2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (160) · Engine (48) · Fuel/Propulsion System (11)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes-Benz C250 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
87 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (5)
Air Bags:frontal 2021-08-13 · campaign 21V638000 · 205 vehicles
Defect: 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. An incorrect front passenger air bag may have been installed during a prior repair.
Risk: An incorrect air bag may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2020-05-22 · campaign 20V298000 · 640 vehicles
Defect: 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. An incorrect replacement front passenger air bag may have been installed.
Risk: An incorrect passenger air bag may not provide adequate protection, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2019-01-09 · campaign 19V010000 · 288,779 vehicles
Defect: 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 BlueTec 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, 2015-2017 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2014-2017 E550 Cabrio, and 2014-2016 E550 Coupe vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Z
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:frontal 2017-10-06 · campaign 17V627000 · 495,290 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling these vehicles: 2014-2018 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, CLA45 AMG 4Matic, 2015-2018 GLA250, GLA250 4Matic, GLA45 AMG 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C63S AMG, 2012-2014 C250, C350, C300 4Matic, E550 4Matic, 2013-2014 C63 AMG, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2013-2015 C350 4Matic Coupe, GLK250 4Matic BlueTec, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, 2016-2017 C350e, C43 AMG, 2015 C400 4Matic, 2016-2018 C63 AMG, GLC300, GLC300 4Matic, 2017-2018 C300 Coupe, C300 4Matic Cou
Risk: If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2017-01-10 · campaign 17V017000 · 104,119 vehicles
Defect: 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 Cabrio, and SLS AMG Coupe vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Second notices started going out in October 2018 and continue to be mailed as parts become available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691
Service bulletins (112)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Service Brakes 2026-09-22 · LI42.10-P-078779 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60mph. note: although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. cause although the cause of the vibra
Structure:body 2026-09-14 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Electrical System 2026-08-06 · LI82.85-P-079087 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint a popup is seen on the hu with the message "data connection temporarily not available". potentially affected functionalities in ntg4.5, ntg5 1.weather 2.local search 3.ip radio 4.send2car 5.speech detection service 6.navigation 7.iheartradio 8.traffic cams cause mb apps is sundowned for al
Structure:body 2026-08-06 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Power Train 2026-07-14 · LI35.30-P-058566 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). the noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. note: sound file in attachment cause if the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar n
Suspension 2026-07-07 · LI33.20-P-078406 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint creaking noise, in irregular sequence when driving slowly in combination with slight steering movements and/or creaking/crackling noises from the area of the wheel bearing on the front axle when cornering/ maneuvering. sound file attached for comparison. must match noise for proper diagnos
Showing the 6 most recent of 112 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-09-15 · Vehicle Speed Control“-the steering wheel and brake locked up and became unusable while driving at approximately 75mph. cruise control was enabled for a few miles (maybe 2) and disabled after. around 5 minutes after disabling, the car began to surge between acceleration and deceleration drastically on its own. all of the dashboard lights that come on when the key is ini…”
2025-08-18 · Engine · 150,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 mercedes-benz c250. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the vehicle with the check engine warning light illuminated. the contact drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. the contact stated that the rattling sound continued, and the vehicle shud…”
2025-07-01 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 96,826 mi“the contact owns a 2012 mercedes-benz c250. the contact stated while driving 35-40 mph and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal was significantly stiff, and the vehicle failed to respond as needed. the contact stated that upon standing on the brake pedal, the vehicle responded as needed. the contact stated that the failure recurred while dri…”
2025-06-12 · Power Train“the model/year mercedes-benz are well known for experiencing this/these particular issues. my research has shown that these year/make/model vehicles are experiencing the same type of mechanical failures nationwide. the issues all relatively begin around 75,000 miles. i've only had my car 3 years putting 30000 on it hardly driven/cared for **issu…”
2025-04-04 · Fuel/Propulsion System“the contact owns a 2012 mercedes-benz. the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine and high pressure fuel pump warning lights was illuminated. the failure occurred on several different occasions. the vehicle was taken back to the residence. the contact did research and was made aware of an unknown nhtsa campaign numbe…”
2025-01-27 · Steering“lost of drive power and the vehicle steering wheel locked on my mercedes from a damaged malfunctioning steering lock actuator module due to mechanical issues within the steering column such as bad steering wheel assembly, faulty steering lock module or issue with the wiring or other electrical components and the mercedes dealer is the only one who …”
2025-01-27 · Unknown Or Other“1. the car radio, blue-tooth, speakers, sound, car remote sound. happened after a battery change by aaa - unsure if it's related. customer service tried to resolve it - radio turns on, but nothing else works. 2. doors won't unlock outside or inside - except passenegers side is open. 3. accelerator acting strange - won't pick speed after 30, then 6…”
2024-12-30 · Electrical System:ignition:interlock/Lockout · 143,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 mercedes-benz c250. the contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the anti-lock theft prevention feature failed to function as intended. the contact stated that the steering wheel was seized, and the vehicle failed to start. the vehicle was towed to the residence. the contact was informed by the tow truck driver that the …”
2024-12-07 · Engine“my vehicle, has the engine making noise ,when starting,, the lifters rattle...i was told to check with mercedes benz for recall info...however, the company states,this vehicle is not included....it has 52,000 original miles, and has been maintained...i believe, this problem should be covered by the manufacturer...please advise.....i have had the mb…”
2024-11-18 · Steering“i got stranded in the middle of the street my vehicle does not crank steering lock so i had my vehicle towed into the mercedes dealership the one in figueroa st monday november 18 2024 at around 03:24pm and this is what they told me. needs immediate attention custom recommendation electric steering lock during vehicle inspection found electric st…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.