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2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 272 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250, most often about the air bags (62% of complaints, typically around 55,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about C250 model year since 2000 and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 problems
Air bags
168 complaints · 62%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator remained illuminated while driving various speeds. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v017000 (air bags). The part needed for the repair was not…
Takata recall we were notified of this recall over two years ago. There has been no movement on a repair. This is absurd, we have actually been notified that our two mercedes vehicles that are affected by this recall, have been dropped in priority for a repair.
Engine
63 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 69,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250. When starting the vehicle, there was a grinding noise coming from the engine and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to g2 automotive Mercedes-Benz (5935 parkway north blvd, cumming, ga 30040 phone number: ([phone]) where it was diagnosed…
Rough start in the morning, check engine light came on. Took it to the mercedes benz dealership at buckhead ga. Was told that the cam adjusters not functioning. Estimated repair cost $4000.
Fuel system
18 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 71,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
When I'm driving the car seems to loose power then it accelerates like it hit turbo power and the engine light comes up. It only has 57000 miles. When I drive it on eco it runs fine and when I change to s start giving problems. The car feels like it stalls, almost as if it's getting no fuel. My mechanic advise me to…
Cold engine vehicle jerking I took it to mercedes of fort myers fl and they told me that they couldn't find the problem and I took it to so many other places and still can't find it I'm just wondering if it could be a recall
Brakes
10 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 93,500 miles.
At about 40,000 miles the parking brake began sticking and was difficult to release. This was replaced under warranty. It began happening again . I spoke to the mercedes USA and they said I would have o pay to replace it. I believe this part is defective.
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…
Other or unspecified
10 complaints · 4%Takata recall, no repair on 2012 C250 mercedes and no estimate on when they will have parts to repair. Isn't it dangerous to drive this car with a passenger in front seat? What is my recourse? Also engine lights comes on and sensors have been changed and mechanic does not know what actual problem is/ could this just…
My drivers side door handle on the inside does not work. I never had any problems prior to this. I drove to my appointment, got out of my car normally. Upon returning to my car I noticed my door handle looked loose, then could no longer open my door from the inside. I have to roll down my window in order to open my…
Electrical
9 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, ignition.
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250. The contact stated that the tail lights failed to illuminate, including the turn signals and brake lights. The contact attempted to replace the tail light bulbs himself and found that the tail lamp assembly had partially melted. The vehicle was taken to Mercedes-Benz euro…
The blower of the climate control does not work when the car is parked outside in the sun. As a result the car air conditioning system is impacted with the rise in temperature. When the car is parked in the garage or in shade, the blower and air conditioning system works fine. It appears that there is a short circuit…
Body and structure
7 complaints · 3%Parts named most often: body.
Inside drivers side door lever broke, can not get out of the car without lowering drivers elec. Window. Dealer or others can not fix or replace, no stock. All on backorder for months ahead.
Cam shaft adjusters went out and had to be repaired for normal use and drivers side door handle broke on the inside and needs to be replaced due to regular use.
Transmission
6 complaints · 2%The cel came on and the engine was having a rough start . I took it to the repair shop and after using the star diagnostic system the diagnoses was camshaft adjusters in failure. The remedy replace the camshaft adjusters. Cost $3500.00.
I bought the certified car at 50k and at 70k miles, right after the warranty ended - check engine light came on and the dealership said it will cost $8k due to camshafts to repair!! They even suggested that I should consider trading the car in! Keep in mind I still owe $28k so that option is out! Since then the check…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 recalls
Air bags: frontal
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
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.
Full defect summary
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 "zone a." additionally, mbusa is recalling certain 2012-2014 c250, e350 4matic coupe, sls amg cabrio, 2012-2015 c250 coupe, c350 4matic coupe, c350 coupe, c63 amg coupe, 2011 c300, 2011-2014 c300 4matic, c350, c63 amg, e350 cabrio, e350 coupe, sls amg coupe, 2015-2016 e400 4matic coupe, e400 cabrio, e400 coupe, 2011-2016 e550 cabrio, e550 coupe, 2011-2015 glk350 4matic, glk350 RWD, and 2013-2015 glk
Air bags: frontal
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.
Full defect summary
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 coupe, c43 amg, c63 amg coupe, c63s amg coupe, c300 cabriolet, c300 4matic cabriolet, c43 amg cabriolet, c63 amg cabriolet, c63s amg cabriolet, glc300 4matic coupe, glc43 amg, glc43 amg coupe, 2014 e350 coupe, e350 4matic coupe, e350 cabriolet, e400 hybrid, 2015-2017 e400 coupe, e400 4matic coupe, e400 cabriolet, 2014-2017 e550 coupe, e550 cabriolet, b250e, 2014-2016 e250 bluetec, e63 amg 4matic wago
Air bags: inflator module
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
Full defect summary
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 u.s. Virgin islands, or "zone a." additionally, unless included in "zone a" above mbusa is recalling certain 2009 c300 4matic, c300, c350 and c63 amg vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina, ohio, oklahoma, pennsylvania, tenne
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Questions about the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (168 complaints, typically around 55,000 miles); engine (63 complaints, typically around 69,500 miles); fuel system (18 complaints, typically around 71,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 13, 2021 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the Mercedes-Benz C250?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about C250 model year since 2000, with 272 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.