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2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C250 Coupe

All Mercedes-Benz C-Class W204 trims (2008–2014) → All Mercedes-Benz C-Class generations →
2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class – front Unverified
Photo: Mercedes-Benz W204 C 200 Kompressor Avantgarde Iridium Silver (2) by Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Photos show the W204 (W204, 2008–2014); trim, color, and model year may differ.
All photo credits
  1. Photo: Mercedes-Benz W204 C 200 Kompressor Avantgarde Iridium Silver (2) by Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  2. Photo: Mercedes-Benz W204 C 200 Kompressor Avantgarde Iridium Silver (3) by Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  3. Photo: MERCEDES BENZ C-CLASS (W204) China (7) by Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  4. Photo: MERCEDES BENZ C-CLASS (W204) China (12) by Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  5. Photo: Mercedes-Benz C200LCDI aka W204 rear three quarters by Charles01, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C250 Coupe is a 201-hp 1.8-liter turbocharged inline-4 coupe with a 7-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. It starts at $37,220 MSRP and is rated at 25 mpg combined.

It makes 201 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 229 lb-ft of torque at 2200-4300 rpm, spinning to a 6,450 rpm redline. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 21 mpg city and 31 mpg highway (25 mpg combined).

The C-Class measures 180.7 inches long on a 108.7-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,538 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeCoupe
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$37,220 ($52,685 *)
MSRP with Destination$38,095 ($53,924 *)
Destination Charge$875
Engine
Engine TypeTurbocharged Inline-4
Displacement1.8 L
Horsepower201 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Torque229 lb-ft @ 2200-4300 rpm
Redline6,450 rpm
ValvetrainDOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, variable valve timing
Bore and Stroke82.0 x 85.0
Compression Ratio9.3:1
Injection TypeTurbocharged Direct Injection
Drivetrain
Drive TypeRWD
Transmission
Transmission7-speed automatic
1st Gear4.38 (35 mph **)
2nd Gear2.86 (54 mph **)
3rd Gear1.92 (80 mph **)
4th Gear1.37 (113 mph **)
5th Gear1 (154 mph **)
6th Gear0.82 (188 mph **)
7th Gear0.73 (212 mph **)
Reverse3.42
Final Drive3.07
Fuel Economy
City21 MPG
Highway31 MPG
Combined25 MPG
Tank Capacity17.4 gal
Suspension
Front SuspensionStrut with two-piece control arm, antidive geometry
Rear SuspensionFive-arm multilink, anti-squat geometry
Turning Diameter35.6 ft
Brakes
Front Brake Disc295 mm ventilated
Rear Brake Disc300 mm solid
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front7.5 x 17 in
Wheels Rear8.5 x 17 in
Tires Front225/45 R17
Tires Rear245/40 R17
Dimensions & Weight
Length180.7 in
Width69.7 in
Height54.8 in
Wheelbase108.7 in
Front Track61 in
Rear Track61.1 in
Ground Clearance4 in
Cargo Volume11.7 ft³
Curb Weight3,538 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front37 in
Headroom Rear35.5 in
Legroom Front42 in
Legroom Rear33 in
Shoulder Room Front54 in
Shoulder Room Rear50.3 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars
** Theoretical max speed per gear at redline

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Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Side crash Not rated
Rollover ★★★★★ (10.5 % risk)
Tested variant: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4 DR RWD
Other tested variants (1)
  • 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4 DR AWD: overall not rated

Recalls

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

588 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-CLASS

Owner Complaints

588 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-CLASS (8 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 8 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Air Bags312
Suspension74
Engine69
Structure62
Unknown Or Other36
Fuel/Propulsion System30
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Oct 15, 2026 · Fuel/Propulsion System
“Fuel leaking in the back seat of the car”
Sep 12, 2026 · Fuel/Propulsion System
“Fuel tank is rusting. Leaking fuel, heavy fuel smell inside cabin. My saftey and anyone around the vehicle would be at risk due to fire chance. Confirmed by independent service center Vehcile has only…”
Aug 31, 2026 · Service Brakes
“Brake line corrosion issues, related and reported along with the sub-frame assembly corrosion. After getting the sub-frame repaired XXX, corrosion and deformation of the tie rods and control arms…”
Aug 24, 2026 · Suspension
“The rear sub frame has rusted and part of it has failed”
May 19, 2026 · Fuel/Propulsion System
“Vehicle: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic Sport Problem Component: Fuel / Propulsion System Safety Issue Description: My 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 developed a serious fuel tank leak at approximately…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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