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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 10, 2019
I FIRST NOTICED THIS PROBLEM ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY GETTING READY TO PASS A BIG RIG. ABOUT 2 SECONDS AFTER I EXCELERATED I NOTICED THAT I LOST POWER TO THE ENGINE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. I KEPT MY FOOT ON THE PEDAL HOPING TO REGAIN POWER TO PASS THE BIG RIG. I HAD NO SUCH LUCK. SHORTLY AFTER I HAD VEHICLES BEHIND ME HAVING TO SLOW DOWN BECAUSE MY CAR WOULDN'T EXCELERATE TO THE DESIRED SPEED. I FINALLY MADE MY WAY OUT OF THE HIGHWAY TO CHECK MY ENGINE. I COULDN'T SEE A PROBLEM BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON AND THE LOSS OF POWER CONTINUED. I HAD TO DRIVE MY CAR HOME SLOW. THE NEXT DAY I NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD TURNED OFF AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR NORMAL. THE LOSS OF POWER IN THAT SITUATION WAS SCARY AND COULD HAVE GONE A LOT WORSE. I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE SEEN BLOGS AND YOUTUBE VIDEOS WHO DESCRIBE SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. PLEASE HELP FIND A SOLUTION BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT DO TO THIS PROBLEM.
Air bags, Jul 9, 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. I.G. BURTON & CO. INC. (LOCATED AT 509 BAY ROAD, MILFORD, DE 19963, 888-310-0329) WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Jul 5, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. 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. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. 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, Jul 2, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. ATLANTA CLASSIC CARS MERCEDES-BENZ (1705 BOGGS RD NW, DULUTH, GA 30096, (770) 279-3600) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. 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, Jun 20, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300W4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF LITTLETON AT 303-738-7700 (LOCATED AT 8070 S BROADWAY, LITTLETON, CO 80122) 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.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 18, 2019
THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED COULD NOT START THE CAR. CAR WAS DRIVEN THEN TURNED OFF, WHEN YOU RETURN TO THE VEHICLE, IT WILL NOT TURN ON.EVERYTHING WAS UNRESPONSIVE,WHICH WONT TURN ON ENGINE. HAD TO TOW TO DEALERSHIP IT COST ME 1800.00. SO THEY SAID THE ELECTRICAL FOR CAR WAS BAD. THEN MY FUEL TANK LEAKED, THE COMPONETS TO THE FUEL TANK ALL WERE BAD, AND L COULD SMELL THE GAS IN MY CAR AND GARAGE. COST ME 805.00 TO REPAIR. LUCKY IT DID NOT BLOW UP
Engine, Jun 4, 2019
MY C250 STARTED MAKING A NOISE WHEN YOU FIRST START THE CAR. CHOKING AND HESITATIONS TO START, BUT YET WOULD START AFTER A MOMENT OR 2. THE NOISE WAS UNFAMILIAR. THIS NOISE WOULD CONTINUE THROUGH OUT THE DAY, AS LONG AS THE CAR SET FOR MORE THAN 15-20 MINUTES. I WOULD GO INTO THE STORE, TO SHOP COME BACK OUT TO THE CAR AN THE NOISE WOULD STILL BE THERE AFTER 15-20 MINUTES. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALER IN HOUSTON, TEXAS NORTH. AFTER A $200 DIAGNOSE COST. THE CAM SHAFT ADJUSTER IS OUT. COSTING ANOTHER $4,575.68. MY CAR IS A 2012, WHICH I BROUGHT IN 2014 WITH LESS THAN 7,000 MILES. NOW IT IS 2019 WITH ONLY 87,885 MILES ON MY CAR, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS PART IS FOR OR WHY MY CAR NEEDS THIS. ALL I KNOW IT COST $4,575.68. WAY TO MUCH FOR SOMETHING I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT. CAN'T GET IN TOUCH WITH MANUFACTORY TO COMPLAIN AND MERCEDES HEADQUARTER HASN'T RETURN MY CALL. PLEASE GIVE ME ADVISE, AS TO WHAT TO DO WITH MY COMPLAINT.
