Car Defect Radar
Get the report
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Confirm 4 recalls before you buy.

Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.

Recalls

4 total · 4 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Airbags recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 18V148000 · Mar 2018

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Fuel system recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 17V509000 · Aug 2017

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Airbags recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 16V078000 · Feb 2016

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.

Remedy
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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Airbags recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 15V483000 · Aug 2015

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.

Remedy
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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

86 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
38

Most reports here involve sudden stalling. Of these, 1 mention an injury.

sudden stalling 18transmission slipping 4
A recent report: 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…
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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 ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,700.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11231084 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Minor
3

Most reports here involve sudden stalling.

sudden stalling 2software faults 1
A recent report: THE REAR VIEW CAMERA IMAGE IN THIS CAR'S RADIO (MODEL RNS-510) COMES ON EXTREMELY SLOWLY. IF THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN USED FOR MORE THAN 30 MINS, MOSTLY LIKELY IT WILL TAKE 30 SECONDS FOR THE REAR VIEW…
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THE REAR VIEW CAMERA IMAGE IN THIS CAR'S RADIO (MODEL RNS-510) COMES ON EXTREMELY SLOWLY. IF THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN USED FOR MORE THAN 30 MINS, MOSTLY LIKELY IT WILL TAKE 30 SECONDS FOR THE REAR VIEW CAMERA IMAGE TO SHOW UP ON THE SCREEN, RENDERING THE REAR VIEW CAMERA MOSTLY USELESS. WE HAVE MANY KIDS IN OUR AREA, THIS IS NOT SAFE. I CHECKED THE INTERNET, THERE ARE TONS OF COMPLAINS FROM OTHER DRIVERS ABOUT THIS RADIO FOR THIS ISSUE. VW IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. THIS RADIO NEEDS A FIRMWARE UPDATE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11129414 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Minor
1

Most reports here involve loss of braking.

loss of braking 1
A recent report: COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE BRAKES. TRIED TO STOP AT 90 DEGREE TURN AND PEDAL WENT WITHIN TWO INCHES OF THE FLOOR. CAR HAD ALMOST NO BRAKES. WENT OFF THE ROAD BUT WAS ABLE TO KEEP IT OUT OF 6 FOOT DITCH…
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COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE BRAKES. TRIED TO STOP AT 90 DEGREE TURN AND PEDAL WENT WITHIN TWO INCHES OF THE FLOOR. CAR HAD ALMOST NO BRAKES. WENT OFF THE ROAD BUT WAS ABLE TO KEEP IT OUT OF 6 FOOT DITCH. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THAT A FAILURE IN THE VACUUM PUMP CAUSED THE PROBLEM. THIS FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A BROKEN PART INSIDE. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. NO WARNING OF FAILURE WHATSOEVER. VW TREATED IT LIKE IT WAS THE SAME AS A FLAT TIRE. I FELT IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND ASKED TO BE REMOVED FROM THE REMAINDER OF THE LEASE. I WAS TOLD THEY DON'T DO THAT. I TRADED THE CAR FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE AS I FELT THE VW CC WAS COMPLETELY UNSAFE. *TR

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10507477 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
15

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 5loss of steering 4premature wear 2
A recent report: 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…
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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 MILEAGE WAS 127,000.*DT THE CONSUMER STATED THEY HAD TO MAKE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FACT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THEIR VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TR

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11384681 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
24

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

airbags not deploying 3airbags deploying unexpectedly 1
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11475774 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
2

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 1
A recent report: THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FELL OFF WHEN THE HINGE SNAPPED UPON OPENING. ALSO, THE UNDER BODY SHIELD FELL OFF, EXPOSING THE BRAKE LINES TO ROAD DEBRIS THAT MAY HIT IT. *TR

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10515493 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
3

Most reports here involve unintended acceleration.

unintended acceleration 1
A recent report: THEY SENTIDO ME A LETTER

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11034445 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 86 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2011 and 2022, roughly 8 a year, which is about the same as the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2011 has 86 complaints on file, fewer than the 2010 (242) and fewer than the 2012 (230). Of the 7 model years of the Volkswagen CC we cover, the 2010 has the most (242). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.