2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 587 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 23 C-Class model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 8 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 10 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints
587 reports, newest first.
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 14, 2019
THERE'S BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK (ESL) GOING BAD. I EXPERIENCED THIS DANGER EXACT FAILURE. THE CAR JUST HIT 80,000 MILES AND THIS FAILURE HAPPENED. WHEN THERE ESL LOCKS, YOU CANNOT TURN ON THE CAR TO DO ANYTHING. I HAPPENED TO BE OUT OF TOWN AND I HAD TO GET MY CAR TOWED HOME WHICH COSTED ME OVER $400 AND DIVER THE STEERING WAS LOCKED THEY HAD TO USE SPECIAL DOLLIES TO TOW MY CAR. THE DEALERSHIP WAS GOING TO CHARGE ME $2200 TO DO THE REPAIR WHICH IS UNHEARD OF AND IT'S RIDICULOUS. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND STATIONARITY. PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND NOTHING HAPPENS. I THOUGHT THE ISSUE WAS WITH THE IGNITION BUT IT'S THE STEERING LOCK SINCE IT WILL NOT UNLOCK. THE ISSUE APPEARS TO BE WITH THE MOTOR INSIDE OF THE UNIT FAILING.
Air bags, Dec 10, 2019
MY VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR THE TAKATA AIRBAGS AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MBZUSA IT WILL BE OVER A YEAR BEFORE THEY HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO FIX. TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.
Air bags, Dec 9, 2019
AIR BAG RECALL NOT REPAIRED AND CAN RESULT IN FATALITY
Air bags, Dec 5, 2019
MY PASSENGER SIDE BAG IS A TAKATA. I DRIVE FAMILY MEMBERS IN MY CAR AND I AM WORRIED FOR THEIR SAFETY. MERCEDES BENZ TELLS ME THEY DON'T HAVE A REPLACEMENT AIR BAG FOR ME. I MADE A COMMITMENT TO KEEP THIS CAR UNTIL IT NO LONGER RUNS AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AND MORE IMPORTANTLY I FEEL THAT MANUFACTURERS SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT.
Air bags, Dec 2, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED CRITZ INC. MERCEDES-BENZ OF SAVANNAH (7000 ABERCORN ST, SAVANNAH, GA 31406, (912) 354-7000) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE PENDING AND UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS A VOLUNTARY RECALL AND THAT HE WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN THEY RECEIVED THE PARTS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Nov 26, 2019
NO REMEDY FOR AIRBAG RECALL.
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 22, 2019
THERE ARE SMALL CRACKS THAT HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE TOP OF THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. THIS ALLOWS FUEL TO LEAK OUT OF THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP AND POOL IN THE CENTER OF THE PUMP WHERE THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ELECTRICAL WIRES THAT ARE SUBMERGED IN FUEL. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DEADLY PROBLEM AS THERE IS A REAL POTENTIAL FOR IGNITION OF THE LEAKED FUEL WHICH IS RIGHT UNDERNEATH THE DRIVERS SIDE PASSENGER SEAT WHERE MY 5 YEAR OLD'S CHILD SEAT IS LOCATED. THERE IS ALSO AN EXTREMELY STRONG ODOR OF GAS INSIDE THE CAR WHICH IS STRONG ENOUGH TO CAUSE LIGHT HEADEDNESS AND POSSIBLE SYNCOPE. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE NTSB OPENED UP AN INVESTIGATION OF THIS ISSUE THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION OPENED A PROBE IN JANUARY 2012 AFTER RECEIVING 20 REPORTS IN 2003-2006 E55 AMG VEHICLES AND EXPANDED THE PROBE LAST YEAR INTO ALL 2003-2008 E-CLASS VEHICLES. OWNERS SAID THEY REPORTED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE FUEL BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THEIR VEHICLE, PARTICULARLY AFTER REFILLING THE FUEL TANK. MANY COMPLAINTS SAID THE ODOR SUBSIDED AFTER DRIVING SOME DISTANCE THEREBY LOWERING THE FUEL LEVEL IN THE TANK. OTHER OWNERS REPORTED THEY WOULD ONLY FILL THE GAS TANK TO ABOUT THREE-QUARTERS FULL TO AVOID THE ODOR. SOME OWNERS SAID FUEL LEAKED FROM THE FUEL FILTER/SENDER, LOCATED ON THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, AND COLLECTED ON TOP OF THE TANK. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BUT THERE ARE OTHER MODELS AND YEAR MODELS THAT ARE AFFECTED AND DID NOT FALL UNDER THE MERCEDES RECALL CAMPAIGN.
