Mercedes-Benz C-Class Complaints

3,817 consumer complaints on file.

#11774169October 28, 2026
POWER TRAIN
At 94,000 miles my car started making a weird noise, before i could even get it into the shop my driveshaft completely failed (at the u-joint, where this has been reported multiple times) My car started clunking and banging in the middle of the road and became extremely unsafe to drive, as well as putting me in an unsafe situation. This been reported to happen on highways as well, which is an extreme safety concern. This in turn damaged my transmission and catalytic converter. 7,000$ in damages for me, some cases reported over 10,000$ in damages. this has been a reoccurring problem in the 2008-2015 c classes. The nature and severity of this case is unwarranted and absolutely a manufacturing issue, especially given the low milage this occurs at.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11774091October 27, 2026
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Hi, in the Fall of 2025 my 2016 Mercedes Benz C300 4 Matic, started giving off smelly fumes while my car was idling/ warming up. I registered a complaint with the Corporate Mercedes Benz Office USA, LLC in April 2026 @ 800-367-6372, after the dealership would not correct the issue free of charge. 1. Hose Clamp Replacement problems. 2. The raw fuel leakage produces strong gasoline odors inside the cabin- via the air filter, risk of car stalling and the smell could be leathal. 3. The problem was confirmed in a lawsuit. 4. The dealership would not repair the issue. 5. There were no warning lamps or messages on the dash board, the only essential issue were the smells, fumes, odors and lawsuit.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773412October 24, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
Did a winter inspection of vehicle and found rust on the rear frame. Rust has already made a hole on the subframe and hair line crack already forming, only a matter of time before it brakes.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773422October 24, 2026
SUSPENSION
Vehicle: 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300, VIN [XXX], approximately 52014 miles. Purchased Certified Pre-Owned in 2017. All maintenance performed at authorized Mercedes-Benz dealerships. On XXX, during a routine B-Service at Mercedes-Benz of Easton ([XXX]), the technician found that the rear subframe (rear axle carrier) was rusted and perforated. The corroded area is located directly above the rear control arm. The technician stated on a recorded inspection video that the corrosion would continue to spread around that area until the control arm disconnects, and described it as a safety hazard. He recommended replacement of the part. Photos and video (technician shared video link - [XXX]) were taken during the inspection and are available. I was not notified of any corrosion in this area during previous dealer services, and the vehicle showed no symptoms that I noticed before this inspection. I am concerned that a structural suspension mounting component has corroded through on a vehicle of this age, and that if the control arm separates from the subframe, it could cause loss of control. I am reporting this so that NHTSA can determine whether it is a wider problem on this model. No crash, injury, or fire has occurred. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11772059October 19, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
Driver rear side rusted and cracked subframe.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11771705October 16, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
Rear sub frame has rusted through and according to repair shop cannot be safely driven until repaired. Mercedes has granted extended warranty for sub frame rust through for the C300 up to model year 2015 so this is a known problem. My car is a 2016 and Mercedes will not offer the extended warranty.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11771376October 15, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am filing a formal safety complaint regarding my 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 (W205), with approximately 65,000 miles. An authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership diagnosed severe corrosion and perforation of the rear subframe and declared the vehicle undrivable due to this condition. The estimated repair cost is $5,531.53. The rear subframe is a critical structural component supporting the rear suspension. Its deterioration may compromise vehicle stability and potentially result in loss of control. I am extremely concerned that such a serious structural failure has occurred at relatively low mileage. Mercedes-Benz has extended rear subframe corrosion warranty coverage to 20 years with unlimited mileage for certain earlier C-Class models, but the W205 is excluded despite experiencing a similar problem. Mercedes-Benz USA denied my request for goodwill assistance. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate whether premature rear subframe corrosion and perforation represent a broader safety defect affecting the W205 platform and whether a safety recall is warranted. The dealership’s diagnosis, repair estimate, and manufacturer correspondence are available upon request.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11771513October 15, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Fuel leaking in the back seat of the car
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770775October 13, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
To Mercedes-Benz USA Customer Care, I am requesting a formal review and written explanation concerning case #24524936 and the approximately $6,000+ starter-wiring repair on my vehicle. Mercedes-Benz’s August 2017 recall notice for campaign 2017080002, NHTSA recall 17V114, states that the starting-current limiter can overheat under specified conditions, potentially causing surrounding components to melt and creating a fire risk. The notice further states that the authorized dealer will install an additional fuse in the electrical line to the starter at no charge. Because my vehicle has experienced burnt starter wiring, I request that Mercedes-Benz provide: 1. Written confirmation of whether my vehicle’s VIN was included in this recall. 2. The date and documentation of any recall remedy performed on my vehicle. 3. The technical findings supporting the determination that my starter-wiring damage is unrelated to the recall. 4. Confirmation of whether the starting-current limiter, additional fuse, and surrounding wiring were inspected. 5. A review of reimbursement eligibility and goodwill assistance for the repair expense. Please escalate this matter for technical review and provide a written response explaining the basis for the denial. If the matter cannot be resolved, I will consider submitting a vehicle-safety complaint to NHTSA. Existing case number: 24524936 Mercedes-Benz recall: 2017080002 NHTSA recall: 17V114
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770173October 9, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
All of the lights in my rear driver side taillight stopped working. I had it looked at and there was oxidation at the ground connection which caused overheating and melted the plastic, leaving burn marks on the gray plastic piece. I see a safety bulletin for this exact issue for model years 2008-2011, but not my 2013. This is dangerous.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769311October 6, 2026
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C 300. The contact stated that while performing maintenance on the vehicle with the dealer, it was discovered that the rear subframe was severely rusted and perforated. The contact associated the failure with Technical Service Bulletin: MC-10232321-0001; extended warranty, but vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,616.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769345October 6, 2026
SUSPENSION
Failed state safety inspection due to a severely corroded and rotted rear subframe, creating an immediate driving hazard.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768087September 30, 2026
