Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Volkswagen CC owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was leaving the store when I noticed my vehicular wouldn't go over 30 MPH. I pulled into another store to assess the situation. When I turned my car back on and was attempting to leave my car stopped working. I had it towed to the shop and they advised me to call Volkswagen because this issues was likely covered under a warranty. I called volkeswagen and they said my warranty would cover it up to 120K miles and to take it to the local dealership. I had the car towed again to the dealership and they informed me that the timing chain was broken and they said my warranty just expired at 100K miles. My car has 108K miles. After doing a lot of research I found this to be a frequent problem with this manufacture. I also found that there was already a class action lawsuit but my vehicle wasn't in the peramiters because of the mileage (ends at 100K). …
2011 vw sport CC - less than 52,000 miles. Stalls while driving on the interstate. Dealer advised timing chain issues and while repairing the engine they had to replace unreliable parts. Known issue but none under recall. They said a screen shattered in the engine, a known issue is what caused all of this. All manufacturing error. Customer care admitted that and so did the dealer service department. Quote $1400. Then the next day they "discovered" the car needed a new cam shaft. New quote $2200. Nothing under warranty/recall . Vw customer care told me to save my receipts incase a recall comes about but did not care about the safety of the car or the fact they are replacing unreliable parts. If they know they are unreliable why are they not on recall. Wrote a letter to the ceo and got the cost reduced to $1400. …
Vw & Audi timing chain tensioner defect ' class action lawsuit. Engine failed due to timing chain tensioner defect. The vehicle was stationary. Went to start vw CC and it had a delayed or slow crank. When the engine started it was vibrating like crazy. Had the car towed to the dealer and a few days later was told that it was the timing had slipped due to the tensioner. I did some research and found out about the class action lawsuit. According to the information presented on carcomplaints.com several bulletins in regards to this issue where sent to the dealers service departments and of course the service manager that I am dealing with has no knowledge of such an issue and has worked at the dealership for many years and it would cost $3000 - $9000 depending on engine damage but most likely need a new engine. …
I was driving the engine died at freeway speeds. With no power it was dangerous for me to get to the side of the road safely. If it had been at night, im not sure I would hve made it. The problem turned out to be n205 valve. It is a know problem that there is a screen that can fall apart and block the valve from moving oil to the cam shaft. Causing the timing to move and cause catastrophic engine failure. The mechanics at the dealership say it is a issue they see all the time. They said the new version of the part is to correct that. Problem is when catastrophic engine failure happens the dealership attitude seems to be we know its a problem but if the cost is to high to fix, they will not do any thing until there is a recall. That puts peoples safety at risque because of there unwillingness to fix the problem due to the companies bottom line.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen CC. While driving unknown speeds, the vehicle stalled and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to eastside Volkswagen (28400 chardon rd, willoughby hills, oh 44092) where it was diagnosed that the positive crankcase ventilation and fuel pump module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The following day, the check engine indicator illuminated again. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer several times, but a failure could not be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000.
After 87K my 2011 vw CC has an issue with the timing chain tension and has ruined my engine in less than 72 hours. I received a check engine light notification and immediately scheduled a service appointment, but by the time I got it into the shop, my engine was destroyed. Even though I never received a low oil notification, I noticed the oil was low by the dip stick and therefore added a few quarts of oil. When I got to the dealership for service the engine was almost completely out of oil and my engine was damaged. The total estimate for repairs is over $10,000 and therefore exceeds the value of the vehicle($5K).
Timing belt tensioner failed due to the orig design of the part. Volkswagen knew it was an issue and redesigned the part. But they left the original purchaser with the orig defective part. When that part fails, it causes a catastrophic engine failure. Which leaves the orig purchaser to replace their engines at their own cost. The fact that the part fails while driving is a safety issue, it causes the car to loose all power regardless of the speed, driving conditions and locations. Stranding the owner in a possibly precarious situation that could cause injury or death.
Vehicle keeps misfiring. Check engine light remains on. Epc light comes on periodically after fuel pump was replaced. While driving car jerks and check engine light begins to flash. Lots of wear to tires within a few thousand miles. Breaks must be push on hard to stop. The dealership said the only thing that was wrong was a code for carbon buildup. Dealership would not provide code just a price of $1000. Spark plugs and coils were changed before purchasing vehicle. I'm certain the fuel pump was not changed. The vehicle uses 1/8 of a tank to warm up.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen CC. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning and was unable to restart. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic who diagnosed that the timing chain tension cylinder and the engine assembly needed to be replaced. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V078000 (air bags) and 15V483000 (air bags). The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen CC. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle began to hesitate. The vehicle was taken to dublin Volkswagen (6085 scarlett court, dublin, ca 94568) where it was diagnosed that the timing chain tensioner failed and needed replacement. The same dealer repaired the vehicle in 2015, 2016, and 2017 for the same failure. The vehicle was not repaired for the recent failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 194,000.
Engine complaints in other CC years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2011 Volkswagen CC?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2011 Volkswagen CC, 31% of the model year's 86 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 Volkswagen CC engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2011 Volkswagen CC, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2011 Volkswagen CC engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 93,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.