Air bags, Structure, Nov 22, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED PLAZA MOTORS (LOCATED AT 11654 OLIVE BLVD, CREVE CORE, MO 63141, 314-485-4926) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.*MP CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING IN A SNOW COVER ROAD, HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND REALIZED CAR HIT THE CURVE TAKING DOWN THE PASSENGER BUMPER.*JB
Electrical system, Air bags, Nov 21, 2019
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE I RECEIVE AIRBAG WARNINGS. ONE FOR THE DRIVER SIDE AND ANOTHER ONE FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE. I CAN CLICK ON "OK" TO CLEAR THEM OUT BUT WITH THE AIRBAG RECALL AND NO RESOLUTION I AM FEARFUL OF A MALFUNCTION. I HAD MY CAR TO THE MERCEDES DEALER TWO TIMES AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD NEED TO INVESTIGATE IT, AT MY EXPENSE, WHICH COULD BE ANYWHERE BETWEEN $500-$4500 DEPENDING ON WHAT THEY FIND. WITH A SAFETY ISSUE AT RISK I THINK THE RESPONSIBILITY IS ON MERCEDES TO INVESTIGATE AND CORRECT THIS AT NO EXPENSE TO ME. I WILL HAVE TO SELL THE CAR AND LOSE MONEY OVER IT. I KEEP WAITING FOR THE AIRBAGS IN RECALL TO COME IN AND HAVE BEEN LIVING WITH IT LIKE THIS FOR OVER A YEAR BUT I AM SEEING NO END IN SIGHT TO THE RECALL BEING RESOLVED ANYTIME SOON.
Air bags, Nov 13, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED FIELDS MOTORCARS (4141 N FLORIDA AVE, LAKELAND, FL 33805, (863) 688-8111) AND WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.*DT CONSUMER STATED SHE IS THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND 20,000 MILES IN MARCH 2019.*JB *BF*JB
Air bags, Nov 4, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED JAMES MOTOR COMPANY MERCEDES-BENZ (2440 RICHMOND RD, LEXINGTON, KY 40502, (859) 268-1150) AND MERCEDES-BENZ OF LOUISVILLE (2520 TERRA CROSSING BLVD, LOUISVILLE, KY 40245, (502) 565-4410) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Oct 30, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF CATONSVILLE (LOCATED AT 6631 BALTIMORE NATIONAL PIKE, BALTIMORE, MD 21228, 410-788-7744) AND WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Oct 29, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED. AFTER CONTACTING FLETCHER JONES MERCEDES-BENZ (3300 JAMBOREE RD, NEWPORT BEACH, CA) AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Oct 24, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. PARK PLACE MOTORCARS MERCEDES-BENZ ARLINGTON (4201 BELTWAY PL, ARLINGTON, TX 76018, (833) 666-5434) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO RECEIVE A LOANER VEHICLE BECAUSE A CRASH HAD NOT OCCURRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Oct 21, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *PM*JB
Air bags, Oct 21, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT MERCEDES-BENZ OF LONG BEACH (LOCATED AT 2300 E SPRING ST, SIGNAL HILL, CA 90755, (562) 374-7759) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Oct 16, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF PEMBROKE PINES (954- 644-5035, LOCATED AT 14199 PINES BOULEVARD, PEMBROKE PINES, FL 33027) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Oct 15, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS). MERCEDES-BENZ OF HOUSTON (17510 I45 NORTH FREEWAY, HOUSTON, TX) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Oct 15, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED. AFTER CONTACTING MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH PALM BEACH (9275 ALTERNATE A1 SOUTH, NORTH PALM BEACH, FL) AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Oct 10, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED EURO MOTORCARS BETHESDA (7020 ARLINGTON RD, BETHESDA, MD 20814, (301) 986-8800) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE PENDING AND NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE RECALL. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Oct 7, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017 (AIR BAGS) AND MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: 2019110016. THE CONTACT STATED THAT MERCEDES-BENZ OF HUNT VALLEY (LOCATED AT 9800 YORK RD #2, COCKEYSVILLE, MD 21030, (410) 306-7080) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *PM*JB
Air bags, Oct 3, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED. AFTER CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Sep 25, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS); 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 CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM (LOCATED AT 1 AMB DR NW, ATLANTA, GA 30313, 470-341-5000) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED TIME FRAME FOR WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Sep 19, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT MERCEDES-BENZ OF PLEASANTON (LOCATED AT 5885 OWENS DR, PLEASANTON, CA 94588, (925) 463-2525) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Sep 19, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250W. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT MERCEDES-BENZ OF PORTSMOUTH (LOCATED AT 309 PORTSMOUTH AVE, GREENLAND, NH 03840, (603) 431-8585) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.