2014 Mercedes-Benz C300 problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 43 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Mercedes-Benz C300, most often about airbags. There are 5 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 43
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Median mileage
- 65,000 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Airbags is the most-reported problem area, named in 14 of 43 complaints (33%).
- Suspension (10) and steering (9) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 65,000 mi.
- Owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries.
- The 2014 Mercedes-Benz C300 has 5 recalls on file.
- NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
- It ranks 9th of 9 Mercedes-Benz C300 model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
- That is 72% fewer complaints than the 2013 model year (156).
2014 Mercedes-Benz C300 problems by category
- Airbags · 1 crash14 complaints
- Suspension10 complaints
- Steering9 complaints
- Body & Structure8 complaints
- Electrical System6 complaints
- Other / Unknown5 complaints
- Engine2 complaints
- Wheels & Tires1 complaints
- Brakes1 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion1 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts1 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Air bags | 14 |
| Suspension | 10 |
| Steering | 9 |
| Structure:body | 7 |
| Unknown or other | 5 |
| Electrical system | 5 |
| Structure:body:door:handle:interior | 2 |
| Engine | 2 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2014 Mercedes-Benz C300 recalls (5)
- COMMUNICATION
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf
Risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.
- AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014 C250, C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2014-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, GLK 350, GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, 2015-2017 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2014-2017 E550 Cabrio, and 2014-2016 E550 Coupe vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally, MBUSA is recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2011 C300, 2011-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2011-2016 E550 Cabrio, E550 Coupe, 2011-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." MBUSA is also recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2010-2011 C300, 2010-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Coupe, 2011-2014 E350 Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2016-2017 E550 Cabrio, 2010-2016 E550 Coupe, 2010-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
- AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling these vehicles: 2014-2018 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, CLA45 AMG 4Matic, 2015-2018 GLA250, GLA250 4Matic, GLA45 AMG 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C63S AMG, 2012-2014 C250, C350, C300 4Matic, E550 4Matic, 2013-2014 C63 AMG, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2013-2015 C350 4Matic Coupe, GLK250 4Matic BlueTec, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, 2016-2017 C350e, C43 AMG, 2015 C400 4Matic, 2016-2018 C63 AMG, GLC300, GLC300 4Matic, 2017-2018 C300 Coupe, C300 4Matic Coupe, C43 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, C63S AMG Coupe, C300 Cabriolet, C300 4Matic Cabriolet, C43 AMG Cabriolet, C63 AMG Cabriolet, C63S AMG Cabriolet, GLC300 4Matic Coupe, GLC43 AMG, GLC43 AMG Coupe, 2014 E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabriolet, E400 Hybrid, 2015-2017 E400 Coupe, E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabriolet, 2014-2017 E550 Coupe, E550 Cabriolet, B250e, 2014-2016 E250 BlueTec, E63 AMG 4Matic Wagon, 2012-2013 E350 BlueTec, 2012-2016 E350, E350 4Matic, 2015-2016 E400, E400 4Matic, 2012 E63 AMG, 2014-2015 E250 4Matic BlueTec, 2013-2016 E350 Wagon, 2017 GLC300d 4Matic, and 2018 GLC350e 4Matic. The driver's air bag may unexpectedly deploy due to insufficient grounding of the steering components if an electrostatic discharge occurs and the air bag clockspring is broken.
Risk: If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will add sufficient grounding to the steering components, free of charge. The recall began in December 6, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
- STEERING
Mercedes-Benz USA LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2014 C250, C300 4MATIC, GLK250 4MATIC BLUETEC and GLK350 vehicles, 2013 C250 Coupe, C350, C350 4MATIC Coupe, C350 Coupe and C63 AMG Coupe vehicles, and 2013-2015 GLK350 4MATIC vehicles. The steering coupling connecting bolt may have been insufficiently tightened, possibly resulting in a loss of steering.
