Mercedes-Benz C250 Problems by Year
Mercedes-Benz C250 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical C250 year: 2012, 2013. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2013 C250: 278 complaints, 7 recalls
- 2012 C250: 272 complaints, 5 recalls
- 2014 C250: 163 complaints, 5 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Mercedes-Benz C250 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags problems | 433 | 5 | 28 |
| Engine problems | 129 | 3 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 50 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 44 | 4 | 4 |
| Electrical System | 37 | 4 | 1 |
| Structure | 29 | 3 | 3 |
| Power Train | 27 | 3 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 22 | 4 | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 13 | 3 | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 9 | 3 | 0 |
| Suspension | 9 | 3 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 8 | 3 | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 7 | 3 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 6 | 3 | 3 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Tires | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| Visibility | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Wheels | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Lane Departure | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Mercedes-Benz C250 problems by model year
Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.
All Mercedes-Benz C250 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 C250 | 1 | 0 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2015 C250 | 12 | 4 | — | Air Bags | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2014 C250 | 163 | 5 | — | Air Bags | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2013 C250 | 278 | 7 | — | Air Bags | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2012 C250 | 272 | 5 | — | Air Bags | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Mercedes-Benz: all Mercedes-Benz models · Mercedes-Benz VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercedes-Benz C250 years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2012 (272), 2013 (278) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical C250 year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Mercedes-Benz C250?
Air Bags, with 433 complaints across 5 model years.
How many recalls does the Mercedes-Benz C250 have?
9 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.