Mercedes-Benz C 300 years to avoid (and the best years)
184 NHTSA owner complaints and 31 recalls across 6 model years, 2018 to 2024. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 184complaints
- 31recalls
- 9reported crashes
- 0reported fires
- 3reported injuries
Which Mercedes-Benz C 300 years should you avoid?
No Mercedes-Benz C 300 model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Mercedes-Benz C 300 year has 16 complaints on file. The busiest year is the 2018 (99).
What are the best Mercedes-Benz C 300 years?
The Mercedes-Benz C 300 years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2021 (10), 2020 (15) and 2023 (18). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 10 | 0.6× | 3 | 2 | 0 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2023 | 18 | 1.1× | 8 | 2 | 1 | Few red flags | Forward collision avoidance system |
| 2021 | 10 | 0.6× | 5 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2020 | 15 | 0.9× | 9 | 0 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2019 | 32 | 1.9× | 12 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2018 | 99 | 6.0× | 18 | 4 | 1 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 53 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain20 (38%)
- Brakes12 (23%)
- Structure & body10 (19%)
- Electrical & infotainment4 (8%)
- Steering, suspension & tires3 (6%)
Recalls (31)
Safety · 26V481000 · Jul 2026 · model year 2023
A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Electrical system · 25V255000 · May 2025 · model year 2023
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.
Seat belts · 25V253000 · May 2025 · model years 2023, 2024
A loose seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Electrical system · 24V446000 · Jun 2024 · model year 2023
An overheated wire can cause a fire and a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 24V115000 · Feb 2024 · model years 2023, 2024
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.
Fuel system · 23V880000 · Dec 2023 · model years 2023, 2024
A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Structure · 23V854000 · Dec 2023 · model years 2018, 2019, 2020
A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 23V463000 · Jun 2023 · model year 2023
An overheated wiring harness can increase the risk of a fire.
Fuel system · 23V445000 · Jun 2023 · model years 2021, 2023
A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 22V365000 · May 2022 · model years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
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.
Safety · 22V232000 · Apr 2022 · model years 2019, 2020, 2021
An inoperable rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 21V961000 · Dec 2021 · model year 2019
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Exterior lighting · 21V509000 · Jul 2021 · model years 2018, 2019, 2020
Incorrectly adjusted headlights may reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Structure · 21V197000 · Mar 2021 · model years 2018, 2019, 2020
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.
Safety · 21V072000 · Feb 2021 · model years 2018, 2019
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.
Electrical system · 21V058000 · Feb 2021 · model years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
Seat belts · 21V032000 · Jan 2021 · model years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
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.
Engine · 20V364000 · Jun 2020 · model year 2020
An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.
Safety · 20V068000 · Feb 2020 · model year 2020
An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
Electrical system · 19V586000 · Aug 2019 · model years 2018, 2019
Loss of power from the battery can impair post-crash functions, such as communicating with emergency services and activating hazard lights. The battery may also detach and become a road hazard. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of injury.
Safety · 19V540000 · Jul 2019 · model year 2019
An impaired Active Brake Assist may not automatically apply partial or full braking as expected, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 19V130000 · Feb 2019 · model year 2018
If the seatback does not properly lock, in the event of a crash, the seatbacks may fold forward, increasing the risk of injury.
Exterior lighting · 18V906000 · Dec 2018 · model year 2018
If the low beam headlight is not properly adjusted, the driver may have reduced visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Steering · 18V872000 · Dec 2018 · model year 2018
If the steering connection was not properly locked, the mechanical connection between the steering wheel and steering rack may come loose, reducing steering ability and increasing the risk of a crash.
Steering · 18V850000 · Nov 2018 · model years 2018, 2019
A car that cannot be properly steered has an increased risk of a crash.
Airbags · 18V838000 · Nov 2018 · model year 2018
If the passenger air bag is incorrectly displayed as 'ON' when it is not, a front seat passenger may be unaware that the air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Electrical system · 18V725000 · Oct 2018 · model year 2018
If the battery is shorted, the emergency door unlocking would be deactivated for an outside responder and the short circuit could increase the risk of a fire.
Body & glass · 18V608000 · Sep 2018 · model year 2018
If the window detaches from the vehicle, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Structure · 18V456000 · Jul 2018 · model year 2018
If the beltline trim were to separate from the vehicle while driving, it could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 18V207000 · Mar 2018 · model year 2018
If the seatback does not properly lock, in the event of a crash, the seatbacks may fold forward, increasing the risk of injury.
Airbags · 17V627000 · Oct 2017 · model year 2018
If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.