NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
272 reportsMileage unknown · Nov 13, 2021
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
When accelerating to pass a vehicle the check engine light comes on and there is loss power. When this happens there is a huge potential of a crash. The car has to be shut off to try and reset this. When you are on the frwy this puts life at danger. The code is a p002 and if you research it Mercedes is aware of this and is most …
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When accelerating to pass a vehicle the check engine light comes on and there is loss power. When this happens there is a huge potential of a crash. The car has to be shut off to try and reset this. When you are on the frwy this puts life at danger. The code is a p002 and if you research it Mercedes is aware of this and is most likely a defective high pressure fuel pump problem that needs replacing but there have been no recalls. I have looked it up on you tube and has been on ongoing issue with no recalls as of yet. I am taking my car to dealer on 11/15/2021 for this issue which they will charge me for even though its a safety issue
NHTSA ODI #11440301
Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2021
Engine
I purchased this 2012 C250 Mercedes from Carmax of Waldorf on 04/26/2017, with 20,046 miles on it. I informed Carmax the engine light was on and the car was rattling at start. I also reported the oil dipstick was broken. When the car was returned, the dipstick was replaced, coolant light off and engine light was off; however,…
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I purchased this 2012 C250 Mercedes from Carmax of Waldorf on 04/26/2017, with 20,046 miles on it. I informed Carmax the engine light was on and the car was rattling at start. I also reported the oil dipstick was broken. When the car was returned, the dipstick was replaced, coolant light off and engine light was off; however, the rattling at start up continued. I reported the problem to Carmax several months later and they pretty much denied fault and went as far to say the car is just cold and does that at startup. For further protection I signed with carshield as my wife drives the car. The car's rattling continued at startup and eventually became difficult to start. I took it to Mercedes of Arlington, Virginia and they stated the timing gear and chain needed replacing. carshield reported back to me that it was a preexisting problem and wouldn't fix it. Meanwhile, we were stuck with a car we were paying on with no one taking the blame. Following research, I found that this is a recurring problem with the 2012 C250 model but there is no recall. I eventually paid approximately $5000 for the engine to be repaired as the engine failed. The engine is currently rattling again; with the engine light coming on constantly. this seems to be a common problem, however, with to consequences and accountability.
NHTSA ODI #11430663
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2021
StructureSuspension
I was driving my 2012 Mercedes C250 through an intersection on 08/09/2021 when I first heard clunking noises in the rear of my vehicle. Every time I placed my foot on the brakes after that it continued to clunk until I took it to the Mercedes dealership for repair on 08/17/2021. The car had about 57,000 miles on it and was only …
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I was driving my 2012 Mercedes C250 through an intersection on 08/09/2021 when I first heard clunking noises in the rear of my vehicle. Every time I placed my foot on the brakes after that it continued to clunk until I took it to the Mercedes dealership for repair on 08/17/2021. The car had about 57,000 miles on it and was only nine years old, but the dealership said that the entire rear subframe of the vehicle had rusted and was close to completely separating from other parts of the vehicle. This was the first time I heard of any rusting in my vehicle, despite having the 2 rear tires replaced and alignment by the same place on 10/02/2020 (less than one year before). The service rep acknowledged that the car was well-maintained and that this was not due to any accident. This rusting was due to a manufacturing defect and has caused accidents in other Mercedes vehicles (https://www.carproblemzoo.com/mercedesbenz/c300/suspension-problems.php). It has resulted in recalls of rusted parts in both Europe (https://europe.autonews.com/article/19981026/ANE/810260839/mercedes-offers-guarantee-against-rust-for-30-years) and Canada (https://www.wheels.ca/news/mercedes-benz-recalling-vehicles-for-rust-problems/). Had I been travelling at a higher rate of speed when this piece failed, I could have been at risk of serious injury. This event occurred without any warning lamps or messages. The service for replacement and realignment was quoted at $4,358.71. Only after much argument did I receive a final bill of $3448.71. This was an unbelievable cost for replacing a part with a manufacturer defect. Mercedes headquarters tried to claim that the issue was due to exposure to snow and salt on the roads. This region rarely gets any snow. This lack of care for customer safety along with the fact that the dealership did not retain the part they removed from my vehicle after I had requested them to do so, left me realizing that Mercedes doesn't care about safety standards for their products.
NHTSA ODI #11430314
Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2021
Service Brakes
Brakes failed to deploy, randomly, during recent trip; VERY DANGEROUS; pressed brakes, would NOT engage and car kept moving and would not stop; pushed car into P (Park) to stop moving; just completed a 225 mi trip from Chicago to Detroit Metro area traveling at speeds between 65-70 mph with no issue, all service on vehicle is an…
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Brakes failed to deploy, randomly, during recent trip; VERY DANGEROUS; pressed brakes, would NOT engage and car kept moving and would not stop; pushed car into P (Park) to stop moving; just completed a 225 mi trip from Chicago to Detroit Metro area traveling at speeds between 65-70 mph with no issue, all service on vehicle is and has been conducted via Mercedes authorized dealers, had vehicle in for service on morning of trip for overview and safety check prior to leaving and no known issues; after coming off freeway engaged brakes upon pulling into neighborhood and vehicle brakes failed completely-stopped engaging; NO NOTIFICATION; NO INDICATOR LIGHTS OR READ OUT OF ISSUES related to brakes was indicated on dashboard; had we been on the freeway at the time of incident coming off an exit ramp at high speed we would have suffered a grave result, brakes failed completely. THIS IS A DANGER and UNACCEPTABLE for this manufacturer; vehicle has been towed to dealership, is not drivable, and is currently being assessed. This has been widely reported on other sites, regarding this specific vehicle, Mercedes C250, my model year is 2012; I researched this issue, yesterday, to determine what could possibly have gone wrong as vehicle was not leaking fluids and NO indication of issues during recent diagnostics and safety check two days prior. Not having sufficient braking capability with NO warning or indication is DANGEROUS, a liability to manufacturer and should be investigated immediately. Thank you.
NHTSA ODI #11425478
Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2021
EngineFire
2012 Mercedes C250 caught fire with no warning. Drove about 5 miles to the store and parked the car. A passerby said your car is on fire. Within minutes the entire front of the car was ablaze. The vehicle was towed to the city impound lot and has not been inspected by anyone.
NHTSA ODI #11422468
Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2021
Tires
TIRE BRAND: SUMITOMO TIRE LINE: HTR A/S P02 TIRE SIZE: 225/40R18 92W COMPONENT: BUBBLE IN TREAD AREA, NOT SIDEWALL DOT NUMBER: LM6R2916 AND LM6R2416 TWO FRONT TIRES WERE PUCHASED NEW FROM AMAZON.COM IN MAY OF 2017 AND WERE IMMEDIATELY INSTALLED AND PUT INTO SEVICE. THERE WERE APPROXIAMATELY 30K MILES ON THE TIRES. THE F…
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TIRE BRAND: SUMITOMO TIRE LINE: HTR A/S P02 TIRE SIZE: 225/40R18 92W COMPONENT: BUBBLE IN TREAD AREA, NOT SIDEWALL DOT NUMBER: LM6R2916 AND LM6R2416 TWO FRONT TIRES WERE PUCHASED NEW FROM AMAZON.COM IN MAY OF 2017 AND WERE IMMEDIATELY INSTALLED AND PUT INTO SEVICE. THERE WERE APPROXIAMATELY 30K MILES ON THE TIRES. THE FIRST FRONT TIRE FAILED IN JULY OF 2020 (LM6R2916) AND THE SECOND FRONT TIRE FAILED IN APRIL OF 2021 (LM6R2416). NO SPECIFIC EVENTS LED TO THE FAILURE OF EACH TIRE AND OCRRUED DURING NORMAL DRIVING. THE FIRST TIRE STARTED MAKING A WEIRD WOBBLING NOISE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. INSPECTION REAVEALED ON LARGE BUBBLE ON THE INNER PORTION OF THE TREAD. THE SECOND TIRE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER STRANGE NOISES AS IF A ROCK WAS STUCK IN THE TIRE. INSPECTION REVEALED A SMALL BUBBLE FORMING ON THE INNER TREAD. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED. A WARRANTY CLAIMED WAS ATTEMPTED WITH SUMITOMO. THEY REFUSED TO HONOR A WARRANTY AND TOLD ME THE VENDOR WOULD TAKE CARE OF THE WARRANTY CLAIM. AMAZON.COM REFUNDED THE PURCHASE PRICE.
