Problems › Mercedes-Benz › 2017 C-Class
2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Problems & Owner Complaints
Age-normalised, this year draws ~25.2 complaints per year on the road — ranking 7 of 15 Mercedes-Benz C-Class years we track (1 = most complaints per year).
Thinking about buying a specific Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
This page shows problems reported across all 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Classs. Before you buy that one car, enter its VIN: get a free open-recall check, then unlock the full $19 safety report: every complaint, safety ratings & a downloadable PDF for that exact vehicle.
Checking a specific 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class? Enter its VINFree recall check · optional $19 full safety report before you buy
What owners report
Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, cited in 83 of 252 filed complaints (33%).
Electrical System is next (35 complaints, 14%), followed by Fuel/Propulsion System (32), Seat Belts (26), Structure (26).
Across all complaints, 12 report a crash, 3 report a fire, 16 report injuries.
The most safety-critical cluster is Air Bags: 7 crash, 7 injury report(s).
Complaints by vehicle system
Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, grouped by the vehicle system each cites. A single complaint can name more than one system, so the group totals can add up to more than 252.
Engine 83 1 fire
“The 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 p…”
NHTSA complaint #11738037, 2025 · fire
“2017 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 #11753176, 2026
“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”
NHTSA complaint #11725960, 2026
Unknown Or Other 37 2 crash 1 fire 4 injury
“I HAD AN INJURY IN THE MILITARY AND IT LEFT ME WITH SOME FORM OF TBI. THE CHEMICALS IN THE CAR FROM THE TIME OF PURCHASE TO THE TIME OF SELL LEFT ME WITH A LARGE AMOUNT OF AMNESIA AND AT TIMES PAIN THROUGHOUT THE BODY, ITS NOT SOMETHING THAT'S EASILY REMEDIED. THE TIMES FROM THE CHEMICALS IN THE VEHICLE ALWAYS CAUSED A PROBLEM. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO.”
NHTSA complaint #11231677, 2017 · 2 injury(ies)
“I was driving on a straight away doing the speed limit which is reported seconds before the car crash. The steering wheel turned to the left really hard out of no where and wouldn’t let me gain control over the car again. I was sober it was 9am and I was aware of my driving. I ended up spinning out and landed in the ditch feet away from the light pole. I made it know to everyone what happened, but they looked at me crazy. I stopped driving that car and sent it back to Mercedes to get a detailed inspection. Which lasted about 30 days for them to get back to me about what happened. When I receiv…”
NHTSA complaint #11438296, 2019 · crash · 1 injury(ies)
“I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DOING ABOUT 55 MPH AND IT FELT LIKE SOMETHING FELL OUT OF THE SKY AND LANDED ON THE CAR, I INSTANTLY THOUGHT THAT I HIT SOMETHING BUT I DIDN'T IT WAS FOLLOWED BY A LOUD SOUND THAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT FOLLOWED BY THE ENTIRE GLASS ROOF PANEL EXPLODING AND CRASHING DOWN INTO IN ME CAUSE MULTIPLE CUTS AND CAUSED ME TO SWERVE ON THE HIGHWAY. ## VIN PASSED ## MERCEDES-BENZ 2017 ##”
NHTSA complaint #11354963, 2020 · 1 injury(ies)
Electrical System 35 2 crash 2 fire
“The 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 p…”
NHTSA complaint #11738037, 2025 · fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ C300C. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THEY WERE INFORMED THAT THEIR VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE'S CONSOLE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED DUE TO THE ENTIRE INSIDE BEING COMPLETELY BURNED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A REPORT WAS FILED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATING THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL FAILURES. THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF STEVENS CREEK 4500 STEVENS CREEK BLVD, SAN JOSE, CA 95129; (408) 641-4610) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND…”
NHTSA complaint #11373777, 2020 · fire
“The sunroof is very glitchy and this is common in all Benz I have had a few different Benz and they all eventually have this same issue with their panoramic sunroof. Sometimes it opens half way life one side is up and the other side is closed and other times it will open fully but not close and other times it won’t open at all. This is a common problem that many Benz owners have stated this in the Benz forums all over. This is a safety issue due to unexpected weather conditions if it rains and it’s stuck inside gets damage and owners get wet which is also a distraction and may cause accidents.…”
NHTSA complaint #11665836, 2025 · crash
Fuel/Propulsion System 32
“UNKNOWN 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 #11708103, 2025
“Cabin smells heavily like fuel and has a check engine light possibly a fuel leak”
NHTSA complaint #11698322, 2025
“strong evident fuel/ gas smell when driving and when the car is in park after driving.”
