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2012 Volkswagen CC

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.

Volkswagen CC
Pictured: VW Passat CC 2.0 TDI DSG Reflexsilber. Photo: Thomas doerfer, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.6L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
25 combined · 22 city / 31 hwy
Length
–
Curb weight
–
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
6 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
  • Many owner complaints217 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 53 for similar models — most often about the air bags.
  • 6 recallsMore than similar models (about 3). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 24 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2012 Volkswagen CC is a compact car offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.6L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 25 MPG combined (22 city / 31 highway), 2% worse than the 2012 compact car average of 25.6 MPG, for an estimated $3,300 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 217 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2012

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2011 CC — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 CC →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
CC2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive22 / 31 / 25-2%$3,300355
CC2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive21 / 31 / 24-6%$3,400370
CC 4motion3.6L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive17 / 25 / 20-22%$4,100444
Spend $4,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
25.6 MPG2012 Compact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Volkswagen CC.

Similar 2012 compact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2012 Volkswagen CC (this car)25 MPGNot rated6
2012 Toyota Corolla29 MPGNot rated5
2012 Honda Civic44 MPGNot rated4
2012 Chevrolet Camaro22 MPGNot rated4
2012 Mazda 332 MPGNot rated0
2012 Volkswagen Golf/GTI32 MPGNot rated6
2012 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport30 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (6)

Unknown Or Other · May 16, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V329000 · 252 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI vehicles. 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.
Risk
If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Mar 6, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V148000 · 363,713 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Fix
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.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Aug 16, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V509000 · 280,915 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
If the fuel pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
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.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Feb 10, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V078000 · 659,493 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Fix
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.
Air Bags › Frontal · Aug 4, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V483000 · 415,825 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. 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. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
Risk
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.
Fix
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.
Tires › Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems · Jun 6, 2011

NHTSA campaign 11V312000 · 4 vehicles

Problem
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 WHEELS AND TIRES WERE REPLACED AT THE PORT WITH ACCESSORY WHEELS AND TIRES THAT WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE PROPER TPMS SENSORS.
Risk
WITH THE INCORRECT TPMS SENSORS, DRIVERS WILL RECEIVE A CONSTANT WARNING FROM THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM. THE SYSTEM ALERTS THE DRIVER BUT, DUE TO INCORRECT TPMS SENSORS, THE SYSTEM CANNOT DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE TIRES ARE PROPERLY INFLATED. THIS INCREASES THE RISK THAT THE VEHICLE WILL BE DRIVEN WITH ONE OR MORE UNDERINFLATED TIRES, INCREASING THE RISK OF A TIRE FAILURE THAT MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.
Fix
VOLKSWAGEN WILL REPLACE THE TPMS SENSORS WITH THE PROPER SENSORS TO MAKE THE TPMS SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLES COMPLIANT WITH FMVSS 138. AS OF JUNE 1, 2011, VOLKSWAGEN HAS CONTACTED ALL AFFECTED CUSTOMERS TO SCHEDULE THE REPAIRS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2012 Volkswagen CC is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

217Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
10Involved a crash
2Involved a fire
8Injuries reported
71,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags85
Engine63
Fuel/Propulsion System56
Electrical System35
Steering11
Power Train10
Unknown Or Other9
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)9
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
19/07: 319/08: 119/09: 119/10: 219/12: 120/01: 120/02: 220/03: 120/07: 120/08: 120/10: 120/12: 121/02: 121/03: 121/04: 121/05: 121/07: 221/08: 221/09: 122/11: 123/05: 124/04: 124/05: 125/04: 119/0719/1020/0220/0821/0221/0521/0924/04max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2012 Volkswagen CC buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 85 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Engine — 63 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Fuel/Propulsion System — 56 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 71,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Volkswagen CC. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other CC years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2017 CC25189 inNot rated34
2016 CC25189 inNot rated626
2015 CC25189 inNot rated430
2014 CC25189 inNot rated578
2013 CC25189 inNot rated5138
2011 CC25–Not rated477
2010 CC25–Not rated4199
2009 CC25–Not rated3106

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volkswagen. How we calculate this →