Mercedes-Benz C-Class Complaints

3,817 consumer complaints on file.

#11729410April 6, 2026
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving and attempting to close the sunroof, the sunroof made an abnormal popping sound. The contact pulled over and attempted to close the sunroof, but the sunroof failed to close. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V197000 (Structure); however, the VIN was not associated with the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11729030April 3, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Car stops accelerating and shifts into neutral without warning I nearly got hit from behind. I have consulted several other Mercedes vehicle owners and all had the same issue. Two of the other owners stated that this happened on the interstate and was very lucky they were not involved in a collision. Both vehicles were GLC 300. Mercedes does not seem to have an answer to the issue and all previous owners traded vehicles for fear of dying.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11728393March 31, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving on the highway with the panoramic sunroof open, the glass suddenly shattered, sounding like a gunshot or an explosion. Shards of glass flew into the vehicle and rained down on me, creating a very hazardous driving situation. I did not observe any foreign object that could have caused the sunroof to break.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11728122March 30, 2026
ENGINE
2016 Mercedes-Benz C63 S AMG, M177 4.0L twin-turbo V8. This engine is marketed under Mercedes-Benz's "One Man, One Engine" philosophy — hand-assembled by a single master technician. It failed irreparably at 67,323 miles on a properly maintained vehicle owned by a 14-year Mercedes-Benz customer who has purchased six Mercedes-Benz vehicles. All maintenance performed on schedule with genuine OEM Mercedes-Benz parts at Mercedes-certified shops. At approximately 65,000 miles, check engine light illuminated with cylinder 7 misfire. A Mercedes-certified shop found and replaced a burnt spark plug and all 4 ignition coils with OEM parts. Misfire cleared. Three months later at 67,000 miles, shaking and check engine light returned. All 8 spark plugs replaced with OEM parts. Misfires returned within 100 miles — now on cylinders 1, 3, and 7 — accompanied by violent engine shaking and a fuel smell. Vehicle brought to authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. Full diagnostic performed including borescope inspection. Confirmed: broken spark plug ceramic and unrepairable piston pitting in cylinder 4 and engine damage. Dealer confirmed engine is not repairable and recommends complete engine replacement. All findings documented on dealer repair order. Vehicle remains at the dealer and is available for inspection. Mercedes-Benz has published at least three Technical Service Bulletins on persistent misfires specific to this engine: LI54.21-P-062006 (multiple revisions — ECU ground faults, borescope protocol anticipating internal damage), LI07.61-P-073583 (post-turbo exhaust clamp failures), LI07.61-P-069688 (intake manifold cracks). Mercedes has acknowledged this defect pattern internally and has not issued a recall. Sudden power loss and violent shaking at highway speed is a direct safety hazard. NHTSA investigation warranted.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11727959March 30, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
A lot of times when I park even on flat surfaces my parking brake engages and It’s hell being able to leave because I have to turn the car off open the door close door start the again put in drive while my foot is on the brake and pull and push the parking brake button 4 times. Then I’m able to drive. This has been happening more frequently and there is an open recall for the parking brakes calLED ESP RECALL
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11726706March 24, 2026
AIR BAGS
When buying this car from Auto Shoppers, they was an airbag light on but dealership said it was a sensor from auto detail on car or recall. Got diagnostic from Mercedes Benz, findings was there was no air bag in place on drivers side. Dealership did not tell us there was no air bag and only was a sensory/recall and are refusing to fix it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11726150March 22, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Rear subframe rotted, hole like perforation on the frame. The current extended warranty covers the C204, but my Mercedes C300 2015 has a C205 that is the same part number, but for some reason the warranty does not cover the C205, but has the same identical issues as the C204.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11725960March 20, 2026
ENGINE
Check engine light for P052E which has been coming and going off for years now. Now the check engine light is there permanently. I spoke to Mercedes Benz customer service and requested for them to fix the problem now that the light is on permanently but they refuse to fix it because the car has 222,000 miles on it. This should be a recall from the manufacturer not an extended warranty coverage. The Mercedes dealer in Valencia California told me they now only do a software update and put a plug cap on the sensor and want to charge me $850 even though this should be a recall
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11725129March 18, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
After 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. This is unacceptable and has already happened twice. The car is undrivable as no speedometer, gear, parking/etc is display. Nothing is display as the car has only two displays. The car is running the latest version of MBUX 3.3 and is up to date via OTA software updates.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11724992March 17, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
The rear subframe completely rusted out on both sides causing the car to swerve very dangerously to the left when braking. The subframe was diagnosed by the dealer. There was a " collision prevention assist+ inoperative" warning a week prior the the car noticeably swerving when braking
