Are there open safety recalls?
None
No open recalls, but there’s an open government investigation — check nhtsa.gov.
FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
The 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has no open NHTSA safety recalls on file, 585 owner complaints. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA
2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Should you worry?
Be careful
Serious flags in the public record. Read the details below before you buy.
What do owners report?
1 death reported
Out of 585 owner reports. Read the Owners section before you buy.
How did it score in crash tests?
Not tested
No official 5-star crash-test score for this year and model.
Open recalls · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2012.
- 20100recalls
- 20110recalls
- 2012 · this car0recalls
- 20130recalls
Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 27, 2026.
SAFETY
Will it protect people in a crash?
These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.
- Overall
- Not rated
- Frontal
- Not rated
- Side
- Not rated
- Side pole
- 4 / 5 stars
- Rollover
- 4 / 5 stars
Factory safety & driver-assist equipment
- Stability control
- Standard
Tested as: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4 DR AWD · 2 versions tested
Open safety recalls
A recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.
No open safety recalls on file for this year and model.
The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.
From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 27, 2026.
OWNERS
What problems do owners report?
People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.
Owner reports · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2012.
- 2010476reports
- 2011516reports
- 2012 · this car585reports
- 2013571reports
585 owner reports on file
8 crash mentions 7 fire mentions 10 injury mentions 1 death mentions
Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 585 total reports.
- AIR BAGS 307 of 585
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
- SUSPENSION 68 of 585
The rear sub frame has rusted and part of it has failed
- ENGINE 56 of 585
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
- STRUCTURE 38 of 585
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
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 22 of 585
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
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 22 of 585
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
Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.
From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 27, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.
FUEL COST
What does it cost to drive?
EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.
Fuel-economy data isn’t available for this year and model.
From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 27, 2026.
What this free check does not include
We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Have a mechanic check the air bags
Owners report problems with the air bags more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
-
Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
-
Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
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Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
FOR SALE NEAR YOU
2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class listings
Quick answers
Are there any recalls on the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class? +
No open NHTSA safety recalls are on file for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Recalls can be issued at any time, so confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
What do owners complain about on the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class? +
Owners have filed 585 complaints with NHTSA for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, including 8 involving a crash. The most-reported area is air bags.
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