2026 Mercedes-Benz C 300 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
2 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
1,729 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2026 model year. Data updated: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 2 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 1 | 50.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Structure | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
Air Bags: 1; Structure: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 |
2026: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11739607 · 2026-05-22 (May 22, 2026)
When driving 75mph in order to change my favorite radio station, I must go to the center tablet, scroll until I find the station desired and then must tap it in the center or it does not change. On my 2025 MB C model you could change the channels on the steering column. I asked MB to research this issue and I was told a third party wrote the 2026 software and did not include this option! Is it not a safety concern that when doing 75 mph you must take your eyes off the road to find and change a radio channel? No One cares at MB and I was told t…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11739607 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
2 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 7735.6%ODI 10978794"TAKATA RECALL" I HAD MY 2017 MERCEDES BENZ C300 FIR ONLY A FEW MONTHS AND I HAVE EXPERIENCE 4 ENCOUNTERS AS TO WHERE MY VEHICLE WOULDNT START BACK UP WHILE SITTING INSIDE OF MY VEHICLE FOR AT LEAST 2 TO 3 MINS ITS LIKE BEING LOCKED INSIDE OF MY OWN CAR EVERYTHING COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN THE ENGINE NOR PUSH START WOULDNT WORK MY CAR IS ALWAYS PARKED FOR SMALL PERIODS OF TIME WGEN THIS INCIDENT TOOK PLACE I TOOK IT OVER TO THE MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER AND I WAS TOLD MY CAR IS NEW AND IT DOES THAT TIME TO TIME | 3434.3%ODI 11257284 · 14,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNT CRAYON ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR MADE IT DIFFICULT TO BREATHE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF GOLDENS BRIDGE (321 NY-22, GOLDENS BRIDGE, NY 10526), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000. | 1724.6%ODI 11220826 · 1,700 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 MERCEDES-BENZ C300W. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON APRIL 6, 2019. ON APRIL 10, 2019 HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF SARASOTA, 4754 CLARK RD, SARASOTA, FL 34233, [phone removed]) BECAUSE IT SHOOK VIOLENTLY WHILE DRIVING AND THE ENGINE FELT LIKE IT WAS LOSING POWER AT 20 MPH. ALSO, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURES WERE NOT ABNORMAL. THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE WINDOWS UP AND COULD NOT REPLICATE THE FAILURES; HOWEVER, THEY STATED THAT THE NOI… | 824.2%ODI 11382939 · 55,000 miMY 2016 C300 (IN-LINE 4 TURBO, "PETROL" WITH 241HP) AT 55K MILES HAD 1ST CYLINDER CRACKED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, AND MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I TALKED TO MY DEALERSHIP AND THE CORPORATE SEPARATELY. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD COVER THE COST OF THE PARTS WHETHER THE ENGINE NEEDS REPLACEMENT OR NOT, AS I BOUGHT MY CAR THERE NEW AND HAVE BEEN USING THEM THROUGH PREPAID MAINTENANCE. I DECIDED TO FIX THE CAR AND PAY THEM PRE-ARRANGED LABOR. BUT HERE IS THE RESPONSE FROM THE CORPORATE: THANK YOU FOR YOUR EMAIL TO MERCEDES-BENZ USA, ALTHOUGH WE R… | 857.1%ODI 11525102Piston Connecting Rod broke and left the engine making holes in both sides of the block; Mercedes Benz rejected any responsibility because the car has a branded title. Currently a new engine (brand new) is being installed, my concern is that what will happen if the new engine has the same defective part and blew up again. | 28.0%ODI 11527619Throughout the year, the car had many issues, the blind spot sensors and glass sensors didn't work, and it constantly showed that the stop/start system wasn't working. Twice, the car turned off by itself at a stoplight. Since everything is controlled through the car's large monitor, including the navigation, air conditioning, and all other functions, the monitor frequently shut off and it was necessary to turn it off and on again, or wait until the next day for it to work again. The scariest incident happened during a heavy rainstorm. I was dri… | 29.1%ODI 11540331 · 3,900 miThe contact owns a 2023 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while reversing, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle lost motive