Air bags, May 31, 2019
TAKATA RECALL - MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER2018030010. THE RECALL WAS ISSUED ON 1/18/2017 BUT NOW IT'S JUNE 2019 AND THE RECALL STATUS IS STILL SHOWING "RECALL INCOMPLETE, REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE"... THIS IS JUST NOT ACCEPTABLE. PLEASE URGE MERCEDES TO TAKE ACTION RIGHT AWAY
Air bags, May 22, 2019
NHTSA RECALL NUMBER "17V017" IS STILL PENDING. I HAVE CALLED SEVERAL TIMES THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS. THIS REQUEST HAS BEEN PENDING FOR MORE THAN 1 YEAR. MERCEDES BENZ OF GREENWICH ADDRESS: 261 WEST PUTNAM AVENUE, GREENWICH, CT 06830 PHONE: (203) 295-3125
Air bags, May 20, 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 AUGUSTA AT 706-860-1111 (LOCATED AT 3061 WASHINGTON RD, AUGUSTA, GA 30907) 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.
Engine, May 19, 2019
BOUGHT CAR FROM MERCEDES LOT, USED WITH 70K MILES. DELIVERED IT WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. SALESMAN CLAIMED IT WAS LOW WASHER FLUID. I SAID I WASNT GOING ANYWHERE IN A CAR WITH A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND HE NEEDED TO GET IT BACK TO SERVICE AND HAVE CODE RAN. AFTER DOING SO HE CLAIMED IT JUST NEEDED TO BE RESET SINCE LAST SERVICE SOME WORK HAD BEEN DONE(ANOTHER LIE). TOLD HIM I WAS RETEST DRIVING BEFORE ACCEPTING VEHICLE. TURNED OVER 3 TIMES, THEN STARTED. WHEN DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THE THROTTLE BECAME UNRESPONSIVE AND DIED OUT WITH CARS SPEEDING UP BEHIND ME. FORCED MERCEDES TO PUT IT BACK IN SERVICE. IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN AND CAM ADJUSTER ISSUE. THERES 100S OF PEOPLE NOTIFYING YOU OF THIS. MERCEDES KNOWS AND IS TRYING TO LIE TO CUSTOMERS AND STILL SELL THEM KNOWING THEY'RE DAMAGED AND DANGEROUS. FIX CAN BE UPWARDS OF $4000. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE MADE!!! PLEASE DO SOMETHING!
Air bags, May 17, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250W. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. 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. MERCEDES-BENZ OF TEMECULA (40910 TEMECULA CENTER DR, TEMECULA, CA 92591, (951) 216-7800) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, May 15, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS). MERCEDES-BENZ OF BUFFALO (8185 MAIN ST, WILLIAMSVILLE, NY 14221, (716) 633-0088) WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT OFFER A LOANER VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Power train, May 9, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED PERIODICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKING TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. MERCEDES-BENZ OF ALEXANDRIA (200 S PICKETT ST, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22304 (703) 341-2100) AND MERCEDES-BENZ OF ANNAPOLIS (324 6TH ST, ANNAPOLIS, MD 21403 (888) 261-7620) WERE CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
Air bags, May 8, 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 ANAHEIM (LOCATED AT 5395 E LA PALMA AVE, ANAHEIM, CA 92807, (855) 281-3286) 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. *BF *JB
Air bags, May 8, 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 CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF BURLINGTON AT 781-229-1600 (LOCATED AT 80 CAMBRIDGE ST, BURLINGTON, MA 01803) 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, May 7, 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 THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF SAN ANTONIO (9600 SAN PEDRO AVE, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78216, (210) 920-3235) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR*JB
Air bags, May 6, 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). AFTER CONTACTING MERCEDES-BENZ OF PALM SPRINGS (4095 E. PALM CANYON DR, PALM SPRINGS, CA) AND THE MANUFACTURER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Apr 30, 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 FLETCHER JONES MOTORCARS (3300 JAMBOREE RD, NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92660, (949) 718-3000) 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. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF *TR
Air bags, Apr 29, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250C. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF PEMBROKE PINES AT 954-644-5035 (LOCATED AT 14199 PINES BLVD, 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 INFORMED THE SAME DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO CONSIDER A TRADE-IN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine, Apr 27, 2019
DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED PROBLEM WITH CAMSHAFT ADJUSTERS. THIS HAPPENED 2 TIMES ALREADY ON THE SAME VEHICLE, AND IT IS VERY COSTLY TO FIX ($4000). FIRST TIME I HAD A RATTLING NOISE FROM ENGINE, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED AT 46K MILES. SECOND TIME CAR HESITATES TO START, HAD LONG CRANKING, IT HAPPENED AT 69K MILES. IT IS A SYSTEMATIC, VERY COSTLY AND POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM.
