2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2012

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2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class repairs by problem area

Engine (30%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (6%)

Brakes and Traction Control (1%)

Suspension and Steering (12%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (23%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (20%)

Other (7%)

Chart based on 69 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class.

2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (14%)

$500 - $999 (12%)

$100 - $499 (16%)

< $100 (57%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 49 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class 4dr SUV

turbocharged 255hp 3.0L V6 Diesel 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD

Mercedes-Benz M-Class in Ontario, Canada
Feb 2017 - Mar 2017
Feb 2017

60760 mi

C $1400
NOx censors replacement 

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2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class 4dr SUV

turbocharged 240hp 3.0L V6 Diesel 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD

Mercedes-Benz M-Class in Quebec, Canada
Feb 2013 - Mar 2014
Mar 2014

26040 mi
The 2 lighted M-B sign on passenger and driver floor Part of the emission system had to be replace 
Mercedes-Benz M-Class in Texas, United States
Jan 2013 - Apr 2013
Apr 2013

17000 mi
Interior door panel creaks, apparently there was a TSB to add felt tape behind the panels (b pillars) which fixed the issue. 
Mercedes-Benz M-Class in New York, United States
Oct 2014 - Jun 2018
Feb 2016

52100 mi
Oil leak 
Mercedes-Benz M-Class in Pennsylvania, United States
Oct 2013 - Oct 2015
Nov 2014

33700 mi
Blown gasket; plus a second transmission oil leak 
Mercedes-Benz M-Class in Virginia, United States
Jun 2015 - Jul 2015
Jul 2015

60000 mi
Shorted harness resulted in destruction of computer and messed up Adblue system 
Mercedes-Benz M-Class in Ohio, United States
Aug 2015 - Aug 2016
Dec 2015

68000 mi
Turbo seal replaced. Then oil cooler oil leak discovered. Out of warranty but paid $0 (goodwill). 
May 2016

69300 mi

US $1500
air suspension failed. Dealer had car in twice to complete repair. 
Aug 2016

70000 mi

US $1800
Oil leak at turbo repaired, leak continued. Ultimately determined the problem was with the intercooler. All told dealer had Mercedes for 3 months on and off. Dealer did complete the repair and covered it under warranty even though I was out of warranty. 
Mercedes-Benz M-Class in Washington, United States
Mar 2012 - Dec 2014
Jan 2013

13600 mi
Total COMMAND system failure. Service technician indicated replacement component would have cost approx $5000 if out of warranty. 
Feb 2013

17400 mi
Tailgate actuator failed 
Mercedes-Benz M-Class in Ohio, United States
Nov 2017 - Jun 2022
Jun 2018

56000 mi

US $170
Power rear door drive made horrible noises and wouldn't engage to lift the door. Purchased replacement part from dealer and replaced it. 
Sep 2021

114850 mi

US $450
The dreaded oil cooler seals were leaking. Removed everything from the engine above the block to replace the oil cooler seals. Many consumables replaced on other systems. Also cleaned out a large amount of built up oil soot from the air intake system downstream of the throttle body. 
Mercedes-Benz M-Class in Washington, United States
Nov 2011 - Jun 2022
May 2012

7500 mi
Clamp holding boot came loose and leaked grease on nearby parts. Clamp re-installed and repaired as warranty item. No apparent damage to C-V joint assembly from loss of grease. 
Jul 2014

38000 mi
Window seal noise repaired on driver/passenger front doors. 
Aug 2014

38500 mi
Seeping Oil pan gasket was replaced under warranty before it developed into significant problem. 
May 2016

55000 mi

US $350
Replaced rear pads due to wear at customer expense. First change since new. Replaced computer/circuit board for "pre-safe" seatbelt tightening/collision avoidance under warranty (extended). 
Feb 2017

63000 mi
DEF heater in DEF tank failed and was replaced. 
Jun 2017

66000 mi
Window replacement through insurance. Rock chip. 
Jun 2018

66000 mi
02 sensor in exhaust. 
Apr 2021

100000 mi
Diesel exhaust system replacement under Mercedes Benz legal settlement 
May 2022

110000 mi
Seals to intake, oil cooler replaced. 
Mercedes-Benz M-Class in Washington, United States
Sep 2016 - Jun 2022
Oct 2017

99000 mi

US $400
Battery replacement in addition to a standard B3 service 
May 2022

103000 mi

US $850
Massive water leak that filled up the spare tire space and throughout the chassis (couple of gallons of water from behind each wheel well and boot of suv). Water shorted out the fuel pump control module and the battery required replacing. Not clear where the water leak originated. No evidence inside the vehicle. Drain vents were cleaned and drain plug in rear was removed to ensure flooding would not happen again. 

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2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class 4dr SUV

302-horsepower 3.5L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD w/low range

Mercedes-Benz M-Class in Alberta, Canada
Dec 2015 - Jun 2017
Feb 2016

48100 mi
Leak through top of windshield. 
Jan 2017

47900 mi

C $800
Main fuel pump replacement 

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2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class 4dr SUV

302-horsepower 3.5L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD

Mercedes-Benz M-Class in North Carolina, United States
Aug 2014 - Jun 2018
Sep 2015

37000 mi
Creaking noise from front strut. Car sometimes turns on and then shuts off right after pushing the start button. There was a software update to fix. 
Feb 2016

39600 mi

US $450
Transmission and locks were acting up. A new battery solved the issues. 
Mar 2018

60000 mi

US $1200
Cable was severed leading to a fuel pressure sensor. First replaced sensor and then found damaged wire. Heat shield under car was responsible. 
Mercedes-Benz M-Class in Virginia, United States
Dec 2015 - Jun 2022
Dec 2017

49000 mi

US $890
Replaced rear brake pads and rotors Driver’s shoulder harness adjustment was not moving out of the lowest position and was successfully repaired by dealer under warranty 
Mercedes-Benz M-Class in Illinois, United States
Dec 2012 - Dec 2015
Apr 2014

6000 mi
Fuses igniting cylinders blown twice. Replaced ignition coils. Fixed after second attempt. 
Mercedes-Benz M-Class in California, United States
Oct 2011 - Dec 2014
Mar 2013

15000 mi
Creaking noise when turning. Wheel bearings repaired on right front. 
Jan 2014

22000 mi
Cv Joint repair for the 2nd time 
Mercedes-Benz M-Class in Florida, United States
Oct 2011 - Jun 2017
Jan 2013

13000 mi
Replaced washer pump motor 
Sep 2013

17000 mi
Had no turn indicators and no blind spot assist. They replaced the steering wheel module. 
Sep 2014

24000 mi
Replaced drivers seat cover. P-Tex was delaminating. 
Jun 2015

28000 mi
A/C had a bad smell when started. They needed to install drain plugs so water does not accumulate in the vents. 
Mercedes-Benz M-Class in New York, United States
Oct 2011 - Apr 2013
Oct 2012

10500 mi
Low coolant Warning Came on. Added half an inch of coolant to the reservoir, said common. Seat insert on back of front seat has to be replaced. Ordered. 
Apr 2013

15000 mi
Seat material still on order. Pigment loss. Power tailgate would not go up intermittently and get stuck. 
Mercedes-Benz M-Class in Texas, United States
Jan 2012 - Jun 2022
Sep 2015

73000 mi

US $604
replace drive shaft rear flex disc - parts $206.25, labor $256.37 Anti-microbial treatment to A/C evaporator due to persistent bad smell - $140.95 - this smell issue seems to affect many MLs, and our service advisor told us MB will try to fix it under warranty only during the first year of ownership. 
Apr 2016

86200 mi

US $325
replaced suspension links to cure clunking noise replace hub and bearing 
Nov 2016

104600 mi

US $325
Replaced worn cover on drivers bottom seat. Purchased OEM cover on line, had local trim shop install it. 
Nov 2017

133000 mi

US $700
Lock on rear tail gate failed, lock replaced, which require disassembly of entire tail gate $600.00 Another attempt to remove bad smell from A/C, still not completely successful $90.00 Another attempt to remove bad smell from A/C, still not completely successful $90.00 
Apr 2018

143000 mi

US $930
Passenger seat cover worn, MB only sells cover as part of complete lower seat assembly due to airbag weight sensors imbedded in seat so repair was much more expensive than expected. Bought OEM seat assembly on internet from a MB dealer for $830 (local MB dealer wanted MSRP of $1200 for the part only!), had trim shop install for $95. Car computer had to be reset by MB dealer ($260). 
Jul 2018

149000 mi

US $1200
Replace rear struts due to rough ride with occasional bottoming, also did 4 wheel alignment at same time 
Jan 2022

233000 mi

US $1875
The original alternator failed after 233,000 miles. Replaced alternator 
Mar 2022

236000 mi

US $1500
replace right side catalytic converter due to persistent check engine light 
Mercedes-Benz M-Class in New Jersey, United States
May 2012 - Jun 2015
Dec 2012

5000 mi
Rough idle, occasional stall on cold start. 
Mercedes-Benz M-Class in Massachusetts, United States
Feb 2014 - May 2018
Jul 2014

28800 mi
Back up camera lens scratched needed to be replaced 
Jan 2015 Rear vent broken, needed to be replaced. 
Aug 2016

60000 mi

US $400
replaced spark plugs and engine light came on for an emission leak. shop claimed not related but I believe it was and they caused it by not replacing intake resonator seals. had to pay to replace seals. 
Mercedes-Benz M-Class in North Carolina, United States
Nov 2012 - Dec 2014
Dec 2013

26000 mi
Driver seatcover replacement 
Mercedes-Benz M-Class in Connecticut, United States
Apr 2014 - Feb 2016
Nov 2014

29000 mi
Smart Key failed to start car. Smart Key replaced by dealer under warranty. 
Jan 2015

36000 mi
Rattle coming from under passenger seat. Dealer had to disassemble passenger/seat area, and remove a foreign object from the under seat heating ducts. 
Jul 2015

34000 mi
Power sunroof does not autoclose to the proper position. Computer reprogrammed, which solved the problem for two weeks. After two weeks, original failure reoccurred. Power sunroof does not autoclose to proper position, failure reoccurred after computer reprogramming. Closed detected position not being stored properly in sunroof motor. Sunroof motor and related sensors replaced. 
Feb 2016

37000 mi
Rear Window switch not working. Dealer replaced switch. 

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2011.5 Mercedes-Benz M-Class

Engine not specified

Mercedes-Benz in United Arab Emirates
Dec 2011 - Nov 2012
Jan 2012

3240 mi
Cooling system failed. Entire cooling system was replaced under warranty. 
Apr 2012

2060 mi
Knocking noise from suspension. Bushings abnormally worn. Replaced. 
Nov 2012

4340 mi
Transmission failed catastrophically. Replaced. Sold the vehicle right after as I got fed up of it. 

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2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.