What year Mercedes-Benz C250 should I avoid?

NHTSA data ranks the 2012 and 2013 C250 as the years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 75 and 100 respectively, the two highest in the model lineup.

Is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250 reliable based on complaints?

The 2013 C250 has the highest complaint index (100) of any year, with 278 total complaints, 7 recalls, 14 crashes, and 18 injuries reported to NHTSA.

What is the most common problem with the Mercedes-Benz C250?

Airbags are the top problem area across all years, accounting for 433 of 726 total complaints, or 60%. Most of these relate to Takata airbag recalls.

Which Mercedes-Benz C250 year has the fewest complaints?

The 2015 model year has the lowest complaint index at 25, with only 12 total complaints and 4 recalls, making it the strongest year in the data.

Does the Mercedes-Benz C250 have an airbag recall?

Yes. NHTSA lists multiple airbag recalls affecting the C250, including campaigns 21V638000, 20V298000, and 19V010000, tied to Takata front passenger air bag defects.

Mercedes-Benz C250 Best and Worst Years (2012–2016)

The 2012 and 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250 rank worst, with complaint index scores of 75 and 100 versus a low of 25 for 2015. Airbags drive most complaints across all years, at 60% of the 726 total. 2015 is the strongest year with only 12 complaints and 4 recalls.

Avoid 2012 Avoid 2013

Model years: 5; 2012–2016
NHTSA complaints: 726
Recall campaigns: 9
Crashes reported: 32
Fires reported: 11
Top problem area: Airbags

C250 Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Mercedes-Benz C250 problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2012	Avoid	75	272	3	2	5	Airbags	25	—
2013	Avoid	100	278	14	5	7	Airbags	25	—
2014	Caution	50	163	13	4	5	Airbags	25	—
2015	Good	25	12	2	0	4	Airbags	25	—
2016	No verdict	0	1	0	0	0	Airbags	—	—

C250 years to avoid: what went wrong

2013 Mercedes-Benz C250 Index 100 · 278 complaints · 7 recalls

The 2013 C250 ranks worst overall, with the highest complaint index of 100 among all years, 278 total complaints, and 7 recalls. Airbags represent 59% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 58,000; owners described airbags failing to deploy during low-speed crashes, in some cases followed by vehicle fires. This year also shows the highest crash count (14) and injury count (18) in the model's data. Engine issues account for 18% of complaints at a median mileage of 61,000, and fuel system complaints made up 10% at a median mileage of 55,000.

2013 airbags problems →2013 engine problems →2013 fuel system problems →

2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 Index 75 · 272 complaints · 5 recalls

The 2012 C250 has a complaint index of 75, the second-highest in the lineup, with 272 total complaints and 5 recalls. Airbags account for 62% of complaints for this year, with a median failure mileage of 55,000. Owners reported Takata airbags failing to deploy in crashes, including one collision over 45 mph. Engine complaints made up 24% of reports, with a median mileage of 69,500; one owner reported a fire while the vehicle was parked with the engine running. NHTSA recorded 3 crashes and 2 fires for this year.

2012 airbags problems →2012 engine problems →2012 fuel system problems →

Most common Mercedes-Benz C250 problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Airbags433 (60%)
Engine143 (20%)
Fuel System58 (8%)
Steering44 (6%)
Other43 (6%)
Electrical System42 (6%)
Structure & Body34 (5%)
Brakes31 (4%)
Transmission & Powertrain27 (4%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires17 (2%)

Frequently asked questions

What year Mercedes-Benz C250 should I avoid?: NHTSA data ranks the 2012 and 2013 C250 as the years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 75 and 100 respectively, the two highest in the model lineup.
Is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250 reliable based on complaints?: The 2013 C250 has the highest complaint index (100) of any year, with 278 total complaints, 7 recalls, 14 crashes, and 18 injuries reported to NHTSA.
What is the most common problem with the Mercedes-Benz C250?: Airbags are the top problem area across all years, accounting for 433 of 726 total complaints, or 60%. Most of these relate to Takata airbag recalls.
Which Mercedes-Benz C250 year has the fewest complaints?: The 2015 model year has the lowest complaint index at 25, with only 12 total complaints and 4 recalls, making it the strongest year in the data.
Does the Mercedes-Benz C250 have an airbag recall?: Yes. NHTSA lists multiple airbag recalls affecting the C250, including campaigns 21V638000, 20V298000, and 19V010000, tied to Takata front passenger air bag defects.