Mercedes-Benz C300 Recalls

The Mercedes-Benz C300 has 30 recalls covering the 2010–2017 model years, with the most serious being an inadvertent driver airbag deployment on 2012–2017 vehicles that can fire without a crash, raising the risk of injury and causing the driver to lose control.

The 2015–2017 model years carry a dense cluster of safety-critical issues. On the steering side, 2015–2017 vehicles can lose power steering assist entirely when electrical contacts in the steering motor fail, making the car significantly harder to steer at low speeds. A separate rack-and-pinion defect on 2015–2017 rear-wheel-drive models can also cause a loss of steering. On the structural side, the adhesive bonding the front roof panel can deteriorate on 2015–2017 vehicles, allowing the panel to detach and become a road hazard; a related recall covers cases where a prior repair attempt on 2015–2017 models did not correctly re-bond that same panel. The 2015 model year has two fire-related recalls: a fuel delivery module that can work loose from the fuel tank and leak fuel, and a starting current limiter that can overheat and melt surrounding components. The 2016 model year adds a fuel injector leak that can ignite near hot engine or exhaust parts, a panoramic sunroof panel that can detach while driving, and a damaged electronic stability control unit that can unexpectedly alter the vehicle's path or disable the electronic parking brake. On 2016–2017 models, a software fault can shut down power steering assist without warning.

The 2017 model year has several occupant protection issues. Front seat seatbacks on 2017 coupe and cabriolet variants may not lock on the right side, allowing them to fold forward in a crash. The 2017 model also has front seatbelt pretensioners that may not fire correctly in a crash, leaving occupants less restrained. On 2017 cabriolet variants, the rear beltline trim can separate from the body while driving. The 2017 model year also has two separate eCall system recalls where the emergency call system may relay an incorrect location to responders, and a third eCall issue covering 2013–2017 vehicles where a software fault causes the system to report the wrong date, time, and location.

The Takata airbag inflator defect runs across much of the production span. On 2010–2014 models, the passenger-side airbag inflator can rupture in a crash and send metal fragments into the cabin. The 2010–2011 model years have the same rupture risk on the driver-side inflator. A follow-up recall covers 2012 vehicles where an incorrect replacement passenger airbag may have been installed during an earlier repair, leaving those occupants without adequate protection. A software-related recall on 2010–2016 models covers a fault that can prevent airbags from deploying as intended in a crash.

The 2013–2014 model years have a steering coupling bolt that may not have been tightened sufficiently, which can result in a complete loss of steering. A software fault affecting the airbag control system spans 2010–2016 models. Going back to the earliest years, 2010–2011 vehicles have both driver- and passenger-side Takata inflator rupture risks. The 2015 model year has a headlamp aim defect where the low-beam adjustment mechanism can misalign the beam, either reducing road illumin