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.
Engine, Jul 12, 2017
PURCHASED MY 2012 C250 WITH 45K MILES ON IT AT TIME OF PURCHASE. I PUT 4K MILES AND I STARTED HEARING A TICKING NOISE ON START UPS THEN PROGRESSED. IT HAS TURNED OFF ON ME WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH AND ANOTHER AT 25 MPH KINDA SCARED TO DRIVE IT. YOU THINK WHEN YOU PAY FOR QUALITY YOU SHOULD GET IT, NOT HAVING TO $5500 FOR A CAMSHAFT LIFTER REPLACEMENT IN UNDER THE FIRST 50K MILES THAT' INSANE! PLEASE SEND FEED BACK IN GOING TO TALK TO LAWYERS AND GET THERE VIEW ON THE SITUATION BECAUSE THERE'S MORE THEN JUST A COUPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM AND SOME WITH VARY LOW MILES. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME MUCH APPRECIATED .
Air bags, Jul 9, 2017
HAVE A RECALL NOW IT HAD TO TRADE IT IN FOR A GOOD VALUE
Air bags, Jul 8, 2017
TAKATA RECALL
Structure, Jul 8, 2017
INSIDE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LEVER BROKE, CAN NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR WITHOUT LOWERING DRIVERS ELEC. WINDOW. DEALER OR OTHERS CAN NOT FIX OR REPLACE, NO STOCK. ALL ON BACKORDER FOR MONTHS AHEAD.
Air bags, Jun 30, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250C. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED FOR PART AVAILABILITY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine, Jun 30, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250W. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL RATTLING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF ST CLAIR SHORES LOCATED AT 20200 E NINE MILE RD SAINT CLAIR SHORES, MI 48080 586-773-2369) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT ADJUSTERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
Air bags, Jun 30, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250W. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 17V017000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED CRITZ MERCEDES-BENZ OF SAVANNAH (7000 ABERCORN ST, SAVANNAH, GA, 31406, (912) 354-7000) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Jun 28, 2017
TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FOUR MONTHS AGO THAT MY AIR BAG WAS DANGEROUS AND THEREFORE RECALLED. HOWEVER, I NEVER RECEIVED A FOLLOW UP LETTER NOTIFYING THAT REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE AND WHEN CALLING TOM MASANO MERCEDES IN READING, PA ON JUNE 28TH, THEY ARE STILL UNABLE TO REMEDY THE SITUATION.
Air bags, Jun 28, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (MERCEDES BENZ OF ATHENS, GA (706) 521-0774) DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Jun 19, 2017
TAKATA RECALL - IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR, STILL NO REMEDY FOR THE AIR BAG ISSUE. CHECKED WITH DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AS WELL AS THE NHTSA WEBSITE. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE! THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND A LOT OF US DRIVE WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR. THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER INSTALLED IT, AND SHOULD BE LIABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THEN THEY CAN FIGHT TO BE REIMBURSED. THIS IS RIDICULOUS ALREADY!! THEY ARE PUTTING PEOPLE'S LIVES IN DANGER. I HAVE 2 VEHICLES, ONE A 2006 FORD FUSION AND ONE A 2012 MERCEDES C300, NEITHER OF THEM ARE SAFE TO HAVE MY CHILDREN IN!!!!
Engine, Jun 14, 2017
SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING MY CAR IT WILL STUTTER AS IF IT WANTS TO TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN STARTING UP THE VEHICLE IT STALLS BEFORE ACTUALLY TURNING OVER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED MERCEDES DEALERSHIP AND THE DIAGNOSTICS CAME BACK STATING A ISSUE WITH THE "CAMSHAFT ADJUSTERS (INTERNAL FAULT)". APPARENTLY, FIRST GENERATION C250S ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE BUT IT HAS SINCE BEEN CORRECTED WITH LATER GENERATIONS.
Air bags, Jun 14, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE LOCAL DEALER (CALSTAR MOTORS 700 S. BRAND BLVD, GLENDALE, CA, 91204) CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Jun 12, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 08/24/17*LJ *CN
Air bags, Jun 8, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. 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. THE DEALER (JAMES MOTORS OF LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY) CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Electrical system, Jun 3, 2017
THE BLOWER OF THE CLIMATE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED OUTSIDE IN THE SUN. AS A RESULT THE CAR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IS IMPACTED WITH THE RISE IN TEMPERATURE. WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED IN THE GARAGE OR IN SHADE, THE BLOWER AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WORKS FINE. IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS A SHORT CIRCUIT AS A RESULT OF HIGH TEMPERATURE WHICH PREVENTS THE BLOWER / AIR CONDITIONER FROM OPERATING. PLEASE CHECK IF THIS IS A SAFETY RECALL ISSUE.
Air bags, May 31, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES BENZ C250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MERCEDES BENZ OF TAMPA FLORIDA DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN NO INCIDENCES IN WHICH THE AIR BAG FAILED DURING A REPORTED CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THEY HAD NOT SERVICED THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE AS OF YET. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Seat belts, May 29, 2017
WHENEVER A PASSENGER IS SEATED IN THE REAR SEAT (EITHER SIDE) AND THE CAR IS BRAKED OR EXPERIENCES A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE SEAT BELT LOCKS AND STARTS TO TIGHTEN THEREAFTER WITH A RATCHETING SOUND EACH TIME THE PASSENGER MOVES EVEN A LITTLE BIT. THIS TIGHTENING CONTINUES UNTIL THE PASSENGER STARTS SUFFOCATING FROM THE PRESSURE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE ONLY OPTION IS FOR THE PASSENGER TO UNBUCKLE THE SEAT BELT AND START OVER. BUT THEN THE PROCESS REPEATS ITSELF. MY FAMILY MEMBERS NOW EITHER REFUSE TO RIDE IN THE BACK SEAT OR THEY DO NOT BUCKLE THE SEATBELT AND HOLD IT IN THEIR HAND INSTEAD. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS ON 4 OCCASIONS BUT EACH TIME THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT THE SEAT BELTS ARE WORKING AS DESIGNED. I HAVE ASKED OWNERS OF 2 OTHER MERCEDES CARS OF SIMILAR MAKE AND MODEL AND THEY HAVE ASSURED ME THAT THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT HAPPEN IN THEIR CARS. I HAVE ESCALATED THIS ISSUE TO MERCEDES DIRECTLY BUT THEY HAVE REDIRECTED ME TO ONE OF THE DEALERS AND NOW I CAN'T EVEN GET THEM OR THE DEALER TO RESPOND TO MY EMAILS.
