repaired · 2023 Q2
Air bags: frontal
Risk. An incorrect air bag may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
2012 Mercedes-Benz C250Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 272 owner complaints about the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 5 safety recalls, and for recall 21V-638 the manufacturer reports only 46% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 15, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 has problems
272 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
168Air bags3 crash/fire/injury
61Engine2 crash/fire/injury
16Fuel/propulsion system
9Electrical system
9Service brakes
7Structure
6Power train
5Steering
3Fuel system, gasoline
2211 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 168 | 3 |
| Engine | 61 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 16 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 9 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 9 | 0 |
| Structure | 7 | 1 |
| Power train | 6 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 1 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 3 | 0 |
| 11 other systems | 22 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
5 recalls
2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2022 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An incorrect passenger air bag may not provide adequate protection, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2019 Q4
Air bags: frontal
Risk. If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
Show 1 more recall
repaired · 2026 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mercedes-Benz.
Mileage at failure
When do air bags problems start?
55kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 21 air bags complaints. 95% were reported before 100,000 miles.
Only 32% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.
3under 30k miles20under 100k miles1100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Engine
20 owners mentioned a cost$4,450median
Middle half: $4,000 – $5,000
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2012 vs. every other C250 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the C250 median. How we score
'12'13'14'15'16
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250, and the recalls they led to.
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
In owners' words
What C250 owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The model/year Mercedes-Benz are well known for experiencing this/these particular issues. My research has shown that these year/make/model vehicles are experiencing the same type of mechanical failures nationwide. The issues all relatively begin around 75,000 miles. I've only had my car 3 years…
1) cranshaft and camshaft position sensors, timing problems and it has to be replaced this is a common damage in Mercedes Benz 2012 c250. 2) this put in risk my life because it can brake the engine in a highway and the car could be off.
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250. The contact stated that she noticed that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer was contacted because the vehicle had been serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V638000 (Air Bags) and the dealer stated that the seat belt was…
Own a 2012 C250?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.