Summary
The Mercedes-Benz C Class has 47 recalls spanning 1994 to 2022, with the most serious recent issue being a transmission wiring harness on 2022 models that can contact the front driveshaft, wear through, and cut power to the wheels while driving.
The 2022 model year carries several additional concerns. Loose ground connection bolts can cause the wiring harness to overheat and melt, with plug-in hybrid variants also losing electric drive; a loose wire in the pre-fuse box can similarly cut drive power or cause overheating; water leaking into the trunk can short-circuit a control module, disabling the tail lamps, rearview camera, or causing the rear seat backrests to fold unexpectedly; and on some vehicles the driver's seat belt was not installed correctly and can detach over time.
Moving back to 2019-2020 models, a 2020 power steering wiring harness damaged during production can let moisture in, causing steering assist to drop suddenly or creating a short circuit fire risk. On 2019 four-cylinder engines, an oil leak at the turbocharger return line can drip onto hot components and start a fire. Two separate software issues affect 2019 vehicles: the electronic stability control may not intervene correctly in certain situations, and on C 300 and AMG C 43 trims the parking brake can either refuse to release or release only while disabling stability control.
The 2017-2018 model years have a cluster of occupant protection issues. On 2018 C 63 models, a defective locknut in the steering rack can jam the steering. The 2018 rear window can detach while driving. On 2018 coupes and cabriolets, the seat belt buckle sensors can misread a fastened belt as unfastened, preventing the pretensioner from firing in a crash; separately, AMG Performance Seat welds can fail and allow the backrest fitting to pull free. A loose 12-volt battery on 2018 vehicles can shift in a crash, cut power, and disable post-crash systems. On 2017 models, an incorrect airbag control module software calibration can alter how the passenger airbag and seat belt force limiter deploy in a crash, and front seatbacks that do not fully latch can allow rear cargo to strike front occupants.
The 2015-2016 generation has a steering column that can disengage from its coupling socket on 2015 vehicles, producing steering play and potential loss of control. The 2015 fuel pump assembly can work loose, causing either an engine stall or a fuel leak near ignition sources. On 2015 AMG C 63 models, the rear differential mounting flange can fracture under hard acceleration. Electric power steering on 2015 and 2016 vehicles can deactivate without warning due to software faults, demanding significantly more steering effort. The 2016 panoramic sunroof rear glass panel can separate from the vehicle while moving.
On 2013 and 2014 models, a steering coupling bolt nut can vibrate loose and come off, and the plastic trim panel between the windshield and panoramic sunroof can separate after improper installation during a prior repair. The 2010 model has a power steering high-pressure line fitting that can back out over time and leak fluid, leading to loss of assist.
Going further back, the 2008 model year has three distinct issues: the airbag control module software can cause airbags and pretensioners to fire inadvertently
