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2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 266 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300, most often about the air bags (43% of complaints, typically around 51,500 miles). It is 5th of 17 C300 model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 problems
Air bags
114 complaints · 43%Half of these problems showed up before 51,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
Takata recall while driving my car, I received an indicator on my dashboard that said 'left side service malfunction required. Also, the airbag icon warning appeared.
Please be advised I originally received a notice by letter from mercedes benz in 03/2017. No remedy regarding the recall has been provided. How can I prompt the resolution of this issue?
Suspension
69 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 120,500 miles. Parts named most often: subframe/mounting bracket, rear.
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving approximately 15-20 MPH, there was a rattling noise heard and the vehicle was pulling to the right. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that the rear subframe was rusted and had fractured. The vehicle was not repaired and…
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving approximately 2 MPH over a speed bump, there was a loud cranking sound coming from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed with failure to the rear subframe due to severe…
Body and structure
54 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 110,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the vehicle was making a loud bang sound towards the rear of the vehicle while driving over bumps in the roadway. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the rear subframe and the rear brake line were severely rusted. The…
The contact owns a 2012 mercedes -benz C300. The contact stated that upon inspection of the vehicle, he was informed that corrosion had developed on the subframe. The dealer informed him that the subframe needed to be replaced to prevent a possible severe safety failure. The contact emailed the manufacturer about the…
Other or unspecified
23 complaints · 9%Brakes
15 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 105,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components.
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. Another company by the name of ans towing, towed my vehicle without care and…
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the vehicle was making a loud bang sound towards the rear of the vehicle while driving over bumps in the roadway. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the rear subframe and the rear brake line were severely rusted. The…
Fuel system
12 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 96,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, extra brake travel time was needed to stop the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was purchased, and he was informed that the…
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated the fuel tank was emitting a fuel odor. The contact stated that the fuel odor was extremely strong and could be smelled inside the residence while the vehicle was parked in the garage. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a…
Electrical
12 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 83,500 miles.
Outside temp 9 degrees car starts fine and I drive two miles to pick up a carry out order. After sitting 15 minutes in front of the restaurant car will not start, not even attempt to crank. Lights come on and a message pops up stating "inoperative - check manual." I called mb assistance who determined it was the esp…
Upon starting the vehicle I receive airbag warnings. One for the driver side and another one for the passenger side. I can click on "ok" to clear them out but with the airbag recall and no resolution I am fearful of a malfunction. I had my car to the mercedes dealer two times and was told they would need to…
Steering
8 complaints · 3%Steering wheel lock after vehicle is shut down. When you return to the vehicle insert the key the instrument cluster, speedo, steering wheel is unresponsive which will not allow you to turn the engine. This should be a recall it's a electronic steering lock that fails on several mercedes benz causing the owner to tow…
The rear subframe has corroded around the areas where the trailing arm and control arm meet the subframe on both sides of the vehicle, and has disintegrated around the drivers side rear trailing arm causing it to have detached, along with a piece of the subframe. The metal of the subframe is distorted around the area…
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 C300 recalls
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
Electrical: software
Risk: If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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 vehicles, 2014 cls550, e350 4matic, e350 coupe 4matic, e350 wagon 4matic, glk350 and sl550 vehicles, 2012 cls550 4matic vehicles, 2012-2016 e350 vehicles, 2016-2017 gl450 4matic vehicles, 2012-2014 ml350 4matic bluetec vehicles, 2015 s550, s550 4matic and c300 4matic sedan vehicles, 2015-2016 c300 sedan vehicles, and 2017 sl63 amg vehicles. Various control units on these vehicles may have been updated with incorrect software, potentially affecting the correct deployment of the air bags in the event of a crash.
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
Fuel system: fuel system, gasoline
Risk: If the fuel filter flange cracks, it will leak fuel which may lead to a fire if an external ignition source is present.
Fix: 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 1-800-367-6372.
Full defect summary
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, 2011, through july 12, 2011. Due to an irregularity stemming from the molding process of the fuel filter flange, the fuel filter flange may crack when operated in high temperatures.
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 C300
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (114 complaints, typically around 51,500 miles); suspension (69 complaints, typically around 120,500 miles); body and structure (54 complaints, typically around 110,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 22, 2020 (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 C300?
- It is 5th of 17 C300 model years by number of complaints, with 266 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.