Risk: A loss of steering can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering coupling connecting bolt, tightening it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
- AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 AMG GT-S, GLC300, CLA250 and GLE300d 4Matic vehicles, 2013 C250, E350 BlueTec and G63 AMG vehicles, 2008-2014 C300 vehicles, 2013-2014 C300 4Matic and ML350 4Matic vehicles, 2009 C350 vehicles, 2014 CLS550, E350 4Matic, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Wagon 4Matic, GLK350 and SL550 vehicles, 2012 CLS550 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2016 E350 vehicles, 2016-2017 GL450 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2014 ML350 4Matic BlueTec vehicles, 2015 S550, S550 4Matic and C300 4Matic Sedan vehicles, 2015-2016 C300 Sedan vehicles, and 2017 SL63 AMG vehicles. Various control units on these vehicles may have been updated with incorrect software, potentially affecting the correct deployment of the air bags in the event of a crash.
Risk: If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA defect investigations
- EA21002Opened Sep 17, 2021Open
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C…
Recent 2014 Mercedes-Benz C300 complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Feb 23, 2026ORElectrical SystemSteering
Experiencing a failed Electronic Steering Lock (ESL). Car won’t crank or start even after verifying battery health and key fob. Symptoms point to a failed ESL, left stranded
NHTSA complaint #11719778 · source - Filed Sep 11, 2025ILSeats & Seat Belts
Leaving my home from my driveway and driving about 15 feet I heard a loud pop from my backseat area and noticed my Headrest on drivers side deployed without any reason. The airbag right/left malfunction light showed on my dash saying service required. Mercedes benz Dealership said they never heard of this. The dealership Removed old headrest and replaced with a new one , reset malfunction light and a fuse. Price was enormous.
NHTSA complaint #11686738 · source - Filed Feb 5, 2025NJSuspension
The left rear subframe separated from the main frame causing the car to pull to the left when braking. I had an episode where I was stopping for a traffic light and the car started fishtailing and I almost lost control of the car. Following this episode, I took the car to a mechanic who advised me that the car was unsafe to drive. My mechanic also told me that he has repaired a number of these vehicle with the same problem, and that Mercedes Benz has extended their warranty…
NHTSA complaint #11640936 · source - Filed Jan 20, 2025KYSteering
To Whom It May Concern, I am seeking assistance regarding my 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-300, VIN [XXX] . I repurchased this vehicle from the London Nissan Dealership on [XXX]. It currently has about 120,000 miles, and I have driven an additional 15,000 miles in the past two years. Less than three months after purchase, I took the car to a Mercedes-Benz dealership in Knoxville, TN, for repairs on May 16th. Now, my vehicle is at James Motor Company in Lexington, KY, where they…
NHTSA complaint #11637174 · source - Filed Nov 7, 2024PASteering
It's the esl electric steering lock this part is known to be defective and is posted online to fix and also bypass it. I am not a mechanic so i am told part alone is $570 at mercedes they have to program it. This part is know to break and only they can reprogram it. This should be a safty issue. The car rtdoes not start because of it and it locks the steering wheel in place. The code for it on car is a25464 code on car. This is a known problem and it makes the car…
NHTSA complaint #11624057 · source - Filed Nov 6, 2024158,000 miMITowedElectrical SystemSteering
The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that an unidentified recall was previously completed on the vehicle; however, the recall remedy failed to prevent the failure from occurring. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the steering wheel locked. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the electronic steering lock and the TRP needed to be replaced. The…
NHTSA complaint #11623763 · source - Filed Aug 20, 2024MAAirbagsBody & StructureSteering
I purchased my vehicle from the Mercedes Benz Dealership and received a recall letter in the mail stating that driver side deployment may occur. After receiving notice I brought the car to the dealership to get the recall repaired. I've been driving around with a false sense of security believing that this issue was repaired. However, recently, while I was driving the driver side airbag unexpectedly and abruptly deployed and injured me. This is a major safety concern and car…
NHTSA complaint #11609790 · source - Filed Jul 2, 2024MAAirbagsElectrical SystemSteering
While I was driving my car the driver side airbag abruptly deployed. The airbag inadvertently deployed; the car did not crash into anything to cause the airbag to deploy. When the airbag erupted it caused injury to my head, face, hand, arm and wrist. I believe the airbag is defective because I have lacerations on my face possibly due to sharp objects ejecting from the airbag and the impact as well as excessive smoke and fumes emitted after the fact. I believe there might be…
NHTSA complaint #11598400 · source
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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology