Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: running costs are the problem rather than the car itself.
Owners have filed 136 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Volkswagen CC, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 50 | 37% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 14 | 10% |
| Engine | 9 | 7% |
| Engine | 6 | 4% |
| Steering | 6 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 5 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 4 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 2% |
| Seat belts | 3 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN CC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP LEAKED AND SPLASHED FUEL AT ALL TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT WAS SOAKED WITH FUEL AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
VW IS AWARE THAT THERE ARE ISSUES WITH MANY OF THEIR CARS FOR VW/AUDI/PORSCHE WHERE THE TIMING CHAIN GIVES PREMATURELY AND NO RECALL HAS BEEN DONE ON THESE VEHICLES. THERE IS A CIVIL LAWSUIT THAT HAS BEEN SETTLED BUT THE
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
VEHICLE LOSS OF POWER WHILE IN MOTION, ENGINE STALL AND DRAINED BATTERY.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
INTERIOR HEAD LINER CLOTH HAS COME COMPLETELY LOOSE AND OBSCURING LINE OF SIGHT THRU REAR WINDOW. THE CAR IS GARAGE KEPT IT IS 10 YEARS OLD WITH LESS THAN 73K MILES ORIGINAL PURCHASER OWNER. WIFE PULLED IT FROM GARAGE AN
NHTSA complaint: Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN CC. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT, THE BATTERY BECAME DRAINED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
2009 VOLKSWAGEN CC SPORT TURBO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPLACEMENT OF DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE. *LD *TR
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
TAKATA RECALL - I HAVE RECEIVED URGENT RECALLS SINCE APRIL 2016...I HAVE BEEN DRIVING WITH A KNOWN DANGEROUS/DEADLY ISSUE FOR 34 MONTHS...I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE SERVICE COMPLETED, HAVE BEEN ON A WAITING LIST AT SEV
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
THE EPC LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER, I KEPT HAVING TO TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS, AND THEN REAPPLY, IT EVENTUALLY GOT UP TO A DECENT SPEED ON THE INTERSTATE, THEN SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER REGAR
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2009 Volkswagen CC. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
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 Volksw
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 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
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
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
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 5,000 MY 2009 CC VEHICLES. SOME AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN INCORRECTLY ROUTED RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE WIRING HARNESS, CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR WIRES TO BECOME DAMAGED WHEN THE SEAT IS MOVED FULLY UP OR DOWN OR BACK AND FORTH. IF THIS WIRING
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE PASSENGER'S FRONTAL AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT AN OCCUPANT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ADJUST THE ROUTING OF THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WIRING HARNESS. IF A DAMAGED WIRING HARNESS IS FOUND, THE HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXP
| Reliability raw | 64 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 70 | good |
| Maintenance | 56 | average |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 58 | average |
| Efficiency | 37 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 136 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 50 of them (37%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 64/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 70/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2009 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip unless cheap, because running costs are the problem rather than the car itself. Its overall ownership score is 59/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.