to be replaced. Complaints also mention the camshaft adjustment valve (N205) and a screen that can break apart, plus coolant or oil loss before the failure. Dealers diagnosed timing chain or tensioner problems and quoted engine or camshaft repairs, and some owners note the part was later redesigned. Mostly reported between roughly 50,000 and 140,000 miles, often with no warning light beforehand.

    4 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask for service records showing the timing chain tensioner was replaced or updated, listen for a rattle at cold start, and check the oil level and condition. Several service bulletins cover how to measure oil consumption, which is worth asking the shop to perform if history is unclear.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “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. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11191490, filed 2019-03, 108 miles

    “After 87k my 2011 vw CC has an issue with the timing chain tension and has ruined my engine in less than 72 hours. I received a check engine light notification and immediately scheduled a service appointment, but by the time I got it into the shop, my engine was destroyed. Even though I never received a low oil notification, I noticed the oil was low by the dip stick and therefore added a few quarts of oil. When I got to the dealership for service the engine was almost completely out of oil and my engine was damaged. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11111671, filed 2018-07, 87,000 miles
  2. Fuel system

    Stalling, no start, or loss of power

    • 30 complaints (35%)
    • median 86,000 mi at 6.6 yrs old (20 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $1,400 (median of 5 quotes)
    • filed 2015–2019

    Owners report the engine cutting out while driving — at highway speed, at intersections, or while pulling away — sometimes with a check engine light and sometimes with no warning at all. Some vehicles restarted after being cycled off and on; others needed towing. Dealers diagnosed fuel pump or fuel pump control module failure, throttle body, intake manifold, or a broken camshaft adjustment valve, and some repairs were repeated when the light returned. Reported from about 39,000 to 165,000 miles, with many cases in the 70,000 to 120,000 range and no single driving condition.

    Recall 17V5090004 related service bulletins

    What to check: Confirm whether recall 17V509000 for the fuel pump control module has been completed, and ask whether the fuel pump or pump module has been replaced. A test drive that includes a stop-and-go stretch and a scan for stored check engine codes are useful.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “My car shut down while I was driving the car had fuel and wasn't able to register there was fuel in the car and was told it was the throttle body and that my converter went bad. It had all the signs of a fuel component problem. I am told the converter and throttle body damage can be directly from the fuel pump issues.”

    NHTSA complaint #11102476, filed 2018-06, 112,000 miles

    “I received a notice that my fuel pump was being recalled for safety precautions. I immediately called my local vw dealership and they proceeded to tell me that even though this was a safety issue, the part was not yet available for the dealerships to repair. I have had issues with the car not going when I press on the gas and then all of a sudden it goes from 5 MPH-55 MPH without me initiating it. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11062046, filed 2018-01, 44,000 miles
  3. Air bags

    Air bag recall parts unavailable (Takata inflator)

    • 28 complaints (33%)
    • median 50,000 mi at 5.8 yrs old (12 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2014–2022

    Many owners received notification of the driver's frontal air bag inflator recalls but were told by their dealer that the replacement part was not available. Several describe repeat visits, waiting months or years, and being unable to sell or trade the car while the recall stayed open. A few report the air bag warning light coming on after hearing a pop or grinding noise from the steering wheel, and one reports the air bags not deploying in a crash. Reported across all mileages, including vehicles under 30,000 miles, usually after a recall notice rather than a specific driving condition.

    Recall 16V078000Recall 18V148000

    What to check: Ask the dealer to run the VIN and confirm both air bag campaigns are closed rather than merely parts-ordered, since owners report waiting long periods. Check that the air bag and horn work and that no air bag warning light stays on.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Takata recall #69m9, NHTSA #16v078 - my local deal advised me they still do not have the parts to fix for this problem. My vehicle is identified as being in your zone a (high priority for repair). This repair is a critical safety issue and needs to be corrected asap. When can I expect my vehicle will be repaired? Do I need to take legal action to get vw to resolve this critical safety problem?”

    NHTSA complaint #10920274, filed 2016-10, 21,330 miles

    “Takata recall. I am in a position where I cannot trade in my car due to this recall. It is frustrating as I have a new job I do a lot of driving and was looking to get a safer more economical awd car. I am at a loss that I am stuck until there is a fix which has no estimated time frame.”

    NHTSA complaint #10928797, filed 2016-11, 72,000 miles
  4. Steering

    Loss of power steering assist or steering lock message

    • 11 complaints (13%)
    • median 66,500 mi at 5.0 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2013–2020

    Owners report the steering suddenly becoming very heavy or locking, sometimes with a red steering wheel warning light, and in some cases the engine shutting off at the same moment. Several describe a steering wheel lock or steering column message on the dash, mainly on cold starts, and one reports it taking real effort to move the wheel at speed. Dealers diagnosed a steering control module, steering rack short, or steering gear box failure. Reported from about 35,000 to 140,000 miles, with several complaints tied to cold weather starts.

    What to check: Start the car from cold and confirm the steering feels normal and no steering warning message appears; repeat the start a few times. Ask whether the steering control module or rack has been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “While turning onto a major intersection, a red steering wheel light popped up on my dash display and the steering wheel locked immediately... It took a great deal of strength to get my car to safety in a parking lot before the steering wheel could not be moved at all. Contacted the dealership I bought it from as I only had the car for 2 days.”

    NHTSA complaint #10664431, filed 2014-12, 38,600 miles

    “Started the car and the red steering wheel light came on. I have no power steering. Turned the car off, restarted and power steering was active and red light was off but the effort to turn was lighter than normal. The next time we started the car we had no power steering again. This is very dangerous, when it does work it over corrects the steering at highway speeds. When not working my wife can not turn the wheel. The dealer diagnosed a short in the steering rack. $2000 to fix something that should last at least 100,000 miles.”

    NHTSA complaint #10863483, filed 2016-05, 75,000 miles
  5. Air bags

    Clock spring failure (horn and air bag warning)

    Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

    Owners describe the horn and steering wheel buttons stopping working, sometimes with a pop from the wheel and the air bag warning light coming on; one dash message reports a clock spring problem with the steering wheel. Complaints say a mechanic advised the air bag would not work in a crash, and that the remedy is replacement of the clock spring in the steering column. Reported from around 30,000 to 165,000 miles, with several owners citing failures in the 40,000 to 60,000 mile range.

    Recall 15V4830001 related service bulletin

    What to check: With the car running, check that the horn sounds and the steering wheel buttons work, and confirm no air bag light remains on after start-up. Ask whether the clock spring recall 15V483000 was applied.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “While driving my steering wheel controls stopped functioning to include my horn, airbag, esp, and traction control. After researching the web I found this is a common issue on all vw models and occurs around 40,000 miles. Apparently the vw clockspring in the steering column assembly has a design flaw, and there is no recall at this time.”

    NHTSA complaint #10561143, filed 2014-01, 38,650 miles

    “For no apparent reason, steering clock spring ceased function, resulting in the loss of steering wheel controls, but more importantly, the horn and driver's side airbag. Upon internet search, this is a very common problem, starting at 50,000 miles.”

    NHTSA complaint #10958624, filed 2017-03, 120,000 miles

Buying note. If you are considering a 2011 CC, the most important checks are the open air bag and fuel pump recalls and evidence that the timing chain tensioner has been updated, since that repair is costly when it happens out of warranty. Service records for oil changes and any fuel system or steering work are worth more than mileage alone on this model year.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 86 consumer complaints for the 2011 Volkswagen CC. 56 of the complaints include a mileage, and 34% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 71,075 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 835 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 7 Volkswagen CC model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 22 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Engine cooling (1), Body and structure (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “Two years ago they promised to replace airbags but have not done so. We want to get new car but we cannot sell it with this recall in effect. How can we get them to fix our car. Or can we make them buy it bach.”

NHTSA complaint #10945196, filed 2017-01, 30,000 miles

Engine: “I have taken my car to vw service department 5 times since 3/23/18 for an engine light problem. First it was the throttle body, then it was the fuel system, next the intake manifold. The car is back at the dealer because the engine light is on again. Vw of america is not helpful at all.”

NHTSA complaint #11092273, filed 2018-05, 70,150 miles

Fuel system: “I was driving this car with my kids in the back seat. Car stopped suddenly in the middle of the street. Moved my car with the help of others and the car restarted when I switched off and on the car.”

NHTSA complaint #11061532, filed 2018-01, 125,000 miles

Steering: “Receiving a steering lock msg when attempting to start the car , recently received a recall notice and when called to obtain additional information the service techs advised it would cost 122.71 to run the diagnosis. When I protested I was advised that the recall did not have anything to do with the steering column but a spring in the steering which would not cause this error! …”

NHTSA complaint #10780651, filed 2015-10

Mileage when problems were reported

34% of the 56 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 38,650 and 112,000 miles.

5%0–1011%10–2518%25–5018%50–7518%75–10025%100–1505%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (56 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 71,075 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

20112013201520172420192022
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 Volkswagen CC. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
CC · sedan AWDnot rated———4
CC · sedan FWDnot rated———4

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2011 Volkswagen CC version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
CC FWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed manual213125$3,300
CC FWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed automatic223125$3,300
CC 4motion AWD3.6L 6-cyl6-speed automatic172520$4,100

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2011 Volkswagen CC → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 835 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 835 bulletins →

Other model years of the Volkswagen CC

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20162640,5006—258 · FewerFalling
20153035,0004—250 · FewerFalling
20148034,0005—2555 · TypicalFalling
201314845,0005—2555 · TypicalFalling
201223067,9006—2569 · MoreFalling
20118671,0754—2522 · FewerFalling
201024278,0004—2573 · MoreFalling
200913683,0004—2345 · TypicalStable

All Volkswagen CC model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Volkswagen CC?

Owners of the 2011 Volkswagen CC most often write about two very different things: long-running air bag recall notices (Takata inflators and the steering wheel clock spring) that many say went unfixed for months because parts were unavailable, and engine problems — above all timing chain tensioner failures that sometimes ended in engine replacement. The issues reported most often: Timing chain tensioner failure and engine damage; Stalling, no start, or loss of power; Air bag recall parts unavailable (Takata inflator).

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011 Volkswagen CC have?

NHTSA recorded 86 consumer complaints for the 2011 Volkswagen CC as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2011 Volkswagen CC is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 32 complaints (37% of the total), followed by engine with 26.

Has the 2011 Volkswagen CC been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2011 Volkswagen CC get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Volkswagen CC (CC, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 25 mpg combined, 21 city and 31 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2011 Volkswagen CC reported?

Among the 56 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 71,075 miles and the middle half falls between 38,650 and 112,000 miles; 34% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.