Home · 2012 Mercedes-benz C-class Hybrid · Complaints

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

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (584)Crash / fire / injury (18)Airbags (312)Suspension (73)Engine (69)Body & structure (62)Fuel system (34)Electrical system (27)Brakes (26)Steering (15)Transmission & drivetrain (12)Lights (8)

Newest first · 584 complaints · page 18 of 24

Jan 2, 2018Airbags

TAKATA RECALL JAN.2017 MERCEDES WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAGS. NOW PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL DEC.31.2018. THIS IS A SAFETY ITEM WHICH COULD POSSIBLE CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE. ONE SHOULD NOT BE EXPECTED TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE CAR FOR OVER TWO YEARS.

NHTSA ODI 11058107

Jan 1, 2018Airbags

IT HAS BEEN OVER 11 MONTHS SINCE NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL AND THE FIX IS STILL NOT AVAILABLE

NHTSA ODI 11057859

Jan 1, 2018Electrical system

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 MANUAL." I CALLED MB ASSISTANCE WHO DETERMINED IT WAS THE ESP SYSTEM THAT WAS INOPERATIVE AND OFFERED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. I TRIED TO START ONE MORE TIME AND THIS TIME THE VEHICLE STARTED RIGHT AWAY.

NHTSA ODI 11057903

Dec 27, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL

NHTSA ODI 11056730

Dec 27, 2017Engine

WHEN STARTING UP THE VEHICLE MAKE A TERRIBLE NOISE THAT LAST FOR 3-4 SECONDS BEFORE IT GOES AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS VERIFIED BY A MERCEDES TECHNICIAN AND THE DIAGNOSTICS CAME BACK STATING AN ISSUE WITH THE "CAMSHAFT ADJUSTERS (INTERNAL FAULT)". I WAS TOLD THIS CONDITION WILL GET WORSE AND FINALLY ENGINE WILL STALL AND MAJOR DAMAGES WILL HAPPEN. WORST SCENARIO COULD PRODUCE BENT VALVES AND WILL REQUIRE A MAJOR ENGINE OVERHAUL WITH JUST 48,304 MILES ON IT. APPARENTLY, C250S ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE AND CUSTOMER ARE PAYING THE CONSEQUENCES FOR A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. BY THE WAY, ENGINE HAS BEEN PERFECTLY MAINTAINED WITH MOBIL 1 (OW-40) AND ORIGINAL FILTER EVERY 5,000 MILES INSTEAD OF THE 10,000 MILES INTERVAL RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO A MAJOR FAILURE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THAT COULD END UP INTO AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI 11056762

Dec 27, 2017Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF BUCKHEAD OF BUCKHEAD, GEORGIA DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11056780

Dec 27, 2017Airbags

NO RESOLUTION SINCE JANUARY 2017, I AM AN ACTIVE DUTY SOLDIER OFTEN AFRAID TO CONTINUE DRIVING FOR FEAR OF FAULTY AIRBAG AND THE AFTERMATH OF BODILY INJURY THAT COULD POTENTIALLY OCCUR TO ME AND OTHERS.

NHTSA ODI 11056881

Dec 24, 2017Airbags

I HAVE CONTACTED THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP TWICE SINCE THE AIRBAG RECALL. I WAS TOLD BOTH TIMES THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO REPLACE MY RECALLED AIRBAGS. MY SAFETY IS IN DANGER UNTIL THE PARTS ARE MADE AVAILABLE. THAT IS MY COMPLAINT.

NHTSA ODI 11056293

Dec 19, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF MEMPHIS AT (901) 345-6211 (5389 POPLAR AVE, MEMPHIS, TN 38119) AND MERCEDES-BENZ OF COLLIERVILLE AT (901) 316-3535 (4651 S HOUSTON LEVEE RD, COLLIERVILLE, TN 38017) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11055493

Dec 18, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL. MERCEDES-BENZ IS IN CLEAR VIOLATION OF 49 U.S.C. CHAPTER 301 IN THAT THEY HAVE FAILED TO CORRECT WHAT IS DESRIBED AS A PASSENGER-SIDE AIRBAG INFLATOR THAT COULD RUPTURE DEPLOYING METAL FRAGMENTS THAT COULD KILL OR SERIOUSLY INJURY THIS CAR'S OCCUPANTS.

