Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Volkswagen CC owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The Power Steering keeps failing while driving. It is available for inspection, ASAP. This is a very dangerous hazard to lose the ability to steer the vehicle at any speed. I have not taken to my mechanic, yet. I have read all sorts of problems with steering since the Takata Air Bag Replacement Recall. Ever since the AirBag Replacement, many of my warning lights have been illuminated. The Dealer told me it is due to the Sensors on my Tires. I see they were previously recalled and now I have a problem with them, too. Right before the Steering Fails, I hear a gone and the Red Steering Wheel Light illuminates. I am then forced to slowly get off the road, barely able to turn the wheel, turn off the vehicle and re-start the engine to get the Power Steering to Re-Set itself. It is happening more and more often. …
Vehicle stalls when accelerating or traveling at high rates of speed and it will lose power. It bumps and jolts to life. My RPM shoots up and and down. It lags to accelerate when the gas pedal is pressed to accelerate it suddenly jolts. Battery, Epc light, as well as engine light come on immediately.
I was driving on the highway and out of no where it threw its self into neutral and the gear indicator was flashing with a wrench and it can move for like 5 mins then does it again was told the whole MECHtrnical in the transmission
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen CC. While driving uphill at approximately 65 MPH and attempting to pass another vehicle, the contact's vehicle lost acceleration and the epc warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and the engine was turned off. When the vehicle was restarted, the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was coasted to a service station and towed to an independent mechanic (josho auto, 10945 randolph, costa mesa, ca 92626, [phone]) where the vehicle was kept for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. Also, approximately one year ago, the front passenger side of the vehicle was crashed into by another vehicle. None of the air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries that required medical attention. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 Volkswagen CC sport. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, she saw smoke emerging from the vents. Upon exiting the vehicle, the contact heard a loud pop noise and fire began to engulf from the dashboard. There was no crash or injuries due to the fire. The air bags did not deploy. The fire department was contacted and was able to extinguish the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a impound lot. The contact has not notified local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not informed of failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Takata recall. On a daily basis my car loses all electrical power and shuts completely off while driving on a city street, highway and has even happened while turning. It's a tremendous safety concern, as I have to stop in the middle of the road, put the car in park and try restarting. This has caused several car pile ups behind me. Vw stated they are unable to pay to have this recall fixed and stated that I would be responsible for replacing the fuel pump and fuel module. I am not able to cover these expenses. This should be the responsibility of vw corporate to cover and fix this recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen CC. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V509000 (fuel system, gasoline); however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the vehicle would crank when attempting to start the vehicle; however, the vehicle would fail to start. The contact had the vehicle towed approximately six times to the Volkswagen of panama city dealer (3605 e 15th street, panama city, fl 32404; [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the starter and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact replaced the module on the vehicle and the vehicle functioned properly; however, shortly after, the failure recurred. …
I took my car to get this recall done "recall subject : FMVSS 138 TPMS sensor" with campaign number 11V312000, but 2 vw dealership that I visited refused to fix this recall saying that my VIN number doesn't have this recall. (my model has this recall based on this website). However, my car started having this issue a year and half I bought my car. "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." vw said it will cost me $1300 to fix this issue and I know my car has this recall... …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen CC. While driving various speeds, the vehicle decelerated and then accelerated to 80 MPH, the contact had to depress the brake pedal to decelerate. All the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact also stated that the headlights intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to bemer motor cars (9201 richmond ave, houston, tx 77063, phone: [phone]), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was then taken to archer Volkswagen (10400 sw fway, houston, tx 77074, phone: [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the air bag sensor module, the camshaft sensor, radiator core support, front lower control arm, bushings alignment, rear bracket rotors, and brake fluid needed to be replaced. The dealer only made some of the repairs due to the repair cost. The manufacturer was not contacted. …
NHTSA recall number17v509: I had my epc dash light for my vehicle turned on while driving on the highway to my job on 6/14/18 . The drive was really rough and bumpy and the exhaust was fuming with emissions from the back.I eventually got to my job, offed my car and had to get my car towed to my local mechanic on 6/18/18 where he found that the fuel pump module was faulty. He charged me $323.30 out the door for the fuel pump module and labor. I contacted vw to seek for reimbursement on 6/22/18 but was told there is a "pending recall" and that it has not become active yet so they cannot issue me a reimbursement until then. As per NHTSA this recall was known since 8/16/17 and it has now been nearing a year without any resolution. I am seeking to get my amount reimbursed as soon as possible and hoping that NHTSA will be able to assist in this.
Electrical complaints in other CC years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2012 Volkswagen CC?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Volkswagen CC, 17% of the model year's 230 complaints. The component named most often is 12v/24v/48v battery (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Volkswagen CC electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2012 Volkswagen CC, though it has 6 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 2012 Volkswagen CC electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.