2012 Mercedes-Benz C250
Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 272 |
| 2013 | 277 |
| 2014 | 163 |
| 2015 | 12 |
| 2016 | 1 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
62% of complaints: air bags — 168 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20191122
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171124
1) cranshaft and camshaft position sensors, timing problems and it has to be replaced this is a common damage in Mercedes Benz 2012 c250. 2) this put in risk my life because it can brake the engine in a highway and the car could be off.
NHTSA ODI report, 20231018
22% of complaints: engine — 61 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20170331
1) cranshaft and camshaft position sensors, timing problems and it has to be replaced this is a common damage in Mercedes Benz 2012 c250. 2) this put in risk my life because it can brake the engine in a highway and the car could be off.
NHTSA ODI report, 20231018
6% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 16 distinct reports on file.
3% of complaints: service brakes — 9 distinct reports on file.
3% of complaints: electrical system — 7 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
1) cranshaft and camshaft position sensors, timing problems and it has to be replaced this is a common damage in Mercedes Benz 2012 c250. 2) this put in risk my life because it can brake the engine in a highway and the car could be off.
NHTSA ODI report, 20231018
SAFETY TIMELINE
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will add sufficient grounding to the steering components, free of charge. The recall began in December 6, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
Campaign 17V627000 — check if this car was fixed
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012 C300 4Matic, C250, C250 Coupe, C350, C350 Coupe 4Matic, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, E550 Cabrio, E550 Coupe, GLK350 4Matic, GLK350, SLS AMG...
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag modules, free of charge. Owners were sent an interim notification in March 2017.
Campaign 17V017000 — check if this car was fixed
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014 C250, C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2014-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, GLK 350, GLK250...
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Campaign 19V010000 — check if this car was fixed
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012 C250, C250 Coupe, C300, C350, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG, and C63 AMG Coupe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020060011.
Campaign 20V298000 — check if this car was fixed
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2016 E400 Coupe, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2011-2014 E350 Coupe, and 2012-2014 E350 Cabrio vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag on the affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 10, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Campaign 21V638000 — check if this car was fixed
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (168 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (61 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (16 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 17V627000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V017000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V010000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V298000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V638000 (air bags) has been completed.
FAQ
Is the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 62% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.