NHTSA ODI 11055349

Dec 17, 2017EngineFuel system

MY CAR HAS A STRONG ODER OF GAS. IS IT SAFE TO EVEN DRIVE TO A SHOP? HAVE THERE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO MINE?

NHTSA ODI 11055113

Dec 14, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL.... I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A NEW INFLATOR SINCE JANUARY 10TH, 2017. MERCEDES DEALERS DON'T SEEM TO CARE, JUST WANT TO SELL ME A NEW CAR... SIGNED FRUSTRATED 12/14/17

NHTSA ODI 11054756

Dec 14, 2017Airbags

I CALL MERCEDES BENZ IN REGARDS TO THE RECALL AND THEY SAY THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE TOOLS AVAILABLE YET. I AM CONCERN ABOUT IT BECAUSE I AM IN THE MILITARY AND I AM TRYING TO SHIP MY CAR TO PUERTO RICO BUT I NEED A LETTER SAYING WHY THE RECALL CAN NOT BE DONE YET.

NHTSA ODI 11054799

Dec 13, 2017Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES BENZ C250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V627000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTHLAKE (10725 NORTHLAKE AUTO PLAZA BLVD, CHARLOTTE, NC 28269, (704) 321-4833) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. 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.

NHTSA ODI 11054525

Dec 11, 2017Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED GARAGE ISLA VERDE (BALDORIOTY DE CASTRO KM 10.3, CAROLINA, PR 00979, PHONE: (787) 620-1313) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11053857

Dec 4, 2017Airbags

VEHICLE RECALLED FOR TAKATA PASSENGER-SIDE AIRBAGS IN JANUARY 2017. RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM MB IN MARCH 2017. AS OF 12/4/17 STILL NO REPLACEMENT PARTS AVAILABLE. WHAT IS TAKING SO LONG? ARE THEY AWAITING FOR MORE INJURIES AND LAW SUITS?

NHTSA ODI 11052272

Dec 3, 2017EngineFire

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

Dec 1, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL ON MY AIRBAGS

NHTSA ODI 11051737

Dec 1, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL. I WILL NOT CONTINUE TO RISK MY LIFE DUE TO INSUFFICIENT AIRBAGS THAT NOBODY IS TAKING CARE OF . THIS SHOULD BE AT ITS HIGHEST PRIORITY AND IT IS VERY DISAPPOINTING. I WILL BE SPEAKING TO MY LAWYER.

NHTSA ODI 11051822

Nov 30, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (BOB KING AUTOHAUS, 5115 NEW CENTRE DR, WILMINGTON, NC 28403, (910) 799-3520) DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11051567

Nov 29, 2017Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF ROCHESTER, 4296 W HENRIETTA RD, ROCHESTER, NY 14623 (585) 598-9193) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. 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.

NHTSA ODI 11051309

Nov 26, 2017AirbagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

TAKATA RECALL, NOT ACTION TAKEN IN A EFICCIENT TIME BRAKES 2017 ELEC STABILITY CONTROL 2013 AND 2017

NHTSA ODI 11048515

Nov 24, 2017AirbagsCrash

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

Nov 21, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL - REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE FOR MY VEHICLE AND ARE NOT REPLACED. NEED REPLACEMENT ASAP AS CAR IS NOT USED AND IS NOT SAFE.

NHTSA ODI 11047700

Nov 21, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF PITTSBURGH (4709 BAUM BLVD, PITTSBURGH, PA) 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.

NHTSA ODI 11047734

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Working with the data? Download all 584 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 25, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Mercedes-benz C-class Hybrid verdict →