MERCEDES-BENZ C350 · model year

2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C350

39 NHTSA complaints, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2012MERCEDES-BENZC350 carries 39 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 C350 is air bags with 27 filings, followed by engine (2) and fuel/propulsion system (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 2012 C350. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

39
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

39 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS27
ENGINE2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
SUSPENSION2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
STRUCTURE:BODY1
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY1
POWER TRAIN1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1

Recalls (5)

20V29800022/05/2020

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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.

21V63800013/08/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2016 E400 Coupe, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2011-2014 E350 Coupe, and 2012-2014 E350 Cabrio vehicles. An incorrect front passenger air bag may have been installed during a prior repair.

17V01700010/01/2017

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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,

19V01000009/01/2019

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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

17V62700006/10/2017

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

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

Recent Complaints

20241001FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C350. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a strong smell of fuel around the exterior of the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that while driving the vehicle, the fuel odor was extremely strong, and the contact could not wind the windows down. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 53,000.

Mileage: 53,000

20230225POWER TRAIN

My car’s left side rear subframe is cracked due to corrosion. I started hearing a weird noise a week ago, and my car suddenly veered to the left side when I pressed the brake. I almost crashed my car because the car moved to the left of the yellow line on the road. I searched about this issue on Google and found that many C-Class owners (W204 generation) are experiencing the same issue due to the design flaws/defects by Mercedes-Benz. Now I have to pay up to $10,000 for the repair that is due to a defective part. In other countries like the UK and South Korea, this issue is covered by Mercedes-Benz, but in the United States, it is not covered. The repair is done at owner’s expense. I fear driving now because my car steers to the left when I press the brake. The rear subframe must be recalled since this issue is now common to all C-Class models produced in 2008-2014, and if car accidents occur, many people can be killed. I almost crashed my car due to my rotten subframe. Please help

20230225SUSPENSION

My car’s left side rear subframe is cracked due to corrosion. I started hearing a weird noise a week ago, and my car suddenly veered to the left side when I pressed the brake. I almost crashed my car because the car moved to the left of the yellow line on the road. I searched about this issue on Google and found that many C-Class owners (W204 generation) are experiencing the same issue due to the design flaws/defects by Mercedes-Benz. Now I have to pay up to $10,000 for the repair that is due to a defective part. In other countries like the UK and South Korea, this issue is covered by Mercedes-Benz, but in the United States, it is not covered. The repair is done at owner’s expense. I fear driving now because my car steers to the left when I press the brake. The rear subframe must be recalled since this issue is now common to all C-Class models produced in 2008-2014, and if car accidents occur, many people can be killed. I almost crashed my car due to my rotten subframe. Please help

20220701VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C350. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the sunroof glass shattered and landed on the sunroof cover. There was no impact on the sunroof that could have caused the sunroof to shatter. The contact and his daughter did not sustain any injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

Mileage: 75,000

20210524SUSPENSION

1. The (RH) rear suspension forward link attach point on the rear Suspension Cross-Member (Mercedes-Benz P/N: 204-350-01-41), separated from the sub frame due to internal corrosion of the Suspension Cross-Member. Part available for inspection. 2. When part failed, the RH rear wheel alignment was no-longer fixed; some loss of vehicle steering control was experienced, especially during braking and also turning. 3. Numerous reports of similar episodes of this failure are reported in owners' and maintainers' forums. The dealer service department was familiar with this Suspension Cross-Member part failure. 5. This vehicle passed a Maryland State safety inspection performed by the seller of the vehicle 6 months and 5000 mi prior to the part failure. 6. Part failed with no warning, during normal driving on secondary roads.

20210524STRUCTURE:BODY

1. The (RH) rear suspension forward link attach point on the rear Suspension Cross-Member (Mercedes-Benz P/N: 204-350-01-41), separated from the sub frame due to internal corrosion of the Suspension Cross-Member. Part available for inspection. 2. When part failed, the RH rear wheel alignment was no-longer fixed; some loss of vehicle steering control was experienced, especially during braking and also turning. 3. Numerous reports of similar episodes of this failure are reported in owners' and maintainers' forums. The dealer service department was familiar with this Suspension Cross-Member part failure. 5. This vehicle passed a Maryland State safety inspection performed by the seller of the vehicle 6 months and 5000 mi prior to the part failure. 6. Part failed with no warning, during normal driving on secondary roads.

20200319AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES BENZ C350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES BENZ OF BUFFALO LOCATED AT (8185 MAIN STREET, WILLIAMSVILLE, NY 14221), CONFIRMED PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

20200114AIR BAGS

1 YEAR AFTER RECEIVING RECALL LETTER FOR TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL (PHASE 4). MERCEDES BENZ OF SAN DIEGO STILL WILL NOT REPLACE THE AIRBAG. THEY WILL NOT GIVE A DATE. THEY PROVIDED A TELEPHONE # FOR MERCEDES CORPORATE CUSTOMER CARE. THE MENU ITEMS FOR AIRBAG STATUS LEADS TO A CALL THAT IS NEVER ANSWERED AND/OR WILL EVENTUALLY DISCONNECT. DATE BELOW IS THE DATE OF THE ORIGINAL LETTER FROM MERCEDES. LAST CALL TO DEALERSHIP WAS 1/13/2020

20191016AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF PEMBROKE PINES (954- 644-5035, LOCATED AT 14199 PINES BOULEVARD, PEMBROKE PINES, FL 33027) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

