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Mercedes-Benz

2012 Mercedes-Benz C204

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz C204 has 5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.1x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (40% of all complaints), specifically: there's been several complaints on the electronic steering lock (esl) going bad. i experienced this danger exact failure. the car just hit 80,000 miles and this failure happened. when there esl locks, you cannot turn on the car to do anything. i happened to be out of town and i had to get my car tow.

1 injury

5

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ELECTRICAL

2 complaints
40%
  • • THERE'S BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK (ESL) GOING BAD. I EXPERIENCED THIS DANGER EXACT FAILURE. THE CAR JUST HIT 80,000 MILES AND THIS FAILURE HAPPENED. WHEN THERE ESL LOCKS, YOU CANNOT TURN ON THE CAR TO DO ANYTHING. I HAPPENED TO BE OUT OF TOWN AND I HAD TO GET MY CAR TOW
  • • ESL SUDDEN FAILURE, APPARENTLY THIS IS A VERY COMMON FAILURE FOR THIS VEHICLE FOR YEARS NOW WITH NO ACTION TO RECALL OR ADDRESS THE DESIGN OF THIS PART. CAR IS IMMOBILIZED AND MUST BE TOWED, BUT ONLY TO DEALER WHO MUST PROGRAM THE PART BUT NOT SELL IT TO CUSTOMER OR OTHER SERVICE CENTER TO REPAIR OR
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“THERE'S BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK (ESL) GOING BAD. I EXPERIENCED THIS DANGER EXACT FAILURE. THE CAR JUST HIT 80,000 MILES AND THIS FAILURE HAPPENED. WHEN THERE ESL LOCKS, YOU CANNOT TURN ON THE CAR TO DO ANYTHING. I HAPPENED TO BE OUT OF TOWN AND I HAD TO GET MY CAR TOW”

— NHTSA complaint filing

AIR BAGS

1 complaints
20%
  • • I HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM TAKATA RECALL FOR MY MERCEDES-BENZ'S AIRBAG REPLACEMENT.
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“I HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM TAKATA RECALL FOR MY MERCEDES-BENZ'S AIRBAG REPLACEMENT.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

1 complaints
20%
  • • THERE ARE SMALL CRACKS THAT HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE TOP OF THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. THIS ALLOWS FUEL TO LEAK OUT OF THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP AND POOL IN THE CENTER OF THE PUMP WHERE THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ELECTRICAL WIRES THAT ARE SUBMERGED IN FUEL. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DEADLY PROBLEM AS THERE IS A RE
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“THERE ARE SMALL CRACKS THAT HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE TOP OF THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. THIS ALLOWS FUEL TO LEAK OUT OF THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP AND POOL IN THE CENTER OF THE PUMP WHERE THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ELECTRICAL WIRES THAT ARE SUBMERGED IN FUEL. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DEADLY PROBLEM AS THERE IS A RE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

STEERING

1 complaints
20%
  • • THERE'S BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK (ESL) GOING BAD. I EXPERIENCED THIS DANGER EXACT FAILURE. THE CAR JUST HIT 80,000 MILES AND THIS FAILURE HAPPENED. WHEN THERE ESL LOCKS, YOU CANNOT TURN ON THE CAR TO DO ANYTHING. I HAPPENED TO BE OUT OF TOWN AND I HAD TO GET MY CAR TOW
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“THERE'S BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK (ESL) GOING BAD. I EXPERIENCED THIS DANGER EXACT FAILURE. THE CAR JUST HIT 80,000 MILES AND THIS FAILURE HAPPENED. WHEN THERE ESL LOCKS, YOU CANNOT TURN ON THE CAR TO DO ANYTHING. I HAPPENED TO BE OUT OF TOWN AND I HAD TO GET MY CAR TOW”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
STEERING(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 5 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    ELECTRICAL: THERE'S BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK (ESL) GOING BAD. I EXPERIENCED THIS DANGER EXACT FAILURE. THE CAR JUST HIT 80,000 MILES AND THIS FAILURE HAPPENED. WHEN THERE ESL LOCKS, YOU CANNOT TURN ON THE CAR TO DO ANYTHING. I HAPPENED TO BE OUT OF TOWN AND I HAD TO GET MY CAR TOW

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    AIR BAGS: I HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM TAKATA RECALL FOR MY MERCEDES-BENZ'S AIRBAG REPLACEMENT.

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    FUEL SYSTEM: THERE ARE SMALL CRACKS THAT HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE TOP OF THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. THIS ALLOWS FUEL TO LEAK OUT OF THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP AND POOL IN THE CENTER OF THE PUMP WHERE THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ELECTRICAL WIRES THAT ARE SUBMERGED IN FUEL. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DEADLY PROBLEM AS THERE IS A RE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    STEERING: THERE'S BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK (ESL) GOING BAD. I EXPERIENCED THIS DANGER EXACT FAILURE. THE CAR JUST HIT 80,000 MILES AND THIS FAILURE HAPPENED. WHEN THERE ESL LOCKS, YOU CANNOT TURN ON THE CAR TO DO ANYTHING. I HAPPENED TO BE OUT OF TOWN AND I HAD TO GET MY CAR TOW

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Mercedes-Benz C204 — Year Comparison

How does 2012 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2014
7Excellent Reliability
2013
6Excellent Reliability
2012
5Excellent Reliability
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
0
Injury reports
1
Segment avg
80

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2012 Mercedes-Benz C204

Compare With

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