Mercedes-Benz C 300 Recalls

The Mercedes-Benz C 300 has 41 recalls spanning 2018–2026, with the most serious recent issue affecting 2023–2024 vehicles where faulty 80-amp fuses can fail and cause sudden loss of drive power or knock out the airbag system and instrument cluster without warning.

On 2025–2026 models, the infotainment control unit can reset while driving and blank the instrument panel, taking the speedometer and warning lights with it. The 2022–2025 years have a driver-side seat belt anchor that can come loose at the tensioner cover. On 2022–2023 vehicles, an incorrectly sized transmission wiring harness can chafe and cut drive power, a loose bolt at the pre-fuse box can cause wiring to overheat and catch fire, and a separate grounding fault in the wiring harness carries the same fire risk. The 2022 model year adds a moisture intrusion problem where water reaching the trunk's signal acquisition module can knock out rear lights, the rearview camera, and trigger unintended rear seat folding.

The 2021–2023 model years share a fuel pump that can shut down and cut drive power without warning. On 2021 models, the airbag and seatbelt pretensioner system may not perform correctly in a crash, and convertible variants have rear headrests that can detach from the seatback during a collision. The 2019–2021 years have a software fault that can prevent the rearview camera from displaying when reversing. The 2019 model year has an engine stall defect, a separate issue that can disable electronic stability control, a radar sensor fault that prevents automatic emergency braking from activating, and a center console lid that can fly open in a rear-end crash. The 2020 model year has turbocharger oil lines that can loosen and leak onto hot engine components, raising the risk of an engine fire.

The 2018–2021 model years have an emergency crash notification system that can fail to reach responders or send them to the wrong location, and front seat belt retractors that may not fully retract. The 2018–2020 years have LED headlights that can be set to an incorrect aim after prior service, reducing forward visibility. The 2018–2019 model years have a 12-volt battery mounting bracket that can allow the battery to shift in a crash, cutting power to hazard lights and emergency communication.

The 2018 model year carries the heaviest concentration of issues. A battery cover can fail to protect the positive terminal in a crash, risking a short circuit that disables emergency door unlocking and can cause a fire. A steering coupling may not be fully locked, potentially disconnecting the mechanical link between the steering wheel and the rack. A driver airbag can deploy without warning. The passenger seat occupant classification sensor can incorrectly show the front airbag as active when it will not deploy. Front seatbacks on coupe and convertible trims may not lock and can fold forward in a crash. A rear window can detach and become a road hazard. Convertible models have a rear beltline trim that can separate while driving. The 2018–2020 years also have a roof panel between the windshield and panoramic sunroof that can detach from the vehicle.