Engine, Apr 27, 2019
DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED PROBLEM WITH CAMSHAFT ADJUSTERS. THIS HAPPENED 2 TIMES ALREADY ON THE SAME VEHICLE, AND IT IS VERY COSTLY TO FIX ($4000). FIRST TIME I HAD A RATTLING NOISE FROM ENGINE, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED AT 46K MILES. SECOND TIME CAR HESITATES TO START, HAD LONG CRANKING, IT HAPPENED AT 69K MILES. IT IS A SYSTEMATIC, VERY COSTLY AND POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM.
Engine, Apr 26, 2019
RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE AT STARTUP. DIAGNOSED AS DEFECTIVE CAM TIMING ADJUSTERS @ 65000 MILES. THIS APPARENTLY AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR PART(S) AND CAUSES MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE. REPAIR COSTS RANGE FROM $3000 - $5000 AND MORE IF THE ENGINE IS RUINED.
Air bags, Apr 25, 2019
TAKATA RECALL - WHEN PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE, I WAS INFORMED BY THE CARMAX DEALSHIP THAT THERE WERE OPEN RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THEY BRIEFLY EXPLAINED THAT ONE OF THE RECALLS WAS A DEFECTIVE PART, INVOLVING THE AIRBAG, COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. THIS WAS A HUGE CONCERN TO ME, AS I WAS PURCHASING A MERCEDES-BENZ BECAUSE IT WAS AN EXTREMELY SAFE CAR. I EXPRESSED MY CONCERN IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO TOLD ME NOT TO WORRY AND THAT I COULD TAKE THE CAR DIRECTLY THE AN AUTHORIZED MERCEDES-BENZ DEALERSHIP TO HAVE PARTS REPLACED AND THAT THE ISSUE WOULD BE RESOLVED. AFTER SIGNING THE PAPERS TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE, I CONTACTED SEVERAL AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIPS WITH ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THE RECALL REMEDIED. UNFORTUNATELY, I HAD NO LUCK IN DOING SO, AS EACH OF THE DEALERSHIPS INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY AT THIS TIME. I CONTINUED TO CALL EACH MONTH TO ATTEMPT TO HAVE THE PARTS REPLACED WITHOUT ANY LUCK. KNOWING THAT THERE WAS DEFECTIVE PARTS IN MY CAR AND THAT IT COULD CASE SERIOUS DEATH OR INJURY TO SOMEONE REALLY UPSET ME. I USE MY CAR FOR WORK AND AT TIMES, I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR TRANSPORTING CLIENTS. DUE TO THIS OPEN RECALL, MY CAR HAS BEEN DEEMED UNSUITABLE BY THE COMPANY I WORK FOR AND NOW I HAVE LOST A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY, SPECIFICALLY DUE TO THIS RECALL. I AM EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED THAT I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE WRONG INFORMATION AND IN ADDITION TO THAT, I AM FORCED TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE CAR, KNOWING THAT THERE IS DEFECTIVE PARTS. MY JOB HAS REFUSED TO ALLOW ME TO WORK UNTIL THE RECALL HAS BEEN RESOLVED AND AN AUTHORIZED DEALER HAS REPORTED TO NHTSA THAT IT HAS BEEN FIXED.*DT *TP
Air bags, Apr 24, 2019
THE CAR REGISTERED IN MA. BUT ALSO USED IN TRIPS TO TEXAS AND THE SOUTH. THEREFORE THE CAR SHOULD BE FIXED NOW