The Lemon Index
201120131st generation
About average · most complaints: airbags
Better years to buy
31 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–25 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2012 Toyota Camry 662012 Honda Accord 512012 Nissan Altima 34
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2012 Volkswagen CC
- Fuel pump39 complaintsmostly at 64,000–95,000 miles (103,000–153,000 km)
- Engine stalling33 complaintsmostly at 54,000–105,000 miles (87,000–169,000 km)
- Timing chain18 complaintsmostly at 80,000–101,000 miles (129,000–163,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 230 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 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
Most problems on this year showed up between 22,000 and 55,000 miles (35,000–89,000 km) (the middle half of the 29 complaints, of all 31 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 18V329000 (unknown or other), 18V148000 (airbags) and 17V509000 (fuel system, gasoline) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Volkswagen sent dealers 991 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 31 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 22K to 55K miles (35K to 89K km) on the car (29 of all 31 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 2012 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 991 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
- Tech Tips (Comfort Module (J393) or BCM (J519) Replacement): This document informs if a…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- Unknown or other · recall issued 2018
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.
- 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.
Show all 6 recalls
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
- 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.
- Tires · recall issued 2011
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…
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. 2012 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.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/volkswagen-cc/?y=2012" 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/2012/">Lemon Index</a> (2012 Volkswagen CC reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2012 Volkswagen CC reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew a bit more than the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 113; 100 is average, lower is better). The Volkswagen CC year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2011.
What are the most common 2012 Volkswagen CC problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (29%), electrical (26%) and steering (23%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Volkswagen CC have?
6 safety recalls (latest: unknown or other). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Volkswagen CC get?
20 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2012 Volkswagen CC problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 22,000 and 55,000 miles (35,000–89,000 km) (the middle half of the 29 complaints, of all 31 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2012 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2012 Volkswagen CC have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2012 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 2012 Volkswagen CC have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
What Volkswagen CC year is better than the 2012?
Nearby, the 2011 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a quarter as many complaints as the average car).
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