2012 MERCEDES BENZ C 300

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    airbag system

    43 unsafe

    43
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=17, median 56,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO BE UNABLE TO VIEW THE ROAD OR CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. TH…"~5,000 mi, complaint #1260078
    • "TAKATA RECALL GET NOTHING BUT THE RUN-AROUND FROM MBUSA ABOUT WHEN THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS WILL BE REPLACED. DRIVING THIS VEHICLE IS THE SAME AS PLAYING RUSSIAN ROULETTE WITH A SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL. WHY CAN'T YOU BAR ANY NEW SALES OF MB PRODUCTS UNTIL THY FI…"~29,567 mi, complaint #1471726
    • ""TAKATA RECALL" MERCEDES SENT RECALL NOTICE IN MARCH 2017, HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING ELSE ONREPAIRING MY VEHICLE EXCEPT TK HOLDINGS FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY. STILL DRIVING A HIGH RISK VEHICLE AS A MINIMUM WOULD LIKE MY AIRBAG DISABLED AND PROPELLANT REMOVED.…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1418237
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT PRETENSION DID NOT FUNCTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYE…"~66,000 mi, complaint #1283810
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the driver’s side air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who cleared the code. The failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repa…"~93,541 mi, complaint #1749630
  2. #2

    corrosion and rust

    42 unsafe

    42
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the vehicle was making a loud bang sound towards the rear of the vehicle while driving over bumps in the roadway. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the rear subf…"~110,000 mi, complaint #1911193
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while her granddaughter was driving the vehicle, there was a rattling sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was later inspected by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that th…"~115,000 mi, complaint #1828473
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken in for a routine service check at the dealer and the mechanic informed her that the rear subframe was rusted and the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The contact was informed…"~119,000 mi, complaint #1839602
    • "DRIVING LOW SPEED IN TOWN IN FAIR WEATHER AND HIT BRAKES, NOISE AND STRANGE "LOOSENESS" IN BACK END. HAD NEARBY SERVICE STATION INSPECT AND REAR SUB FRAME HAD RUSTED OUT, SEARCHED AND FOUND MULTIPLE REPORTS OF EXACT ISSUE. CONFIRMED W/ LOCAL MB DEALER KNOWN…"~140,000 mi, complaint #1698666
    • "REAR SUBFRAME (AS RECALLED IN PREVIOUS YEARS) WAS COMPLETED CORRODED - FAILED VIRGINIA INSPECTION - IN SUCH POOR SHAPE THAT ENTIRE SUBFRAME HAD TO BE REPLACED - CORROSION RIDDLED THE PIECE SO THAT HUGE HOLES RESULTED IN NO POSSIBILITY OF WELDING TO FIX/SUPPLEM…"~149,212 mi, complaint #1722349
  3. #3

    suspension arms and bushings

    37 unsafe

    37
    incidents
    Typical range: 80,000–122,000 mi

    Median 98,500 mi, based on 38 reports (53% had no usable mileage)

    • "The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would drift from the center in either direction without warning. After describing the symptoms to an independent mechanic, he was informed that the…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1756078
    • "THE REAR SUBFRAME HAS CORRODED AROUND THE AREAS WHERE THE TRAILING ARM AND CONTROL ARM MEET THE SUBFRAME ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE, AND HAS DISINTEGRATED AROUND THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TRAILING ARM CAUSING IT TO HAVE DETACHED, ALONG WITH A PIECE OF THE SUBFRA…"~92,000 mi, complaint #1689378
    • "I ran off the road and my rear suspension sub frame literally broke in half. Upon further research I’ve learned that these parts are faulty and several people have had theirs rust completely in two. Mine had lots of rust damage and that is likely what caused t…"~110,000 mi, complaint #1839472
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated her son was driving approximately 60 MPH and noticed that the steering wheel was crooked and vibrating. The driver was manually turning the steering wheel for the vehicle to drive straight. The dri…"~115,000 mi, complaint #1779949
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle, prompting him to pull to the shoulder of the roadway. After a visual inspection, the contact o…"~143,000 mi, complaint #1989752
  4. #4

