Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.

Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.

2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class airbags problems

critical 307 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →

Failure mileage
Complaints
307
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
6crashes
6injuries
1fatality
What stands out

Of the 15 model years of Mercedes-Benz C-Class we track for airbags problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 307.

Airbags accounts for 53% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.

What owners are reporting 11 most recent

airbags · filed 12/27/2017

Takata recall

airbags · filed 12/27/2017

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Mercedes benz c300. 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. Mercedes-benz of buckhead of buckhead, georgia dealer was made aware of the recall and stated that the parts were…

airbags · filed 12/27/2017

No resolution since january 2017, I am an active duty soldier often afraid to continue driving for fear of faulty airbag and the aftermath of bodily injury that could potentially occur to me and others.

airbags · filed 12/26/2018

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-benz c250. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v017000 (air bags). The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

airbags · filed 12/24/2017

I have contacted the Mercedes benz dealership twice since the airbag recall. I was told both times that they do not have the parts to replace my recalled airbags. My safety is in danger until the parts are made available. That is my complaint.

airbags · filed 12/22/2018

Takata recall. Dealership has no remedy to repair defective airbag for my vehicle.

airbags · filed 12/20/2019

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 san antonio at 210-920-3237 (located at 9600 san pedro ave, san antonio, tx 78216) 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…

airbags · filed 12/20/2019

Cannot get local dealer to replace defective passenger side airbag. Keep getting a run around on part availability .

airbags · filed 12/20/2018

Takata recall: Mercedes has had this open recall on my vehicle for a long time, I am loosing income not being able to rent out my vehicle. I have asked Mercedes for compensation or help with no avail.

airbags · filed 12/19/2019

Airbags not replaced!

Had airbags trouble with your 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.

Common questions

How serious is the airbags problem on the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

It's a serious issue. 307 complaints have been filed, including 6 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.

At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?

Across the 38 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 35,000 and 64,643 miles, with the median around 54,570. A quarter of owners report trouble before 35,000; a quarter make it past 64,643. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.

Are there any recalls related to airbags?

No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.

Related

Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Mercedes-Benz/C-Class. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
Get a free warranty quote →
Sponsored — we earn a commission if you complete a quote. Disclosure.