NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
What can fail
This page covers 5 recalls and EPA fuel economy for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C350.
22–23 mpg combined
10.2–10.7 L/100km
Compact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 3 tested variants for this model year.
The 2012 Mercedes-Benz C350 has 5 recalls, all involving the frontal airbag system, with the most serious being Takata-style passenger airbag inflators that can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death.
The driver's frontal airbag carries a separate concern: it can deploy without warning while the vehicle is being driven, which raises the risk of both injury to the driver and a resulting crash. These inflator and inadvertent-deployment issues affect vehicles originally sold or registered in high-humidity states, where moisture accelerates the degradation that makes rupture more likely.
Two additional recalls stem from prior repair attempts that did not fully resolve the underlying problem. In some cases, a front passenger airbag assembly replaced under an earlier recall may have received the wrong replacement unit. An incorrect airbag may not deploy with the right force or timing in a crash, leaving the passenger without adequate protection. A second, related recall covers the same scenario on coupe and cabriolet body styles, where an incorrect passenger airbag was similarly installed during a prior repair. Taken together, all five recalls point to the same cluster of components, meaning owners should confirm with a dealer that every applicable remedy has been completed and that no incorrect parts remain installed.
At a glance
What can fail
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The front passenger air bag may be incorrect, possibly installed during a prior repair, and may not function properly in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
An incorrect replacement front passenger air bag module may have been installed during a prior recall repair, potentially causing the air bag to malfunction in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag module with the correct part at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breaking down after prolonged exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag module at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's airbag may deploy unexpectedly if the steering components lack proper grounding and the airbag clockspring is broken, allowing electrostatic discharge to trigger deployment.
What the fix does
Dealers will add grounding to the steering components to prevent electrostatic discharge from triggering the airbag.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator may rupture during deployment in a crash due to propellant breakdown from prolonged exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag modules at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.