2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
331
Owner Complaints
6
Recalls
6
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300
The 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 has received a total of 331 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 8 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. 6 technical service bulletins have been issued by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (113 complaints), Suspension (63 complaints), and Structurebody (30 complaints).
Recalls for the 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300
NHTSA has recorded 8 recalls for the 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300, potentially affecting up to 895,370 vehicles.
Recall 20V298000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 640 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 20V298000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 640 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 19V010000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 288,779 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 17V017000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 104,119 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 17V627000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
| 495,290 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 17V177000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
| 51 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 17V177000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
| 51 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 12V557000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
| 5,800 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: If the fuel filter flange cracks, it will leak fuel which may lead to a fire if an external ignition source is present.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300
331 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
Mercedes of Danbury replaced the rear sub frame CODE 3441 47, since my mechanic (Newtown Auto Repair) told me that the Front subframe is in real bad shape, rotten/rusted, that it is dangerous to drive the car in this condition since the wheel and steering components are part and attached to it, the car would be out of control and all over the road any of these components fail and pull / brake away from the rusted out Sub Frame. When I brought the car in was under the impression that Mercedes Benz would replace front and back Sub Frames. But now they informed me of only recall on rear subframe, rear subframe will let go wheels will collapse, front controls the car and failing could kill people and total the car. frames.
Mercedes of Danbury replaced the rear sub frame CODE 3441 47, since my mechanic (Newtown Auto Repair) told me that the Front subframe is in real bad shape, rotten/rusted, that it is dangerous to drive the car in this condition since the wheel and steering components are part and attached to it, the car would be out of control and all over the road any of these components fail and pull / brake away from the rusted out Sub Frame. When I brought the car in was under the impression that Mercedes Benz would replace front and back Sub Frames. But now they informed me of only recall on rear subframe, rear subframe will let go wheels will collapse, front controls the car and failing could kill people and total the car. frames.
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 Certified Mechanic, who diagnosed that the leak was coming from the top of the fuel tank; however, the mechanic was unable to specify the cause. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V557000 ( Fuel System, Gasoline) online; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
Rear subframe rotted out and broke due to corrosion. Rear crossmember is broken and needs replaced. My safety as well as the safely of other was put at risk. Loss of control at high speed could have been deadly. Luckily, I wasn’t going very fast at the time of incident or else who knows what would have happened to me or bystanders. Independent service center inspected and confirmed that incident was due to corrosion in the rear. They informed me of the extended warranty (20 years, unlimited miles) on 2008-2015 C300 models for this particular issue as my safety and the safety of others was put at risk. There were some symptoms leading up to the incident. At the time of braking the car would become unstable and feel skittish in the rear. It felt as if the rear was sliding to one side. The vehicle would also make some metal clinking noises at sharper turns. The symptoms had been more frequent in the prior 2-3 months of incident. The vehicle has been inspected and diagnosed by one shop and is currently getting a second opinion from another independent service center.
Rear subframe rotted out and broke due to corrosion. Rear crossmember is broken and needs replaced. My safety as well as the safely of other was put at risk. Loss of control at high speed could have been deadly. Luckily, I wasn’t going very fast at the time of incident or else who knows what would have happened to me or bystanders. Independent service center inspected and confirmed that incident was due to corrosion in the rear. They informed me of the extended warranty (20 years, unlimited miles) on 2008-2015 C300 models for this particular issue as my safety and the safety of others was put at risk. There were some symptoms leading up to the incident. At the time of braking the car would become unstable and feel skittish in the rear. It felt as if the rear was sliding to one side. The vehicle would also make some metal clinking noises at sharper turns. The symptoms had been more frequent in the prior 2-3 months of incident. The vehicle has been inspected and diagnosed by one shop and is currently getting a second opinion from another independent service center.
Safety Rating for the 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC has issued 6 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
LI-30-20P058689 — ENGINE
XENTRY (MERCEDES): IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, AN ESP WARNING DUE TO IMPLAUSIBLE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SIGNAL RECEIVED FROM ENGINE CONTROL UNIT. MODEL 2012 172, 212, 218, 207, 204. *PE
SC-201306 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
MERCEDES: THE SOFTWARE FOR ENGINE CONTROL MODULE FAILS TO CORRESPOND TO CURRENT PRODUCTION CONFIGURATION AND WILL NEED TO BE UPDATED. MODEL 2012 172, 204. *PE
S-B-98.00/13U — EQUIPMENT
SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
LI54-71-P055558 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
XENTRY (MERCEDES): DISPLAYED IN MULTIFUNCTION "LANE KEEPING ASSIST IS INOPERATIVE AND ACTIVE LANE KEEPING ASSIST IS INOPERATIVE" WHEN DRIVING OVER LANE MARKING. MODELS 204 (C300, 350, 63, 250). *PE
SM-B-80.00/02 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
SM-B-80.00/02 — EQUIPMENT
SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the MERCEDES-BENZ C300
- 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 — 942 complaints
- 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 — 842 complaints
- 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 — 591 complaints
- 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 — 584 complaints
- 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 (current)
- 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 — 338 complaints
- 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 — 118 complaints
- 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 — 504 complaints
- 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 — 356 complaints
- 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 — 280 complaints
Other MERCEDES-BENZ Models
- MERCEDES-BENZ E350 — 2,649 total complaints
- MERCEDES-BENZ E320 — 1,515 total complaints
- MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 — 1,236 total complaints
- MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 — 1,087 total complaints
- MERCEDES-BENZ GLK350 — 1,031 total complaints
- MERCEDES-BENZ C250 — 898 total complaints
- MERCEDES-BENZ C230 — 879 total complaints
- MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500 — 622 total complaints