Mercedes-Benz C 300 problems by model year

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

NHTSA has 431 owner complaints and 46 recalls on file for the Mercedes-Benz C 300 (2017–2026). The 2017 C 300 has the most serious complaints, most often about engine.

Complaints
431
Recalls
46
Model years
10
Worst year
2017

Complaints by model year

17820177920186320193320201420212520222220231120244202522026
NHTSA complaints per Mercedes-Benz C 300 model year. Click a bar for details.

Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.

Worst Mercedes-Benz C 300 years to buy

Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).

  1. 2017 Mercedes-Benz C 300 — 178 complaints, 6 crashes, 3 fires; top problem: Engine
  2. 2018 Mercedes-Benz C 300 — 79 complaints, 3 crashes; top problem: Engine
  3. 2020 Mercedes-Benz C 300 — 33 complaints, 5 crashes; top problem: Engine
  4. 2019 Mercedes-Benz C 300 — 63 complaints, 3 crashes; top problem: Engine
  5. 2023 Mercedes-Benz C 300 — 22 complaints, 2 crashes; top problem: Driver Assistance & Safety Tech

Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2021 (14 complaints).

Every Mercedes-Benz C 300 model year

YearComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesRecallsTop problem
2026 C 30020001Airbags
2025 C 30040002Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
2024 C 300112003Electrical System
2023 C 300222019Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
2022 C 300251019Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
2021 C 300140007Engine
2020 C 300335059Engine
2019 C 3006330117Engine
2018 C 3007930118Engine
2017 C 300178631015Engine

Most common Mercedes-Benz C 300 problem areas (all years)

  • Engine
    141 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    68 complaints
  • Electrical System
    58 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    50 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    41 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    27 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    24 complaints
  • Brakes
    18 complaints
  • Steering
    18 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    15 complaints

Complaint trend

2020202120222023202420252026
Complaints about the Mercedes-Benz C 300 received by NHTSA each month.

Mercedes-Benz C 300 recalls

  • Recall 26V481000Jul 24, 2026310,667 vehiclesModel years 2022–2023

    Risk: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash or injury.

  • Recall 26V281000May 1, 2026144,049 vehiclesModel years 2025–2026

    Risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer and warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 25V255000May 12, 2025443 vehiclesModel years 2023

    Risk: An incorrect fuse box can result in a sudden loss of drive power or a loss of critical safety functions such as the restraint systems or instrument cluster, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. Additionally, there could be an increased risk of a fire.

  • Recall 25V253000May 2, 202546 vehiclesModel years 2022–2025

    Risk: A loose seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 24V446000Jun 14, 20241,058 vehiclesModel years 2022–2023

    Risk: An overheated wire can cause a fire and a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 24V115000Feb 16, 202431,848 vehiclesModel years 2023–2024

    Risk: An 80-Amp fuse that fails can result in a sudden loss of drive power or a loss of critical safety functions such as the restraint systems or instrument cluster, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. Additionally, there could be an increased risk of a fire.

  • Recall 23V880000Dec 21, 202379,676 vehiclesModel years 2022–2024

    Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 23V854000Dec 15, 20232,976 vehiclesModel years 2017–2020

    Risk: A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 23V463000Jun 30, 20231,558 vehiclesModel years 2022–2023

    Risk: An overheated wiring harness can increase the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 23V462000Jun 30, 20238,178 vehiclesModel years 2022–2023

    Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 23V445000Jun 26, 2023143,551 vehiclesModel years 2021–2023

    Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 22V678000Sep 12, 20226,752 vehiclesModel years 2022

    Risk: An electrical short circuit in the SAM could lead to various malfunctions, such as rear exterior lighting failure, unintentional rear seat folding, and rearview camera failure, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. In addition, an electrical short circuit might increase the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 22V365000May 20, 2022242,722 vehiclesModel years 2017–2021

    Risk: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 22V232000Apr 8, 2022126,443 vehiclesModel years 2019–2021

    Risk: An inoperable rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 22V189000Mar 25, 20228,396 vehiclesModel years 2022

    Risk: Deactivated hands-off detection will prevent DISTRONIC system features from functioning, including warnings to grab the steering wheel and calling first responders as part of the Active Emergency Stop Assist, which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

  • Recall 21V961000Dec 13, 2021139 vehiclesModel years 2019

    Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 21V509000Jul 2, 20211,467 vehiclesModel years 2018–2020

    Risk: Incorrectly adjusted headlights may reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 21V406000May 28, 2021218 vehiclesModel years 2021

    Risk: Incorrectly mounted headrests could move or detach from the seat during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 21V230000Apr 1, 20218,634 vehiclesModel years 2021

    Risk: Air bags and seat belts that do not perform properly in a crash can increase the risk of injury.

  • Recall 21V197000Mar 19, 202115,096 vehiclesModel years 2017–2020

    Risk: The adhesive bonding of the front panel might deteriorate, possibly causing the front panel to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 21V072000Feb 12, 202167 vehiclesModel years 2017–2019

    Risk: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting emergency services through the call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 21V058000Feb 5, 20211,292,258 vehiclesModel years 2017–2021

    Risk: Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.

  • Recall 21V032000Jan 29, 202124,550 vehiclesModel years 2017–2021

    Risk: If the seat belt does not fully retract, the occupant may find the operation of the seat belt inconvenient and not wear it, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

  • Recall 20V608000Oct 2, 20207 vehiclesModel years 2019

    Risk: In the event of a rear-end crash, the center console lid may open, increasing the risk of injury to occupants.

  • Recall 20V449000Jul 31, 202056 vehiclesModel years 2019

    Risk: Without the audible tone and blinking warning light to remind the front seat occupants that their seat belts are not buckled, they may forget to buckle their seat belt, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Other Mercedes-Benz models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology