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2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2012 Mercedes-Benz R-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
- 8owner complaints
- 0crash reports
- 0fire reports
- 21%fail the UK MOT
Every Mercedes-Benz R-Class model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class?
The components named most often in the 8 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
Has the 2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class been recalled?
NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz R-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 R-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 DVSAThe function of the brake booster might be affected due to advanced corrosion in the joint area of its housing.
Risk: The function of the brake booster might be affected due to advanced corrosion in the joint area of its housing.
Fix: Replace brake booster in vehicles that have not passed XENTRY test and require part replacement.
UK DVSAThe function of the brake booster might be affected due to advanced corrosion in the joint area of its housing.
Risk: The function of the brake booster might be affected due to advanced corrosion in the joint area of its housing.
Fix: Replace brake booster in vehicles that have not passed XENTRY test and require part replacement.
UK DVSAThe function of the brake booster might be affected due to advanced corrosion in the joint area of its housing
Risk: The function of the brake booster might be affected due to advanced corrosion in the joint area of its housing.
Fix: Check the brake booster on the affected vehicles and - depending on the result of this inspection - replace it where necessary.
UK DVSAThe function of the brake booster might be affected due to advanced corrosion in the joint area of its housing
Risk: The function of the brake booster might be affected due to advanced corrosion in the joint area of its housing.
Fix: Check the brake booster on the affected vehicles and - depending on the result of this inspection - replace it where necessary.
UK DVSAThe driver's air bag may have a chemical change to its propellant over time
Risk: The driver's airbag may have a chemical change to its propellant over time.
Fix: Replace the driver's airbag.
UK DVSAThe driver's air bag may have a chemical change to its propellant over time
Risk: The driver's airbag may have a chemical change to its propellant over time.
Fix: Replace the driver's airbag
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 GateSevere corrosion may lead to a leakage of the brake booster, thus reducing the braking force, leading to an increase in brake pedal force…Severe corrosion may lead to a leakage of the brake booster, thus reducing the braking force, leading to an increase in brake pedal force required to decelerate the vehicle, resulting in a possible increase in stopping distance. Moreover, due to severe corrosion, a particularly strong or severe braking manoeuvre may cause mechanical damage to the brake booster, preventing the vehicle from decelerating through the service brake and thus increasing the 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 driver and passenger airbags of the company Takata in vehicles with ammonium nitrate gas generators without drying agents could, under…The driver and passenger airbags of the company Takata in vehicles with ammonium nitrate gas generators without drying agents could, under certain climate conditions, lead over time to a chemical change in the fuel.In the event of an accident triggering the release of the driver or passenger airbag, this change could cause the gas generators to burst. If a gas generator ruptures, the airbag would then have no restraining function and loose parts from the gas generator could reach the vehicle interior. This would increase the risk of injury for passengers.
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
How often does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz R-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 R-Class owners report?
8 of the 8 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.
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz R350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the rear end of the vehicle was making a grinding sound while the brake pedal was depressed. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who completed the inspection mentioned in the recall and concluded that a replacement…
TAMARA RECALL. IT'S BEEN 10 YEARS NOW. WHEN IS MY LUCK RUNNING OUT?
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ R350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF DENVER (LOCATED AT 940 S COLORADO BLVD, DENVER, CO 80246, (303) 953-4581) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
"TAKATA RECALL" - WHILE DRIVING ALONG A COUNTY STREET MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLED. I PUT IN PARK AND IT STARTED AND WENT APPROXIMATELY A 1/2 OF A MILE AND STALLED AGAIN. IT DID THIS TWICE MORE BEFORE I GOT HOME WHERE I SHUT IT OFF AND CALLED A TOW COMPANY TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOP. MY SERVICE ADVISOR CALL AND TOLD ME THAT THE WIRING HONES TO THE ENGINE BURNED UP.
TAKATA RECALL MANUFACTURER ADVISED ME OF THE DEFECT IN MAY 2016. THE LETTER ADVISED IT WOULD TAKE SOME TIME TO DESIGN AND ULTIMATELY REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART. NO FURTHER NOTICES HAVE BEEN RECEIVED WITH A SOLUTION AFTER MORE THAN 18-MONTHS. NO ACCIDENTS OR COLLISIONS HAVE OCCURRED TO TEST THE BAG EFFECTIVENESS.
TAKATA RECALL - AIRBAG FIX HAS YET NOT BEEN MADE AVAILABLE AND THE COMPANY HAS DECLARED BANKRUPTCY, I'M CLUELESS ON WHO IS GOING TO FIX THE AIRBAGS.
TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED A POST CARD IN THE MAIL FROM TK HOLDINGS STATING TO CONTACT THE DEALER FOR A FREE REPAIR. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY STATE THAT THE AIRBAGS ARE ON BACK ORDER. THE ISSUE IS NOT BEING RESOLVED IN A TIMELY MANNER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT DETECTED SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SPORADICALLY STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,000.
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2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class: questions owners ask
Is the 2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 8 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class; the most common categories were air bags (5, 62.5%), electrical system (1, 12.5%), engine (1, 12.5%). There are no safety recalls listed for this model year.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class?
Across 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are air bags (62.5% of complaints), electrical system (12.5% of complaints), engine (12.5% of complaints), hydraulic (12.5% of complaints), service brakes (12.5% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class have any recalls?
As of October 2026, NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check your own R-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.