power, stalled and shutoff. The contact was able to restart the vehicle, but had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer stated that no cause for the failure was found but updated the software. The failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the contact was informed that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted… | 218.2%ODI 11692765On Friday [XXX] at approximately [XXX]. My wife and I were driving our 2024 C-Class 300 (~8,000 miles on this vehicle) on [XXX] and entering the intersection of [XXX]. Riverside, CA 92506 when all of sudden the car just died (the engine stopped running, pushing the gas pedal with no power) and all the dashboard lights came on flashing like crazy. This incident paced my wife and I in a very venerable bad not safe situation. If there was any traffic at in this intersection at that moment it would have been a bad situation. I called MB Walter's… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Unknown Or Other | 3415.7%ODI 10934527 · 5 miSUNROOF EXPLOSION TOOK PLACE IN TRANSIT TO DELIVERY TO MY HOME IN CENTERVILLE, OHIO FROM HOUSTON, TEXAS. IT WAS STATIONARY INSIDE OF ENCLOSED TRANSIT VEHICLE. | 2020.2%ODI 11163276 · 5,000 miFORWARD COLLISON SYSTEM ($1700 OPTION) AEB, DOES NOT WORK AS DESCRIBED IN MB LITERATURE OR WEBSITE. IN MY OPINION, THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM (AEB) IN MY 7 MO. OLD 2018 MERCEDES C300 SIMPLY DOES NOT WORK. I SPECIAL ORDERED THE CAR WITH THE 997 PKG THAT INCLUDES, DRIVER ASSISTANCE, BAS+, AND DISTRONIC THE MB MANUAL STATES: 'IF ACTIVE BRAKE ASSIST DETECTS THAT THERE IS A RISK OF COLLISION, YOU WILL BE WARNED VISUALLY AND ACOUSTICALLY. IF YOU DO NOT REACT AUTONOMOUS BRAKING CAN BE INITIATED IN CRITICAL SITUATIONS.' AND FURTHER THAT… | 811.6%ODI 11291475 · 11,550 miTHE PANORAMA SUNROOF EXPLODED, NO OTHER CARS NEAR ME, NO ROCK HIT IT NO BIG BUMP IN THE ROAD, IT JUST EXPLODED...WAS TRAVELING AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEED, AND IT SOUNDED LIKE THE CAR HAD EXPLODED, VERY SCARY, AND IF THE INSIDE COVER HAD NOT BEEN CLOSED WOULD HAVE HAD GLASS SHARDS RAIN DOWN ON ME AND POSSIBLE GET IN MY EYES...MERCEDES NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM RIGHT AWAY BEFORE PEOPLE GET INTO ACCIDENTS WHEN THIS HAPPENS. | 515.2%ODI 11385957 · 1,000 miON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS, I HAVE RECEIVED AN AUDITABLE WARNING, AND A RED LIGHT ON THE DASH THAT DISAPPEARS AS QUICKLY AS IT HAPPENS. I CANNOT CONTRIBUTE ANY CAUSE FOR THE WARNING AND THERE ISN'T ANY RESIDUAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE SOURCE OF THE WARNING. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 28.0%ODI 11478169There have been two complete failures of the control module /screen in the center dash of the vehicle which operates all vehicle features and some key safety features. The screen simply ceases operation and shuts down all controls for the vehicle. The first incident occurred shortly after purchasing the vehicle new in June 2022 and then again on 8/7/22 | 418.2%ODI 11523001First week, the car would take off fast as soon as the brakes were released. Then first time I used the heat there was a crackling sound coming form the side of the center display and it got extremely hot, I was on the FWY driving in the rain. Brakes: Intermittently, when braking, the car speeds up as if shifting to N, problematic in the FWY traffic behind another car, sometimes the brake pedal can be heard rattling really lose underfoot, brakes also used to groan when backing up. Electrical: intermittently, the door/trunk lock, side mir… | 327.3%ODI 11588272The vehicle was in drive, as I was turning right, the vehicle shifted from p(park) to n(netural) on the roadway. The car would not allow me to shift back to drive. I had to literally turn the car off and then back on in the middle of the road in order to put it back in drive Thankfully, there was not a vehicle nearby at the time, which could have caused a major accident or lost of life. At the time there was not a warning message at the time. Three days later tire pressure warning with fluctuating numbers occurred. I have only had this ve… | 125.0%ODI 11741578The panoramic sunroof unexpectedly shattered while the vehicle was parked in my driveway overnight. There was no collision, impact, weather event, vandalism, or any other external cause that could explain the failure. The damaged sunroof remains available for inspection upon request, and security camera footage from my property shows no outside influence that could have caused the glass to break. The unexpected failure of the panoramic sunroof created a significant safety risk. Had this occurred while I was driving, shattered glass could have … | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System | 3013.9%ODI 10949803 · 8,000 miVEHICLE HORN WILL NOT FUNCTION WHEN IGNITION SWITCH IS IN OFF POSITION. | 1010.1%ODI 11257284 · 14,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNT CRAYON ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR MADE IT DIFFICULT TO BREATHE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF GOLDENS BRIDGE (321 NY-22, GOLDENS BRIDGE, NY 10526), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000. | 1217.4%ODI 11267955TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 MERCEDES-BENZ C300W4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V586000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT MERCEDES-BENZ OF CALDWELL (LOCATED AT 1230 BLOOMFIELD AVE, WEST CALDWELL, NJ 07006, [phone removed]) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. | 39.1%ODI 11418528 · 6,000 miThe contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that her son was driving at an undisclosed speed when another vehicle's muffler detached and crashed into the undercarriage of the contact's vehicle. The front driver and passenger side tires exploded and fractured the rims. The contact stated that the vehicle's alert system failed to warn her son of the incoming object which resulted in the collision. The contact's son did not receive medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and repaired. Th… | 17.1%ODI 11568290First day leasing the vehicle within 6 hours lights malfunction and malfunction warning on dash to seek workshop, vehicle was taken for inspection to original dealer (Mercedes Benz of Bakersfield). During inspection I added additional concerning complaints about passenger door not closing correctly/wind noise seeping through when closed, and hood not closing promptly. One month into leasing vehicle passenger window malfunction, took for inspection and repair to original dealer (MBofBakersfield). Concerned with caution for me, my family, and fr… | 728.0%ODI 11478169There have been two complete failures of the control module /screen in the center dash of the vehicle which operates all vehicle features and some key safety features. The screen simply ceases operation and shuts down all controls for the vehicle. The first incident occurred shortly after purchasing the vehicle new in June 2022 and then again on 8/7/22 | 522.7%ODI 11523001First week, the car would take off fast as soon as the brakes were released. Then first time I used the heat there was a crackling sound coming form the side of the center display and it got extremely hot, I was on the FWY driving in the rain. Brakes: Intermittently, when braking, the car speeds up as if shifting to N, problematic in the FWY traffic behind another car, sometimes the brake pedal can be heard rattling really lose underfoot, brakes also used to groan when backing up. Electrical: intermittently, the door/trunk lock, side mir… | 436.4%ODI 11576712Within the first week of ownership (delivery on 1/15/24), the car's parking and/or front collision sensors started malfunctioning on a regular basis. The sensors repeatedly gave off false alerts when the car would approach intersections even though no obstacles were in front of, or behind, the car. The false alerts were quite startling and they consisted of loud alarms and warning images in both the driver's display and the car's heads up display. The repeated false alarms posed a significant safety hazard because they initially caused me to… | 125.0%ODI 11725129After driving the 2025 c300 sedan and leaving it parked for an hour or two, I come back to the car and turn it on. Neither the central screen or drivers screen were operable. The engine, interior lighting, sounds, and other systems were working however all the screens were completely dead. The car had no speedometer, gear selection, park brake, A/C control, or any function. This is the second time it has happened first on 02/12/2026 and then today on 03/17/2026. After locking the car and leaving it alone for an hour, functions restart normally.… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3013.9%ODI 11279530 · 55,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE WITH THE MOBILE APP, SHE NOTICED A FUEL ODOR EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED MANUALLY, THE ODOR WAS NOT PRESENT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO PARK PLACE MOTORCARS DALLAS (LOCATED AT 6113 LEMMON AVE, DALLAS, TX 75209, [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL HOSE WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. | 99.1%ODI 11446178 · 62,000 miCYLINDER 1 SPARK PLUGS IS DAMAGED DUE TO PISTON DAMAGE, HOLE IN PISTON. IF EXTRA DAMAGE IS FOUND ON TEAR DOWN, COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. This is direct from the repair facilities reports. While driving my 2018 C-300 there was smoking out of tail pipe, a rough vibration, hard to control the vehicle and it was starting to lose power. Not a good situation, had to pull over and have vehicle towed to the dealership. Worst part is this is a vehicle used to transport my 5 children to and from school and activities. My 16 year old also drives this … | 710.1%ODI 11395598 · 28,000 miI WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT ONTO A HIGHWAY WITH A POSTED LIMIT OF 55 MPH. AS I PULLED OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY THE GAS PEDAL JUST STOPPED WORKING. THE CAR WAS ON BUT IT JUST WOULDN'T GO ANYWHERE. A VEHICLE COMING FROM MY LEFT AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED HAD TO PUT ON IT'S BRAKES IN ORDER NOT TO STRIKE THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF MY DOOR. IT CAME WITHIN 2 FEET OF MY VEHICLE. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED IT. WHEN I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE I TURNED OFF THE "ECO" BUTTON AND DROVE A COUPLE OF MILES BACK TO MY HOME WITH NO PROBLEMS. NOTE....I HAVE… | 39.1%ODI 11390106 · 87,000 miTHE FUEL SMELL IS COMING FROM THE RUBBER FUEL, THEY ARE NOT COVER BY MY CPO- WARRANTY ( 3000 USD PAID PACKAGE). I FOUND OVER 100 FRIENDS ON FACEBOOK GROUP HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS. DEALLER REFUSE TO COVER. MY KID IS FELL BAD ABOUT THE SMELL LEAKING. | 214.3%ODI 11691568While driving car on Sunday 10/5, it suddenly failed to respond to gas pedal pressure. The car stopped accelerating and rather slowed to 15 MPH, almost causing a car from behind to hit me in the rear side. | 416.0%ODI 11537819A recall was issued for the fuel pump, creating a major safety issue and increased risk of collision, which still no available remedy. The manufacturer has failed to provide a resolution in a timely manner, especially for such a vital competent wearing down every day. Furthermore, the manufacturer has offered not other alternatives such as loaned vehicle or compensation for the risk of sudden motor failure. | 14.5%ODI 11555944The above multiple problems/parts at issue. To include Other/I am not sure. Started at or approximately February 2023. The (Automatic Folding Side View Folding Mirrors before resolution) Malfunctioned 3 separate times before being fixed. During that time the (Cooling System Malfunction Reduced Drive Performance Service Required), displayed 2 separate Unknown Dates on the Dashboard Screen. The MB Dealership Service Diagnostic Check made was not Able to Detect the Trouble and was Never Fixed). On Monday, 08/21/2023, by (USPS) delivered a Merc… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Structure:Body | 188.3%ODI 11080335 · 9,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE GLASS MOON ROOF SUDDENLY EXPLODED, CAUSING GLASS TO ENTER THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF LOVELAND (4040 BYRD DR, LOVELAND, CO), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000. | 88.1%ODI 11114956TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V456000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR AS THE RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED OVER THREE WEEKS AGO. THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF ONTARIO, 3787 E GUASTI RD, ONTARIO, CA 91761) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HA… | 57.2%ODI 11432020The automatic trunk lid started to close and hit my head while I was loading groceries into the trunk. It also started to close and hit my wife in the head when she was unloading the groceries about 15 minutes later. This situation was not reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. There was no notice or warning of pending failure. There appeared to be no visible injury to either person except for a short pain in the head. | 13.0%ODI 11625377Roof panel is peeling and rattling loose. I’m afraid it will come off like the other C-300s that were recalled for their roof panel flying off. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 14.5%ODI 11662742While driving at 60mph my panoramic sunroof completely shattered. Nothing at all hit the sunroof to cause it to shatter. If my sunshade cover had not been on, the glass would have fallen on me while operating my vehicle. This is not only dangerous but unacceptable. It was also a distraction that could have caused an accident. Mercedes did not make me aware of the class action lawsuit they have with the panoramic sunroofs, and I feel that was neglectful on their part. Upon inspection from a service advisor at a Mercedes Benz dealership, they tol… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 11741578The panoramic sunroof unexpectedly shattered while the vehicle was parked in my driveway overnight. There was no collision, impact, weather event, vandalism, or any other external cause that could explain the failure. The damaged sunroof remains available for inspection upon request, and security camera footage from my property shows no outside influence that could have caused the glass to break. The unexpected failure of the panoramic sunroof created a significant safety risk. Had this occurred while I was driving, shattered glass could have … | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Steering | 136.0%ODI 11055406STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION. CAR PARKED AT GARAGE AND WHEN I WENT TO START I GOT THE MALFUNCTION MESSAGE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. I CALLED MERCEDES AND THEY WILL TOW THE CAR TOMORROW. FOR A BRAND NEW 2017 MERCEDES THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. | 1111.1%ODI 11169926I AM WRITING TO SHARE MY DISSATISFACTION WITH MERCEDES BENZ. I HAVE A 2018 C300 THAT WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW. THE STEERING WHEEL IS DETERIORATING AND I ADDRESSED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF ONTARIO,CA. I OPENED A CASE WITH CORPORATE AND SPOKE WITH CASE MANAGER JAMES WHO WAS NOT HELPFUL, AND REFUSED TO PUT IN A ESCALATION TO MANAGEMENT ABOUT MY SITUATION. HE ACTUALLY THOUGHT MY CALL WAS FUNNY AND LAUGHED AT ONE POINT. I WAS INSULTED BY MERCEDES BENZ WITH THE COMMENT YOU GUYS TOLD ME ABOUT MY WHEEL, AND HOW YOU WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THE STANDAR… | 57.2%ODI 11360247 · 17,506 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT, THERE WAS A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ OF BROOKLYN (1800 SHORE PKWY BROOKLYN NY 11214; [phone removed]) WHO STATED THEY WERE AWARE OF SIMILAR ISSUES HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS TYPICALLY CAUSED BY AN IMPACT. THE MANUFACTURER… | 26.1%ODI 11423100While driving on the turnpike without warning my steering locked and I lost control of my car. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 14.0%ODI 11545779- What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? NHTSA Recall ID: 23V445, Fuel Pump Delivery Module How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Vehicle at risk to lose drive power, increasing the chance of crashing while operating. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No. Mercedes dealership states they will not repair recalls on the weekends only M-F. I work at the hospital M-F 0800-1700. The dea… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Air Bags | 156.9%ODI 11040900TAKATA RECALL. WHAT IS CONSIDERED TO BE A "TIMELY MANNER" FOR THE DEALER TO FIX A CAR? | 44.0%ODI 11186601 · 10,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ C300W. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V838000 (AIR BAGS) BY MERCEDES-BENZ OF ARCADIA (101 N SANTA ANITA AVE, ARCADIA, CA 91006, [phone removed]). HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. | 11.4%ODI 11457824i was involve in a accident, i was Tbone and the driver side airbags didnt deploy. | 26.1%ODI 11428078On July 17, 2021 I was driving at the posted rate of speed down I-275 Southbound here in Michigan. All of the sudden and without warning, there was a loud explosion which happened, from as near as I can tell, in the driver's side windshield pillar, where there is an airbag. No warning lights came on, and the car did not change its driving characteristics. Only after I reached my destination and searched under the dash, and every where else (including the exterior), did I find that the plastic "cover" on the pillar is pushed away from the pillar… | 17.1%ODI 11453645The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, there was a burning odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated the passenger side air bags was enabled warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated the vehicle made an abnormal noise. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer but was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 218.2%ODI 11576712Within the first week of ownership (delivery on 1/15/24), the car's parking and/or front collision sensors started malfunctioning on a regular basis. The sensors repeatedly gave off false alerts when the car would approach intersections even though no obstacles were in front of, or behind, the car. The false alerts were quite startling and they consisted of loud alarms and warning images in both the driver's display and the car's heads up display. The repeated false alarms posed a significant safety hazard because they initially caused me to… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 11765781 · 1,729 miThe contact owns a 2026 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that there was white powder discovered inside the vehicle. The contact initially thought that it was mold. The contact stated that the heating system had caused the issue. The air bag dust was on the headliner and the driver's side A-pillar. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the issue. The vehicle was then taken to another dealer, Mercedes-Benz Atlanta South Parts Department (3800 Royal S Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30349), who was unable to d… |
| Power Train | 125.6%ODI 11197127 · 29,000 miWHEN IDLING AT THE LIGHT. THE CAR WOULD SHUT ITSELF OFF. ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS WILL COME ON. I THEN HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR WITH THE PUSH START TO RESET IT. THEN IT'LL WORK FINE. I HAVE BEEN TO MERCEDES DEALERSHIP IN NEW ROCHELLE FOR FOUR TIMES ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THEY CHANGED THE BATTERY THE FIRST TIME. TWO DAYS LATER THE SITUATION OCCURRED AGAIN. THEN THE SECOND AND THIRD TIME THEY GAVE ME BACK THE CAR AND SAID THEY DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG BECAUSE NO CODES POPPED UP. BOTH TIMES I TOOK THE CAR BACK AND THE SITUATION OCCURRED AGAIN. THIS PROB… | 22.0%ODI 11446178 · 62,000 miCYLINDER 1 SPARK PLUGS IS DAMAGED DUE TO PISTON DAMAGE, HOLE IN PISTON. IF EXTRA DAMAGE IS FOUND ON TEAR DOWN, COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. This is direct from the repair facilities reports. While driving my 2018 C-300 there was smoking out of tail pipe, a rough vibration, hard to control the vehicle and it was starting to lose power. Not a good situation, had to pull over and have vehicle towed to the dealership. Worst part is this is a vehicle used to transport my 5 children to and from school and activities. My 16 year old also drives this … | 68.7%ODI 11637804 · 36,000 miThe contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz C 300. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power, and was unable to accelerate above 25 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the PCM required a software update. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 36,000. | 39.1%ODI 11589214My wife was driving our 2020 Mercedes Benz C300 coupe near our house and the engine light came on. Then the car could not be driven over the speed of 30 miles per hour. Then it stopped and had to be towed. Fortunately, she was able to avoid being hit by other vehicles.The car only has 25219 miles. It was towed to a mechanic who performed a diagnostic test which provided a series of codes regarding the malfunction. Three codes were related to the CAMTRONIC camshaft system and its Solenoid ( Codes: P003C-53; P34AE-00; P34AD-09). Camshaft positi… | 17.1%ODI 11678865My C300 only had about 42,000 miles and was less than 5 years old. Just after the factory warranty expired, the engine was running rough and hot, and "check engine" light illuminated. My local garage quickly diagnosed the problem as a failed cylinder head, stated that it is common with Mercedes 4-cylinder engines from about 2017, and said Mercedes may cover it since it is a "known problem" and shouldn't happen with that mileage. I was charged $7,860 by my local Mercedes dealer, and despite multiple contacts with MercedezUSA, they refuse to ack… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 14.5%ODI 11577612On 2/17/24 the vehicle was parked in front of my house. There is a slight grade. The vehicle had been parked for approximately 1 hour when my neighbor called me to tell me that the vehicle had rolled down the hill and into his storage building. The vehicle rolled on its own. I have video evidence that no one was in or around the car at the time of this occurrence. I also, have 2 eyewitnesses who can corroborate this story. Due to safety concerns, I immediately returned the vehicle to Mercedes. I have .MOV files and pictures JPEG that will not u… | 19.1%ODI 11610577Issue: Post-Airbag Deployment PCM Lockout Description: I am reporting a critical safety concern regarding the 2024 Mercedes-Benz C300. After an airbag deployment, the vehicle's Powertrain Control Module (PCM) is designed to automatically lock, preventing the engine from being restarted. While this feature is intended to enhance safety, it poses significant risks in certain emergency situations. For instance, in scenarios such as a landslide, attempted robbery, or a collision with wildlife in a remote area with poor cell signal, this design co… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | Too few reports for a range | 1,729 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 11765781 · 1,729 miThe contact owns a 2026 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that there was white powder discovered inside the vehicle. The contact initially thought that it was mold. The contact stated that the heating system had caused the issue. The air bag dust was on the headliner and the driver's side A-pillar. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the issue. The vehicle was then taken to another dealer, Mercedes-Benz Atlanta South Parts Department (3800 Royal S Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30349), who was unable to d… |
| Structure | Too few reports for a range | 1,729 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 11765781 · 1,729 miThe contact owns a 2026 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that there was white powder discovered inside the vehicle. The contact initially thought that it was mold. The contact stated that the heating system had caused the issue. The air bag dust was on the headliner and the driver's side A-pillar. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the issue. The vehicle was then taken to another dealer, Mercedes-Benz Atlanta South Parts Department (3800 Royal S Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30349), who was unable to d… |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 1 | 26V281000 | ODI 11739607When driving 75mph in order to change my favorite radio station, I must go to the center tablet, scroll until I find the station desired and then must tap it in the center or it does not change. On my 2025 MB C model you could change the channels on the steering column. I asked MB to research this issue and I was told a third party wrote the 2026 software and did not include this option! Is it not a safety concern that when doing 75 mph you must take your eyes off the road to find and change a radio channel? No One cares at MB and I was told t… |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 1 | None | ODI 11765781 · 1,729 miThe contact owns a 2026 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that there was white powder discovered inside the vehicle. The contact initially thought that it was mold. The contact stated that the heating system had caused the issue. The air bag dust was on the headliner and the driver's side A-pillar. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the issue. The vehicle was then taken to another dealer, Mercedes-Benz Atlanta South Parts Department (3800 Royal S Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30349), who was unable to d… |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2022: 20 complaints · 2023: 20 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 6 | 16 | 20 |
| 2023 | 10 | 15 | 20 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 25 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 20 | 0 | 2 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Air Bags | Structure | Vehicle Speed Control |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | — | 1ODI 11765781 · 1,729 miThe contact owns a 2026 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that there was white powder discovered inside the vehicle. The contact initially thought that it was mold. The contact stated that the heating system had caused the issue. The air bag dust was on the headliner and the driver's side A-pillar. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the issue. The vehicle was then taken to another dealer, Mercedes-Benz Atlanta South Parts Department (3800 Royal S Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30349), who was unable to d… | 0 |
| Structure | 1ODI 11765781 · 1,729 miThe contact owns a 2026 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that there was white powder discovered inside the vehicle. The contact initially thought that it was mold. The contact stated that the heating system had caused the issue. The air bag dust was on the headliner and the driver's side A-pillar. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the issue. The vehicle was then taken to another dealer, Mercedes-Benz Atlanta South Parts Department (3800 Royal S Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30349), who was unable to d… | — | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 0 | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.