Makes›Mercedes-Benz›C-Class›2012

2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.

Class: Compact Cars
Body styles: C250 4dr Sedan AWD, C250 4dr Sedan RWD, C250 Coupe 2dr, C300 / C350 4dr Sedan AWD
Engines: 1.8L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl
Drivetrain: Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel: Premium Gasoline, FFV
MPG (best): 25 combined · 21 city / 31 hwy
Length: 180.3–182.3 in
Curb weight: 3,417–3,737 lb
NHTSA rating: Not rated
Recalls: 0 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

AWD / 4WD available
Few owner complaints1 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 21 for similar models.
No recalls so far

Watch out for

Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 13 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a compact car offered with 4 engines (1.8L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl and 6.2L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.

It measures about 180 inches long and 70 inches wide on a 109-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,726 lb (C250 4dr Sedan AWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 25 MPG combined (21 city / 31 highway), 2% worse than the 2012 compact car average of 25.6 MPG, for an estimated $3,300 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 0 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.

What changed for 2012

Engine added: 1.8L 4-cyl turbo
Best combined MPG up from 21 to 25

Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 C-Class →

Trims, performance & features

Engine–3.0L 6-cyl

DriveAWD/4WD

Trims

C300 4-MATIC

Built in: East London, South Africa

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 1 2012 C-Class configuration; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

Body	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Track F / R	Curb weight	Weight F/R
C250 4dr Sedan AWD	180.3 in	69.7 in	56.7 in	108.7 in	59.8 / 59.1 in	3,726 lb	53/47
C250 4dr Sedan RWD	180.3 in	69.7 in	56.7 in	108.7 in	59.8 / 59.1 in	3,505 lb	53/47
C250 Coupe 2dr	181.1 in	69.7 in	55.5 in	108.7 in	59.4 / 59.4 in	3,417 lb	53/47
C300 / C350 4dr Sedan AWD	182.3 in	69.7 in	56.7 in	108.7 in	59.8 / 59.1 in	3,737 lb	53/47
C350 4dr Sedan RWD	182.3 in	69.7 in	56.7 in	108.7 in	59.8 / 59.1 in	3,527 lb	53/47
C350 Coupe 2dr	181.1 in	69.7 in	55.5 in	108.7 in	59.4 / 59.4 in	3,561 lb	53/47

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City / Hwy / Comb	vs. class	Fuel / yr	CO₂ g/mi
C250	1.8L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic 7-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	21 / 31 / 25	-2%	$3,300	355
C250 Coupe	1.8L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic 7-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	21 / 30 / 25	+15%	$3,300	355
C350	3.5L 6-cyl	Automatic 7-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	20 / 29 / 23	-10%	$3,550	386
C350 Coupe	3.5L 6-cyl	Automatic 7-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	19 / 28 / 22	+1%	$3,750	404
C350 FFV	3.5L 6-cyl	Automatic 7-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	19 / 28 / 22	-14%	$3,750	404
C350 4matic Coupe	3.5L 6-cyl	Automatic 7-spd	4-Wheel Drive	19 / 27 / 22	+1%	$3,750	404
C300 4matic	3.0L 6-cyl	Automatic 7-spd	4-Wheel Drive	17 / 24 / 20	-22%	$4,100	444
C300 4matic FFV	3.0L 6-cyl	Automatic 7-spd	4-Wheel Drive	18 / 25 / 20	-22%	$4,100	444
C63 AMG Black Series Coupe	6.2L 8-cyl	Automatic 7-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	13 / 19 / 16	-26%	$5,150	555
C63 AMG Coupe	6.2L 8-cyl	Automatic 7-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	13 / 19 / 15	-31%	$5,500	592
C63 AMG	6.2L 8-cyl	Automatic 7-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	13 / 19 / 15	-41%	$5,500	592

Spend $4,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car

25.6 MPG2012 Compact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Similar 2012 compact cars

Model	Best MPG / range	NHTSA overall	Recalls
2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class (this car)	25 MPG	Not rated	0
2012 BMW 3 Series	27 MPG	Not rated	3
2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class	23 MPG	Not rated	0
2012 Lexus IS	24 MPG	Not rated	5
2012 Volvo S60	23 MPG	Not rated	8
2012 Cadillac CTS	21 MPG	Not rated	2
2012 Audi S4	21 MPG	Not rated	1

Recalls (0)

No vehicle recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

1Complaints to NHTSA since 2015

0Involved a crash

0Involved a fire

0Injuries reported

Electrical System1

Exterior Lighting1

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class buyer's checklist

Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. No recalls on file, but check anyway.
Electrical System — 1 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
Exterior Lighting — 1 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other C-Class years

Compare all years →

Year	MPG (best)	Length	Overall
2027 C-Class	29	–	Not rated
2026 C-Class	29	188.6 in	Not rated
2025 C-Class	29	188.6 in	Not rated
2024 C-Class	30	187 in	Not rated
2023 C-Class	29	187 in	Not rated
2022 C-Class	29	187 in	Not rated
2021 C-Class	27	187 in	Not rated
2020 C-Class	28	187 in	Not rated
2019 C-Class	27	187 in	Not rated
2018 C-Class	30	187 in	Not rated
2017 C-Class	30	187 in	Not rated
2016 C-Class	30	184.6 in	Not rated

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Mercedes-Benz. How we calculate this →