YearToAvoid

2012 Mercedes-Benz R350 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2012 Mercedes-Benz R350 has a low complaint index of 0 and only 8 complaints, but it carries a Caution verdict because two brake recalls are Do Not Drive campaigns. Among 7 model years, it ranks 7th worst, meaning it has the fewest reported problems of the group.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
0/100
#7 of 7 R350 years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
8
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
3
2 Do Not Drive
Crashes
0
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Top issue
Airbags
Best nearby year
2010
lowest-risk (no Good/Best year)
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
18
16 city / 21 hwy
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Top 2012 Mercedes-Benz R350 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags5 (63%)
  2. Brakes1 (13%)
  3. Electrical System1 (13%)
  4. Engine1 (13%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners report delays getting the Takata airbag inflator replaced, with parts on back order for well over a year after notification.
  • One owner reported the engine stalled without warning at 34,000 miles; a dealer found sludge and replaced the engine, but stalling continued.
  • A wiring harness to the engine reportedly burned up, causing repeated stalling while driving at 65,000 miles.
  • An owner reported waiting for the brake recall (22V315000) repair at 185,000 miles because the replacement part was unavailable.
  • Multiple owners described frustration with long wait times for recall remedies rather than a specific mechanical failure.
2012 Mercedes-Benz R350 complaints: complaints filed per month2Apr 2014Nov 2017Dec 2017Mar 2018Mar 2019Jul 2022
8 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2014 to Jul 2022; peak Dec 2017 (2).

2012 Mercedes-Benz R350 recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 24V298000Apr 26, 2024Brakes15,604 vehiclesDo Not Drive

    Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML, GL, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.

    Risk: Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MMUSA's number for this recall is 2024050001/2. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-315.

  2. NHTSA 22V315000May 9, 2022Brakes350,294 vehiclesDo Not Drive

    Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML-Class, GL-Class, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.

    Risk: Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2022050014, 2022050015 2022090006, & 2022090007.

  3. NHTSA 16V081000Feb 11, 2016Airbags711,159 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic, E550 Coupe, E550 4Matic, and E63 AMG, 2011-2012 GL350 BlueTec 4Matic and R350 BlueTec 4Matic, 2009-2012 GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and R350 4Matic, 2007-2008 SLK280, SLK350, and SLK55 AMG, 2011-2014 SLS AMG Coupe, 2012 SLS AMG Cabriolet, 2013-2014 SLS AMG GT and SLS AMG GT Cabriolet, 2005 C230 Kompressor and C320, 2006-2007 C230, 2006-2011 C350, 2008-2011 C300 and C300 4Matic, 2010-2012 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic and 2007-2008 Chrysler Crossfire vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

    Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Mercedes-Benz owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372 and Chrysler owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

2012 Mercedes-Benz R350 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
16 MPG
Highway
21 MPG
Combined
18 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,450
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 R350 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002006200720082009201020112012
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Caution17133 !16
2011Caution50183 !16
2012Caution083 !18

All Mercedes-Benz R350 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Mercedes-Benz R350 reliable?
NHTSA lists only 8 complaints for the 2012 R350, giving it a complaint index of 0, the lowest of the 7 model years with data. It still gets a Caution verdict because two of its three recalls are Do Not Drive campaigns.
Does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz R350 have a recall?
Yes, it has 3 recalls. Two involve brake corrosion issues and are Do Not Drive campaigns, and one covers Takata airbag inflators.
What is the top problem area for the 2012 R350?
Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 5 of 8 complaints (63%), mostly related to delays in the Takata recall repair.
How does the 2012 R350 compare to other R350 years?
The 2012 model ranks 7th worst out of 7 years tracked, with a complaint index of 0 versus 100 for the worst year, 2006.
Why is the 2012 R350 rated Caution instead of Good?
Its verdict is capped at Caution because it has a Do Not Drive or Park Outside recall, even though its complaint index alone is low.

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.