NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
TAKATA RECALL I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION IN 2015 DRIVING MY 2012 MERCEDES C250. THE IMPACT WAS SEVERE AND TOTALED MY CAR, BUT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY CRASHING SPEED WAS WELL OVER 45MPH. I PURCHASED A MERCEDES BENZ FROM THE DEALER FOR ITS SAFETY AND I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT MERCEDES BENZ FAILED TO RECOGNIZE THE DEFECT BEFORE SELLING ME A CAR THAT WASN'T SAFE. I AM LUCKY TO WALK AWAY WITH MINOR INJURIES, I HAVE BEEN TERRIFIED OF DRIVING A MOTOR VEHICLE EVER SINCE.
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.
THE AIR SUSPENSION IS FAULTY AND LEAKS. I HAVE HAD THE SINCE 2013 AND THE SUSPENSION HAS BEEN REPLACED ON ALL FOR WHEELS WITHIN DAYS OF EACH OTHER. COSTING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN PARTS AND LABOR.
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
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
NOTIFIED OF RECALL MORE THAN 2 YEARS AGO. NO REMEDY AVAILABLE BY MERCEDES
CAMSHAFT INTAKE ADJUSTER REPLACED THERMOSTAT SEALS REPLACED CHAIN TENSIONER REPLACED. *TR
THE STEERING WHEEL ,HAS ALUMINUM PLATING OR COVERING, THAT WAS PEELING OFF AND CUT MY FINGER AS I WAS DRIVING, THIS HAPPENED LAST YEAR AND WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, AND DEALER REPLACED, THIS IS HAPPENING AGAIN, AND THE DEALER HAS AGREED TO REPLACE EVEN THOUGH THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. I THOUGHT YOU GUYS SHOULD KNOW. *TR
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER VEERED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. THE DRIVER THEN CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES AND THE PASSENGER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25000. UPDATED 09-04-14 *BF UPDATED 09/10/2014 *JS..UPDATED 10/28/14 *BF...UPDATED 04/08/15 *BF UPDATED 8/30/2017*CN
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
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.
TAKATA RECALL GET NOTHING BUT THE RUN-AROUND FROM MBUSA ABOUT WHEN THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS WILL BE REPLACED. DRIVING THIS VEHICLE IS THE SAME AS PLAYING RUSSIAN ROULETTE WITH A SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL. WHY CAN'T YOU BAR ANY NEW SALES OF MB PRODUCTS UNTIL THY FIX THE ONES THEY HAVE ALREADY SOLD IN TE USA...THAT WOULD GET THIR ATTENTON AND SOME ACTION
I HAVE A MERCEDES BENZ C300 WITH 16,300 MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE CAME WITH CONTINENTAL, CONTIPRO, 225/45 R17 91H TIRES ON IT TWO TIRES ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR HAVE DEVELOPED BUBBLES ON THEM AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRES ON THE RIGHT SIDE WILL HAVE TO BE INSPECTED SINCE THEY MAY HAVE BUBBLES ON THE INSIDE. I HAVE JUST READ MANY COMPLAINS ABOUT THESE TIRES AND FEEL THEY ARE DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ACTING UP LIKE TURNING ON AND COUPLE MINS TURN OFF AND I TOOK IT TO THE MERCEDES BENZ TO CHECK IT AND THEY TOLD THE SENSOR WAS DEFFECTED AND I COULDN'T AFFORD FOR THE PRICES AND I TOLD THEM THAT THIS CAR HAVE AND RECALL THATS WHY I BRING IT HERE AND THEY CHARGE $132.40 FOR DIAGNOSTIC
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.
TAKATA AIRBAGS
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.
ON MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES THE VEHICLE HAS STARTED TO MISFIRE AT RANDOM TIMES AND SPEEDS RANGING FROM 45-70 MPH RESULTING IN "LIMP MODE" OR A STALLING CONDITION. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, BUT WILL NOT BE ON WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RESTARTED. THE DEALERSHIP ON NO OCCASION HAS BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE MY CONCERN ALTHOUGH OTHERS HAVE BEEN IN THE CAR TO WITNESS. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AS WHEN IT STALLS ON THE HIGHWAY, I LOSE STEERING AND BRAKES AS WELL. *TR
TAKATA R ECALL. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND COMPLAINED ABOUT NO ACTION ON THE AIRBAG RECALL. THE DEALER IS DOING NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. HE SIMPLY SAYS WE DON'T HAVE THE AIRBAGS. I POINTED OUT THEY HAVE PLENTY OF AIRBAGS FOR NEW CARS BUT GOT NO RESPONSE
THE CAR REGISTERED IN MA. BUT ALSO USED IN TRIPS TO TEXAS AND THE SOUTH. THEREFORE THE CAR SHOULD BE FIXED NOW
TAKATA RECALL, NOT ACTION TAKEN IN A EFICCIENT TIME BRAKES 2017 ELEC STABILITY CONTROL 2013 AND 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES BENZ C250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, HE ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES BUT IT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE VACUUM WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
AIR BAG HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED
I MADE A SHARP TURN INTO A PARKING AREA THEN ANOTHER SHARP TURN INTO THE PARKING SPACE AND WHEN I STRAIGHTEN THE WHEEL OUT TO COMPLETE PARKING AN APPLIED MY FOOT ON BRAKE THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND CAR WOULD NOT STOP THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED ME WAS THE CONCRETE CURBING WHICH I HIT HARD AND DAMAGED THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF MY CAR. THE TIRES HITTING THE CONCRETE IS MADE FORCED CAR TO STOP. I CONTACTED DEALERSHIP TO REPORT THE PROBLEM AND SEE IF THEY COULD TOW VEHICLE AND PROVIDE ME WITH A CAR SINCE I WAS STRANDED. THEY WERE CLOSING AND COULDN'T HELP ME. HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED TO SEE IF A BRAKE LINE HAD BROKE OR IF BRAKE FLUID LEVEL WAS OK, EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT OK DROVE CAR HOME VERY SLOW NOTICED CAR HAVING A MESSAGE ON DASH HOLD WHEN I APPLY BRAKES AND A MESSAGE ( P SHIFT IN PARK) CAME ON DASH AS I WAS DRIVING. THIS HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED. CALLED DEALER THE FOLLOWING MORNING AND HAD CAR TOWED TO THEM. 5 DAYS LATER THEY TELL ME THAT THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH MY BRAKES AND MY CAR IS SAFE. I AM NOT DRIVING THE CAR I WILL BE HAVING IT TOWED. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES AND I DO NOT FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PUT MYSELF OR ANYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD AT RISK FOR LOSING THERE LIFE. JUST BECAUSE THEY CANT FIND ANYTHING IT DOESN'T MEAN THERE ISN'T ANYTHING WRONG. I HAVE RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THE CAR I OWN AND I HAVE SEEN MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AS MINE. I HAVE NOT HAD THE CAR BUT FOR 2 MONTHS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUES AND IT SEEMS AS THE MANUFACTURES OF THE VEHICLES BEING MADE DON'T HAVE TO BACK THERE PRODUCTS UNLESS SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR REPAIR AND THE BLADES WERE REPLACED HOWEVER THE CONTACT WIPERS WERE STILL FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.