NHTSA complaint #11735746, 2024
Seat Belts 26 2 crash 3 injury
“I HIT A BEAR IN MONTANA IN MY 2017 MERCEDES C300 AT 86MPH AND DESTROYED THE FRONT OF MY CAR. THE SEATBELTS DEPLOYED AND WRENCHED US INTO OUR SEATS AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE FRONT AIR VENTS BUT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF. ON THE DASH THE VEHICLES STATED THAT THE AIRBAGS IN ALL 4 ZONES IN THE CAR MALFUNCTIONED AND SERVICE IS REQUIRED. MERCEDES IS STATING THAT THE LIGHT IS FROM A SEATBELT ERROR CODE BUT THE DASH DID NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT SRS OR SEATBELTS. I DO NOT WANT TO PUT MY FAMILY BACK IN THE CAR AND DO NOT FEEL IT SHOULD BE REPAIRED. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED PHOTOS OF THE ERROR MESSAGES ON THE…”
NHTSA complaint #11112163, 2018 · crash · 2 injury(ies)
“The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated that while making a left turn at 40 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the front passenger side of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy upon impact and the seat belt also failed to restrain the contact during the crash. Due to both failures, the contact's head and chest hit the steering wheel. The contact was taken to the hospital by ambulance and given an X-ray exam. The contact was treated for lacerations to the forehead and suffered pain to the head, neck, back, and chest. The whereabouts of the other driver were unknown. A p…”
NHTSA complaint #11588668, 2024 · crash · 1 injury(ies)
“Case 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…”
NHTSA complaint #11701042, 2025
Structure 26 2 crash 2 injury
“I HIT A BEAR IN MONTANA IN MY 2017 MERCEDES C300 AT 86MPH AND DESTROYED THE FRONT OF MY CAR. THE SEATBELTS DEPLOYED AND WRENCHED US INTO OUR SEATS AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE FRONT AIR VENTS BUT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF. ON THE DASH THE VEHICLES STATED THAT THE AIRBAGS IN ALL 4 ZONES IN THE CAR MALFUNCTIONED AND SERVICE IS REQUIRED. MERCEDES IS STATING THAT THE LIGHT IS FROM A SEATBELT ERROR CODE BUT THE DASH DID NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT SRS OR SEATBELTS. I DO NOT WANT TO PUT MY FAMILY BACK IN THE CAR AND DO NOT FEEL IT SHOULD BE REPAIRED. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED PHOTOS OF THE ERROR MESSAGES ON THE…”
NHTSA complaint #11112163, 2018 · crash · 2 injury(ies)
“SUDDEN ACCELERATION AFTER PULLING VERY SLOWLY INTO PARKING SPACE. ALMOST STOPPED. CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, JUMPED A CURB FROM, WENT UP AN EMBANKMENT AND HIT A TREE. WAS ABLE TO REVERSE AND BACK DOWN. IT WILL TAKE A MONTH FOR BODY WORK. NOTIFIED MERCEDES DEALER. THEY WILL RUN DIAGNOSTICS ON JAN. 7.”
