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.
Air bags, Apr 20, 2019
TAKATA RECALL - NOT FIXED
Air bags, Apr 19, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF 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. MERCEDES-BENZ OF ASHEVILLE (255 SMOKEY PARK HIGHWAY, ASHEVILLE, NC 28806, (828) 667-5213) 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.
Engine, Apr 18, 2019
WHEN STARTING CAR, THERE IS AN AUDIBLE 3 SECOND ENGINE RATTLE BEFORE THE ENGINE FULLY ENGAGES. ONCE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, THE VEHICLE APPEARS TO PERFORM NORMALLY. THE MECHANICS HAVE DIAGNOSED IT AS FAILING CAMSHAFT ADJUSTERS. THE REPAIR ALSO ENTAILS REPLACING THE TIMING CHAINS. REPAIRS TO COST JUST OVER $5,000. COMMENTARY FROM THE MECHANIC INDICATES THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON FAILURE WITH THIS ENGINE WHICH TYPICALLY OCCURS JUST BEYOND THE WARRANTY EXPIRATION. ONLINE SEARCHES HAVE CONFIRMED HIS ASSERTION. MY VEHICLE HAS 80,000 MILES AND HAS NEVER MISSED A SERVICE. I HAVE EVERY RECEIPT OF EVERY SERVICE. A CRITICAL ENGINE COMPONENT SUCH AS THIS WITH SUCH A COSTLY REPAIR PROCEDURE SHOULD NOT BE THIS COMMON. IT IS THE RESULT OF A POOR DESIGN AND AT LEAST A PORTION OF THE REPAIR COSTS SHOULD FALL ON THE MANUFACTURER.
Air bags, Apr 9, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. 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. PRIME MERCEDES-BENZ (LOCATED AT 137 US-1, SCARBOROUGH, ME 04074, (207) 510-2250) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Apr 1, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE MANUFACTURER 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, Apr 1, 2019
TAKATA RECALL (#17V017) - MY ISSUE WITH THIS RECALL IS THE UNACCEPTABLE TIMELINESS IN MAKING THE NECESSARY REPAIR. IN JANUARY 2017, I WAS NOTIFIED VIA A RECALL LETTER FROM MERCEDES THAT MY CAR'S FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE AIR BAG WAS AFFECTED BY THE TAKATA INFLATOR RECALL AND I WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN A REPAIR WAS AVAILABLE. TO DATE (APRIL 2019), THIS HAS NOT BEEN REMEDIED BY MERCEDES AND CURRENTLY, PER THEIR WEBSITE, THERE IS NO TIMELINE ON WHEN THIS REPAIR CAN BE MADE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE IN TERMS OF THE TIMELINESS OF COMPLETING THIS REPAIR GIVEN THE SERIOUS (AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY) NATURE OF THE FLAW WITH THE TAKATA INFLATORS SHOULD THE AIR BAG DEPLOY. WHEN I ADDRESSED MY CONCERNS REGARDING THE DELAY IN THIS REPAIR WITH MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP, THEIR ADVICE WAS TO AVOID HAVING A PERSON RIDE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT - WHICH IS IMPRACTICAL AND NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE CONSIDERING THIS IS OUR FAMILY CAR.
Visibility, Structure, Apr 1, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, A SUDDEN LOUD BOOMING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF WACO (1625 N VALLEY MILLS DR, WACO, TX), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED IT WOULD COST $8,000 TO REPAIR. VIN IS NOT VALID.*JB
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 29, 2019
AUTO ONLY HAS 56K MILES AND FUEL PUMP WENT OUT, AUTO STALLED IN CITY TRAFFIC 2 TIMES IN MOTION, NO WARNING ON ISSUE UNEXPECTED DUE TO LOW MILEAGE ON AUTO. NO ENGINE CODE TILL 200 MILES AFTER FIRST STALL, ENGINE LIGHT FINALLY CAME ON, THEN SECOND STALL HAPPENED. HAD CODE READ P008A TRIGGERED. TOOK TO PERSONAL MECHANIC FOR TESTING AND REPAIR. HAD THE SYSTEM TESTED FOR THE RELAY, THE FILTER AND IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. FIRST OCCURRENCE 03/19/2019 SECOND OCCURRENCE 03/23/19.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 27, 2019
WHEN I'M DRIVING THE CAR SEEMS TO LOOSE POWER THEN IT ACCELERATES LIKE IT HIT TURBO POWER AND THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES UP. IT ONLY HAS 57000 MILES. WHEN I DRIVE IT ON ECO IT RUNS FINE AND WHEN I CHANGE TO S START GIVING PROBLEMS. THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT STALLS, ALMOST AS IF IT'S GETTING NO FUEL. MY MECHANIC ADVISE ME TO GET IN TOUCH WITH YOU AND SEE IF YOU CAN ADVISE ME ON WHAT TO DO WITH IT, BECAUSE IT SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING. THE ACCELERATION ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE PRESENT AN IMMINENT THREAT TO SAFETY OF BOTH DRIVER AND OTHER VEHICLES.
