The 2012 Mercedes-Benz C350 has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 889,033 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS21V6380002021-08-13205 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
An incorrect air bag may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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 BAGS20V2980002020-05-22640 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
An incorrect passenger air bag may not provide adequate protection, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
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. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020060011.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
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.
AIR BAGS17V0170002017-01-10104,119 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. Second notices started going out in October 2018 and continue to be mailed as parts become available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at…
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
27
ENGINE
2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2
SUSPENSION
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1
POWER TRAIN
1
STRUCTURE:BODY
1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
1
Total complaints39
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The contact owns a 2012 mercedes-benz c350. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a strong smell of fuel around the exterior of the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that while driving the vehicle, the fuel odor was extremely strong, and the contact could not…”
“My car’s left side rear subframe is cracked due to corrosion. I started hearing a weird noise a week ago, and my car suddenly veered to the left side when I pressed the brake. I almost crashed my car because the car moved to the left of the yellow line on the road. I searched about this issue on…”
“My car’s left side rear subframe is cracked due to corrosion. I started hearing a weird noise a week ago, and my car suddenly veered to the left side when I pressed the brake. I almost crashed my car because the car moved to the left of the yellow line on the road. I searched about this issue on…”
“The contact owns a 2012 mercedes-benz c350. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the sunroof glass shattered and landed on the sunroof cover. There was no impact on the sunroof that could have caused the sunroof to shatter. The contact and his daughter did not sustain any…”
“1. The (rh) rear suspension forward link attach point on the rear suspension cross-member (mercedes-benz p/n: 204-350-01-41), separated from the sub frame due to internal corrosion of the suspension cross-member. Part available for inspection. 2. When part failed, the rh rear wheel alignment was…”
“1. The (rh) rear suspension forward link attach point on the rear suspension cross-member (mercedes-benz p/n: 204-350-01-41), separated from the sub frame due to internal corrosion of the suspension cross-member. Part available for inspection. 2. When part failed, the rh rear wheel alignment was…”
“The steering wheel locked could not start the car. Car was driven then turned off, when you return to the vehicle, it will not turn on.everything was unresponsive,which wont turn on engine. Had to tow to dealership it cost me 1800.00. So they said the electrical for car was bad. Then my fuel tank…”
“The steering wheel locked could not start the car. Car was driven then turned off, when you return to the vehicle, it will not turn on.everything was unresponsive,which wont turn on engine. Had to tow to dealership it cost me 1800.00. So they said the electrical for car was bad. Then my fuel tank…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA21002 Opened 2021-09-17 · open
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…
InvestigationEA21002 Opened 2021-09-17 · open
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…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C350 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.