NHTSA complaint #11286307, 2019 · crash
“While driving home from work, without any warning or blunt force the sunroof exploded and shattered glass was everywhere”
NHTSA complaint #11705275, 2025
Air Bags 18 7 crash 7 injury
“I HIT A BEAR IN MONTANA IN MY 2017 MERCEDES C300 AT 86MPH AND DESTROYED THE FRONT OF MY CAR. THE SEATBELTS DEPLOYED AND WRENCHED US INTO OUR SEATS AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE FRONT AIR VENTS BUT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF. ON THE DASH THE VEHICLES STATED THAT THE AIRBAGS IN ALL 4 ZONES IN THE CAR MALFUNCTIONED AND SERVICE IS REQUIRED. MERCEDES IS STATING THAT THE LIGHT IS FROM A SEATBELT ERROR CODE BUT THE DASH DID NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT SRS OR SEATBELTS. I DO NOT WANT TO PUT MY FAMILY BACK IN THE CAR AND DO NOT FEEL IT SHOULD BE REPAIRED. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED PHOTOS OF THE ERROR MESSAGES ON THE…”
NHTSA complaint #11112163, 2018 · crash · 2 injury(ies)
“The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated that while making a left turn at 40 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the front passenger side of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy upon impact and the seat belt also failed to restrain the contact during the crash. Due to both failures, the contact's head and chest hit the steering wheel. The contact was taken to the hospital by ambulance and given an X-ray exam. The contact was treated for lacerations to the forehead and suffered pain to the head, neck, back, and chest. The whereabouts of the other driver were unknown. A p…”
NHTSA complaint #11588668, 2024 · crash · 1 injury(ies)
“The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated while driving at a slow speed in traffic, another vehicle rear-ended and caused her to crash into the vehicle in front. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the back of her head, her left shoulder, right wrist, and right arm along with chest pains and facial contusion. The contact sought medical attention at an emergency room. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to her residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The ma…”
NHTSA complaint #11469189, 2022 · crash · 1 injury(ies)
Power Train 15
“PVC VALVE CODE. P052E Mercedes should fix this!”
NHTSA complaint #11635775, 2025
“The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while at a stop light the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery cable needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that an update to the powertrain software was needed, and the transmission pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The contact called the local dealer, and it w…”
NHTSA complaint #11580064, 2024
“Car check engine light came on with only 62,000 miles. Diagnosed as code P052E, the issue is the positive crankcase ventilation valve being faulty. Regular oil changes and maintenance was done. I see multiple complaints with this issue, why is this not recalled? It is very expensive to have fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #11601009, 2023
Steering 15 3 crash 3 injury
“While driving on the freeway car pool lane with my wife, a sudden vibration in the front tires was observed, the car felt like it was pushed to the right then to the left even though it was in the center of the lane. Told my wife, "something is wrong with the car!" Thinking that I may have had a flat tire, I slowed down, the car went into a violent flat spin until the right rear end of the car hit the center lane divider. Airbags deployed. 911 was called, we were assisted by Highway patrol to the other side of the freeway. As the car was put on a flatbed tow truck, the tow truck driver comment…”
NHTSA complaint #11570166, 2023 · crash · 2 injury(ies)
“I was driving on a straight away doing the speed limit which is reported seconds before the car crash. The steering wheel turned to the left really hard out of no where and wouldn’t let me gain control over the car again. I was sober it was 9am and I was aware of my driving. I ended up spinning out and landed in the ditch feet away from the light pole. I made it know to everyone what happened, but they looked at me crazy. I stopped driving that car and sent it back to Mercedes to get a detailed inspection. Which lasted about 30 days for them to get back to me about what happened. When I receiv…”
NHTSA complaint #11438296, 2019 · crash · 1 injury(ies)
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 MERCEDES BENZ C43 AMG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 63 MPH IN THE RAIN, LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS IT SLED TO THE LEFT AND CRASHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL. THE INCIDENT OF MARCH 12TH DID NOT FEEL LIKE I HAD HYDRO-PLANNED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED SUCH AS AIR BAGS FAILURE, SHOCK FAILURE, SUSPENSION FAILURE AND TRACK FAILURE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE'S DRIVER'S SIDE WAS DAMAGED UNDER THE FRONT BUMPER AND THE FRAME WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY RE…”
