Mercedes Benz C300 years to avoid (and the best years)
2,471 NHTSA owner complaints and 41 recalls across 11 model years, 2010 to 2022. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 2,471complaints
- 41recalls
- 84reported crashes
- 26reported fires
- 85reported injuries
- 1reported deaths
Which Mercedes Benz C300 years should you avoid?
No Mercedes Benz C300 model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Mercedes Benz C300 year has 255 complaints on file. The busiest years are the 2011 (478) and 2010 (432).
What are the best Mercedes Benz C300 years?
The Mercedes Benz C300 years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2022 (18), 2020 (18) and 2019 (35). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 18 | 0.1× | 3 | 0 | 1 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2020 | 18 | 0.1× | 0 | 5 | 4 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2019 | 35 | 0.1× | 5 | 2 | 1 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2017 | 215 | 0.8× | 15 | 10 | 16 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2016 | 285 | 1.1× | 13 | 7 | 8 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2015 | 380 | 1.5× | 11 | 9 | 7 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2014 | 93 | 0.4× | 5 | 6 | 5 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2013 | 255 | 1.0× | 6 | 9 | 7 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2012 | 262 | 1.0× | 6 | 5 | 6 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
| 2011 | 478 | 1.9× | 6 | 15 | 14 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
| 2010 | 432 | 1.7× | 5 | 16 | 16 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 964 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Airbags & seat belts408 (42%)
- Structure & body136 (14%)
- Electrical & infotainment131 (14%)
- Steering, suspension & tires108 (11%)
- Engine & powertrain103 (11%)
Recalls (41)
Structure · 23V854000 · Dec 2023 · model years 2015, 2016, 2017
A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 23V462000 · Jun 2023 · model year 2022
A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 22V678000 · Sep 2022 · model year 2022
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.
Electrical system · 22V365000 · May 2022 · model year 2017
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.
Steering · 22V189000 · Mar 2022 · model year 2022
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.
Fuel system · 21V961000 · Dec 2021 · model year 2016
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Structure · 21V197000 · Mar 2021 · model years 2015, 2016, 2017
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 year 2017
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 2016, 2017
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 year 2017
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.
Safety · 20V608000 · Oct 2020 · model year 2019
In the event of a rear-end crash, the center console lid may open, increasing the risk of injury to occupants.
Electrical system · 20V449000 · Jul 2020 · model year 2019
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.
Airbags · 20V298000 · May 2020 · model year 2012
An incorrect passenger air bag may not provide adequate protection, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Safety · 19V787000 · Nov 2019 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
Safety · 19V130000 · Feb 2019 · model year 2017
If the seatback does not properly lock, in the event of a crash, the seatbacks may fold forward, increasing the risk of injury.
Airbags · 19V010000 · Jan 2019 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Safety · 18V909000 · Dec 2018 · model year 2019
Driving the vehicle with the ESP system deactivated could increase the risk of a crash.
Steering · 18V850000 · Nov 2018 · model years 2015, 2016, 2017
A car that cannot be properly steered has an increased risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 18V839000 · Nov 2018 · model year 2019
If the seat belt tensioning does not activate in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Electrical system · 18V761000 · Oct 2018 · model year 2019
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Structure · 18V456000 · Jul 2018 · model year 2017
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 2017
If the seatback does not properly lock, in the event of a crash, the seatbacks may fold forward, increasing the risk of injury.
Airbags · 18V043000 · Jan 2018 · model years 2010, 2013
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 17V627000 · Oct 2017 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
Steering · 17V252000 · Apr 2017 · model years 2013, 2014
A loss of steering can increase the risk of a crash.
Steering · 17V243000 · Apr 2017 · model years 2016, 2017
A loss of electrical contact will cause the electric power steering assist to deactivate, increasing the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 17V251000 · Apr 2017 · model year 2017
If the front seat seatbelt pretensioners do not function properly, the seat occupants may not be adequately restrained in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Electrical system · 17V177000 · Mar 2017 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
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.
Electrical system · 17V114000 · Feb 2017 · model years 2015, 2016, 2017
If the starting current limiter overheats, the surrounding components can melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Airbags · 17V017000 · Jan 2017 · model year 2012
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Safety · 16V603000 · Aug 2016 · model year 2016
A damaged ESP control unit may inadvertently activate the stability control altering the vehicle's path. Additionally, the electronic parking brake may not function. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Steering · 16V438000 · Jun 2016 · model year 2016
If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Airbags · 16V363000 · May 2016 · model years 2010, 2011
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Body & glass · 16V087000 · Feb 2016 · model year 2016
If the panoramic glass detaches during vehicle operation, it can increase the risk of injury or crash.
Airbags · 16V081000 · Feb 2016 · model years 2010, 2011
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Steering · 15V845000 · Dec 2015 · model year 2015
If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fuel system · 15V138000 · Mar 2015 · model year 2015
If the locking plate is not properly secured to the fuel delivery module it may become loose, and leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire. If the electrical wires are pinched, the fuel pump may stop working, resulting in a stall, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 15V087000 · Feb 2015 · model year 2015
If the original horizontal adjustment is used to alter the low beam aim, the misaimed headlamp may not properly illuminated the road or cause increased glare to oncoming drivers, which increases the risk of a crash.
Steering · 14V598000 · Sep 2014 · model year 2015
If the sliding shaft becomes disengaged from the steering coupling socket, the driver may experience noises, steering backlash, and in a worst case, loss of steering control, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 14V177000 · Apr 2014 · model years 2010, 2011
Dimming or failure of the tail lights reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions of stopping or turning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 12V557000 · Dec 2012 · model years 2011, 2012
If the fuel filter flange cracks, it will leak fuel which may lead to a fire if an external ignition source is present.