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2012 Mercedes-benz E-class Cabriolet
Solid pick. The public record on this car is clean for its age. Inspect it, then negotiate with confidence.
233 owner complaints · 0 recalls · data verified July 14, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Airbags problems dominate (39% of complaints).
Zero recalls, rare for a car this age.
The math, shown
Full methodology →Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
NHTSA crash-tested this model year but didn’t publish an overall star rating for it.
2 open NHTSA defect investigations on file for this model year, separate from the recalls above.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2012 Mercedes-benz E-class Cabriolet, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Airbags (92) · Electrical system (22) · Brakes (21) · Suspension (15)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Airbags
39%92 complaints · 2 in the last 2 years
“Air bag notice on monitor, Passenger front seat locked in forward position up to the dashboard..”
Fuel system
16%37 complaints · typically near 68k mi · 10 in the last 2 years
“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) Sudde…”
Electrical system
9%22 complaints · 3 in the last 2 years
“Steering wheel lock module steering wheel was locked in place and vehicle wouldn’t do anything.”
Brakes
9%21 complaints · 11 in the last 2 years
“The brake lines on my car rusted out from the brake booster all of way to the rear calipers. This is the third time it’s happened to me as I’ve owned multiple E classe…”
Recalls (0)
No recall campaigns on file for this model year.
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2012 Mercedes-benz E-CLASS CABRIOLET beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2012? See how every E-class Cabriolet model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2012 Mercedes-benz E-class Cabriolet against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.