NHTSA complaint #11319155, 2020 · crash
Visibility 8 2 injury
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE IN THE ROAD, AN ABNORMAL SOUND WAS HEARD. THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED WITHOUT IMPACT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF GLASS FELL INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE AND ON HER SON WHO WAS SEATED IN HIS CAR SEAT IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT AND HER SON SUSTAINED MINOR SCRAPES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF FAYETTEVILLE (420 GLENSFORD DR, FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28314, (910) 487-0000) AND INFORM…”
NHTSA complaint #11384431, 2020 · 2 injury(ies)
“The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, there was a loud banging sound coming from the roof of the vehicle, prior to the glass sunroof panel being ejected from the roof panel and landed on the roadway. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 84,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11615637, 2024
“The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the sunroof exploded inadvertently. The contact stated that the shade guard was closed when the failure occurred. The contact had not sustained any injuries. The contact continued driving at slow speeds, and there was glass falling on the road while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who provided a cost for the repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist because the VIN was not included in a recal…”
NHTSA complaint #11578117, 2024
Wheels 6
“DOCUMENTATION ERRORS AND OMISSIONS MISINFORMATION REGARDING PROPER REPLACEMENT WHEEL. THIS MISINFORMATION COULD RESULT IN WHEELS WITH IMPROPER FIT BEING INSTALL POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN ABNORMAL HANDLING, DIMINISHED BRAKING PERFORMANCE AND IN EXTREME CASES POSSIBLE SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL FROM THE VEHICLE AT HIGH SPEED. MERCEDES PARTS WEB SITE, HTTPS://MBPARTS.MBUSA.COM, LISTS PARTS 205-401-11-00-7X23 FRONT AND 205-401-12-00-7X23 REAR AS THE PROPER REPLACEMENT WHEELS. THE SELLING DEALER, MERCEDES-BENZ OF FLEMINGTON, NJ INSISTS THAT THESE ARE NOT THE PROPER WHEELS BUT PARTS 205-401-48-00-7X…”
NHTSA complaint #11407324, 2021
“THE WHEELS ON MY TIRES WILL CRACK AT THE SLIGHTEST STRESS FROM THE ROAD. IT COULD BE A BUMP, A TINY POT HOLE, EVEN A STICK, AND THESE TIRES WILL BECOME DEFECTIVE, EITHER BY CRACKING, BECOMING FLAT OR THE WHEEL BECOMING COMPLETELY IMMOBLIZED. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED ON THE ROAD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT FOR HOURS BECAUSE OF THESE DEFECTIVE TIRES. I'VE COME INTO WORK UN-SHOWERED WITH NO SLEEP, BECAUSE I WAS STRANDED FOR SOMETIMES UP TO 12 HOURS BEFORE I WOULD GET HELP. ITS HAPPENED AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS. THERE IS NO WAY THESE TIRES PASSED EVEN BASIC INSPECTION. THEY ARE…”
NHTSA complaint #11390221, 2021
“WHEEL LIPS ON THIS VEHICLE DEFORM WITH LITTLE PROVOCATION RESULTING IN RAPID AIR LOSS, LOSS OF HANDLING AND IN EXTREME CASES A CRASH. THE SHAPE OF THESE WHEELS DEVIATES FROM OTHER ALLOY WHEELS IN A WAY THAT PROMOTES THIS BEHAVIOR. THE CURVE OF THE RIM BARREL BETWEEN THE LIPS (ALSO KNOW AS THE BELL) IS MUCH SHALLOWER THAN MANY OTHER WHEELS. THE RESULT IS THAT THE ANGLE AT WHICH THE BARREL MEETS THE LIPS IS CLOSER TO A RIGHT ANGLE THAN COMMON. THE BARREL MEETING THE LIP AT AN ANGLE CLOSER TO PARALLEL WITH THE PAVEMENT GREATLY INCREASE THE RISK THAT SUDDEN DEFLATION COULD OCCUR RESULTING IN…”
NHTSA complaint #11407326, 2019
Service Brakes 5 1 crash 1 injury
“WHEN THE CAR IS NOT MOVING AND YOU ARE READY TO LEAVE THE CAR YOU PRESS THE POWER BUTTON TO TURN IT OFF, THE CAR "SOMETIMES" GOES INTO NEUTRAL NOT PARK AND STARTS MOVING WHEN YOU ARE GETTING READY TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, EVEN KNOWING THAT IT DOES HAVE A BUTTON FOR PARK BUTTON ON THE GEAR SHIFTER. IT SHOULD BY DEFAULT GO INTO PARK NOT NEUTRAL ALL MY OTHER CARS THAT ARE KEY LESS WHEN YOU PRESS THE BUTTON TO TURN THE CAR IT OFF GOES BY DEFAULT TO PARK REGARDLESS OF PRESSING THE PARK BUTTON ON THE VEHICLE. I HAVE EXPRESS THIS TO MB AND THEY DON'T SEAM TO BE CONCERN ABOUT THIS, SPECIALTY WHEN WE HAVE…”
NHTSA complaint #11091532, 2018 · 1 injury(ies)
“ON MARCH 8, 2018 MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. WHILE DRIVING TO A MEETING THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE LOCKED UP SENDING THE VEHICLE INTO A 360-DEGREE SPIN. ALL SAFETY FEATURES IN THE VEHICLE FAILED. NO BRAKES, NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON IMPACT. ON OR AROUND OCTOBER 21ST OF 2018. MY VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A SECOND ACCIDENT. THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE VEHICLE ARE IDENTICAL. WHILE ON MY WAY TO A MEETING THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL GOT LOCKED WHICH SENT THE CAR INTO A 360-DEGREE SPIN. BRAKES, STABILITY CONTROL FAIL, THE CAR ACCELERATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKES, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLPO…”
NHTSA complaint #11315335, 2018 · crash
“THE PARKING BRAKE WON'T RELEASE SOMETIMES AFTER DOING EVERYTHING THAT THE MANUAL AND MERCEDES BENZ RECOMMENDS. I'VE BEEN STRANDED FOR OVER 30 MINUTES. I'VE PULLED THE BRAKE RELEASE FOR OVER 10 SECONDS AND PUT THE CAR IN GEAR AND TURNED IF OFF AND ON. TWICE THE PARKING BRAKE LIGHT HAS COME ON WHEN DRIVING.”
NHTSA complaint #11103718, 2018
Suspension 5
“In 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 l…”
NHTSA complaint #11676702, 2024
“The car was parked on my driveway, As soon as i started it, I got a message 'The electronic rear axle differential lock is inoperative' NHTSA previously issued a recall for 2017 C63s AMG models. I purchased this vehicle from Carvana in April 2021 with clean single owner carfax. The manufacture warranty has expired. I have seen lots of posts on Mercedes forum talking about this issue where Mercedes did fix the issue free of cost. Since there is no open recall on my vehicle, I am not sure what to do.”
NHTSA complaint #11434435, 2021
“The electronic rear axle differential lock is inoperative; NHTSA previously issued a recall but I was never given a date to fix by the manufacturer.”
NHTSA complaint #11419835, 2021
Tires 4
“After approx 24,000 miles and 18 months, I was told all four tires needed to be replaced and were down to between 3/32nd and 2/32nd tread left on all four tires, despite regular rotations, alignment, and overall car maintenance. These were purchased at Mavis in East Brunswick, NJ in May, 2022 and we were notified of the tread wear after a regular maintenance appointment at a Mercedes Benz dealer. I notified Mavis and came in for them to measure tread depth, which was found to be in the unsafe range. Mavis is only offering me warranty coverage, based on mileage used, of a total of $360. Obv…”
NHTSA complaint #11565592, 2024
“TL* THE CONTACT LEASED A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ C43 AMG EQUIPPED WITH PIRELLI P ZERO ALL SEASON TIRES, SIZE: P225/40/R19 (NA). ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER TIRES EXPERIENCED BLOWOUTS AND CRACKED RIMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF NANUET (99 NY-304, NANUET, NY 10954, (845) 624-1500) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE REPLACED ELEVEN TIMES. THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE AND VEH…”
NHTSA complaint #11166516, 2017
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ C43 AMG EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL TIRES. THE FRONT TIRES WERE SIZE: 225/40/R19 93Y AND THE REAR TIRES WERE SIZE: 255/35/R19 96Y (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SIDEWALLS OF THE TIRES WERE SO THIN THAT THE TIRES WOULD BLOW OUT WHILE DRIVING OVER SMALL POTHOLES. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED SIX TIRE FAILURES OVER THE LAST FIFTEEN MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF UNION (2585 US-22, UNION, NJ 07083, (908) 379-7200) AND THE TIRES WERE REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER ACKNOWLEDGED THE TIRE FAILURES, BUT OFFERED NO ASSIST…”
NHTSA complaint #11129338, 2017
Vehicle Speed Control 4 3 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 MERCEDES BENZ C43 AMG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 63 MPH IN THE RAIN, LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS IT SLED TO THE LEFT AND CRASHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL. THE INCIDENT OF MARCH 12TH DID NOT FEEL LIKE I HAD HYDRO-PLANNED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED SUCH AS AIR BAGS FAILURE, SHOCK FAILURE, SUSPENSION FAILURE AND TRACK FAILURE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE'S DRIVER'S SIDE WAS DAMAGED UNDER THE FRONT BUMPER AND THE FRAME WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY RE…”
NHTSA complaint #11319155, 2020 · crash
“SUDDEN ACCELERATION AFTER PULLING VERY SLOWLY INTO PARKING SPACE. ALMOST STOPPED. CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, JUMPED A CURB FROM, WENT UP AN EMBANKMENT AND HIT A TREE. WAS ABLE TO REVERSE AND BACK DOWN. IT WILL TAKE A MONTH FOR BODY WORK. NOTIFIED MERCEDES DEALER. THEY WILL RUN DIAGNOSTICS ON JAN. 7.”
