The Volkswagen CC Years To Avoid
The Volkswagen CC, a sleek and stylish four-door coupe, has been a popular choice among car enthusiasts since its introduction in 2008. However, it was often criticized because the car embodied “style over function,” with its cramped interior, compromised visibility, and hard-to-access cabin. On the other hand, it was hard to deny that the CC offers a stylish and luxurious experience which helped fuel its relatively successful run.
If you’re looking for a keenly-priced family car that delivers style and a premium feel, the Volkswagen CC is certainly worth looking into. Plus, the vehicle also offers a well-rounded performance and good safety ratings. With available model years from 2009-2017, you have a healthy selection for a used Volkswagen CC.
However, like any vehicle, the CC has its strengths and weaknesses, and certain model years have proven more reliable than others. If you want to make the most of your used car purchase, you must know the Volkswagen CC years to avoid.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE VOLKSWAGEN CC
Prioritizing comfort and fuel efficiency, this popular vehicle is an especially good used car for commuters. Still, you’ll only want to buy one of the most reliable Volkswagen CC years instead of a used Volkswagen CC from any model year.
Today, we highlight the worst Volkswagen CC model years any used car buyer should avoid and offer insights into why they might not be worth your time and money. Let’s get to it.
Which Volkswagen CC Years To Avoid?
First, let’s check out the overall reliability rating of the Volkswagen CC. According to RepairPal, the Volkswagen CC’s reliability is rated 2.5 out of 5, ranking it last out of 24 midsize cars. With an average annual repair cost of $880 and frequent repair needs, its ownership costs are also higher than average.
With that said, below are the worst Volkswagen CC years to avoid for used car buyers:
- 2009 Volkswagen CC
- 2010 Volkswagen CC
- 2011 Volkswagen CC
- 2012 Volkswagen CC
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2009 Volkswagen CC
It’s practically sage advice, but it bears repeating. In general, you’ll want to avoid the first production years, especially when buying a used unit. When a car model is first introduced, it often comes with unforeseen issues that the manufacturer may not have identified during testing. These issues are usually resolved in subsequent models after feedback from early customers. This definitely applies to the 2009 CC.
CarComplaints has documented 216 complaints and four recalls for the 2009 Volkswagen CC. One of the worst reliability issues of this model year is engine failure. One owner reported that their check engine light came on, and the car ran poorly. After multiple repairs and replacements, including the intake manifold and spark plugs, the car still didn’t run.
Meanwhile, another owner had to replace the engine before reaching 100,000 miles. They had already paid around $3,000 to replace seized balance shafts and all of the timing chains, guides, and tensioners.
In addition, the 2009 CC also received complaints of engine stalls and a broken fuel pump. With such a problematic engine, we can’t recommend the 2009 Volkswagen CC.
2010 Volkswagen CC
The 2010 Volkswagen CC belongs in this list because it has received the most number of complaints on CarComplaints at 387 reports and four recalls. Its top reliability woes are check engine light issues, stalling engine, and transmission failure – so you probably have a good idea why it’s a unit to avoid.
With 12 written complaints, many owners bemoaned the car’s check engine light issues. One customer regretted buying the car due to constant, costly problems. The check engine light signaled a misfire, but their mechanic couldn’t diagnose it. Eventually, a Volkswagen dealership found a blown engine. Despite warranty coverage, the experience was frustrating. They question why Volkswagen hasn’t recalled the problematic 2.0 L turbo engine.
Another cardinal sin of the 2010 CC is the transmission issues. Many reports described situations where the transmission disengaged while driving, causing the car to lose speed on the highway. Others experienced problems with the vehicle not engaging when trying to park or reverse, requiring them to restart the car to resolve the issue.
With these major mechanical issues, you’ll save much money and frustration by avoiding the 2010 CC.
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Because the car buying experience is so stressful, it’s helpful to go into the dealership with information ahead of time. Therefore, we’ve curated a list of the 10 most reliable American cars so you can approach the process from a place of empowerment.
2011 Volkswagen CC
The 2011 Volkswagen CC received fewer complaints than the two previous models but, unfortunately, still struggled with widespread problems. According to CarComplaints, the 2011 CC received 147 complaints and four recalls.
The primary issue with the 2011 CC is the defective timing chain. The CC, among other VW models, is known to have timing chain issues. Designed to last the car’s lifetime, the timing chain has been reported to fail early, causing significant engine damage. The main concern is the failure of the timing chain tensioner, leading to the timing chain slipping. This can cause the engine’s pistons and valves to collide, resulting in severe engine failure.
This problem is pervasive in VW vehicles produced between 2008 and 2013, including the 2011 CC. Volkswagen faced a class-action lawsuit over this issue, with allegations that the company knew about the problem and should have informed consumers. In 2018, Volkswagen settled the case, offering to reimburse owners for repair costs and related expenses.
2012 Volkswagen CC
CarComplaints named the 2012 Volkswagen CC as the worst model year of this stylish coupe. It racked up 384 complaints and six recalls – making it one of the Volkswagen CC years to avoid when shopping for a used model.
Sadly, the 2012 Volkswagen CC grappled with severe engine failure leading to expensive repairs. The average repair cost was around $6,100, and the average mileage at the time of the failure was approximately 87,100 miles.
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Once again, the timing chain problem has reared its ugly head for this model. Some owners reported sudden loss of power while driving on the interstate, with no prior warning signs. In several cases, the timing chain tensioner was found to be the culprit, causing the timing chain to slip and leading to catastrophic engine damage.
Despite some of these vehicles being under warranty, owners reported high repair costs and expressed frustration with Volkswagen’s handling of the issue. These complaints highlight the importance of thoroughly researching and inspecting a used car before purchase, especially for known problems with specific models and years.
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