2012 Mercedes-Benz C350 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (26) · Suspension (2) · Fuel/Propulsion System (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes-Benz C350 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
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 (94)
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,
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
Visibility/Wiper 2026-05-19 · LI82.30-P-059239 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint there are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper wiping performance: a: wiper blades squeaking, chattering, shuddering b: the windshield is not wiped completely (streaking) c: during the downward movement water is pulled back onto the windshield from the a-pillar
Showing the 6 most recent of 94 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-31 · Service Brakes“brake line corrosion issues, related and reported along with the sub-frame assembly corrosion. after getting the sub-frame repaired xxx, corrosion and deformation of the tie rods and control arms caused vibration and noise at speed, and while cornering. repaired xxx and vehicle inspection discovered no leaks in the corroded brake lines. after this…”
2024-10-01 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 53,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 mercedes-benz c350. the contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a strong smell of fuel around the exterior of the vehicle. in addition, the contact stated that while driving the vehicle, the fuel odor was extremely strong, and the contact could not wind the windows down. the vehicle was not diagnosed…”
2023-02-25 · Suspension“my car’s left side rear subframe is cracked due to corrosion. i started hearing a weird noise a week ago, and my car suddenly veered to the left side when i pressed the brake. i almost crashed my car because the car moved to the left of the yellow line on the road. i searched about this issue on google and found that many c-class owners (w204 gener…”
2022-07-01 · Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly · 75,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 mercedes-benz c350. the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the sunroof glass shattered and landed on the sunroof cover. there was no impact on the sunroof that could have caused the sunroof to shatter. the contact and his daughter did not sustain any injuries. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the…”
2021-05-24 · Suspension“1. the (rh) rear suspension forward link attach point on the rear suspension cross-member (mercedes-benz p/n: 204-350-01-41), separated from the sub frame due to internal corrosion of the suspension cross-member. part available for inspection. 2. when part failed, the rh rear wheel alignment was no-longer fixed; some loss of vehicle steering con…”
2020-03-19 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2012 mercedes benz c350. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 19v010000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. mercedes benz of buffalo located at …”
2020-01-14 · Air Bags“1 year after receiving recall letter for takata airbag recall (phase 4). mercedes benz of san diego still will not replace the airbag. they will not give a date. they provided a telephone # for mercedes corporate customer care. the menu items for airbag status leads to a call that is never answered and/or will eventually disconnect. date below is …”
2019-10-16 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2012 mercedes-benz c350. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 17v017000 (air bags). the contact called mercedes-benz of pembroke pines (954- 644-5035, located at 14199 pines boulevard, pembroke pines, fl 33027) and was informed that the parts were not available. the manufacturer was made…”
2019-09-25 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2012 mercedes-benz c350. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 17v017000 (air bags); however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the contact called mercedes-benz stadium (loca…”
2019-08-26 · Air Bags“tl* the contact owns a 2012 mercedes-benz c350. the contact stated that nhtsa campaign number: 17v017000 (air bags) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. the contact received the recall notification in december of 2017. the contact spoke with rallye motor (1600 northern boulevard, roslyn, ny 11576, 517-625-1600) and was asked if a letter…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.