Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 malfunctioning. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 78,000.
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 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 putting 30000 on it hardly driven/cared for **Issue Found:** Oil was leaking onto the ignition coil and spark plug of cylinder 3. **Source of Leak:** Valve cover gasket failure. **Recommended Repairs:** - Replace the valve cover gasket (to halt the oil leak). - Replace spark plugs and ignition coil (which were contaminated/damaged by oil). **Relevance to Warranty:** The valve cover gasket is only covered if it fails as a result of an internally lubricated engine part causing damage. Ignition coils and spark plugs are maintenance items and are not covered by warranty plans. …
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.
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the front passenger side air bag sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred numerous times. The contact also stated that several different components were replaced, but the failure was persistent. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V017000 (air bags). The part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair the manufacturer was aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000. Updated 06/07/17
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: [phone]) 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.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz c250c. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V017000 (air bags). The contact called Mercedes-Benz of pembroke pines at [phone] (located at 14199 pines blvd, pembroke pines, fl 33027) and was informed that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact informed the same dealer and the manufacturer that the air bag indicator remained illuminated. The contact was informed to consider a trade-in. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250. The contact received a recall notice for 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 fields motorcars (4141 n florida ave, lakeland, fl 33805, [phone]) and was informed that parts were not available. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to NHTSA. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Consumer stated she is the original owner and 20,000 miles in March 2019.
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, [phone]) 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. Consumer stated while driving in a snow cover road, heard a loud noise and realized car hit the curve taking down the passenger bumper.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2016 E400 Coupe, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2011-2014 E350 Coupe, and 2012-2014 E350 Cabrio vehicles. An incorrect front passenger air bag may have been installed during a prior repair.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag on the affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 10, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012 C250, C250 Coupe, C300, C350, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG, and C63 AMG Coupe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall. An incorrect replacement front passenger air bag may have been installed.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014 C250, C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2014-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, GLK 350, GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, 2015-2017 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400…
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Air bags › Frontal
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling these vehicles: 2014-2018 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, CLA45 AMG 4Matic, 2015-2018 GLA250, GLA250 4Matic, GLA45 AMG 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C63S AMG, 2012-2014 C250, C350, C300 4Matic, E550 4Matic, 2013-2014 C63 AMG, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2013-2015 C350 4Matic…
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will add sufficient grounding to the steering components, free of charge. The recall began in December 6, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
Show 1 more recall
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012 C300 4Matic, C250, C250 Coupe, C350, C350 Coupe 4Matic, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, E550 Cabrio, E550 Coupe, GLK350 4Matic, GLK350, SLS AMG Cabrio, and SLS AMG Coupe vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in…
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag modules, free of charge. Owners were sent an interim notification in March 2017.
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
Airbag complaints in other C250 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250?
NHTSA has 168 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250, 62% of the model year's 272 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 21V-638 (frontal, Aug 13, 2021); NHTSA recall 20V-298 (inflator module, May 22, 2020); NHTSA recall 19V-010 (inflator module, Jan 9, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.