What 584 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Mercedes-benz C-class Coupe

2012 Mercedes C250 caught fire with no warning. Drove about 5 miles to the store and parked the car. A passerby said your car is on fire. Within minutes the entire front of the car was ablaze. The vehicle was towed to the city impound lot and has not been inspected by anyone.

NHTSA ODI 11422468

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 PLUGS HAD MELTED. ALSO, AFTER TURNING THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT HEATER ON A BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT AND THE SEAT FELT EXTREMELY HOTTER THE NORMAL. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT YET NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. ## VIN PASSED ## MERCEDES-BENZ 2012 C300 ##

NHTSA ODI 11413896

EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FUEL LEAK - FUEL STARTED TO LEAK FROM THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK, INSIDE THE CAR FROM UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE REAR PASSENGER SEAT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CLOSEST SHOP AVAILABLE WHEN HEAVY FUEL SMELLS WERE NOTICED INSIDE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. A LOCAL TIRE SHOP, HAMIL FIRESTONE, LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND IDENTIFIED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING DOWN THE FRAME TO THE ROAD. SOMEHOW GASOLINE WAS ACTUALLY LEAKING FROM INSIDE THE CAR. I CONTACTED MERCEDES CORP IMMEDIATELY AND THEY SENT A TOW TRUCK TO COLLECT THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THAT DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE ISSUE IT WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THE CAR. MERCEDES SAID THAT DESPITE THE CAR BEING OUT OF WARRANTY, SOMETHING LIKE THIS WOULD GO TO "UPPER MGMT" FOR REVIEW AND SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY MERCCEDES. NOW THE VEHICHLE IS STILL AT THE LOCAL MERCEDES DEALERSHIP WHERE THE HAVE CONFIRMED AN ISSUE WITH THE FUEL PUMP AND SEALS, AND THAT THE CAR IS DEFINETLY LESKING FUEL OUT ONTO THE ROAD.... BUT DESPITE A RECALL ON ALMOST EVERY OTHER 2012 MODEL CAR FOR THE SAME ISSUE, THEY ARE SAYING BECAUSE THIS VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IT DOESN'T MATTER THAT IT IS DOING THE SAME THING. THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. I EXPLAINED THAT I OR MY CHILDREN, OR EVEN ALL OF US COULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A FATAL CAR FIRE DUE TO THE ISSUE!!! MERCEDES DIRECT RESPONSE WAS, "THAT IS THE RISK OF DRIVING A VEHICLE OUT OF WARRANTY." UNACCEPTABLE!!!

NHTSA ODI 11390625

PLEASE ALLOW THIS TO SERVE AS A LIMITED NOTICE TO I) MERCEDES-BENZ AG, II) MBUSA AND III) DAIMLER AG OF A NEW TAKATA AIRBAG INFLATOR RUPTURE FOR TREAD COMPLIANCE PURPOSES. THE SUBJECT VEHICLE IS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250W,VIN#: ***************** (THE 'VEHICLE'). I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF REPRESENTING TWO INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE SEVERELY INJURED ON 11/7/2020 WHEN THE PASSENGER-SIDE TAKATA AIRBAG INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE IMPROPERLY RUPTURED DURING A CRASH EVENT DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT THE TIME OF THE RUPTURE. DUE TO THE VIOLENT EXPLOSION OF THE INFLATOR MODULE, THE INFLATOR'S IGNITER CAPS AND HOUSING BLEW APART AND STRUCK THE PASSENGER, A YOUNG FEMALE, IN THE FACE AND HEAD WITH LETHAL VELOCITY. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED IN PINELLAS COUNTY, FLORIDA. THE YOUNG FEMALE PASSENGER HAS BEEN HOSPITALIZED FOR 2 WEEKS WITH SEVERE INJURIES AND MULTIPLE SURGICAL PROCEDURES. HER CURRENT INJURIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF VISION IN HER LEFT EYE, COGNITIVE TRAUMA, FACIAL PARALYSIS AND DIMINISHED HEARING CAPACITY IN BOTH EARS: AS SHOWN BELOW, THE PASSENGER-SIDE AIRBAG MODULE BLEW APART (AS WE HAVE SEEN IN MULTIPLE PASSENGER-SIDE TAKATA BAGS)'DUE TO THE LARGE AMOUNT OF AMMONIUM NITRATE PROPELLANT USED IN THIS MODEL FOR DEPLOYMENT. THE BELOW IMAGES SHOW PIECES OF THE INFLATOR MODULE POST-EXPLOSION, INCLUDING THE INFLATOR MESH, HOUSING AND IGNITER CAPS FROM STAGE 2 SEPARATION. ## VIN PASSED ## 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250W ##*DT*DT*JB *TR