NHTSA ODI #11413091
19 miles · Apr 16, 2021
Fuel/propulsion System
P0002 FUEL VOLUME REGULATOR CONTROL CIRCUIT RANGE/PERFORMANCE MERCEDES C250, IF I'M EXPERIENCING A LACK OF POWER WHEN I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL AND I'M GETTING A P0002 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THERE'S A HIGH PROBABILITY THAT I WILL NEED A NEW HPFP HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP.
NHTSA ODI #11408356
93,000 miles · Mar 1, 2021
EngineFuel/propulsion System
WHEN ACCELERATING TO PASS ON HIGHWAY CAR SUDDENLY GOES INTO LIMP MODE AND LOSSES POWER THIS IS DANGEROUS AT 70 PLUS MILES PER HOUR, ECM CODE READS P0002 HIGH PRESSURE FUEL REGULATOR FAILURE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL STAY ON UNTIL CAR HAS BEEN SHUT OFF FOR LONGER THAN TEN MINUTES OR IF YOU HAVE A SCANNER YOU CAN ERASE CODE AND DRI…
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WHEN ACCELERATING TO PASS ON HIGHWAY CAR SUDDENLY GOES INTO LIMP MODE AND LOSSES POWER THIS IS DANGEROUS AT 70 PLUS MILES PER HOUR, ECM CODE READS P0002 HIGH PRESSURE FUEL REGULATOR FAILURE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL STAY ON UNTIL CAR HAS BEEN SHUT OFF FOR LONGER THAN TEN MINUTES OR IF YOU HAVE A SCANNER YOU CAN ERASE CODE AND DRIVE THE CAR NORMAL, NO PASSING. THIS HAS ALSO HAPPEN PULLING OUT FROM A STOP LIGHT CAR HAS BUCKLE WITH IMMEDIATE POWER LOSS AND WILL ONLY CREAK UP IN LIMP MODE JUST ENOUGH TO GET YOU HOME. I AM A WELL SEASON MECHANIC WITH OVER 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE AND THIS IS ABSOLUTELY DANGEROUS. PLEASE DON'T WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED BY THIS WHICH IS A KNOWN ISSUE GOING BACK BEFORE 2012. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES THIS AST WEEK AND TODAY.
