2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Problems & Owner Complaints

Forward Collision Avoidance 11

“I am filing a safety complaint regarding my 2023 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 4MATIC. The vehicle has approximately 23,000 miles. On multiple occasions, the vehicle has abruptly and violently applied the brakes and/or come to a near stop while I was driving on highways and side roads, even though there was nothing in front of me that should have triggered emergency braking. There was no vehicle, pedestrian, cyclist, object, or road hazard present that would justify this braking event. This is not normal braking behavior. The car essentially performs an uncommanded emergency stop or severe deceleratio…”
NHTSA complaint #11735812, 2026

“The contact owns a 2023 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that on occasion while driving at various speeds, the vehicle unexpectedly stopped without the brake pedal being depressed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed twice by the local dealer, and the contact was advised that the Forward Collision Avoidance sensors needed to be recalibrated; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer where the vehicle was inspected, and the contact was advised that further diagnostic tests were required to determine the cause of the failu…”
NHTSA complaint #11680376, 2025

“On 4 different occasions car brake assist activated causing car to come to an immediate stop and jerk. At stop light as I started to accelerate a left turn car came to an immediate stop almost causing the car behind hit rear end. Brake assist light activated. This happened twice. And twice when in reverse backing out of a parking space and backing into driveway. Dealership notified look at my car and stated they did not see anything wrong. 4th incident happened within 30 minutes after leaving Wilmington Mercedes Benz.”
NHTSA complaint #11674663, 2025

Service Brakes 7 2 crash 1 injury

“The contact owns a 2023 Mercedes C300. The contact stated that while traveling over a pedestrian crosswalk, the emergency braking mode was engaged. The accelerator pedal was applied but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle went into restricted mode. A Hyundai Elantra crashed into the rear of the vehicle. The driver in the Hyundai stated that the brake lights were not illuminated. There was no air bag deployment or fire. A police report was filed. The contact who was occupying the front passenger seat sustained an injury to her neck and medical attention was provided. The vehicle w…”
NHTSA complaint #11520942, 2023 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“On 2/17/24 the vehicle was parked in front of my house. There is a slight grade. The vehicle had been parked for approximately 1 hour when my neighbor called me to tell me that the vehicle had rolled down the hill and into his storage building. The vehicle rolled on its own. I have video evidence that no one was in or around the car at the time of this occurrence. I also, have 2 eyewitnesses who can corroborate this story. Due to safety concerns, I immediately returned the vehicle to Mercedes. I have .MOV files and pictures JPEG that will not upload for some reason.”
NHTSA complaint #11577612, 2024 · crash

“I am filing a safety complaint regarding my 2023 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 4MATIC. The vehicle has approximately 23,000 miles. On multiple occasions, the vehicle has abruptly and violently applied the brakes and/or come to a near stop while I was driving on highways and side roads, even though there was nothing in front of me that should have triggered emergency braking. There was no vehicle, pedestrian, cyclist, object, or road hazard present that would justify this braking event. This is not normal braking behavior. The car essentially performs an uncommanded emergency stop or severe deceleratio…”
NHTSA complaint #11735812, 2026

Electrical System 5

“The electrical wiring harness of my vehicle completely caught fire making my vehicle stopped working. Manufacture warranty refuses to acknowledge this as an ongoning issue with this models and forcing me to pay for my own repairs this is a danger to anyone driving this vehicle as the car entirely can be caught on fire at any given time.”
NHTSA complaint #11596594, 2024

“The above multiple problems/parts at issue. To include Other/I am not sure. Started at or approximately February 2023. The (Automatic Folding Side View Folding Mirrors before resolution) Malfunctioned 3 separate times before being fixed. During that time the (Cooling System Malfunction Reduced Drive Performance Service Required), displayed 2 separate Unknown Dates on the Dashboard Screen. The MB Dealership Service Diagnostic Check made was not Able to Detect the Trouble and was Never Fixed). On Monday, 08/21/2023, by (USPS) delivered a Mercedes Benz Official Letter Head Dated August 2023,…”
NHTSA complaint #11555944, 2023

“The contact owns a 2023 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH with the Intelligent Cruise Control activated, with no other vehicles or objects nearby, the vehicle inadvertently slowed down. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality but later displayed the following messages: “Active Emergency Stop Assist Currently Unavailable”, and “Active Steering Assist Inoperable”. The Forward Collision Avoidance warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was n…”
NHTSA complaint #11544088, 2023

Unknown Or Other 5

“I am filing a safety complaint regarding my 2023 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 4MATIC. The vehicle has approximately 23,000 miles. On multiple occasions, the vehicle has abruptly and violently applied the brakes and/or come to a near stop while I was driving on highways and side roads, even though there was nothing in front of me that should have triggered emergency braking. There was no vehicle, pedestrian, cyclist, object, or road hazard present that would justify this braking event. This is not normal braking behavior. The car essentially performs an uncommanded emergency stop or severe deceleratio…”
NHTSA complaint #11735812, 2026

“My panoramic sunroof spontaneously exploded while driving down the highway, no external impact was made. The glass exploded from the inside out. It made a loud boom, it startled me on the highway resulted me to swerving on the road, which would have put me and other drivers at risk. There's plenty other MB drivers reported similar issues that stated. MB has also settled a class action lawsuit regarding such manner. UNKNOWN There were no warning signs prior to the event. The event spontaneous and sudden.”
NHTSA complaint #11678947, 2025

