Sedan, gasoline, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Dec 11, 2016 to Aug 26, 2026.
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23V-854 | Dec 15, 2023 | Front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair,… | Structure | 2,976 | Part replacement |
| 22V-365 | May 20, 2022 | Error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system | Communication | 242,722 | Software update |
| 21V-197 | Mar 19, 2021 | Front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair | Structure | 15,096 | Repair or modification |
| 21V-072 | Feb 12, 2021 | On June 18, 2021, an additional 9 vehicles were added, including certain 2021 GLA250, GLC300, 2018 S450, E400, and 2017 CLA250 vehicles | Communication | 67 | Inspection |
| 21V-058 | Feb 5, 2021 | Software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the… | Communication | 1,292,258 | Software update |
| 21V-032 | Jan 29, 2021 | Front seat belts might not fully retract to their stowed position | Seat belts | 24,550 | Repair or modification |
| 19V-787 | Nov 1, 2019 | For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf | Communication | 24,226 | Software update |
| 19V-130 | Feb 26, 2019 | Seatbacks of the front seats may not properly lock on the right side of the seat | Seats | 22,637 | Part replacement |
| 18V-850 | Nov 29, 2018 | Locknut in the steering rack may break under high load, possibly causing the steering to become stuck in one position | Steering | 6,373 | Part replacement |
| 18V-456 | Jul 10, 2018 | Due to a bonding issue introduced in the production process, the rear beltline trim may separate from the vehicle | Structure | 10,826 | Part replacement |
| 18V-207 | Mar 29, 2018 | Seatbacks of the front seats may not properly lock on the right side of the seat | Seats | 3,088 | Part replacement |
| 17V-627 | Oct 6, 2017 | Driver's air bag may unexpectedly deploy due to insufficient grounding of the steering components if an electrostatic discharge occurs and the air… | Airbags | 495,290 | Not stated |
| 17V-251 | Apr 11, 2017 | Affected vehicles have front seat seatbelt pretensioners that may not function properly in the event of a crash | Seat belts | 12,743 | Part replacement |
| 17V-243 | Apr 11, 2017 | Electrical contacts for the power steering electric motor may not have been properly welded, possibly resulting in a loss of electrical contact | Steering | 3 | Part replacement |
| 17V-114 | Feb 23, 2017 | In the event that the engine or transmission cannot turn over, the starting current limiter may overheat from the repeated attempts of the starter… | Electrical system | 307,629 | Repair or modification |
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
216 complaints on file, page 1 of 11.
The convertible roof gets stuck partially in open or closed position. It has to be forced closed. The vehicle is always garaged and the convertible was used very carefully but still has been troublesome from the beginning
NHTSA complaint 117598612017 Mercedes c300 the switchover valve in the diagnostic module of the evaporative emission control system is jammed open. This issue was called for recall for models 2018 or later, but 2017 was not part of it.
NHTSA complaint 11753176The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300. While driving at approximately 15 mph, the contact observed smoke emanating from under the hood. The vehicle was driven to her work location and parked. Upon exiting the vehicle and opening the hood, she observed orange flames coming from the engine compartment. A parking attendant extinguished the fire, and a police and/or fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and diagnosed with a fuel line leak that caused the engine harness to come apart. The leaking fuel hose from the high-pressure fuel pump caused damage to the high-pressure pump, engine harness, vacuum transducer, and coolant feed line from the thermostat to the firewall. The following components needed replacement: high-pressure fuel pump, rubber fuel hose, engine harness, pressure transducer, and intake manifold. The vehicle was repaired. Five months later, the contact experienced another failure she believes was associated with the engine fire. While parked and attempting to start the vehicle, it did not start. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and diagnosed with a faulty starter that needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,422.
NHTSA complaint 11738037strong evident fuel/ gas smell when driving and when the car is in park after driving.
NHTSA complaint 11735746Check 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
NHTSA complaint 11725960UNKNOWN it was just one day I started my car and turned the A/C on and I started getting this strong gasoline smell. I went on like a saw there is a recall for this problem for the M274 engines.
NHTSA complaint 11708103While driving home from work, without any warning or blunt force the sunroof exploded and shattered glass was everywhere
NHTSA complaint 11705275any action on Case 11699173 ?
