CC (1st)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
2.0-I4-Gas
2.0L 4-cyl / 200 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
EA855 BGP/BGQ
2.5L 5-cyl / 170 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Volkswagen CC Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
EA390 VR6
3.6L 6-cyl / 280 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
2.0 TSI
2.0L 4-cyl Turbo / 200 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Volkswagen CC, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2009-2017 Volkswagen CC
On a used 2009-2017 Volkswagen CC, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the airbags and driver-assist systems (426), the fuel system (222) and the engine (202). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 426 owner complaints on the 2009-2017 Volkswagen CC about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
- Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 222 owner complaints on the 2009-2017 Volkswagen CC about the fuel system, all engines combined.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 202 owner complaints on the 2009-2017 Volkswagen CC about the engine, all engines combined.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 135 owner complaints on the 2009-2017 Volkswagen CC about the electrical system.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 80 owner complaints on the 2009-2017 Volkswagen CC about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
Recalls (12)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Touareg GP, Tiguan, Golf A6, E-Golf GP, CCF, 2016-2017 Passat GP, 2018-2019 Golf R GP, and 2018 Atlas vehicles. These internal-use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Tiguan and CC vehicles. The air bag Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may have a defective power supply capacitor that can result in air bag deactivation or inadvertent deployment of the air bags.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015 Passat, 2015-2016 Eos, 2015-2017 CC, 2016-2017 TT Roadster, TT Coupe, 2017 Audi R8 Coupe, and R8 Spyder vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
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.
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.
Show 7 older recalls
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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016-2017 CC vehicles. Incorrect front seat head restraints (rests) may have been installed, possibly resulting in the seat occupant's head being inadequately restrained in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 202a, "Head Restraints."
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 CC vehicles manufactured January 12, 2016, to February 3, 2016, Golf R and Tiguan vehicles manufactured November 25, 2015, to January 28, 2016, and e-Golf vehicles manufactured November 25, 2015, to January 11, 2016. Vibrations, such as those created by opening and closing a vehicle door, may cause the rear child door locks to disengage, allowing a child to open a rear door while inside the vehicle.
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.
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.
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012, CC VEHICLES, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138, "TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS)." THE FACTORY INSTALLED WHEELS AND TIRES WERE REPLACED AT THE PORT WITH ACCESSORY WHEELS AND TIRES THAT WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE PROPER TPMS SENSORS.
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 5,000 MY 2009 CC VEHICLES. SOME AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN INCORRECTLY ROUTED RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE WIRING HARNESS, CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR WIRES TO BECOME DAMAGED WHEN THE SEAT IS MOVED FULLY UP OR DOWN OR BACK AND FORTH. IF THIS WIRING DAMAGE OCCURS, THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE WILL SWITCH TO A FALLBACK ALGORITHM AND DEACTIVATE THE PASSENGER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG.
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Alternatives in Midsize Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2009-2017 Volkswagen CC complaints?
Owners have filed 980 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009-2017 Volkswagen CC. The systems they name most often are the safety systems, the fuel system and the engine.
Is the 2009-2017 Volkswagen CC a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 980 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009-2017 Volkswagen CC. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009-2017 Volkswagen CC have?
NHTSA has 980 owner complaints on file for the 2009-2017 Volkswagen CC as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2009-2017 Volkswagen CC?
NHTSA lists 12 recalls covering some 2009-2017 Volkswagen CC vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Volkswagen CC?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the safety systems, the fuel system and the engine, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the CC?
The 2017 Volkswagen CC received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 4 stars. Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: Optional. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 980 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.