NHTSA ODI #11398601
117,000 miles · Dec 30, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE SINCE I PURCHASED IT. STARTING WITH ME NOT HAVING ENOUGH POWER FROM A START, IN AN ATTEMPT TO GAIN ENOUGH POWER TO DRIVE AT A SAFE SPEED FROM THE START, AS IF THE VEHICLE LAGS & NO MATTER THE GASOLINE OR SERVICE, THE PROBLEM NEVER CORRECTS. WHEN I'M TRYING TO GAIN SPEED TO MAINTAIN WITH …
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I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE SINCE I PURCHASED IT. STARTING WITH ME NOT HAVING ENOUGH POWER FROM A START, IN AN ATTEMPT TO GAIN ENOUGH POWER TO DRIVE AT A SAFE SPEED FROM THE START, AS IF THE VEHICLE LAGS & NO MATTER THE GASOLINE OR SERVICE, THE PROBLEM NEVER CORRECTS. WHEN I'M TRYING TO GAIN SPEED TO MAINTAIN WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC SAFELY THE VEHICLE LAGS NOTABLY BEFORE GAINING SPEED. I'M NOW HAVING TO REPLACE THE ENGINE BC THE OIL COOLANT HOSE BURST WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY CHILD IN THE CAR. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ACTIVATED BUT THE ONLY NOTICE DISPLAYED ON THE DASH WAS THE ENGINE COOLANT WHEN IT WAS LOW. WHEN THE HOSE BURST WHILE I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 60MPH I HEARD A POP SOUND UNDER THE HOOD, SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST, THEN A CLANKING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD THAT GOT LOUDER & LOUDER UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF OF THE HIGHWAY, & THEN I NOTICED A VERY LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL ON THE GROUND THAT LEFT A TRAIL ALONG THE GROUND FROM MY VEHICLE. THAT WAS VERY DANGEROUS AS MY VEHICLE LOST POWER DURING THAT INCIDENT. I'M TOLD BY THE MECHANIC, THE ENGINE HAS TO BE REPLACED. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT A WARNING. THE MERCEDES BENZ IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SAFE & RELIABLE LUXURY VEHICLE & NOT A NIGHTMARE TO HAVE FOR THE OWNER.
NHTSA ODI #11385548
90,000 miles · Dec 21, 2020
Service Brakes
AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES THE PARKING BRAKE BEGAN STICKING AND WAS DIFFICULT TO RELEASE. THIS WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. IT BEGAN HAPPENING AGAIN . I SPOKE TO THE MERCEDES USA AND THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE O PAY TO REPLACE IT. I BELIEVE THIS PART IS DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA ODI #11384474
Official recalls
5Aug 13, 2021
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 & remedy
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.
May 22, 2020
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 & remedy
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.
Jan 9, 2019
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 Coupe, 2014-2017 E550 Cabrio, and 2014-2016 E550 Coupe vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally, MBUSA is recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2011 C300, 2011-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2011-2016 E550 Cabrio, E550 Coupe, 2011-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." MBUSA is also recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2010-2011 C300, 2010-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Coupe, 2011-2014 E350 Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2016-2017 E550 Cabrio, 2010-2016 E550 Coupe, 2010-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Oct 6, 2017
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 Coupe, GLK250 4Matic BlueTec, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, 2016-2017 C350e, C43 AMG, 2015 C400 4Matic, 2016-2018 C63 AMG, GLC300, GLC300 4Matic, 2017-2018 C300 Coupe, C300 4Matic Coupe, C43 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, C63S AMG Coupe, C300 Cabriolet, C300 4Matic Cabriolet, C43 AMG Cabriolet, C63 AMG Cabriolet, C63S AMG Cabriolet, GLC300 4Matic Coupe, GLC43 AMG, GLC43 AMG Coupe, 2014 E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabriolet, E400 Hybrid, 2015-2017 E400 Coupe, E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabriolet, 2014-2017 E550 Coupe, E550 Cabriolet, B250e, 2014-2016 E250 BlueTec, E63 AMG 4Matic Wagon, 2012-2013 E350 BlueTec, 2012-2016 E350, E350 4Matic, 2015-2016 E400, E400 4Matic, 2012 E63 AMG, 2014-2015 E250 4Matic BlueTec, 2013-2016 E350 Wagon, 2017 GLC300d 4Matic, and 2018 GLC350e 4Matic. The driver's air bag may unexpectedly deploy due to insufficient grounding of the steering components if an electrostatic discharge occurs and the air bag clockspring is broken.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Jan 10, 2017
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 Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above MBUSA is recalling certain 2009 C300 4Matic, C300, C350 and C63 AMG vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above MBUSA is recalling certain 2008 C300 4Matic, C300, and C350 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
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 1-877-496-3691
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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