NHTSA complaint #11286307, 2019 · crash
“ON MARCH 8, 2018 MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. WHILE DRIVING TO A MEETING THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE LOCKED UP SENDING THE VEHICLE INTO A 360-DEGREE SPIN. ALL SAFETY FEATURES IN THE VEHICLE FAILED. NO BRAKES, NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON IMPACT. ON OR AROUND OCTOBER 21ST OF 2018. MY VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A SECOND ACCIDENT. THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE VEHICLE ARE IDENTICAL. WHILE ON MY WAY TO A MEETING THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL GOT LOCKED WHICH SENT THE CAR INTO A 360-DEGREE SPIN. BRAKES, STABILITY CONTROL FAIL, THE CAR ACCELERATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKES, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLPO…”
NHTSA complaint #11315335, 2018 · crash
Forward Collision Avoidance 3
“Collision Assyt not operating, E brake engaged damage rear brakes and rotors”
NHTSA complaint #11447809, 2021
“Light came on tonight and stayed on, Collinsion prevention assist inoperable. Car has been involved in any collision for this system to quit out of the blue”
NHTSA complaint #11429955, 2021
Fuel System 3 1 fire
“The 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 p…”
NHTSA complaint #11738037, 2025 · fire
“The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light was illuminated but then disappeared. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with a failed actuator. The contact was informed that an actuator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V961000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not associated with the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report…”
NHTSA complaint #11588398, 2024
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE HEATER WAS ACTIVATED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE VENTS INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL ODOR ONLY OCCURRED DURING THE WINTER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK HOSE CLIP THAT GOES TO THE ENGINE BECAME LOOSE AND CAUSE THE FUEL ODOR TO PENETRATE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. ## VIN PASSED ## MERCEDES-BENZ…”
NHTSA complaint #11383821, 2020
Visibility/Wiper 3
“- windshield, and I had Satellite repair it through an insurance claim because it was urgent for my safety. - the windshield and its adhesive never bonded together making the windshield structurally unsafe and if I would have gotten into an accident then my vehicles airbags would have not deployed properly. - The issue was brought to my attention from a Satellite repair representative. - yes Safelite who contacted my insurance. - I went through a car wash and found water making its way into my car interior, which I then inspected and found that my windshield was floppy and not attached t…”
NHTSA complaint #11554961, 2023
“PISTON 1 CRACKED AT 48,000 MILES. MB TOLD OWNER THAT THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED BUT WHEN FINDING OUT THAT THE WARRANTY WAS UP AT 50,000 THEY REPLACED THE PISTON INSTEAD. CAR IS STILL SHAKING AT IDLE AND ROUGH RIDE. ENGINE SHAKES AND JERKS.”
