2012 Mercedes-Benz C300
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
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 |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 453 |
| 2011 | 480 |
| 2012 | 264 |
| 2013 | 258 |
| 2014 | 94 |
| 2015 | 376 |
| 2016 | 285 |
| 2017 | 214 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
43% of complaints: air bags — 113 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20140530
24% of complaints: suspension — 64 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
Rear driver side wheel was making a clicking noise leading us to believe there was an issue with the strut and/or shock. Due to the nature and severity of the noise, we took the vehicle to our mechanic ASAP.
NHTSA ODI report, 20230923
11% of complaints: structure — 30 distinct reports on file.
6% of complaints: structure — 16 distinct reports on file.
5% of complaints: service brakes — 12 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIREShow complaint excerpts
MY VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED BY K AND H AUTO. THE ELECTRICAL UNIT IS MALFUNCTIONING, THE LIGHT IS BROKEN ON THE RIGHT SIDE, AND THE ROTORS AND BRAKES HAVE BEEN RUSTED, PLEASE HAVE SOMEONE ATTEND TO THIS MATTER. THANKS, AND HAVE A VERY BLESSED DAY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180201
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...
NHTSA ODI report, 20121204
SAFETY TIMELINE
Mercedes-Benz is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 S400, S550, S550 4Matic, S63 AMG, C300, C300 4Matic, E350, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, CL550 4Matic, and CL63 AMG vehicles manufactured from April 18
Remedy: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel filter, free of charge. The recall campaign is expected to begin in February 2013. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6
Campaign 12V557000 — check if this car was fixed
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 AMG GT-S, GLC300, CLA250 and GLE300d 4Matic vehicles, 2013 C250, E350 BlueTec and G63 AMG vehicles, 2008-2014 C300 vehicles, 2013-2014 C300 4Matic and ML350 4Matic vehicles, 2009 C350...
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Campaign 17V177000 — check if this car was fixed
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
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (113 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (64 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for structure issues (30 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 12V557000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V177000 (air bags, electrical system) has been completed.
- 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.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 43% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 have?
6 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.