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11724925March 17, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am reporting a structural failure of the rear subframe due to corrosion on my 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 4MATIC. The failure was diagnosed by an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer, who confirmed that the rear subframe has corroded and broken, compromising the structural integrity of the vehicle. This is not cosmetic rust. The subframe is a load-bearing structural component, and its failure creates a serious safety risk, including potential loss of vehicle control. I have been advised that the vehicle may be unsafe to operate in its current condition. The vehicle has approximately 143,000 miles and has been registered and operated in Connecticut, a salt-use state. However, this level of corrosion leading to structural failure of a major suspension component is premature and not consistent with normal wear and tear, even in such environments. I contacted Mercedes-Benz USA and escalated the matter to an Executive Referral Manager. Mercedes-Benz acknowledged the seriousness of the issue but declined to provide any repair assistance, stating that my vehicle falls outside of warranty extension and goodwill parameters. Mercedes-Benz did not dispute the nature of the failure or its safety implications, but refused to address the issue based solely on internal policy criteria such as age and mileage. A rear subframe supports critical suspension components. Corrosion leading to structural breakage can result in instability, misalignment, or failure of suspension components while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. This issue appears to be consistent with known reports of rear subframe corrosion in similar Mercedes-Benz vehicles, raising concern about a broader safety defect. The failure was identified during inspection, and repair costs are estimated at approximately $5,000–$6,000. I am submitting this complaint due to the safety risk posed by structural failure and the manufacturer’s refusal to address the issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11724694March 16, 2026
SUSPENSION
REAR SUBFRAME RUSTED OUT AND BROKEN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11723624March 11, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz C250. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to start. Additionally, the steering wheel was difficult to turn to the left or the right. The vehicle was eventually started and driven to a dealer; however, after the vehicle was parked and turned off, the contact attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The dealer replaced the battery however, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the dealer then traced the failure to an anti-theft sensor that shut off the vehicle to deter vehicle theft. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11722220March 5, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300. While driving approximately 15 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, and the body of the vehicle shifted to one side. The vehicle was drivable after the failure. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence and parked. The contact stated that due to the failure, the vehicle was unsafe to drive. An independent mechanic was contacted, and it was determined that the rear subframe was corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and it was confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11722229March 5, 2026
STRUCTURE
The contact's wife owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while washing the vehicle, a part of the panoramic roof started moving while depressing the glass. The contact stated that there was water leaking into the vehicle from the glass. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V854000 (Structure); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The manufacturer confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was then referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11721425March 2, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
VEHICLE IS NEW TO ME AS OF JAN 6, 2026. THE BRAKES ARE SPONGY, BUT WHEN THE CAR SHIFTS FROM D3 TO D2, IT RELEASES AND UNLESS I PRESS THE BRAKE AGAIN IT WOULD GLIDE INTO AN INTERSECTION OR INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THIS HAS BEEN LOOKED AT BY MY SELLING DEALER THREE TIMES AND ANOTHER DEALER ONE MORE TIME. BRAKES HAVE BEEN FLUSHED, ELECTRONIC BOX HAS BEEN EXCHANGED BUT THE PROBLEM STILL IS PRESENT. I AM CONCERNED THAT I MAY HAVE A MAJOR BRAKE FAILURE. I FOUND OUT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY SIMILAR REPORTS OF THIS CONDITION BUT MERCEDES IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL ME.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11721304March 1, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Fuel pressure pump hose on top of the engine leaks gasoline this is a serious safety concern the hot engine can catch fire easily, I noticed due intoxicating vapors in cabin while driving because car takes air from q side of the engine to the cabin. The car only has 28k miles on it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11720037February 23, 2026
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
After strong fuel odor in interior of car, inspected the engine and discovered fuel in the top of the engine this is a serious safety concern due possible car fire. The leak appear to be due failure of a top engine gasoline hose due low quality. The car barely has 30k miles .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11719778February 23, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11719825February 23, 2026
STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am filing this complaint regarding a serious and recurring steering system defect involving my Mercedes-Benz vehicle and Recall Campaign No. 2017120022 (steering column defect). Mercedes-Benz corporate representatives provided conflicting information regarding whether the recall repair was completed in 2018. One representative stated it was performed; another stated no record exists. I was never notified that a recall repair had been completed. This inconsistency raises immediate concerns regarding recall documentation integrity and owner notification compliance. The identical steering column system has now failed again, resulting in a complete steering column lock and vehicle immobilization. The repair estimate exceeds $2,500. A total steering lock is a critical safety failure with clear risk implications. If the recall repair was completed, recurrence of the exact same safety-critical component failure within only a few years strongly indicates that the original recall remedy was either improperly performed, defective in itself, or fundamentally inadequate to eliminate the defect. Steering column assemblies are not routine wear items. Mercedes-trained master technicians have confirmed that such failures are rare over a vehicle’s lifetime and highly unusual shortly after replacement. Federal safety recall law requires manufacturers to fully and permanently remedy safety defects at no cost to the consumer. A failed recall remedy that results in repeat failure of the same component shifts the burden improperly onto the owner and undermines the purpose of the recall system. I respectfully request that NHTSA formally investigate whether Recall 2017120022 has resulted in recurring steering column failures following recall repairs, evaluate the sufficiency of the remedy, review Mercedes-Benz USA’s recall tracking and notification procedures, and require reimbursement if the defect represents a failed recall correction.This matter shows a serious vehicle safety concern.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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