20190925AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM (LOCATED AT 1 AMB DR NW, ATLANTA, GA 30313, 470-341-5000) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED TIME FRAME FOR WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

20190826AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN DECEMBER OF 2017. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH RALLYE MOTOR (1600 NORTHERN BOULEVARD, ROSLYN, NY 11576, 517-625-1600) AND WAS ASKED IF A LETTER WAS RECEIVED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER THAT THE ONLY LETTER THAT WAS RECEIVED FROM THE MANUFACTURER WAS IN DECEMBER OF 2017. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

20190820AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF TYSONS CORNER (8545 LEESBURG PIKE, VIENNA, VA 22182, (571) 322-8769) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

20190722ENGINE

KNOWN FAULT OF RATTLING NOISE AFTER ENGINE START FOR SEVERAL SECONDS 07-16-2013 ENGINE 276, ENGINE 278, ENGINE 157 TOPIC NUMBER VERSION DESIGN GROUP DATE VALIDITY REASON FOR CHANGE

Mileage: 55,000

20190715AIR BAGS

2012 MERCEDES BENZ C350. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR. *JS

20190618ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED COULD NOT START THE CAR. CAR WAS DRIVEN THEN TURNED OFF, WHEN YOU RETURN TO THE VEHICLE, IT WILL NOT TURN ON.EVERYTHING WAS UNRESPONSIVE,WHICH WONT TURN ON ENGINE. HAD TO TOW TO DEALERSHIP IT COST ME 1800.00. SO THEY SAID THE ELECTRICAL FOR CAR WAS BAD. THEN MY FUEL TANK LEAKED, THE COMPONETS TO THE FUEL TANK ALL WERE BAD, AND L COULD SMELL THE GAS IN MY CAR AND GARAGE. COST ME 805.00 TO REPAIR. LUCKY IT DID NOT BLOW UP

Mileage: 47,000

20190618FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED COULD NOT START THE CAR. CAR WAS DRIVEN THEN TURNED OFF, WHEN YOU RETURN TO THE VEHICLE, IT WILL NOT TURN ON.EVERYTHING WAS UNRESPONSIVE,WHICH WONT TURN ON ENGINE. HAD TO TOW TO DEALERSHIP IT COST ME 1800.00. SO THEY SAID THE ELECTRICAL FOR CAR WAS BAD. THEN MY FUEL TANK LEAKED, THE COMPONETS TO THE FUEL TANK ALL WERE BAD, AND L COULD SMELL THE GAS IN MY CAR AND GARAGE. COST ME 805.00 TO REPAIR. LUCKY IT DID NOT BLOW UP

Mileage: 47,000

20190520AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF AUGUSTA AT 706-860-1111 (LOCATED AT 3061 WASHINGTON RD, AUGUSTA, GA 30907) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

20190401AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL (#17V017) - MY ISSUE WITH THIS RECALL IS THE UNACCEPTABLE TIMELINESS IN MAKING THE NECESSARY REPAIR. IN JANUARY 2017, I WAS NOTIFIED VIA A RECALL LETTER FROM MERCEDES THAT MY CAR'S FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE AIR BAG WAS AFFECTED BY THE TAKATA INFLATOR RECALL AND I WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN A REPAIR WAS AVAILABLE. TO DATE (APRIL 2019), THIS HAS NOT BEEN REMEDIED BY MERCEDES AND CURRENTLY, PER THEIR WEBSITE, THERE IS NO TIMELINE ON WHEN THIS REPAIR CAN BE MADE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE IN TERMS OF THE TIMELINESS OF COMPLETING THIS REPAIR GIVEN THE SERIOUS (AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY) NATURE OF THE FLAW WITH THE TAKATA INFLATORS SHOULD THE AIR BAG DEPLOY. WHEN I ADDRESSED MY CONCERNS REGARDING THE DELAY IN THIS REPAIR WITH MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP, THEIR ADVICE WAS TO AVOID HAVING A PERSON RIDE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT - WHICH IS IMPRACTICAL AND NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE CONSIDERING THIS IS OUR FAMILY CAR.

20190131AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (NEW COUNTRY MOTOR CARS, INC, 1 WESTON ST, HARTFORD, CT 06120, (860)-278-2000) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT*JB

20181217AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED THE RACALL NOTICE FEB.2017 WITH NOTIFICATION OF FURTHER NOTICE ONCE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. FIRST OF LET ME ADDRESS THAT THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AND IT IS ALMOST 2 YEARS AGO SINCE FIRST NOTICE. SECOND OF ALL I AM TRYING TO SELL MY CAR BUT DO NOT RECEIVE THE VALUE I SHOULD RECEIVE DUE TO THE OPEN SAFETY RECALL. MY HANDS ARE TIGHT AT THIS POINT AND IT CAN'T BE RIGHT TO LOSE IN VALUE OF THE CAR DUE TO AN OUTSTANDING SAFETY CALL WHICH CAN'T BE ADDRESSED AT THIS POINT. WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS IN ORDER TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY THE SAFETY OF MY MY LIFE AND THE PASSENGERS LIFE. WHO COMES UP WITH THE DIFFERENCE IN VALUE DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO REPAIR IN A TIMELY MATTER. I BELIEVE ALMOST 2 YEARS IS PLENTY OF TIME TO SOLVE THE ISSUE. REGARDS

Compare 2012MERCEDES-BENZC350 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C350 have?
The 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C350 has 39 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C350?
Yes, the 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C350 has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C350?
The most-complained component for the 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C350 is AIR BAGS with 27 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM.
Is the 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C350 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.