The Lemon Index
201220141st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 15,672 in the U.S. in 2013 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 72 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
72 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–25 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2013 Toyota Camry 292013 Honda Accord 1042013 Nissan Altima 194
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2013 Volkswagen CC
- Engine stalling13 complaintsmostly at 10,000–70,000 miles (16,000–113,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 148 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 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 12,000 and 43,000 miles (19,000–69,000 km) (the middle half of the 34 complaints, of all 72 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 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Volkswagen sent dealers 1026 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “All models experience the timing chain slipping, rattling noises of the engine after starting”?
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 72 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 12K to 43K miles (19K to 69K km) on the car (34 of all 72 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.
In owners' words
Excessive high idle causing car hard to brake. I need to constantly apply high brake pressure to keep the car stopped. Idle stays above 900 rpm all the time.
2013 Volkswagen CC owner · NHTSA complaint 10536986
More owner reports
Have not received appt for recall of my tacit air bags.
NHTSA complaint 10915057
Takata recall. Vw dealer says no remedy available.
NHTSA complaint 10855625
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 2013 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 1026 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- All models experience the timing chain slipping, rattling noises of the engine after starting
- When not driven for long periods of time, would have engine crank, but no start
- High pressure fuel pump diagnosis
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- 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 5 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.
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 FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Volkswagen CC 4 DR AWD | 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. 2013 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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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2013 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/volkswagen-cc/?y=2013" 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/2013/">Lemon Index</a> (2013 Volkswagen CC reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2013 Volkswagen CC reliable?
We can't score it: only 15,672 were sold in the U.S. in 2013 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 72 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2013 Volkswagen CC problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (60%), engine (14%) and electrical (8%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Volkswagen CC have?
5 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 2013 Volkswagen CC get?
20 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2013 Volkswagen CC problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 12,000 and 43,000 miles (19,000–69,000 km) (the middle half of the 34 complaints, of all 72 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2013 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 2013 Volkswagen CC have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2013 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 2013 Volkswagen CC have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
What Volkswagen CC year is better than the 2013?
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