NHTSA ODI 11375773

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. 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 CONTACT CALLED PLAZA MOTORS (LOCATED AT 11654 OLIVE BLVD, CREVE CORE, MO 63141, 314-485-4926) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.*MP CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING IN A SNOW COVER ROAD, HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND REALIZED CAR HIT THE CURVE TAKING DOWN THE PASSENGER BUMPER.*JB

NHTSA ODI 11281852

THERE ARE SMALL CRACKS THAT HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE TOP OF THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. THIS ALLOWS FUEL TO LEAK OUT OF THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP AND POOL IN THE CENTER OF THE PUMP WHERE THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ELECTRICAL WIRES THAT ARE SUBMERGED IN FUEL. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DEADLY PROBLEM AS THERE IS A REAL POTENTIAL FOR IGNITION OF THE LEAKED FUEL WHICH IS RIGHT UNDERNEATH THE DRIVERS SIDE PASSENGER SEAT WHERE MY 5 YEAR OLD'S CHILD SEAT IS LOCATED. THERE IS ALSO AN EXTREMELY STRONG ODOR OF GAS INSIDE THE CAR WHICH IS STRONG ENOUGH TO CAUSE LIGHT HEADEDNESS AND POSSIBLE SYNCOPE. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE NTSB OPENED UP AN INVESTIGATION OF THIS ISSUE THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION OPENED A PROBE IN JANUARY 2012 AFTER RECEIVING 20 REPORTS IN 2003-2006 E55 AMG VEHICLES AND EXPANDED THE PROBE LAST YEAR INTO ALL 2003-2008 E-CLASS VEHICLES. OWNERS SAID THEY REPORTED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE FUEL BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THEIR VEHICLE, PARTICULARLY AFTER REFILLING THE FUEL TANK. MANY COMPLAINTS SAID THE ODOR SUBSIDED AFTER DRIVING SOME DISTANCE THEREBY LOWERING THE FUEL LEVEL IN THE TANK. OTHER OWNERS REPORTED THEY WOULD ONLY FILL THE GAS TANK TO ABOUT THREE-QUARTERS FULL TO AVOID THE ODOR. SOME OWNERS SAID FUEL LEAKED FROM THE FUEL FILTER/SENDER, LOCATED ON THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, AND COLLECTED ON TOP OF THE TANK. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BUT THERE ARE OTHER MODELS AND YEAR MODELS THAT ARE AFFECTED AND DID NOT FALL UNDER THE MERCEDES RECALL CAMPAIGN.

NHTSA ODI 11281869

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 BY THE NAME OF ANS TOWING, TOWED MY VEHICLE WITHOUT CARE AND I AM NOW HAVING ACCELERATION ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRAGGED THROUGH WATER ON OCTOBER 17-18, 2018.

NHTSA ODI 11066436

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 REPLACED BEFORE I PURCHASED IT AND ALSO AFTER I PURCHASED IT. I BELIEVE IT MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE V-BELT TENSIONER AS IT WAS ALWAYS MAKING SCREECHING SOUNDS. I JUST WANT TO KNOW HOW TO HAVE MY CAR INVESTIGATED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE.

