Mercedes-Benz C300 recalls and problems by year
NHTSA lists 65 recalls and 3,969 owner complaints for the Mercedes-Benz C300 (model years 2008–2026). The most reported problem area is air bags (1,212 complaints), followed by electrical system (750 complaints). The 2018 model year has the most recalls (18).
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2025 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 3 | 11 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 9 | 22 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 9 | 25 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2020 | 9 | 33 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 17 | 69 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2018 | 18 | 99 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2017 | 15 | 216 | 10 | 3 | |
| 2016 | 13 | 290 | 7 | 5 | |
| 2015 | 11 | 381 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2014 | 5 | 94 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2013 | 6 | 261 | 9 | 2 | |
| 2012 | 6 | 267 | 5 | 4 | |
| 2011 | 6 | 480 | 15 | 6 | |
| 2010 | 6 | 453 | 17 | 5 | |
| 2009 | 8 | 576 | 14 | 18 | |
| 2008 | 7 | 672 | 20 | 16 |
By complaints filed, the peak model years are 2008 (672), 2009 (576) and 2011 (480). Among model years at least two years old, the 2024 has the fewest complaints on file (11).
Most reported problem areas
What owners name in their complaints across all Mercedes-Benz C300 model years. A complaint can name more than one area.
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 1,212 | 15 of 19 | |
| Electrical system | 750 | 18 of 19 | |
| Steering | 492 | 13 of 19 | |
| Engine | 455 | 17 of 19 | |
| Structure | 381 | 16 of 19 |
Latest 8 of 65 recalls
| Recall | Date | Problem area | Model years | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26V481000 | Jul 24, 2026 | Latches/locks/linkages: doors, lock | 2022–2023 | 310,667 |
| 26V281000 | May 1, 2026 | Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel | 2025–2026 | 144,049 |
| 25V255000 | May 12, 2025 | Electrical system: wiring, fuses and circuit breakers | 2023 | 443 |
| 25V253000 | May 2, 2025 | Seat belts: front | 2022–2025 | 46 |
| 24V446000 | Jun 14, 2024 | Electrical system: wiring, fuses and circuit breakers | 2022–2023 | 1,058 |
| 24V115000 | Feb 16, 2024 | Electrical system: wiring, fuses and circuit breakers | 2023–2024 | 31,848 |
| 23V880000 | Dec 21, 2023 | Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, fuel pump | 2022–2024 | 79,676 |
| 23V854000 | Dec 15, 2023 | Structure: body, roof and pillars | 2015–2020 | 2,976 |
Vehicles: the manufacturer's estimate of all vehicles potentially affected by the recall, across every model it covers. Each model-year page lists what its recalls fix.
Owners reported a crash in 129 complaints and a fire in 60 complaints; 130 people injured and 1 death are recorded in these reports. These are the owners' accounts, not findings of cause.
Complaint counts grow with how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road; compare years with that in mind. Complaints are unverified owner reports.