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The vehicle exhibits an intermittent, severe electronic-hydraulic transmission control defect where it completely rejects gear shifts from Park (P) to Drive (D), or forcefully defaults back into Park upon operation. The servicing dealership's diagnostic tear-down confirmed an internal failure of the mechatronic valve body and the integrated park solenoid at only 62,141 miles. A transmission that unexpectedly rejects directional electronic gear selection or commands unsafe safety-lock engagement while attempting to transition into active traffic flow poses an immediate structural traffic hazard and an unreasonable risk of an accident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767812September 29, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
E brake mechanisms
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766731September 24, 2026
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My vehicle developed a coolant warning during normal road use. I had not experienced any known collision, crash, or unusual impact. I brought the vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer for inspection. The dealer diagnosed the problem as: “Front low-temperature cooler replacement – impact damage causing leak.” The repair estimate was approximately $2,385. The failed component is the front low-temperature cooler located directly behind the lower front grille. Based on the location and design, the cooler appears to have limited protection from ordinary road debris. The dealer believes that external impact caused the cooler to leak. I am concerned that this may represent a design or durability issue because a critical cooling-system component appears vulnerable to relatively small road debris during normal driving. A puncture or leak in this component can result in coolant loss, warning messages, overheating, reduced vehicle operation, or potentially loss of propulsion if the vehicle continues to be driven before the driver realizes the severity of the leak. This is a significant safety concern because the failure can occur suddenly during normal highway or road use without a collision. A driver may be forced to stop unexpectedly or may continue driving with insufficient coolant, which could create a risk to the driver and other road users. I believe Mercedes-Benz should review whether the front low-temperature cooler has adequate protection from normal road debris and whether additional protective screening, grille protection, or a revised component design is needed. The issue has been confirmed by an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. The vehicle and damaged component should be available for inspection if requested. I am requesting that NHTSA review whether similar complaints exist and whether this condition may represent a broader safety-related design concern.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766478September 23, 2026
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was two large holes and rust located on the rear subframe, an unknown part needed to be realigned and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was confirmed that the rear subframe and another unknown part needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone and stated that the vehicle was not under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766498September 23, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The vehicle’s rear subframe has become severely rusted and structurally compromised. This failure has caused the vehicle to pull sharply to the right when the brakes are applied. The rear subframe and affected components are still on the vehicle and are available for inspection upon request. This condition creates a serious safety risk because the vehicle can suddenly pull hard to one side during braking, making it extremely difficult to maintain control. At highway speeds or during emergency braking, this could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle, leave the roadway, collide with another vehicle or object, or potentially result in a rollover. The failure is especially concerning because it directly affects the stability and braking behavior of the vehicle. The problem was inspected and confirmed by Mercedes-Benz of Durham. The dealer determined that the rear subframe was severely rusted and that this condition was responsible for the vehicle pulling strongly to the right during braking. The vehicle has therefore been inspected by an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership. The condition has not, to my knowledge, been inspected by police or insurance representatives. There were no warning lights, dashboard messages, or noticeable symptoms indicating that the rear subframe was deteriorating before the problem became apparent. There was no advance warning that the subframe had become severely rusted. The issue only became evident when the vehicle began pulling sharply to the right under braking. Because there were no warning signs before the failure, I believe this condition presents a significant safety hazard. A driver may continue operating the vehicle without knowing that the rear subframe has deteriorated to the point that vehicle stability and braking control are affected.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766545September 23, 2026
SUSPENSION
The rear subframe on the car is rusting badly and the Mercedes certified mechanic states that the entire frame needs replacement. With braking, the car could fishtail and be in a serious crash. The two model years prior to mine have had similar problems and a recall has been established for those years. I am asking the NHTSA to work with Mercedes-Benz to establish a recall for the 2015 C class before someone is injured as a result of this defect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766218September 22, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The factory infotainment system (Mercedes NTG 5.5 head unit) displays Android Auto incorrectly. Instead of using the full width of the center display, Android Auto is cropped into a reduced window on the right side of the screen. The remaining roughly one-third of the screen shows a static logo with no function. Apple CarPlay on the same head unit and screen displays correctly at full width. This indicates a software or integration defect specific to Android Auto, not a hardware or display failure. Safety risk: Because navigation is pushed to the far right edge of the display and shrunk, the driver has to turn their head and eyes further from the road, and for longer, to read the map, turn-by-turn directions and incoming call information. Smaller map content takes more time to interpret, which lengthens each glance away from the road. This increases driver distraction during normal driving, especially in complex traffic and at intersections where navigation matters most. The problem is constant and reproducible every time Android Auto connects. It persists across different phones, cables and phone settings. The manufacturer's customer support was contacted. They offered no fix and directed me to pay for a dealer diagnosis. The problem has not been confirmed by a dealer or independent service center: UNKNOWN. No warning lamps or messages are associated with it. The vehicle is available for inspection tested on multiple new phones, many existing forums share the same issue. Anroid auto has taken responsibility but the Mercedes team has to fix this
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11765781September 21, 2026
STRUCTURE, AIR BAGS
The 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 determine the source of the white powder, and indicated that it was dust from outside. The contact located an article related to the air bag leaking. The vehicle with driven with the windows closed and the air conditioner on. The driver had previously vacuumed the dust. The Mercedes-Benz manufacturer was contacted on the main number. The approximate failure mileage was 1,729.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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