NHTSA complaint #11337524, 2020
“CAR IS A 2017 MERCEDES C300 COUPE AND HAS HAD TO REPLACE WINDSHIELD 3 TIMES. PROBLEMS WITH WINDSHIELD CRACKING. 1ST REPAIR CAR CAME FROM DEALERSHIP WITH A LONG CRACK ON DRIVERS SIDE, 2ND CAR WAS AT SERVICE CENTER FOR 3 WEEKS TO A MONTH AND CUSTOMER CAME TO PICK UP THE CAR AND LONG CRACK ACROSS THE TOP OF WINDSHIELD. HAPPENED WHILE IN MB POSSESION”
NHTSA complaint #11337525, 2020
Communication 2
“The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V058000 (Communication, Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer claimed that the manufacturer was responsible for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”
NHTSA complaint #11419197, 2021
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 2 1 crash
“SUDDEN ACCELERATION AFTER PULLING VERY SLOWLY INTO PARKING SPACE. ALMOST STOPPED. CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, JUMPED A CURB FROM, WENT UP AN EMBANKMENT AND HIT A TREE. WAS ABLE TO REVERSE AND BACK DOWN. IT WILL TAKE A MONTH FOR BODY WORK. NOTIFIED MERCEDES DEALER. THEY WILL RUN DIAGNOSTICS ON JAN. 7.”
NHTSA complaint #11286307, 2019 · crash
“THE CAR ENTERS LIMP MODE IN THE HIGHWAY WHERE IT LOOSES ALL THE POWER AND WARNING POPS UP AS ACTIVE BRAKE ASSIST IS INOPERATIVE, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS COME ON AS WELL. IF YOU MANAGE TO GLIDE THE CAR TO A STOP AND RESTART THE CAR, THE CAR STARTS TO BACK UP AS NORMAL. TOOK THE CAR FOR SERVICE SEVERAL TIMES, INTAKE AIRFLOW SENSOR WAS REPLACED BUT THE CAR STILL HAS THE SAME ISSUE. UPON SEARCHING ONLINE, THIS IS A VERY WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE NEWER MECEDES CARS WHERE THE CAR GOES INTO A SAFETY MODE WHERE THE ENGINE CUTS ALL THE POWER TURNING THE SITUATION INTO A EVEN MORE DANGEROUS SCENARIO…”
NHTSA complaint #11048503, 2017
Engine And Engine Cooling 2
“The contact owns a 2017Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that upon having the vehicle inspected, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed and produced code: P052E. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11541277, 2023
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ C300W. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V114000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF BEVERLY HILLS AT (310) 659-2980 (9250 BEVERLY BLVD, BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90210) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILA…”
NHTSA complaint #11062422, 2017
Seats 2
“2017 MERCEDES BENZ C43. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FRONT SEATBACK LOCK SAFETY RECALL. *LD *JS”
NHTSA complaint #11280111, 2019
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ C43A4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V130000 (SEATS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT MERCEDES-BENZ OF DANBURY (LOCATED AT100 FEDERAL RD, DANBURY, CT 06810, (203) 778-6333) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.”
NHTSA complaint #11207456, 2019
Exterior Lighting 1
“THE WIRES TO THE OUTSIDE LIGHT FIXTURES ARE MELTING. THE EXTERIOR LIGHT BULBS ARE MELTING INTO THE SOCKETS AND THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED IN THEIR ENTIRETY. THIS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES ON 3 DIFFERENT LIGHT ASSEMBLIES: SPRING 2013, SPRING 2016 AND NOVEMBER 2017.”
NHTSA complaint #11045192, 2017
Lane Departure 1
“Check engine light came on, a day after purchasing from dealer. Mileage at 55k. Check engine light code was p052e71, confirmed from 2 auto repairers. One was Mercedes Benz who quoted me $3900 to repair. In the Mercedes Benz booklet warranty says emission related repairs are covered for 15 years/150k miles for hybrid vehicles.”
NHTSA complaint #11541047, 2023
How we read this (methodology)
How to read this: raw complaint totals are not a clean reliability score — a model year with more cars sold, or simply more years on the road, accumulates more complaints regardless of how good it is. So this page leans on two signals that are not distorted by sales volume: the share of complaints falling on each vehicle system (the breakdown above) and NHTSA's own crash / fire / injury / death flags. When we compare model years of the same model, we normalise by years on the road (complaints ÷ vehicle age) rather than comparing raw totals. Age-normalised, the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class draws about 25.2 complaints per year on the road, ranking 7 of 15 among the Mercedes-Benz C-Class model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).
Before you buy this Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Don't buy on the strength of a problems page alone. Check the exact VIN of the car you're looking at. The open recalls are free, and the full $19 safety report pulls every complaint, safety rating and a downloadable PDF for that one vehicle.
Related
Data source: U.S. NHTSA (nhtsa.gov). SaveVIN surfaces public recall data and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.