    other

    11 unsafe, 8 annoyance

    19
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "PLEASE BE ADVISED I ORIGINALLY RECEIVED A NOTICE BY LETTER FROM MERCEDES BENZ IN 03/2017. NO REMEDY REGARDING THE RECALL HAS BEEN PROVIDED. HOW CAN I PROMPT THE RESOLUTION OF THIS ISSUE?"~50,000 mi, complaint #1532421
    • "the Rear Subrame CRACKED while Driving, Almost causing a Major accident with my son in the car as well. This seems to be a MAJOR problem being overlooked and ignored by Mercedes Benz . This repair is going to Cost me $ 3000-$ 5000 Dollars. and the Replac…"~135,000 mi, complaint #1838711
  5. #5

    fuel tank and lines

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "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 n…"~98,000 mi, complaint #2143828
  6. #6

    engine stall or no start

    1 stranded, 4 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "ON A [REDACTED ADDRESS] CLOSE TO HOME I PULLED OUT TO PASS A SLOW CAR AND NOTICED A CAR COMING UP FROM BEHIND AT A HIGH RATE. I PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR, THE CAR STARTED ACCELERATING THEN LOST ALL POWER. THE ENGINE HAD CUT OFF AND ALL THE DASH LIGHT…"~47,600 mi, complaint #1639905
    • "MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. I AM NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT CAUSED IT OR WHERE IT STARTED, BUT THERE WERE FLAMES COMING OUT BETWEEN THE TIRE AND THE DOOR FRAME. THE CAR WAS ON WHILE I WAS PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY. I RAN A REPORT ON MY VEHICLE AND THE TENSIONER HAD BEEN REPL…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1429824
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while parked, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed as having water intrusion. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced the failur…"~109,000 mi, complaint #1866998
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED PERIODICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAK…"~135,000 mi, complaint #1564790
  7. #7

    brake hydraulics

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "I MADE A SHARP TURN INTO A PARKING AREA THEN ANOTHER SHARP TURN INTO THE PARKING SPACE AND WHEN I STRAIGHTEN THE WHEEL OUT TO COMPLETE PARKING AN APPLIED MY FOOT ON BRAKE THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND CAR WOULD NOT STOP THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED ME WAS THE…"~2,400 mi, complaint #952206
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, extra brake travel time was needed to stop the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where t…"~96,000 mi, complaint #1889138
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed tha…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1893415
  8. #8

    door latch and hinge

    2 unsafe, 1 broken

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the front driver's side interior door handle was fractured. The contact was unable to open the door from inside the vehicle. An independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and referred the cont…"~95,000 mi, complaint #1952057
  9. #9

    lighting exterior

    2 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, he smelled a rubber burning odor. A message indicating that the turn signal was inoperable was displayed. The contact stated that he pulled to the side of the road and inspect…"~30,000 mi, complaint #1927863
    • "2012 MERCEDES BENZ C300 - REAR TAIL LIGHT TAIL LIGHT FAILURE, FOUND BURN MARKS IN THE VEHICLE BULB ASSEMBLY (BULB PANEL) AND BURNED WIRES IT HAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF TAIL LIGHT LAMPS FUNCTION. "~79,580 mi, complaint #1518845
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the passenger’s side rear taillight was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired since the VIN nor the model year was…"~180,000 mi, complaint #2003389
  10. #10

    suspension struts shocks

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Applied brakes coming down a slight grade and vehicle made a clunking noise and became unstable. Pulled and pitched as brakes were applied and released. Upon checking brakes it was very visible that the rear subframe had failed on the right side and the left…"complaint #1852131
    • "I found out about the Mercedes Subframe failure issue after having problems on the road, that could have killed me, and being warned not to drive anymore by an authorized repair shop because my vehicle was not safe for me to drive. This has caused many other i…"complaint #1895112
    • "Took the car in for an oil change and asked them to look at the brakes and rear as there was a strange noise. Vehicle was inspected and found the entire subframe is rotted. Was advised this is a common problem with Mercedes and there were some recalls. Unfo…"complaint #2060680
  11. #11

    wiring harness

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that after opening the sunroof and then attempting to close the sunroof, the sunroof failed to fully close. The contact had to open and close the sunroof several times before the sunroof closed. Ad…"~169,000 mi, complaint #1999517
  12. #12

