Research · Compact Cars

2011 Volkswagen CCRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 86 owner complaints for the 2011 Volkswagen CC. Most complaints involve air bags (32) and engine (26). The EPA rates it 20–25 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
20–25mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Mar 2018
Owner complaints
86
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,100est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Mar 6, 2018NHTSA 18V148000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Aug 16, 2017NHTSA 17V509000

Air bags: inflator module

Remedy pending

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.

Air bagsReported Feb 10, 2016NHTSA 16V078000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

86 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2011 – Jul 2022
  1. Air bags32
  2. Engine26
  3. Fuel/propulsion system16
  4. Steering13
  5. Electrical system7
  6. Power train6
  7. Fuel system, gasoline3
  8. Electronic stability control (esc)3
  9. Vehicle speed control2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each CC model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2009136
2010242
201186
2012230
2013148
201480
201530
201626
20174
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

32 reports2 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 25, 2022Air bagsODI 11475774

Engine

26 reports
“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 WITH THIS MANUFACTURE. I ALSO FOUND THAT THERE WAS ALREADY A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT BUT MY VEHICLE WASN'T IN THE PERAMITERS BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE (ENDS AT 100K). I NEVER RECEIVED NOTICE OF THE RECALL OR I WOULD HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO GET LOOKED AT BEFORE THE 100K MIKE CUTOFF. BECAUSE THEY SAID THIS WASN'T COVERED IN THE WARRANTY, I LOOKED INTO BUYING ANOTHER CAR FROM THEM. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY COULD GIVE ME $250 FOR MY VEHICLE. NOW I KNOW VOLKSWAGEN IS TRYING TO AVOID PAYING…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 25, 2019Unknown or other, EngineODI 11191490

Fuel/propulsion system

16 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 11, 2019Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11231084
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 3.6L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
CC
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
223125$3,100355
CC
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
213125$3,100355
CC 4motion
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
172520$3,850444
  • CC
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 31 hwy · $3,100/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • CC
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 31 hwy · $3,100/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • CC 4motion
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,850/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 Volkswagen CC as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 635Vehicle 472
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2011 CC questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Volkswagen CC have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2011 Volkswagen CC problems?

Owners filed 86 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (32), engine (26), fuel/propulsion system (16). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2011 Volkswagen CC get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Volkswagen CC at 20–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026