2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 vs 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 | 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 480 | 264 |
| Recall campaigns | 6 | 6 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 104 | 101 |
| Investigations | 2 | 1 |
| Crash reports | 15 | 5 |
| Fire reports | 6 | 4 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 20–21 | — |
| Median reported mileage | 80,000 mi | 85,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Mercedes-Benz C300 | Mercedes-Benz C300 |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 250 | 114 |
| Suspension | 60 | 68 |
| Structure | 49 | 54 |
| Electrical System | 43 | 12 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 38 | 8 |
| Steering | 34 | 8 |
| Exterior Lighting | 20 | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 9 | 12 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Rust / corrosion | 65 | 86 |
| Steering problems | 17 | 0 |
| Won’t start | 11 | 0 |
| Stalling | 9 | 0 |
| Check engine light | 8 | 0 |
| Clunking / rattling | 5 | 8 |
| Vibration / shaking | 0 | 6 |
2011 Mercedes-Benz C300
2012 Mercedes-Benz C300
Compare all Mercedes-Benz C300 vs Mercedes-Benz C300 years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.