Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Mercedes-Benz C350 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Takata recall (#17V017) - my issue with this recall is the unacceptable timeliness in making the necessary repair. In January 2017, I was notified via a recall letter from Mercedes that my car's front passenger-side air bag was affected by the Takata inflator recall and I would be notified when a repair was available. To date (April 2019), this has not been remedied by Mercedes and currently, per their website, there is no timeline on when this repair can be made. This is unacceptable in terms of the timeliness of completing this repair given the serious (and potentially deadly) nature of the flaw with the Takata inflators should the air bag deploy. …
Takata recall. I received the racall notice feb.2017 with notification of further notice once parts are available. First of let me address that this is a huge safety concern and it is almost 2 years ago since first notice. Second of all I am trying to sell my car but do not receive the value I should receive due to the open safety recall. My hands are tight at this point and it can't be right to lose in value of the car due to an outstanding safety call which can't be addressed at this point. What are the next steps in order to solve this problem, especially the safety of my my life and the passengers life. Who comes up with the difference in value due to not being able to repair in a timely matter. I believe almost 2 years is plenty of time to solve the issue. Regards
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C350. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V017000 (air bags); however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called Mercedes-Benz stadium (located at 1 amb dr nw, atlanta, ga 30313, [phone]) and was informed that the part was unavailable. The dealer could not provide an estimated time frame for when the parts would become available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C350. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19V010000 (air bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Mercedes-Benz of tysons corner (8545 leesburg pike, vienna, va 22182, [phone]) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was not notified. On several occasions, the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C350. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 17V017000 (air bags) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. The contact received the recall notification in December of 2017. The contact spoke with rallye motor (1600 northern boulevard, roslyn, ny 11576, [phone]) and was asked if a letter was received from the manufacturer. The contact informed the dealer that the only letter that was received from the manufacturer was in December of 2017. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C350. 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 as the recall notice was received over a year ago. The dealer was not contacted regarding part availability. The manufacturer was contacted several times and was unable to confirm when the part was to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C350. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA capaign number: 17V017000 (air bags). 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 was not contacted to confirm 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.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C350. 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 dealer (new country motor cars, inc, 1 weston st, hartford, ct 06120, [phone]) 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.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes Benz C350. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19V010000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Mercedes Benz of buffalo located at (8185 main street, williamsville, ny 14221), confirmed parts not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C350. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V017000 (air bags). The contact called Mercedes-Benz of pembroke pines (954- 644-5035, located at 14199 pines boulevard, 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 had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
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 C350 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C350?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C350, 77% of the model year's 35 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Mercedes-Benz C350 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 C350 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles.
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.