Air bags, Mar 27, 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 THE DEALER (PARK PLACE MOTORS, 4201 BELTWAY PL, ARLINGTON, TX), THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE DEFECT WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Mar 26, 2019
TAKATA RECALL. WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS AND WE ARE TOLD "NO REPLACEMENT IS AVAILABLE YET". HOW MANY YEARS DO WE WAIT?
Air bags, Mar 22, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. 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. MERCEDES-BENZ OF DENVER (940 S COLORADO BLVD, DENVER, CO 80246, (303) 953-4581) 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, Mar 20, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250W. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. MERCEDES- BENZ OF PLANO (6455 DALLAS PKWY, PLANO, TX 75024) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Mar 12, 2019
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. MERCEDES-BENZ OF WAKO (1625 N VALLEY MILLS DR, WACO, TX 76710, (254) 244-0166) 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, Mar 12, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (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. MOTOR WERKS OF BARRINGTON (1475 BARRINGTON RD, BARRINGTON, IL 60010, (847) 497-8669) 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, Mar 8, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. 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. MERCEDES-BENZ OF MASSAPEQUA (101 SUNRISE HWY, AMITYVILLE, NY 11701, (631) 213-2023) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Mar 8, 2019
TAKATA RECALL - RECEIVED LETTER FROM MERCEDES BENZ BACK IN MARCH 2017 AND AGAIN IN DECEMBER 2017 ABOUT AN AIRBAG RECALL ON MY CAR SAYING THEY WILL HAVE REMEDY BY DEC 2018, THEY STILL HAVE NOT FIXED THIS PROBLEM.
Air bags, Mar 6, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF 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. MERCEDES-BENZ OF CALABASAS (24181 CALABASAS RD, CALABASAS, CA 91302, (818) 528-5513) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Mar 5, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR AN UNKNOWN RECALL REGARDING THE AIR BAGS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PART WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL 2020. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Mar 4, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300W. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF 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. MERCEDES-BENZ OF ALEXANDRIA (200 S PICKETT ST, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22304, (703) 341-2100) 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, Feb 19, 2019
NOTIFIED OF RECALL MORE THAN 2 YEARS AGO. NO REMEDY AVAILABLE BY MERCEDES
Air bags, Feb 16, 2019
GOT A DEFECTIVE AIR BAG RECALL FROM MERCEDES BENZ FOR MY CAR. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ( RMB OF ATLANTA, SANDY SPRINGS, GA ) TO GET IT FIXED IN MY AREA THEY SAID THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PART TO FIX IT. I WILL HAVE TO WAIT TILL JAN, 2020 FOR THE AIR BAG TO BE FIXED. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FROM A SAFETY & CUSTOMER VIEWPOINT. WHY HAS MERCEDES ISSUED THIS REPLACEMENT NOTICE WHEN THEIR DEALERS CANNOT FIX IT.
Air bags, Feb 11, 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. MERCEDES-BENZ OF SARASOTA (4754 CLARK RD, SARASOTA, FL 34233, (941) 275-1293) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Feb 10, 2019
TAKATA RECALL. I FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND MY PASSANGERS WHILE I AM DRIVING MY CAR ON A DAILY BASIS. I HAVE BEEN CONTACTING MERCEDES DEALERS IN HOPES THAT I CAN BE HELPED AND MY CAR CAN HAVE IT'S AIRBAG REPLACED HOWEVER TO NO AVAIL. I WOULD LIKE TO BE PROVIDED WITH SOME OPTIONS BECAUSE AN ACCIDENT CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME AND I AM FEARFUL OF THE POSSIBILITY OF THE AIRBAG RUPTURING CAUSING GREATER DAMAGE. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE AIRBAG COULD RUPTURE IN AREAS WITH HIGH HEAT AND THAT IS VERY ALARMING CONSIDERING SUMMERS IN NYC GET VERY HOT AND HUMID THEREFORE INCREASING THE CHANCES OF THAT RUPTURE IN AN ACCIDENT.
Air bags, Feb 8, 2019
TAKATA RECALL IT HAS BEEN TWO YEARS AND THE PASSENGER-SIDE AIRBAG IS STILL NOT AVAILABLE FOR MY CAR. I HAVE CONTACTED MY DEALER SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT WHEN THIS PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE. WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE AVAILABLE BY DECEMBER, 2018. STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT OFTEN FOR FEAR THAT IT WILL RUPTURE. AT 74 YEARS OF AGE I THOUGHT I WAS BUYING A SAFE DEPENDABLE CAR.