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, Apr 14, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTED A CHOKING AND KNOCKING SOUND IN THE ENGINE. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SHAFT TENSIONER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR DID NOT ILLUMINATE THIS TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AGAIN WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SHAFT TENSIONER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THE CONTACT WAS PLACED ON HOLD FOR 1.5 HOURS AND THEN DISCONNECTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
Engine, Apr 10, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, A RATTLING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A CAM SHAFT ISSUE, AND THE TIMING CHAIN AND SPROCKETS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT THE VEHICLE YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Air bags, Apr 7, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL NOTIFICATION; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Engine, Mar 31, 2017, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, SMOKE SUDDENLY APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD AND FLAMES WERE PRESENT UNDER THE VEHICLE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,572. UPDATED 06/01/17*LJ UPDATED 09/18/2017*JS
Air bags, Mar 27, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCDES-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.
Air bags, Mar 22, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS) FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER INFLATOR; 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 MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Mar 19, 2017
TAKATA RECALL WE DO NOT KNOW IF THE BAG WILL MALFUNCTION TO THE DETRIMENT OF THE PASSENGER. FOR AN AVERAGE CONSUMER, THERE IS NO WAY TO TEST THAT. AS A RESULT, THE CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN WITH A PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPIED, AND SINCE THIS IS A 4 DOOR CAR, THE INTENT IS TO HAVE MULTIPLE PASSENGERS. THE MANUFACTURER JUST PROVIDED A RECALL NOTICE (RECEIVED BY US MAIL 3/18/2017 AFTER BEING NOTIFIED BY TAKATA IN JANUARY 2017. MERCEDES SHOULD HAVE HAD A SOLUTION READY (LOANER VEHICLES OF SIMILAR CLASS) FOR THE AFFECTED OWNERS. IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO BE PUT AT RISK FOR THE 3-4 YEARS THAT THEY KNEW THAT THE VEHICLE CONTAINED TAKATA AIRBAG, 3 MONTHS SINCE FORMALLY NOTIFIED BY TAKATA AND THEN STILL NOT HAVE A SOLUTION.
Air bags, Mar 16, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS). 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.
Air bags, Mar 15, 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 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.
Air bags, Mar 15, 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 DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER 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, Mar 14, 2017
TAKATA RECALL. ALSO PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT RANDOMLY GOES ON & OFF, WHILE IN MOTION, HIGHWAY
Air bags, Mar 14, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SEVERAL DIFFERENT COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. 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 MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000. UPDATED 06/07/17*LJ
Seats, Mar 14, 2017
I BROUGHT MY 2012 MERCEDES C250 NEW AND I THOUGHT I WAS BUYING A QUALITY CAR. HOWEVER, I NOTICED LAST YEAR THE DRIVER SEAT, PASSENGER SEAT AND ONE OF BACKSEAT SEAT COVER ARE RIPPED. I DRIVE MY CAR EVERYDAY TO WORK AND MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL ON A CITY STREET. MY DAUGHTER WEIGHS ABOUT 98 POUNDS AND I WEIGHT UNDER 170 POUNDS AND NO ONE SITS IN THE BACKSEAT. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED WITH MERCEDES BENZ COMPANY. I WILL BE GRATEFUL IF MERCEDES BENZ COMPANY WILL REPLACE MY SEAT COVERS PLEASE STAND BY YOUR NAME AS A QUALITY COMPANY. .
Power train, Engine, Feb 15, 2017
GRADUALLY AS THE CAR IS ACCELERATING IT MAKES A TERRIBLE GRINDING NOISE AND SHAKES ALSO JERKS WHEN CHANGING GEARS, CONFIRMED IT IS A FAILED TRANSMISSION, THE CAR HAS HAD ALL THE APPROPRIATE MAINTENANCE JUST NOT AT A MB DEALER AND THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE TRANSMISSION JUST NOT OFFICIAL RECALL AND MERCEDES IS CLAIMING NO RESPONSIBILITY AS IT WAS NOT SERVICED AT MB DEALER SINCE 2014. CLEARLY THE SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT IS RECOGNITION OF A PROBLEM
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Engine, Jan 19, 2017
THE CEL CAME ON AND THE ENGINE WAS HAVING A ROUGH START . I TOOK IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND AFTER USING THE STAR DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM THE DIAGNOSES WAS CAMSHAFT ADJUSTERS IN FAILURE. THE REMEDY REPLACE THE CAMSHAFT ADJUSTERS. COST $3500.00. *TR
Engine, Sep 13, 2016
WHEN STARTING THE CAR THE VEHICLE MAKE LOUD RATTLING NOISE AND THE ENTIRE CAR SHAKES. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT IS THE CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER/ACTUATORS. WHICH NEED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE TIMING CHAIN. HE ALSO SAID IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AS THEY CAN FAIL AND CAR WILL STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A ROAD. THE CAR WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE SOMETIMES DOESN'T WANT TO GO AND YOU CAN ACTUALLY FELL THE CAR JERK SEEMING AS THE CHAIN IS SKIPPING. IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. CAR HAS 67,000 MILES AND THIS STARTED HAPPENING AT 57K MILES.
