The Lemon Index
20121st generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: steering
Fewest complaints of its generation (1st generation).
9 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–25 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2011 Toyota Camry 612011 Honda Accord 302011 Nissan Altima 17
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2011 Volkswagen CC
- Timing chain10 complaintsmostly at 76,000–93,000 miles (122,000–150,000 km)
- Fuel pump9 complaintsmostly at 95,000–112,000 miles (153,000–180,000 km)
- Engine stalling9 complaintsmostly at 70,000–120,000 miles (113,000–193,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 86 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Volkswagen CC (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Only 9 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 18V148000 (airbags), 17V509000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 16V078000 (airbags) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Is the stability-control light off on a test drive?
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Volkswagen sent dealers 835 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Stiff steering paired with yellow and red warning lights”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Volkswagen's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 9 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 18K to 38K miles (29K to 62K km) on the car (9 of all 9 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 19.5M views · 2009–2017 Volkswagen CC
Most-watched topics
- Gauges, lights & wiring488K views
How to fix the "Adaptive front lighting system (AFS) failure" error message on a 2013+ VW CCChris Miller · 385K views · 4 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical372K views
Radio install VW CC 2009-2015Enfig · 153K views · 5 videos - Cooling system174K views
2012 Volkswagen CC 2.0 TSI Engine: Thermostat ReplacementBryan Fagerstrom · 141K views · 4 videos - Oil changes & service147K views
2012 Volkswagen CC Sport Oil ChangeDude's Do It Yourself · 64K views · 4 videos
Show 2 more
- Brakes & ABS111K views
VW Passat CC 2010 EPB reset. Parking brake error see owner's manual.Alec Ovchinnikov · 111K views - Intake, EGR & engine sensors41K views
2010 vw cc/passat code p0070 ambient temp sensor fault fixed!!Kwame1 · 41K views
Before you buy, watch
Should You Buy a VW PASSAT CC? (Test Drive & Review 2013 CC 2.0TDI)High Peak Autos · 242K views
2009 Volkswagen Passat CC Review by Ron Doronthedriversseat · 647K views
VW CC 2013 review - Car KeysCar Keys UK · 314K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2011 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Volkswagen told dealers about
Volkswagen sent dealers 835 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Stiff steering paired with yellow and red warning lights
- Some consumers may complain that the steering is stiff
- Technical Bulletin (Insufficient Steering Assistance): A Customer may comment about the…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Airbags · recall issued 2018
Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2017
Interruption of electrical power to the fuel pump control module may cause the fuel pump to fail.
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Show all 4 recalls
- Airbags · recall issued 2015
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Volkswagen CC recall, all years · All Volkswagen recalls
Government investigations
- ClosedClockspring failure2018–2026
- ClosedAir bag clockspring failure2017–2018
- ClosedAir bag clockspring failure2015
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen CC 4 DR AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Volkswagen CC 4 DR FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,000–$3,750 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
Every Volkswagen CC year. 2011 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 1 older years (2009–2009, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 3 Volkswagen CC years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2011 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/volkswagen-cc/?y=2011" title="Volkswagen CC reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="261" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/volkswagen-cc/2011/">Lemon Index</a> (2011 Volkswagen CC reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2011 Volkswagen CC reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew about a quarter as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 25; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2011 Volkswagen CC problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (33%), stability control (22%) and visibility (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 Volkswagen CC have?
4 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Volkswagen CC get?
20 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2011 Volkswagen CC have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2011 Volkswagen CC cost in fuel a year?
About $3,000 to $3,750 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2011 Volkswagen CC have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
Is there a better Volkswagen CC year than the 2011?
Not nearby: the 2011 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Volkswagen CC years within 3 model years of it.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works