Air bags, May 15, 2017
TAKATA RECALL NOT REMEDY AVAILABLE
Air bags, Other or unspecified, May 15, 2017
TAKATA RECALL, NO REPAIR ON 2012 C250 MERCEDES AND NO ESTIMATE ON WHEN THEY WILL HAVE PARTS TO REPAIR. ISN'T IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THIS CAR WITH A PASSENGER IN FRONT SEAT? WHAT IS MY RECOURSE? ALSO ENGINE LIGHTS COMES ON AND SENSORS HAVE BEEN CHANGED AND MECHANIC DOES NOT KNOW WHAT ACTUAL PROBLEM IS/ COULD THIS JUST BE A BAD FUSE?
Air bags, May 13, 2017
TAKATA RECALL! I TOOK MY 2012 MERCEDES IN FOR ITS MAINTENANCE . AT THIS TIME, I WAS APPROACHED AND TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS ON THE RECALL LIST DUE TO AIRBAGS. AT THIS TIME, I WAS INFORMED OF THE SAFETY ISSUE AND I WAS SEVERELY CONCERNED FOR MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. THIS WAS HER CAR! I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOT A FIX. THAT I COULD TAKE THE RISK OF MY DAUGHTER BEING SEVERELY INJURED. WOW!! LET ME ASK YOU WHAT YOU WOULD HAVE DONE! I THEN OUT OF FEAR, TRADED MY 2012 MERCEDES IN. TOOK A HUGE LOSS AND BOUGHT HER A NEWER VEHICLE. HER OTHER CAR WAS PAID OFF. I HAD TO PUT A DORK PAYMENT ON YET ANOTHER CAR WITH A 2 YEAR FINANCE. WHY SHOULD I BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE! I DIDN'T PUT THE AIRBAGS IN THE CAR. I THOUGHT AS A MOTHER, I WAS PURCHASING A SAFE RELIABLE CAR FOR MY DAUGHTER. I'M OUT $32,000 ... WHO'S GOING TO JUSTIFY THIS? WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO EAT THIS COST! I DON'T THINK SO! I NEED TO BE REIMBURSED THE DIFFERENCE IT WOULD HAVE COST TO REPLACE AIRBAGS. WHY SHOULD THE MERCEDES DEALER BE ABLE TO PROFIT OFF ME AS WELL? THEY WILL FIND A WAY TO FIX THE AIRBAGS THEN TURN AROUND & SELL THE CAR @ THE USUAL JACKED UP COST. THIS IS NOT FAIR! SOMEONE BEST FIND THE ANSWER.
Air bags, May 9, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Exterior lighting, May 9, 2017
RECEIVED MESSAGE TO CHECK LEFT TAIL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, BACK UP LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL. I PURCHASED NEW BULBS TO REPLACE. WHEN I PULLED OUT THE BULB CARRIER, I NOTICED THAT THE AREA NEAR THE WIRING HAD MELTED AND THERE WAS DISCOLORATION. I CAN'T EVEN REMOVE THE PLUG HOUSING FROM THE CARRIER BECAUSE OF THE DAMAGE. I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL IN OLDER MODELS FOR THE SAME EXACT ISSUE.
Service brakes, May 5, 2017
BRAKE FAILURE. DRIVING VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY WITH A 75 MPH SPEED LIMIT. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE VEHICLE, I FOUND I DID NOT HAVE ANY POWER BRAKES. BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD. PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AS HARD AS I COULD DID NOT DO ANYTHING TO SLOW DOWN MY VEHICLE. I DID NOT HAVE ANY ABILITY TO SLOW DOWN VEHICLE. TO AVOID A COLLISION, I PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, AND DOWN SHIFTED GEARS. NO ALARMS, OR VISUAL INDICATORS CAME ON TO INDICATE A PROBLEM EXISTED. CAR TOWED TO THE MERCEDES BENZ AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP I HAVE ALWAYS HAD MY CAR SERVICED AT. BRAKE BOX SITTING BEHIND THE MOTOR HAD BROKE. NO SENSIRS OR FAULT US ASSOCIATED WITH THE BRAKE BOX. VISUAL CHECK OF THE BRAKE BOX IS. IT ON ANY MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST.
Engine, Apr 24, 2017
TIMING CHAIN ON THE VEHICLE STRETCHES OUT OVER TIME. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO NOT START PROPERLY AND CAN SNAP WHILE DRIVING AND STOP THE CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND DRIVING. THERE IS NO SERVICE RECOMMENDATION FOR THE TIMING CHAIN AND USUALLY STARTS GIVING TROUBLE AFTER THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. I HAVE NOT HAD MY CAR STOP IN TRAFFIC BUT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE MERCEDES BENZ FORUMS.
Air bags, Apr 20, 2017
TAKATA RECALL MERCEDES SENT OUT A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG BUT CLAIMS THEY DO NOT HAVE REPLACEMENT FOR IT IN STOCK AND DOESN'T KNOW WHEN THEY'RE GETTING THEM.