THIS WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT, IT IS, IN MY OPINION, A POSSIBLE SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE - TURBO LAG; THROTTLE LAG; TRANSMISSION LAG. I ALMOST HAD TWO ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE LAG PROBLEMS, AND HAVE ATTACHED A MORE DETAILED ANALYSIS FOR YOUR REVIEW. TURBO LAG: THIS IS THE TIME IT TAKES FOR THE CAR TO GO FROM ITS NATURALLY ASPIRATED POWER TO THE FULL POWER OF THE CAR AT FULL BOOST/ PEAK BOOST IS REACHED RELATIVELY LOW IN THE REVERSE RANGE, BUT IT IS NOT INSTANTANEOUS POWER LIKE A NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE. THROTTLE LAG: THE DRIVE BY WIRE SYSTEM HAS A BIT OF LAG. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, I MEASURED IT AT .2 OF A SECOND OR SO. WHATEVER THE VALUE, THERE IS ALWAYS LAG THERE, AND WE ARE VERY SENSITIVE TO IT. HOWEVER, DRIVING INS MODE VS E MODE DOES MAKE SOMEWHAT OF A DIFFERENCE. NONETHELESS, THE CAR ALWAYS STARTS OUT IN E MODE WHEN I GET IN AND START THE CAR. WE DIDN'T PURCHASE THE CAR TO ALWAYS DRIVE IN S MODE. TRANSMISSION LAG: THIS I NOTICE SIGNIFICANTLY AND IT IS, IN MY OPINION, PROBABLY THE MOST ANNOYING TO ME. YOU'LL NOTICE THIS WHEN STOMPING THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND THEN DOING THE WAIT... WAIT... WAIT.. DOWNSHIFT. EVEN IF THIS ENGINE WAS RUNNING ONLY ON ITS NATURALLY ASPIRATED FOUR CYLINDERS, THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD RESPOND IMMEDIATELY TO A SURE FOOTED STOMP TO THE FLOOR WITH THE QUICKNESS, AS DOES MY FOUR CYLINDER RAV-4. HOWEVER, THE MB C-250 DOES NOT! IN MY OPINION, YOU CAN RESET THE TCU ALL YOU WANT, THE DELAY WILL REMAIN.
TAKATA RECALL RECEIVED A LETTER FROM M B IN MARCH 2017 ABOUT THE RECALL. SPOKE TO M B CUSTOMER SERVICE TODAY AND THEY SAID RECALLS OF OTHER BRANDS TAKE PRIORITY OVER MERCEDES BENZ RECALLS FOR THE INFLATOR REPLACEMENTS. HOW LONG IS LONG ENOUGH TO WAIT TO CORRECT THIS SAFETY CONCERN ?
TAKATA INFLATORS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW EXHIBITED A LOUD, ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN OPENED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A TEMPORARY LOSS OF HEARING FROM THE HIGH PITCH OF THE NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE LOUD NOISE WAS COMMON FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 384. UPDATED 8/21/12 *CN
2012 MERCEDES C250 SPORT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ISSUES WITH LEVERS ON THE STEERING COLUMN *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE LEVER, WHICH WAS HIDDEN BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD TO LEAN FORWARD TO LOOK OVER TOP OF THE STEERING WHEEL TO REACH THE LEVER. HE ALSO STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS IN A HIDDEN AREA AS WELL. *JB
TAKATA RECALL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES BENZ C250. WHILE DRIVING, THE TURN SIGNAL WAS ACTIVATED WHEN A WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT SLIGHTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE DIMNESS OF THE TURN SIGNAL WAS COMMON FOR THE MODEL YEAR VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 320. UPDATED 07/25/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE TURN SIGNAL CONTROL LIGHT. IT WAS HARDLY VISIBLE IN THE DAY LIGHT AND IN THE SUN. THE SERVICE DEPT STATED THE NEW MODEL HAS A NEW ELECTRONIC DASH WHICH COMES IN ONE NEW CIRCUIT PANEL . UPDATED 07/25/12