Summary
The Mercedes-Benz C 300 has 16 recalls spanning 2014 through 2025, with the most serious recent issue affecting 2022-2023 models where an improperly secured bolt at the pre-fuse box can cause an electrical wire to overheat, potentially starting a fire or cutting drive power without warning.
A related electrical concern on 2022-2023 models involves wiring harness ground connections that can overheat and also raise the risk of fire. On 2022 models specifically, moisture can leak into a trunk-mounted signal acquisition module, causing rear exterior lights to fail, the rearview camera to go dark, or the rear seat to fold unexpectedly. Rounding out the most recent production years, 2022-2025 vehicles have a driver-side seatbelt anchor that can come loose if the cover over the tensioner is not properly seated, leaving the belt unable to restrain the driver in a crash.
The 2020 model year has a recall where the emergency communication system can report an inaccurate vehicle location, potentially delaying first responders after a crash. On 2018-2020 models, LED headlights may have been set to an incorrect angle after a repair, reducing forward visibility at night. Going back to 2019, the electronic stability control system can be inadvertently deactivated by a software fault, and the center console lid can fly open in a rear-end collision. A 2018-only recall covers just two vehicles where the steering coupling between the steering wheel and rack may not have locked correctly, which can cause a partial or complete loss of steering.
On the occupant safety side, 2021 Cabriolet models have rear headrests that can detach during a crash, and 2017-2021 vehicles have front seatbelts that may not retract fully, making them inconvenient enough that occupants might not use them. The 2017-2018 Coupe and Cabriolet models have seatbacks that can fold forward in a crash if the locking mechanism does not engage properly. A 2018-2019 recall covers a passenger seat sensor that can incorrectly show the airbag as active when it is not, leaving a front passenger unaware the airbag will not deploy. Also on 2018-2019 models, the 12-volt battery mounting bracket can allow the battery to shift in a crash, disconnecting power and disabling hazard lights and emergency communication.
Reaching back to 2014-2020 production, an adhesive panel on the front of the vehicle can deteriorate and detach at speed, becoming road debris.