“While driving at 60mph my panoramic sunroof completely shattered. Nothing at all hit the sunroof to cause it to shatter. If my sunshade cover had not been on, the glass would have fallen on me while operating my vehicle. This is not only dangerous but unacceptable. It was also a distraction that could have caused an accident. Mercedes did not make me aware of the class action lawsuit they have with the panoramic sunroofs, and I feel that was neglectful on their part. Upon inspection from a service advisor at a Mercedes Benz dealership, they told me something must have hit it (nothing hit it) a…”
NHTSA complaint #11662742, 2025

Tires 3

“2 of 245/40HR18XL & 2 of 225/45HR18XL... All 4 tires replaced I purchased a 2023 Mercedes-Benz C300 from Benzel Busch motor car (an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer) in [XXX] in XXX. Since purchase, this vehicle has had repeated, unresolved defects. The Check Engine warning light has illuminated numurous times, resulting 4 separate towing incidents. Despite multiple warranty repairs, the same issues keep recurring. At only 10,167 miles, one tire required replacement due to abnormal wear. At only 22,780 miles, all 4 tires required full replacement for the same reason. In total 5 tires hav…”
NHTSA complaint #11744607, 2025

“The contact owns a 2023 Mercedes Benz C300 equipped with Pirelli Tires, Tire Line: P Zero, Tire Size: 255/35/VR19, DOT Number: [XXX] . The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, there was an unknown bumping sound heard. The contact pulled over and noticed that the passenger's side front tire was flat. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The infotainment screen showed a reading of the tire 0 PSI. The contact noticed there was a hole in the tire and the side wall was damaged, and the rim was damaged. The contact depressed the SOS button but received no assistance. The vehicle wa…”
NHTSA complaint #11615020, 2024

“The contact owns a 2023 Mercedes-Benz C300 equipped with Bridgestone RFT Tires, Tire Line: Turanza 100, Tire Size: 225/45/R18, DOT Number: VRJ7V4Y. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the driver's side tire exploded. The contact stated that a "0 PSI driver side front tire" warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he observed that the driver's side tire had a portion blown out on the sidewall of the tire. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the blowout had been due to external sources and not tire structural integrity. The…”
NHTSA complaint #11543206, 2023

Engine 2

“The above multiple problems/parts at issue. To include Other/I am not sure. Started at or approximately February 2023. The (Automatic Folding Side View Folding Mirrors before resolution) Malfunctioned 3 separate times before being fixed. During that time the (Cooling System Malfunction Reduced Drive Performance Service Required), displayed 2 separate Unknown Dates on the Dashboard Screen. The MB Dealership Service Diagnostic Check made was not Able to Detect the Trouble and was Never Fixed). On Monday, 08/21/2023, by (USPS) delivered a Mercedes Benz Official Letter Head Dated August 2023,…”
NHTSA complaint #11555944, 2023

“The contact owns a 2023 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while reversing, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle lost motive power, stalled and shutoff. The contact was able to restart the vehicle, but had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer stated that no cause for the failure was found but updated the software. The failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the contact was informed that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 3,900.”
NHTSA complaint #11540331, 2023

Fuel/Propulsion System 1

“The above multiple problems/parts at issue. To include Other/I am not sure. Started at or approximately February 2023. The (Automatic Folding Side View Folding Mirrors before resolution) Malfunctioned 3 separate times before being fixed. During that time the (Cooling System Malfunction Reduced Drive Performance Service Required), displayed 2 separate Unknown Dates on the Dashboard Screen. The MB Dealership Service Diagnostic Check made was not Able to Detect the Trouble and was Never Fixed). On Monday, 08/21/2023, by (USPS) delivered a Mercedes Benz Official Letter Head Dated August 2023,…”
NHTSA complaint #11555944, 2023

Power Train 1 1 crash

“On 2/17/24 the vehicle was parked in front of my house. There is a slight grade. The vehicle had been parked for approximately 1 hour when my neighbor called me to tell me that the vehicle had rolled down the hill and into his storage building. The vehicle rolled on its own. I have video evidence that no one was in or around the car at the time of this occurrence. I also, have 2 eyewitnesses who can corroborate this story. Due to safety concerns, I immediately returned the vehicle to Mercedes. I have .MOV files and pictures JPEG that will not upload for some reason.”
NHTSA complaint #11577612, 2024 · crash

Structure 1

“While driving at 60mph my panoramic sunroof completely shattered. Nothing at all hit the sunroof to cause it to shatter. If my sunshade cover had not been on, the glass would have fallen on me while operating my vehicle. This is not only dangerous but unacceptable. It was also a distraction that could have caused an accident. Mercedes did not make me aware of the class action lawsuit they have with the panoramic sunroofs, and I feel that was neglectful on their part. Upon inspection from a service advisor at a Mercedes Benz dealership, they told me something must have hit it (nothing hit it) a…”
NHTSA complaint #11662742, 2025

Suspension 1

“The contact owns a 2023 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. While driving into a parking lot at a very slow speed, the braking system suddenly activated, and the vehicle shut off. After restarting the vehicle, the messages "Rear Axle Malfunction", "Active Braking System Limited" and "Inoperative" were displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,600.”
NHTSA complaint #11572056, 2024

Visibility/Wiper 1

“When going into Reverse the passenger side mirror angles down to see curbs. When putting back into Drive it should be going back up to normal angle, but 20% of the time it does not go back up. If you're driving in the dark you may not know it's reverted back up and get into a car accident. Dealership said there are no issues and a technician stated it goes back up at +9 mph. I've gone over 30 mph driving on public street only to realize it late. I am hoping this gets publicity before an accident occurs due to a defective safety-comfort feature.”
NHTSA complaint #11699593, 2025