Engine, Sep 1, 2016
DEALER SAID THE CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER WITH CHAIN TENSIONER NEEDS TO BE REPLACE AT 65,000 MILES. ALSO THE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACE TOO. THIS AFTER SPENDING OVER $773.06 HUNDRED DOLLARS ON ENGINE ANALYSIS. I DECLINE THE SERVICE BECAUSE IT WILL COST ME $5,324.98 TO GET THE JOB DONE. COULD THIS BE A SAFETY RECALL BECAUSE THE DEALER SAID ONE OF THIS DAYS IT MIGHT JUST STOP ON THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. NOW I AM DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM I MENTION ABOVE.
Air bags, Seat belts, May 19, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT PRETENSION DID NOT FUNCTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THERE WAS ONE INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SHORT TERM MEMORY LOSS, A SEIZURE, AND LIVER DAMAGE. THE CONTACT HAD TO REMAIN HOSPITALIZED FOR FIVE DAYS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
Engine, Apr 4, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD CLANKING NOISE WHEN IT WAS STARTED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EXHAUST CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,219.
Air bags, Feb 10, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO BE UNABLE TO VIEW THE ROAD OR CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE INJURED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS RIGHT HAND, NECK AND LEFT LEG. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER NECK. BOTH PARTIES INJURED REQUIRED IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 30, 2015
CAR SHOWED SIGNS WELL BEFORE VEHICLE STARTED SHOWING CODES. WHEN I WOULD START IT UP THE VEHICLE SOUNDED LIKE A ROCKET SHIP WAS ABOUT TO TAKE OFF AND SHORTLY AFTER THE NOISE WOULD GO AWAY. WITH NO CODES MERCEDES TRIED REPLACING THE SOME AC PARTS BUT IT DIDN'T HELP. I JUST ASSUMED THE NOISE WAS HARMLESS IF MERCEDES SAYS NOTHING'S WRONG THAN IT MUST BE OKAY. THEN ONE DAY I WENT TO TURN THE CAR ON AND IT HESITATED MAKING ALL KINDS OF NOISE BUT ALWAYS STARTED AFTER HOLDING THE KEY IN THE ON POSITION AND PUSHING FORWARD. CAR SEEMS TO WORK WELL ONCE STARTED BUT I AM USING MORE GAS WHICH MIGHT BE RELATED.THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTERWARDS AND WOULD TURN ITSELF OFF. AFTER BRINGING IT TO MERCEDES THEY STATE I NEED A NEW INTAKE VARIABLE CAMSHAFT ADJUSTOR AND IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO REPLACE THE EXHAUST AS WELL SINCE THERE'S NO CHARGE FOR ADDITIONAL LABOR SINCE THE EXHAUST ADJUSTOR IS GOING TO BE ACCESSIBLE. MY CAR IS AT 68,000 MILES AND WELL KEPT THIS IS A MECHANICAL ISSUE WITH MERCEDES IN MULTIPLE MODELS AND YEARS.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 4, 2015
WHILE DRIVING ON I-5 NORTH COMING FROM LA JOLLA, MY VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING, AND SUDDENLY STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY FREEWAY. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, THEN RESTARTED AFTER FIVE SECOND. AFTER RESTARTING MY VEHICLE IT STARTED RUNNING AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES ALREADY, AND HAVE BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE CENTER (ON EACH OCCASION). SERVICE REPORT INDICATE TRANSMISSION ERROR. AT TIMES, THE "SLIPPERY ROAD" SIGN ON MY DASHBOARD WOULD BLINK EVEN THOUGH THE WEATHER IS HOT OR HAS NOT RAIN FOR AGES.
Engine, Jul 7, 2015
REF: NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10676804 SUMMARY: CAMSHAFT INTAKE ADJUSTER REPLACED THERMOSTAT SEALS REPLACED CHAIN TENSIONER REPLACED MY 2012 MB C250, WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY BY YEAR AND MILEAGE, WAS DECLINED TO BE SERVICE BY MERCEDES BENZ OF CUTLER BAY, FLORIDA. THERE REASONING IS THAT I DID NOT USE A MB OIL FILTER; THEY HAVE CANCELLED MY WARRANTY. EVEN THOUGH I HAVE DONE ALL THE PROPER OIL CHANGES SOONER THAT THE MB RECOMMENDATIONS.
Vehicle speed control, Apr 30, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES BENZ C300. WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED EXTREMELY FAST INTO AN INTERSECTION. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A BROKEN CLAVICLE, A BRUISED ANKLE, CHEST, AND BACK. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE POLICE IMPOUND LOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 7/1/15*CN
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 23, 2015, fire
WHILE MY CAR WAS RUNNING IN MY DRIVEWAY PRIOR TO DRIVING, THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE, TOTALING THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE NO OPEN RECALLS ON THIS SPECIFIC CAR, BUT WAS TOLD BY THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR THAT IT WAS EITHER ELECTRICAL OR FUEL PUMP RELATED. *TR