YearToAvoid

2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

67/100

#6 most-complained of 16 C300 years

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 has a Complaint Index of 67 and ranks 6th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Airbags are the top problem area with 114 complaints (43% share) and 6 recalls have been issued.

Complaints
266
Recalls
6
Crashes / fires
5 / 4
Injuries / deaths
6 / 1
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
20
17.5 city / 24.5 hwy

Top 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags114 (43%)
  2. Suspension, Wheels & Tires71 (27%)
  3. Structure & Body54 (20%)
  4. Other23 (9%)
  5. Brakes16 (6%)
  6. Electrical System14 (5%)
  7. Fuel System12 (5%)
  8. Steering8 (3%)
  9. Engine6 (2%)
  10. Transmission & Powertrain5 (2%)

What owners report

  • Airbags failed to deploy in low-speed and high-speed crashes, including a rollover, leaving occupants without protection.
  • Airbags deployed unexpectedly while driving at low speed, obstructing the driver's view and leading to a crash.
  • Engine compartment fires occurred while parked or idling, with owners suspecting electrical, fuel pump, or belt tensioner issues.
  • Seat belt pretensioners failed to activate during a rear-end collision along with non-deploying airbags.
  • Electrical wiring issues caused melted tail light plugs and a burning odor from a heated seat.
  • Rear window mechanism produced a loud abnormal noise when opened, described by the dealer as a known trait of the vehicle.
2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 complaints: complaints filed per quarter322012 Q32015 Q22017 Q42019 Q22020 Q42022 Q22023 Q42025 Q3
327 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2012 Q3 to 2026 Q3; peak 2022 Q4 (32).

2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 recalls

6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 20V298000May 22, 2020Airbags640 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

  2. NHTSA 19V010000Jan 9, 2019Airbags288,779 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    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 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." MBUSA is also recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2010-2011 C300, 2010-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Coupe, 2011-2014 E350 Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2016-2017 E550 Cabrio, 2010-2016 E550 Coupe, 2010-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: 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.

  3. NHTSA 17V627000Oct 6, 2017Airbags495,290 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal

    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 Wagon, 2012-2013 E350 BlueTec, 2012-2016 E350, E350 4Matic, 2015-2016 E400, E400 4Matic, 2012 E63 AMG, 2014-2015 E250 4Matic BlueTec, 2013-2016 E350 Wagon, 2017 GLC300d 4Matic, and 2018 GLC350e 4Matic. The driver's air bag may unexpectedly deploy due to insufficient grounding of the steering components if an electrostatic discharge occurs and the air bag clockspring is broken.

    Risk: If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.

    Remedy: 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.

See all 6 recalls for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 →

2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
17.5 MPG
Highway
24.5 MPG
Combined
20 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,000
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2012 compared with other C300 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Avoid93452621
2011Avoid100480620
2012Caution67266620
2013Caution60259622
2014Caution5394522

All Mercedes-Benz C300 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 C300 has a Complaint Index of 67 and ranks 6th worst of 16 model years, placing it in the Caution category rather than the best or worst years.
What problems does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 have?
Airbags are the leading complaint area with 114 complaints (43% share) and a median failure mileage of 51,440 miles. Suspension, wheels and tires follow with 71 complaints, and structure and body issues account for 54 complaints.
Does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2012 C300, covering airbags (multiple campaigns), electrical system software, and a fuel filter replacement. None of the recalls are do-not-drive orders.
How does the 2012 C300 compare to other years?
The 2012 model's Complaint Index of 67 is better than 2010 (93) and 2011 (100), both rated Avoid, but worse than 2018-2024 years, which score between 7 and 47 and rate Good or Best.
What is the top problem area for the 2012 C300?
Airbags are the top problem area, with 114 complaints making up 43% of all reported issues, including some tied to crashes and injuries.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.