2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 Brakes Problems

-The steering wheel and brake locked up and became unusable while driving at approximately 75mph. Cruise control was enabled for a few miles (maybe 2) and disabled after. Around 5 minutes after disabling, the car began to surge between acceleration and deceleration drastically on its own. All of the dashboard lights that come on when the key is initially inserted came on at once while engine was on/running and the car was in drive. After finally being able to reach a safe enough spot, I put the car in park and turned the engine off. I sat for a few minutes to try and turn the engine/car back on and the car would not crank, but the overhead lights, radio, and dash lights were functioning. -This was an extremely dangerous experience. The car began to decelerate rapidly in heavy freeway traffic. At that speed, with many semi-trucks traveling nearby, this sudden loss of speed created an extremely dangerous situation. My vehicle instantly became a slow moving obstacle in the lane. Only by luck and quick reaction was a serious or fatal collision avoided. The car would not start back up so I was sitting at the edge of the highway as many cars flew by just inches away from my car. -I am away at college in a rural city. Accessibility is limited as well as support because of lack of resources. -The car was towed to a mechanic who does not specialize in German cars and stated they did not have the proper tools to "get into the car" because the motor is "locked up" and the car wouldn't crank. -The vehicle will be towed to the nearest dealership (50mi away) who stated they won't be able to look at it for a few weeks from date of arrival. Research indicates this may be linked to a known issue with Electronic Steering Lock (ESL) / Electronic Ignition Switch (EIS) failure in Mercedes vehicles, which can electronically disable the engine and steering. This could've easily been fatal for me and still poses an alarming threat if not addressed.

NHTSA ID

11687260

Incident

Sep 11, 2025

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250. The contact stated while driving 35-40 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal was significantly stiff, and the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that upon standing on the brake pedal, the vehicle responded as needed. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving 65 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the vacuum pump was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to Mercedes-Benz of Beaumont (1865 I-10 S, Beaumont, TX 77701), where it was test-driven, and the dealer became aware that the brake pedal was extremely firm. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the vacuum pump needed to be replaced. The part was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the failure increased, causing the contact to engage the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 96,826.

NHTSA ID

11670521

Incident

Jan 26, 2016

Mileage

96,826 mi

Lost of drive power and the vehicle steering wheel locked on my mercedes from a damaged malfunctioning steering lock actuator module due to mechanical issues within the steering column such as bad steering wheel assembly, faulty steering lock module or issue with the wiring or other electrical components and the mercedes dealer is the only one who solves this issue no other mechanic in general. My safety was at risk due to I lost power and lost of front brakes due to bad sway bar assembly or components could of caused and accident when this happened on November 12, 2024 the problem dealership found during vehicle inspection was code 25464 they told me recommend to replace electric lock module and repair estimate was $2,829.78 and before I approved the the amount I told Mr Ivan Velasco service advisor that after they replace the module that if my vehicle was going to be working again and that if I was just going to make 1 payment of $2,829.78 then I would approved it so I did. Weeks later I got an email asking for more money they wanted another payment for $600 saying it needed a sensor that has something to do with the transmission because after replacing the new module the vehicle did not start up there was no type of communications nothing at all and I responded that I was not going to pay $600 more just cause they don't know what their doing because they promise me the car was going to work after they replace the module now that it did not want to crank up they found another issue that's their fault on not doing there job the right way and for telling lies yes their was flashing blue or red icon on my dashboard that look like a car and a lock would go on and off and it displayed a message saying The theft protection is activated. I want to know if I can get this issue approved and to be considered a recall can you please help I'm so frustrating and mad that they want more money when it's already so expensive please help I would of appreciate it thank you.

NHTSA ID

11638949

Incident

Nov 12, 2024

on 6/20/23 I was driving this vehicle on the 5 freeway north bound exit 102 in Washington. i found myself travelling at 60mph just moving over to the middle lane of traffic. i needed to slow the vehicle a little and pushing down on brakes I found there was no reaction from the braking system. Making a quick decision I moved over to the emergency lane where I came to a stop. There were no warning signs of the issue. I had the vehicle towed to my Mercedes Benz dealership where I had the car service the day before on 6/19/23 where nothing was noted on this problem. After inspection from the technician at the dealership it was found that the brake vacuum pump was no longer working. Which technician said had caused the issue and he had never experienced this issue before. i am bringing this to your attention due to it could have caused a fatal accident to with me and other people on the freeway.

