NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag may be incorrect, possibly installed during a prior repair, and may not function properly in a crash.
What the fix does
This page covers 4 recalls, 12 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C250.
25 mpg combined
9.4 L/100km
Subcompact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
With only 12 complaints on file for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C250, the dominant category by volume is airbags, which accounts for the majority of reports. Most of those filings appear tied to crash incidents rather than describing a spontaneous airbag malfunction, so the underlying symptom picture there is limited. Steering draws the next-highest volume, and what owners describe is notable: under hard braking, the steering wheel and column locking up completely, leaving the driver unable to steer. One owner reports this happening while trying to avoid stopped traffic. A single report mentions rear subframe corrosion on the driver's side causing a loss of control during braking, with the opposite side unaffected. One owner also describes the vehicle stalling repeatedly at various speeds, requiring a full power cycle to restore normal operation, accompanied by a collision prevention warning light.
12
Total Complaints
2
Crash-Related
2
With Injuries
By System
The 2015 Mercedes-Benz C250 has 4 recalls, the most serious involving the airbags: the passenger frontal airbag inflator can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin, and the driver airbag can deploy without warning.
The passenger inflator issue is a Takata-type defect where the inflator ruptures rather than inflating the bag normally, turning the module itself into a hazard for anyone seated in the front passenger seat. The driver airbag concern is separate: it can deploy on its own while the vehicle is in use, which can startle or injure the driver and cause a loss of vehicle control. There is a third airbag concern as well: on certain vehicles that previously had the front passenger airbag replaced, an incorrect replacement unit may have been installed, meaning the bag may not deploy with the right force or timing in a crash. Finally, the emergency call system has a software fault that causes it to report the wrong date, time, and potentially the wrong vehicle location when a call is triggered after a crash, which can slow the response of emergency services.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag may be incorrect, possibly installed during a prior repair, and may not function properly in a crash.
What the fix does
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error causes the eCall emergency system's date and time to be incorrect, which may result in an inaccurate vehicle location being sent during an emergency call.
What the fix does
Mercedes-Benz will send a remote software update to your vehicle. Dealers will verify the update worked or install a new communication module software at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breaking down after prolonged exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag module at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's airbag may deploy unexpectedly if the steering components lack proper grounding and the airbag clockspring is broken, allowing electrostatic discharge to trigger deployment.
What the fix does
Dealers will add grounding to the steering components to prevent electrostatic discharge from triggering the airbag.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.