2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 6%of 267 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 105,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the brakes of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300, 6% of the 267 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 105,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My vehicle was damaged by k and h auto. The electrical unit is malfunctioning, the light is broken on the right side, and the rotors and brakes have been rusted, please have someone attend to this matter. Thanks, and have a very blessed day. Another company by the name of ans towing, towed my vehicle without care and I am now having acceleration issues with my vehicle. The vehicle was dragged through water on october 17-18, 2018.”
NHTSA complaint #11066436, filed 2018-02, 100,000 miles“I made a sharp turn into a parking area then another sharp turn into the parking space and when I straighten the wheel out to complete parking an applied my foot on brake the pedal went to the floor and car would not stop the only thing that stopped me was the concrete curbing which I hit hard and damaged the under carriage of my car. The tires hitting the concrete is made forced car to stop. I contacted dealership to report the problem and see if they could tow vehicle and provide me with a car since I was stranded. They were closing and couldn't help me. …”
NHTSA complaint #10487272, filed 2012-12, 2,400 miles“I found out about the Mercedes Subframe failure issue after having problems on the road, that could have killed me, and being warned not to drive anymore by an authorized repair shop because my vehicle was not safe for me to drive. This has caused many other issues with my cars mechanics due to this defect from the Mercedes factory.”
NHTSA complaint #11522182, filed 2023-05“The left rear weld of the subframe on my 2012 C300 4matic has rotted through and appears to be a manufacture's part defect. I found out about this issue from a brake inspection and told it is a safety concern, which Mercedes Benzes is aware of but has no recalls for the defect.”
NHTSA complaint #11513818, filed 2023-03“The rear drivers side had a loud chunking/clanking noise while driving and the vehicle was unable to control and break when in motion. Driving was impossible as the breaking component was a total failure and car could not be controlled while traveling down 45-50mph zone. I reduced my speed to 20-25 mph by letting off on the gas to get better control of the car if breaking would need to be suddenly made. I relied on the shoulder to pull off if any sudden breaking was needed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11435789, filed 2021-10Related service bulletins
- 11038186Sep 22, 2026Complaint Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE: Although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily…
- 10186135Dec 9, 2020If the customer brakes sharply from a speed of > 30mph, without ABS intervention, there is a single cracking noise from the area of the ESP hydraulic unit
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | 27% |
| 2023 | 5 | 23% |
| 2022 | 2 | 8% |
| 2020 | 1 | 3% |
| 2019 | 6 | 9% |
| 2018 | 2 | 2% |
| 2017 | 2 | 1% |
| 2016 | 9 | 3% |
| 2015 | 9 | 2% |
| 2014 | 2 | 2% |
| 2013 | 16 | 6% |
| 2012 | 15 | 6% |
| 2011 | 13 | 3% |
| 2010 | 7 | 2% |
| 2009 | 21 | 4% |
| 2008 | 17 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300
114 complaintsSuspension
69 complaintsBody and structure
55 complaintsOther or unknown
23 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsWheels
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology