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2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 0safety recalls
- 24owner complaints
- 1crash report
- 0fire reports
- 25%fail the UK MOT
The most complained-about Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class year on file: 24 complaints, against an average of 7 for the other 8 model years.
Every Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class?
The components named most often in the 24 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 24 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
Has the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class been recalled?
NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class as of October 25, 2026. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN before you rely on this.
Is the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSAOn affected vehicles the aluminium bolts of the steering gear could corrode and break due to the intrusion of moisture.
Risk: On affected vehicles the aluminium bolts of the steering gear could corrode and break due to the intrusion of moisture.
Fix: Replace the steering gear mounting bolts on the affected vehicles with steel bolts. Should the bolts break or already be broken change the steering gear.
UK DVSAEngine control unit software to be updated
Risk: Improve the vehicle emissions via software updates.
Fix: Update the relevant control unit's software and if necessary replace the NOx sensors.
UK DVSATo achieve an improvement in the emissions via software updates
Risk: Improve the vehicle emissions via software updates.
Fix: Update the diesel engine control unit software and add a supplementary booklet for the operator's manual
UK DVSAFaulty control unit may cause vehicle to perform outside specification
Risk: Where a control unit coding was updated in a workshop between 3 December 2016 and 5 December 2016 the coding may not correspond to the specification and may trigger unplanned action in the vehicle. The safety and emissions systems may not react as design intent.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and update the software in the corresponding control units.
UK DVSAFire may occur
Risk: A seal between bonnet and engine compartment may when the bonnet is opened temporarily stick to the bonnet. If this happens the seal may detach form its fixing and can fall into the gap between engine and partition wall. It is then possible the seal can make contact with the exhaust and under certain conditions catch fire.
Fix: On affected vehicles install additional clips to retain the seal.
UK DVSABonnet catch may release
Risk: It is possible that the bonnet striker may not have been correctly torqued. If the striker works loose for any reason it is possible that the bonnet may not be secure fly up and obstruct the drivers view to the front.
Fix: Recall affected vehicles check the bonnet striker and re-torque if required.
UK DVSAFuel may leak
Risk: Fuel leaks in the plug area of the drain opening may occur at the fuel filter with integrated fuel heaters. Fuel can escape and is noticeable to the customer due to a corresponding diesel odour. The diesel can reach the road and as a result friction between the tyres and road surface may be decreased.
Fix: Check filter and replace as necessary.
EU Safety GateThe three aluminium screws of the steering box may corrode due to exposure to spray water and aggressive road-grit (salt) used for melting…The three aluminium screws of the steering box may corrode due to exposure to spray water and aggressive road-grit (salt) used for melting ice. Advanced corrosion could weaken the screws, leading to potential breakage during manoeuvring or parking. If all fixing screws fail, the power-assisted steering could detach, resulting in a loss of power steering and an increased risk of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe aluminium bolts of the steering box may break.This can lead to detachment of the steering box from the power block, creating a risk of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateFollowing the update of the control unit coding, the coding parameters of the control unit could be defective.This could give rise to various unplanned reactions in the vehicle: the wrong airbag could be triggered in the event of an accident, the airbag control unit may not recognise the belt buckle status, the engine control unit could be coded with a false maximum speed or various assistance systems may not function.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe engine compartment seal of the partition plate could come loose.Under certain circumstances, this could lead to contact between the seal and hot components and the risk of a fire.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Other; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
How often does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2012, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class owners report?
12 of the 24 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
Mercedes-Benz offers an extended warranty, effectively a 20-year/unlimited mileage coverage, for the rear subframe due to corrosion with perforation, covering specific model years my vehicles make and model are included. I’m having the issues they claim free repair for.
For several months I been smelling different odors from my 2012 CLS550, getting stronger as the weeks go by now smelling like gas, would noticed puddles whenever I parked from rear driver side area towards middle, just got the news from the mechanic that the driver side fuel gas pump is cracked and leaking gas and passenger side is also cracked. Labor + parts $1,660.00..
I have a 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 that is leaking fuel from the rear driver side by the tire. You can smell fuel inside the cabin of the vehicle very strong. On the vin plate on my door it says in my vehicle is built on April 2011 which would qualify it for the recall from Mercedes. Per NHTSA.
Premature rusting on brake and fuel lines which lead to further issues with driveability and saftey. This us caused by the same defects leading to the Premature rust on the subframe that can cause a serious wreck on the interstate.
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, upon adjusting the sun visor, the sun visor detached, compromising driving visibility. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the sun visor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 25,000.
CAM LINK SENSOR LEAKS OIL ONTO ENGINE HARNESS, FRYING ALL ELECTRIC COMPONENTS, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STUTTER WHILE OPERATING
ENGINE STARTED MISFIRING AND WOULD GO INTO LIMP MODE SO I BROUGHT IT TO DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND WAS TOLD OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE CAMSHAFT SENSORS INTO THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS AND ECU. ALL OF WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $6033.00 AND THE CAR HAS ONLY AROUND 50K MILES ON IT. SEVERAL PREVIOUS YEAR MERCEDES FROM 2011 AND EARLIER HAVE A RECALL ON THE CAMSHAFT SENSORS DUE TO OIL LEAKING FROM THEM INTO ENGINE WIRING HARNESS AND ECU HOWEVER MY YEAR CAR WHICH IS 2012 HAS NO RECALL ON THESE PARTS EVEN THOUGH THEY USE THE EXACT SAME CAMSHAFT SENSORS AND HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS…
WHEN STARTED AND FOR SOME PERIOD AFTER WARM UP THE ENGINE FUEL INJECTORS RATTLE. THE DEALER MECHANIC CLAIMS THAT THIS IS THE RESULT OF THE SPLIT RAIL SYSTEM INSTALLED ON THE ENGINE. THIS MAKES THE MOTOR APPEAR TO BE KNOCKING AS THE NOISE IS LOUD. I HAVE REPORTED IT SEVERAL TIMES SINCE 2017.
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY 6MONTH OLD BABY AND SUDDENLY MY CAR SURGES AND LOSES POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES AND I MOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH ALMOST NO ACCELERATION. TURN OFF THE ENGINE, WAIT A WHILE THEN TURN IT BACK ON AND HEAD BACK HOME. THE CEL STAYED ON BUT I STILL HAD ENGINE POWER SO I THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE. THIS CAR JUST HAS 60K MILES ON IT AND I TAKE IT TO MERCEDES FOR ALL THE ROUTINE CHECKS. SO THIS BEHAVIOUR WAS OUT OF NOWHERE. I DROVE IT TO MERCEDES AND GOT A DIAGNOSTIC DONE AND I WAS TOLD THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR HAD LEAKED OIL INTO MY ENGINE HARNESS AND…
THE VERY DAY I BROUGHT MY CAR HOME FROM A USED CAR PURCHASE, THE MOMENT I PULLED IN MY DRIVEWAY TO PARK, THE MESSAGE CENTER SAID, " SOS SERVICE NOT ACTIVATED" IN A WARNING IN THE CENTER CLUSTER. IT WOULDN'T GO AWAY AND I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, SO I PUSHED THE SOS BUTTON AND MB ASKED ME, " WHAT IS YOUR EMERGENCY ?" I APPOLOGIZED AND EXPLAINED THAT I HAD RECEIVED A WARNING MESSAGE ON MY DASH. THEY ENDED THE CALL AND I TURNED OFF THE CAR. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND THE WARNING WENT AWAY. THIS WAS ON FEB 1, 2018 AT 4:38 P.M.
DRIVE SHIFT CAME APART WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND BROKE THE FRONT AXLE DIFFERENTIAL ON THE HIGHWAY
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED SIMULTANEOUSLY AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. T THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD LOOK INTO THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 980. *TR
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2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class: questions owners ask
Is the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 24 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class; the most common categories were fuel/propulsion system (9, 37.5%), engine (4, 16.7%), electrical system (3, 12.5%). There are no safety recalls listed for this model year. 1 complaint mentions a crash, 2 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class?
Across 24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are fuel/propulsion system (37.5% of complaints), engine (16.7% of complaints), electrical system (12.5% of complaints), power train (12.5% of complaints), service brakes (12.5% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class have any recalls?
As of October 2026, NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class smell of fuel or gas?
4 of the 24 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (16.7%) describe a fuel or gasoline smell, or a fuel leak. One owner wrote: "Fuel leak into rear driver side back seat from below. gas leaked into passenger cabin due to a seal that broke from gas tank. dangerous smell and fire hazard. leak happens all the time, when parked and especially when driving." (NHTSA complaint 11360481, September 2020). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class have rust or paint problems?
3 of the 24 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (12.5%) describe rust, corrosion or peeling paint. One owner wrote: "Mercedes-Benz offers an extended warranty, effectively a 20-year/unlimited mileage coverage, for the rear subframe due to corrosion with perforation, covering specific model years my vehicles make and model are included." (NHTSA complaint 11691475, October 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own CLS-Class
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2012 only.