NHTSA complaint 11702507Case already called in 11699173 - Stuck Seatbelt in B Pillar of 2017 Mercedes Benz 2 door hard top coupe. Seat belt will not come out of A pillar rendering seatbelt totally inoperable This VIN comes up negative under recall 21V03200 Case filed with MBUSA 18991593 still unresolved. Dealership is claiming a $2,200 Seatbelt Assembly is needed. now warning lights. The seatbelt was " lazy " and didn't smoothly retract prior to this incident when parked, door closed, the belt retracted with a loud motorized noise and now will not retract at all from A Pillar - Please follow up with on this Case # already called in over a week ago
NHTSA complaint 11701042The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that upon arriving at his destination and exiting the vehicle, the driver’s side seat belt retracted and became stuck in the retracted position. As a result, the contact was unable to use the driver's side seat belt. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the seat belt assembly. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V032000 (Seat Belts), but the VIN was not included. 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 67,000.
NHTSA complaint 11699173Cabin smells heavily like fuel and has a check engine light possibly a fuel leak
NHTSA complaint 11698322The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH on the highway, the contact heard a popping sound coming from an unknown part of the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, exited the vehicle, and became aware that the roof panel had shuddered. The contact stated there was no glass in the vehicle. No injuries were sustained. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on two occasions. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer by the previous owner to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V197000 (STRUCTURE); however, the recall repair failed to prevent the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall related to the failure. The manufacturer offered the contact a trade for the vehicle. The failure mileage was 105,000.
NHTSA complaint 11697621I am reporting a serious vehicle safety hazard caused by improper and unsafe repair work performed by USA Platinum Motor, located at 1221 California Lane #126B, Arlington, TX. I brought my 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 in for a cold start rattle with no warning lights or prior issues. The shop diagnosed a loose timing chain and I authorized the repair. After the repairs, the vehicle was returned with critical safety defects, including a loose fuel pump, unsecured fuel line, missing bolts, and improperly reassembled engine components. Shortly after pickup, the car experienced loss of acceleration on the interstate, a strong odor of fuel, and a sudden loss of power, creating a dangerous and life-threatening situation. The vehicle had to be towed back to the shop. The manager, who is not a certified mechanic, admitted he personally “fixed” the issue by tightening the fuel pump himself. A Mercedes-Benz diagnostic inspection later confirmed multiple severe assembly errors, including missing fasteners, unsecured oil cooler, disconnected vent lines, and other safety-related defects in the fuel and cooling systems. These unsafe and negligent repairs created an extreme fire hazard, engine instability, and risk of sudden failure while driving. I am requesting a formal NHTSA investigation into this matter to ensure vehicle safety compliance and to prevent similar incidents affecting other consumers.
NHTSA complaint 11696497This is the same as recall for NHTSA ID: 21V-197. The panel flew off my 2017 Mercedes C300 W205. My vin number is not included in the recall. This is a safety issue and will need to be replaced.
NHTSA complaint 11695341Sunroof detachment Sunroof fell off while driving
NHTSA complaint 11693928See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA complaint 11693851Sunroof Front Trim for Mercedes-Benz GLC300 IS ALL SCRATCHED BUT MERCEDES BENZ SAYS IT IS NOT COVERED BY THEM.
NHTSA complaint 11690472The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the contact became aware that an unknown part had detached from the vehicle. The contact stated that after stopping to refuel the vehicle, it was discovered that the roof panel was missing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V854000 (Structure); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.
NHTSA complaint 11681330The sunroof exploded spontaneously while driving to a destination. When the incident happened, I was stopped at a red light. I panicked as it sounded like gunshots hitting my car. I pulled over to the nearest safest destination to inspect the car. This put the safety of myself at risk and others at risk who were driving along the sides and/or behind me. This incident was confirmed by a dealer, as I went to Mercedes Benz Sugar Land on the following day of the incident and was quoted around $3,700 to have it repaired. The vehicle not been inspected by police and/or insurance. There were no warning signs that this could have happened besides the fact that Mercedes Benz USA is currently under an active lawsuit for this happening to several other drivers. I do believe that this is a manufacturing defect affecting safety, as similar incidents involving Mercedes-Benz panoramic sunroofs, which may indicate a wider defect trend.
NHTSA complaint 11680437In October 2024, the rear subframe was replaced due to rust perforation in the area of the suspension arm mounting bracket. I had no warning. The car was in for routine service at Mercedes Benz of New London. It had rusted from the inside out and was considered unsafe to drive by the Mercedes service advisor. I could have had a serious accident! I had no choice but to replace the subframe as it is my only vehicle. Shockingly I learned many others have had this issue with various Mercedes models/years and that Mercedes Benz knows of this serious safety problem and there is a class action lawsuit pending but subframe replacement is not covered under warranty by Mercedes Benz, so the cost was mine to bear.
NHTSA complaint 11676702Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall; the 60 most recent are listed.