NHTSA ID

11528248

Incident

Jun 20, 2023

Mileage

128,000 mi

Brakes failed to deploy, randomly, during recent trip; VERY DANGEROUS; pressed brakes, would NOT engage and car kept moving and would not stop; pushed car into P (Park) to stop moving; just completed a 225 mi trip from Chicago to Detroit Metro area traveling at speeds between 65-70 mph with no issue, all service on vehicle is and has been conducted via Mercedes authorized dealers, had vehicle in for service on morning of trip for overview and safety check prior to leaving and no known issues; after coming off freeway engaged brakes upon pulling into neighborhood and vehicle brakes failed completely-stopped engaging; NO NOTIFICATION; NO INDICATOR LIGHTS OR READ OUT OF ISSUES related to brakes was indicated on dashboard; had we been on the freeway at the time of incident coming off an exit ramp at high speed we would have suffered a grave result, brakes failed completely. THIS IS A DANGER and UNACCEPTABLE for this manufacturer; vehicle has been towed to dealership, is not drivable, and is currently being assessed. This has been widely reported on other sites, regarding this specific vehicle, Mercedes C250, my model year is 2012; I researched this issue, yesterday, to determine what could possibly have gone wrong as vehicle was not leaking fluids and NO indication of issues during recent diagnostics and safety check two days prior. Not having sufficient braking capability with NO warning or indication is DANGEROUS, a liability to manufacturer and should be investigated immediately. Thank you.

NHTSA ID

11425478

Incident

Jul 18, 2021

AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES THE PARKING BRAKE BEGAN STICKING AND WAS DIFFICULT TO RELEASE. THIS WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. IT BEGAN HAPPENING AGAIN . I SPOKE TO THE MERCEDES USA AND THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE O PAY TO REPLACE IT. I BELIEVE THIS PART IS DEFECTIVE.

NHTSA ID

11384474

Incident

Dec 21, 2020

Mileage

90,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 60MPH IN THE LEFT HAND LANE. I WAS ABOUT 7 CAR LENGTHS FROM THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AS I HAD JUST MOVED INTO THAT LANE TO MOVE TO THE RAMP TO MOVE OFF THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME BRAKED, AND WAS GOING AT A LOWER SPEED. I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN AND MY CAR DID NOT SLOW. I PRESSED MY BRAKE TO THE FLOOR AND MY CAR STILL WOULD NOT STOP. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER AND THE CAR FINALLY CAME TO A STOP CLOSE TO THE RAMP, I THOUGHT IT WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT EXCEPT I SAW ON A WEBSITE, OTHERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11145223

Incident

May 4, 2018

Mileage

80,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL, NOT ACTION TAKEN IN A EFICCIENT TIME BRAKES 2017 ELEC STABILITY CONTROL 2013 AND 2017

NHTSA ID

11048515

Incident

Mar 1, 2013

BRAKE FAILURE. DRIVING VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY WITH A 75 MPH SPEED LIMIT. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE VEHICLE, I FOUND I DID NOT HAVE ANY POWER BRAKES. BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD. PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AS HARD AS I COULD DID NOT DO ANYTHING TO SLOW DOWN MY VEHICLE. I DID NOT HAVE ANY ABILITY TO SLOW DOWN VEHICLE. TO AVOID A COLLISION, I PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, AND DOWN SHIFTED GEARS. NO ALARMS, OR VISUAL INDICATORS CAME ON TO INDICATE A PROBLEM EXISTED. CAR TOWED TO THE MERCEDES BENZ AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP I HAVE ALWAYS HAD MY CAR SERVICED AT. BRAKE BOX SITTING BEHIND THE MOTOR HAD BROKE. NO SENSIRS OR FAULT US ASSOCIATED WITH THE BRAKE BOX. VISUAL CHECK OF THE BRAKE BOX IS. IT ON ANY MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST.

NHTSA ID

10983783

Incident

May 4, 2017

Mileage

103,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES BENZ C250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, HE ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES BUT IT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE VACUUM WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ID

10542718

Incident

Feb 12, 2013

Mileage

25,000 mi