2012 Mercedes-Benz C Class

No safety recalls on file with NHTSA for this year and model. That's a good sign.

NHTSA has opened one or more investigations covering this model. Recalls can follow an investigation, so check NHTSA for the latest before you buy.

Open safety recalls are free to fix at any franchised dealer. What recalls mean → Source: NHTSA recalls, as of July 11, 2026. Recalls can be issued any time, confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.

• AIR BAGS

  I was driving normally last week when the driver's head restraint system (known by Mercedes as Neck Pro) unexpectedly and without warning blew at my head. The noise was very loud, and the headrest slammed against my head. Luckily, I was d

  307

• SUSPENSION

  I have a rust free, relatively lower mileage car I bought for my teen daughter. Despite being such a clean car the rear subframe has rusted and rear suspension has broke off while driving, hitting the fuel tank and is unstable. We avoided a

  67

• ENGINE

  The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the vehicle with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact drove the v

  56

• STRUCTURE

  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 ver

  38

• ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  The taillights in my 2012 c300 was starting to go out intermittently. At first the notification came on for the brake light but the brake light kept working. Afterwards the rest of the taillights and the sidemarker light went out as well. I

  22

• UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  The electronic steering lock failed resulting in my car being completely disabled. My safety was not at risk in this particular instance. I was left stranded in a parking lot at night. The component was not inspected by the manufacturer or

  22

Problems owners reported to the government, useful for spotting patterns, not proof any one car has them. What complaints mean → Source: NHTSA complaints, as of July 11, 2026. Owner-submitted reports, not verified diagnoses.

CRASH-TEST RATINGS · NHTSA NCAP

Overall

—

Frontal

—

Side

—

Rollover

★★★★☆

Government crash tests of this model; not every trim or year is tested. Source: NHTSA NCAP, as of July 11, 2026.

FUEL & RUNNING COST · U.S. EPA

EPA lab estimates; real mpg varies by how you drive. Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov, as of July 11, 2026. Annual cost assumes 15,000 mi/yr at EPA's reference price.