Mercedes-Benz C300 Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 28 safety recalls and 3,469 owner complaints across 9 model years of the Mercedes-Benz C300 (2008–2016). The most-complained-about year is 2008.

Pick your Mercedes-Benz C300 model year

• 2008
• 2009
• 2010
• 2011
• 2012
• 2013
• 2014
• 2015
• 2016

What Mercedes-Benz C300 owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 3,469 complaints with NHTSA. The 2008 model year has the most, with 672.

• Air bags1,168
• Electrical system656
• Steering446
• Unknown or other307
• Exterior lighting278
• Suspension275
• Engine253
• Fuel/propulsion system196

All Mercedes-Benz C300 recalls (28)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Mercedes-Benz C300, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

1. Roof and pillars (structure)

   NHTSA 23V854000 Reported December 15, 2023 2,976 vehicles potentially affected Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

   Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014-2020 C-Class, CLA, GLA, S-Class, GLC, and GLE vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair,…

   Remedy: Dealers will replace the front panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 2, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on, March 22,2024, and August 2, 2024. Owners may…

   Model years: 2015, 2016

2. Software (engine and engine cooling) and 2 other components

   NHTSA 22V168000 Reported March 18, 2022 22 vehicles potentially affected Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

   Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2010 E350, 2014 G550, 2008-2009 C300, 2008 C350, 2009 CLK550, 2007 SL550, SLK280, and 2008 SLK350 vehicles. Various control units may have been updated with incorrect software configuration during a service repair. This can result in various system failures, such as loss of drive…

   Remedy: Dealers will update the software configuration on the affected control units, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 3, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's…

   Model years: 2008, 2009

3. Injectors (fuel system) and fuel rail (fuel system)

   NHTSA 21V961000 Reported December 13, 2021 139 vehicles potentially affected Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

   Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 AMG G63, C300, E300, G550, AMG GT63, AMG GT53, 2019-2020 A220, GLA250, GLC300, 2016 C300, 2020 AMG A35, AMG C43, AMG C63, CLA250, E350, E450, GLB250, GLE450, GLS450, GLS580, S560, and SL550 vehicles equipped with a gasoline engine. During the manufacturing process, particles may…

   Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel rail and fuel injectors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for the recall…

   Model years: 2016

4. Roof and pillars (structure)

   NHTSA 21V197000 Reported March 19, 2021 15,096 vehicles potentially affected Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

   Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2020 C300 Coupe, C43 Coupe AMG, C43 AMG, 2015-2020 C300, GLA250, 2016-2018 C350e, CLA45 Coupe AMG, 2015 C400, S65 AMG, 2015-2019 C63 AMG, 2016 C450, 2015-2016 GLA45 AMG, S600, 2016-2020 GLC300, 2017-2019 GLC43 AMG, GLE43 Coupe AMG, 2014-2019 CLA250 Coupe, 2014-2015 CLA45 AMG, 2018…

   Remedy: Mercedes-Benz dealer will remove the bonded panel and will install a new front panel by following the detailed repair instructions and using the approved primer, cleaner and adhesive, free of charge. Owner notification…

   Model years: 2015, 2016

5. Software (electrical system) and auto crash notification (communication)

   NHTSA 21V058000 Reported February 5, 2021 1,292,258 vehicles potentially affected Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

   Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the…

   Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer…

   Model years: 2016

6. Inflator module (air bags)

   NHTSA 20V298000 Reported May 22, 2020 640 vehicles potentially affected Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

   Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012 C250, C250 Coupe, C300, C350, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG, and C63 AMG Coupe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall. An incorrect replacement front passenger air bag may have been installed.

   Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this…

   Model years: 2012

7. Communication

   NHTSA 19V787000 Reported November 1, 2019 24,226 vehicles potentially affected Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

   Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit:…

   Remedy: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The…

   Model years: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016

8. Inflator module (air bags)

   NHTSA 19V010000 Reported January 9, 2019 288,779 vehicles potentially affected Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

   Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014 C250, C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2014-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, GLK 350, GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, 2015-2017 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe,…

   Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

   Model years: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

9. Rack (steering)

   NHTSA 18V850000 Reported November 29, 2018 6,373 vehicles potentially affected Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

   Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Mercedes Benz C300, 2017-2019 C300 Cabrio, C300 Coupe, C63 Cabrio, 2015 C63S AMG, 2018-2019 C300, C350e, C63 AMG, C63S AMG Cabrio, 2018 C63 AMG Cabrio, C63 AMG Coupe, C63S AMG, C63S AMG Coupe, E300, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2019 CLS450, E450 Cabrio, and E450 Coupe rear-wheel…

   Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering rack, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is…

   Model years: 2015, 2016

10. Inflator module (air bags)

    NHTSA 18V043000 Reported January 10, 2018 132,167 vehicles potentially affected Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013 C250, C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C350, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG, C63 Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, E550 Cabrio, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E550 Coupe, GLK350 4Matic, GLK250 Bluetec 4Matic, GLK350, SLS Coupe, SLS AMG GT Coupe, and SLS Roadster vehicles sold, or ever…

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. Mercedes issued an interim notification to owners on February 23, 2018. A second notice will be mailed when…

    Model years: 2009, 2010, 2013

11. Air bags: frontal

    NHTSA 17V627000 Reported October 6, 2017 495,290 vehicles potentially affected Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling these vehicles: 2014-2018 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, CLA45 AMG 4Matic, 2015-2018 GLA250, GLA250 4Matic, GLA45 AMG 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C63S AMG, 2012-2014 C250, C350, C300 4Matic, E550 4Matic, 2013-2014 C63 AMG, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2013-2015 C350 4Matic Coupe, GLK250…

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will add sufficient grounding to the steering components, free of charge. The recall began in December 6, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

    Model years: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016

12. Steering

    NHTSA 17V252000 Reported April 12, 2017 168 vehicles potentially affected Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

    Mercedes-Benz USA LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2014 C250, C300 4MATIC, GLK250 4MATIC BLUETEC and GLK350 vehicles, 2013 C250 Coupe, C350, C350 4MATIC Coupe, C350 Coupe and C63 AMG Coupe vehicles, and 2013-2015 GLK350 4MATIC vehicles. The steering coupling connecting bolt may have been insufficiently tightened, possibly…

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering coupling connecting bolt, tightening it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at…

    Model years: 2013, 2014

13. Electric power assist system (steering)

    NHTSA 17V243000 Reported April 11, 2017 3 vehicles potentially affected Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016-2017 C300 vehicles. The electrical contacts for the power steering electric motor may not have been properly welded, possibly resulting in a loss of electrical contact.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric power steering rack, free of charge. The recall began June 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

    Model years: 2016

14. Software (electrical system) and air bags: sensor/control module-inactive

    NHTSA 17V177000 Reported March 14, 2017 51 vehicles potentially affected Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 AMG GT-S, GLC300, CLA250 and GLE300d 4Matic vehicles, 2013 C250, E350 BlueTec and G63 AMG vehicles, 2008-2014 C300 vehicles, 2013-2014 C300 4Matic and ML350 4Matic vehicles, 2009 C350 vehicles, 2014 CLS550, E350 4Matic, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Wagon 4Matic, GLK350 and SL550…

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

    Model years: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016

15. Starter assembly (electrical system) and engine (engine and engine cooling)

    NHTSA 17V114000 Reported February 23, 2017 307,629 vehicles potentially affected Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2017 C300 4Matic, C300, CLA250, CLA250 4Matic and CLA45 AMG vehicles, 2017 C300 4Matic Cabrio, C300 4Matic Coupe, C300 Cabrio, C300 Coupe, E300, E300 4Matic, E400 4Matic Wagon, E43 AMG 4Matic, GLA250, GLA250 4Matic and GLC300 4Matic Coupe vehicles and 2016 C350e and GLC300…

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fuse in the electrical line to the starter, free of charge. The recall began August 31, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at…

    Model years: 2015, 2016

16. Inflator module (air bags)

    NHTSA 17V017000 Reported January 10, 2017 104,119 vehicles potentially affected Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012 C300 4Matic, C250, C250 Coupe, C350, C350 Coupe 4Matic, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, E550 Cabrio, E550 Coupe, GLK350 4Matic, GLK350, SLS AMG Cabrio, and SLS AMG Coupe vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama,…

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag modules, free of charge. Owners were sent an interim notification in March 2017. Second notices started going out in October 2018 and…

    Model years: 2008, 2009, 2012

17. Electronic stability control (esc)

    NHTSA 16V603000 Reported August 16, 2016 62 vehicles potentially affected Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2016 GLC 300 SUV, GLC 300 4Matic SUV, C300 Sedan and C300 4Matic vehicles manufactured February 8, 2016, to May 18, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with an Electronic Stability Program (ESP) control unit that may have been damaged before being installed.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ESP Hydraulic control units, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in October 2016. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

    Model years: 2016

18. Electric power assist system (steering)

    NHTSA 16V438000 Reported June 15, 2016 17 vehicles potentially affected Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2016 C300 4Matic vehicles manufactured November 4, 2015, to March 1, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the electric power steering assist system may shutdown due to a software error.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the electric power steering control unit, free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

    Model years: 2016

19. Inflator module (air bags)

    NHTSA 16V363000 Reported May 26, 2016 258,163 vehicles potentially affected Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 C300 Sedan, C300 4matic Sedan, C350 Sedan, C63 AMG Sedan vehicles, 2010-2011 GLK350, GLK350 4-Matic and E350 Coupe vehicles, 2011 SLS AMG, E350 Convertible, E550 Coupe and E550 Convertible vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California,…

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag modules, free of charge. Owners were sent an interim notification October 2016. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are…

    Model years: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

20. Sun/moon roof assembly (visibility)

    NHTSA 16V087000 Reported February 16, 2016 53 vehicles potentially affected Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2016 C300 vehicles manufactured December 11, 2015, to December 23, 2015, C300 4Matic vehicles manufactured December 12, 2015, to December 29, 2015, and C450 AMG 4Matic vehicles manufactured December 12, 2015, to December 22, 2015. The affected vehicles may be equipped with a…

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the bonding of the rear sunroof glass panel, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 12, 2016. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service…

    Model years: 2016

21. Inflator module (air bags)

    NHTSA 16V081000 Reported February 11, 2016 711,159 vehicles potentially affected Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic, E550 Coupe, E550 4Matic, and E63…

    Remedy: MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November…

    Model years: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

22. Electric power assist system (steering)

    NHTSA 15V845000 Reported December 16, 2015 28,452 vehicles potentially affected Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015 C300 and C400 4matic sedans manufactured January 27, 2014, to December 1, 2014. Due to an error in the electric power steering control unit software, the affected vehicles may have a loss of electric power steering assist.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the power steering software, free of charge. The recall began in January 15, 2016. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

    Model years: 2015

23. Air bags: sensor/control module-inactive

    NHTSA 15V711000 Reported October 27, 2015 127,504 vehicles potentially affected Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 C300 Sedan, C300 4Matic, C63 AMG, and C350 vehicles, and 2010 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the air bag control unit may corrode and cause the control unit to malfunction.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bag control unit and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. Mercedes-Benz issued an interim notification to owners on December 23, 2015. The recall began on…

    Model years: 2008, 2009

24. Fuel pump (fuel system)

    NHTSA 15V138000 Reported March 10, 2015 3,039 vehicles potentially affected Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015 C300 4matic and C400 4matic vehicles manufactured April 7, 2014, to July 25, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may be improperly secured to the fuel tank. Secondly, electrical wires that connect to the fuel delivery module might have been pinched…

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles for improperly secured locking plates and pinched wires, correcting the vehicles as necessary, free of charge. The recal began on April 24, 2015. Owners…

    Model years: 2015

25. Headlights (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 15V087000 Reported February 11, 2015 9,137 vehicles potentially affected Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015 C300 and C400 vehicles manufactured from June 18, 2014, through September 5, 2014, that fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." The affected vehicles were assembled…

    Remedy: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the horizontal adjustment mechanisms on the headlamps with sealing caps on the affected vehicles. The recall began May 23, 2016. Owners may contact Mercedes at…

    Model years: 2015

26. Steering

    NHTSA 14V598000 Reported September 26, 2014 10,509 vehicles potentially affected Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015 C300 4Matic and C400 4Matic vehicles manufactured March 28, 2014, to September 18, 2014. If the steering coupling interlock mechanism is not locked in place, the sliding shaft, which is part of the steering column, could become disengaged from the steering coupling…

    Remedy: MBUSA has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the steering coupling interlock mechanism to verify that it is in the locked position, free of charge. The recall began on October 1, 2014. Owners may contact MBUSA…

    Model years: 2015

27. Tail lights (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 14V177000 Reported April 11, 2014 252,867 vehicles potentially affected Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 C300, C300 4Matic, C350, and C63 AMG vehicles manufactured January 26, 2007, through July 13, 2011. In the affected vehicles, a poor electrical ground connection may result in the dimming or failure of the tail lights.

    Remedy: Mercedes will notify owners, and dealers will replace the bulb holders if not previously updated and replace any corroded connectors, free of charge. The recall began on August, 18, 2014. Owners may contact Mercedes at…

    Model years: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

28. Fuel system, gasoline

    NHTSA 12V557000 Reported December 3, 2012 5,800 vehicles potentially affected Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

    Mercedes-Benz is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 S400, S550, S550 4Matic, S63 AMG, C300, C300 4Matic, E350, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, CL550 4Matic, and CL63 AMG vehicles manufactured from April 18, 2011, through July 12, 2011. Due to an irregularity stemming from the molding process of the fuel filter flange, the fuel filter flange…

    Remedy: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel filter, free of charge. The recall campaign is expected to begin in February 2013. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

    Model years: 2011, 2012

Other Mercedes-Benz models

• E3502,170 complaints
• E3201,164 complaints
• ML350952 complaints
• GLK350904 complaints
• ML320742 complaints
• C250726 complaints
• C230657 complaints
• C 300495 complaints

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.