NHTSA ODI 11052062

TAKATA RECALL I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION IN 2015 DRIVING MY 2012 MERCEDES C250. THE IMPACT WAS SEVERE AND TOTALED MY CAR, BUT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY CRASHING SPEED WAS WELL OVER 45MPH. I PURCHASED A MERCEDES BENZ FROM THE DEALER FOR ITS SAFETY AND I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT MERCEDES BENZ FAILED TO RECOGNIZE THE DEFECT BEFORE SELLING ME A CAR THAT WASN'T SAFE. I AM LUCKY TO WALK AWAY WITH MINOR INJURIES, I HAVE BEEN TERRIFIED OF DRIVING A MOTOR VEHICLE EVER SINCE.

NHTSA ODI 11048186

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, SMOKE SUDDENLY APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD AND FLAMES WERE PRESENT UNDER THE VEHICLE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,572. UPDATED 06/01/17*LJ UPDATED 09/18/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI 10969769

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 DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THERE WAS ONE INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SHORT TERM MEMORY LOSS, A SEIZURE, AND LIVER DAMAGE. THE CONTACT HAD TO REMAIN HOSPITALIZED FOR FIVE DAYS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

NHTSA ODI 10865776

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. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE INJURED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS RIGHT HAND, NECK AND LEFT LEG. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER NECK. BOTH PARTIES INJURED REQUIRED IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.

NHTSA ODI 10825469

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 SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A BROKEN CLAVICLE, A BRUISED ANKLE, CHEST, AND BACK. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE POLICE IMPOUND LOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 7/1/15*CN

NHTSA ODI 10713730

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

NHTSA ODI 10689919

THE STEERING WHEEL ,HAS ALUMINUM PLATING OR COVERING, THAT WAS PEELING OFF AND CUT MY FINGER AS I WAS DRIVING, THIS HAPPENED LAST YEAR AND WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, AND DEALER REPLACED, THIS IS HAPPENING AGAIN, AND THE DEALER HAS AGREED TO REPLACE EVEN THOUGH THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. I THOUGHT YOU GUYS SHOULD KNOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10671871

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER VEERED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. THE DRIVER THEN CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES AND THE PASSENGER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25000. UPDATED 09-04-14 *BF UPDATED 09/10/2014 *JS..UPDATED 10/28/14 *BF...UPDATED 04/08/15 *BF UPDATED 8/30/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI 10595185

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 CONCRETE CURBING WHICH I HIT HARD AND DAMAGED THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF MY CAR. THE TIRES HITTING THE CONCRETE IS MADE FORCED CAR TO STOP. I CONTACTED DEALERSHIP TO REPORT THE PROBLEM AND SEE IF THEY COULD TOW VEHICLE AND PROVIDE ME WITH A CAR SINCE I WAS STRANDED. THEY WERE CLOSING AND COULDN'T HELP ME. HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED TO SEE IF A BRAKE LINE HAD BROKE OR IF BRAKE FLUID LEVEL WAS OK, EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT OK DROVE CAR HOME VERY SLOW NOTICED CAR HAVING A MESSAGE ON DASH HOLD WHEN I APPLY BRAKES AND A MESSAGE ( P SHIFT IN PARK) CAME ON DASH AS I WAS DRIVING. THIS HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED. CALLED DEALER THE FOLLOWING MORNING AND HAD CAR TOWED TO THEM. 5 DAYS LATER THEY TELL ME THAT THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH MY BRAKES AND MY CAR IS SAFE. I AM NOT DRIVING THE CAR I WILL BE HAVING IT TOWED. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES AND I DO NOT FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PUT MYSELF OR ANYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD AT RISK FOR LOSING THERE LIFE. JUST BECAUSE THEY CANT FIND ANYTHING IT DOESN'T MEAN THERE ISN'T ANYTHING WRONG. I HAVE RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THE CAR I OWN AND I HAVE SEEN MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AS MINE. I HAVE NOT HAD THE CAR BUT FOR 2 MONTHS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUES AND IT SEEMS AS THE MANUFACTURES OF THE VEHICLES BEING MADE DON'T HAVE TO BACK THERE PRODUCTS UNLESS SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10487272

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 THE NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE LOUD NOISE WAS COMMON FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 384. UPDATED 8/21/12 *CN

NHTSA ODI 10468811