FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
2012 Mercedes-Benz E Class
The 2012 Mercedes-Benz E Class has no open NHTSA safety recalls on file, 233 owner complaints. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
SAFETY RECALLS · NHTSA
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.
OWNER COMPLAINTS · NHTSA
233 filed- 91
AIR BAGS
Air bag notice on monitor, Passenger front seat locked in forward position up to the dashboard..
- 21
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I have a 2012 E350 with less than 95000 miles and I see these vehicles were recalled in the past for their fuel tank manufacturer malfunction but my VIN number was not included. This car went numerous times to the mechanics and the fuel co
- 15
SUSPENSION
The failed component is a fuel pump, and it is available for inspection upon request. My safety and the safety of others was put at risk due to the following: 1) Sudden engine stalling 2) Dangerous power loss while accelerating 3) Potential
- 15
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The rear subframe got separated from chassis. I was driving to work and had to hard brake to void a collision with another vehicle all of a sudden vehicle shifted to the left and I ended up on a curb. Further inspection vehicle`s rear subfr
- 14
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Camshaft sensors and solenoid leak oil internally which then gets into the sensors electrical connector. From the the oil enters the engine wire harness through capillary action maki g it’s way to other sensors and ultimately the DME (Digit
- 12
SERVICE BRAKES
Brake failure due to leaking brake fluid after dealership conducted rear sub frame extended warranty coverage replacement and recent brake fluid services and after two (2) multi point inspections including video and reported “no items faile
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 fuel-economy data is unavailable for this year and model.
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.
All figures above come from free U.S. government sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, investigations, crash tests) and the EPA (fuel economy and specs). We don't show market price, insurance cost, or proprietary reliability scores, because there's no free, reliable public source for them. For a verdict on a specific listing, with a fair-offer number and what to ask the seller, that's 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.
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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.
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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.
Quick answers
Are there any recalls on the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E Class? +
No open NHTSA safety recalls are on file for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E 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 E Class? +
Owners have filed 233 complaints with NHTSA for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E Class, including 7 involving a crash. The most-reported area is air bags.
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