    brake pads and rotors

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "MY VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED BY K AND H AUTO. THE ELECTRICAL UNIT IS MALFUNCTIONING, THE LIGHT IS BROKEN ON THE RIGHT SIDE, AND THE ROTORS AND BRAKES HAVE BEEN RUSTED, PLEASE HAVE SOMEONE ATTEND TO THIS MATTER. THANKS, AND HAVE A VERY BLESSED DAY. ANOTHER COMPANY B…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1444668
  13. #13

    climate control module

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "It is a wide-spread issue and commonly known issue that when the car battery is replaced in Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the climate control stops working, as well as the blower. The safety issues: •Car battery needed to be replaced during non-daylight hours durin…"complaint #1880006
  14. #14

    control module

    1 stranded

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Vehicle will not start, possible ESL/EIS failure."complaint #1987862
  15. #15

    engine internal

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "WHILE MY CAR WAS RUNNING IN MY DRIVEWAY PRIOR TO DRIVING, THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE, TOTALING THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE NO OPEN RECALLS ON THIS SPECIFIC CAR, BUT WAS TOLD BY THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR THAT IT WAS EITHER ELECTRICAL OR FUEL PUMP RELATED. *TR"~45,000 mi, complaint #1159533
  16. #16

    lighting interior

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, A BURNING TYPE ODOR WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. WHILING INSPECTING THE VEHICLE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT PLUG…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1743542
  17. #17

    mirror

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "SENSOR FOR SIDE VIEW MIRRORS CONTINUE TO MALFUNCTION PROVIDING INACCURATE INFORMATION AND LOCKING ON (LIGHT) AND NOT SHOWING WHEN NEEDED"complaint #1401432
  18. #18

    power windows and locks

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW EXHIBITED A LOUD, ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN OPENED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A TEMPORARY LOSS OF HEARING FROM THE HIGH PITCH OF T…"complaint #931630
  19. #19

    seat mechanism

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "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 driving approximately…"complaint #2109805
  20. #20

    stability and traction control

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "OUTSIDE TEMP 9 DEGREES CAR STARTS FINE AND I DRIVE TWO MILES TO PICK UP A CARRY OUT ORDER. AFTER SITTING 15 MINUTES IN FRONT OF THE RESTAURANT CAR WILL NOT START, NOT EVEN ATTEMPT TO CRANK. LIGHTS COME ON AND A MESSAGE POPS UP STATING "INOPERATIVE - CHECK MA…"~82,000 mi, complaint #1436860
  21. #21

    steering column

    1 stranded

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the vehicle was unable to start-up as needed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a faulty steering column sensor that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not re…"~104,692 mi, complaint #1837806
  22. #22

    steering electric assist

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "STEERING WHEEL LOCK AFTER VEHICLE IS SHUT DOWN. WHEN YOU RETURN TO THE VEHICLE INSERT THE KEY THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, SPEEDO, STEERING WHEEL IS UNRESPONSIVE WHICH WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO TURN THE ENGINE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL IT'S A ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK TH…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1497060
  23. #23

    tire failure

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "I HAVE A MERCEDES BENZ C300 WITH 16,300 MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE CAME WITH CONTINENTAL, CONTIPRO, 225/45 R17 91H TIRES ON IT TWO TIRES ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR HAVE DEVELOPED BUBBLES ON THEM AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRES ON THE RIGHT SIDE WILL HA…"~16,300 mi, complaint #1048021
  24. #24

    transmission automatic

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "GRADUALLY AS THE CAR IS ACCELERATING IT MAKES A TERRIBLE GRINDING NOISE AND SHAKES ALSO JERKS WHEN CHANGING GEARS, CONFIRMED IT IS A FAILED TRANSMISSION, THE CAR HAS HAD ALL THE APPROPRIATE MAINTENANCE JUST NOT AT A MB DEALER AND THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON…"~53,000 mi, complaint #1356241
  25. #25

    unintended acceleration

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES BENZ C300. WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED EXTREMELY FAST INTO AN INTERSECTION. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SID…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1178987
  26. #26

    wiper and washer

    1 broken

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR REPAIR AND THE BLADES WERE REPLACED HOWEVER THE CONTACT WIPERS WERE STILL FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MA…"~7,000 mi, complaint #1010123

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for MERCEDES BENZ C 300 directly.