Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2024 Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC, most frequently naming the brakes, driver assistance and electrical categories. 85 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
When owners filed reports about this model year
Not enough dated records to plot a meaningful trend — 3 months of data.
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
No recalls in our database for this model year
That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
Dashboard reading incorrectly. Blackout screen while driving. Mileage incorrectly reading. Speed limit incorrectly reading while driving the Dashboard pick up the undercarriage camera. The electricity on the car keep popping up. I have been complaining over 1yr since I lease the vehicle they only offer to trade with me paying the expenses. Gas gage not reading correctly
Dealership: Mercedes-Benz of Santa Fe, 2586 Camino Entrada, Santa Fe, NM 87507 I am filing this complaint regarding multiple unresolved safety defects in my 2024 Mercedes-Benz C300 persisting across numerous repair visits since February 2026. Defect 1 – Recurring Strut Assembly: Following an AC sensor replacement on February 11, 2026, a loud rattling noise emerged from the dashboard/strut area. The vehicle was retained 22 days without resolution. The strut plate was repaired, but the noise recurred. Parts were ordered for the strut assembly, requiring me to drive the defective vehicle for approximately two additional weeks. As of June 8, 2026, the noise remains unresolved. A defective strut assembly affects handling, stability, and steering — creating serious risk at highway speeds. Defect 2 – Safety Systems Disabled: Following the strut plate repair, all driver assistance systems — including collision avoidance and lane keeping — were completely disabled. A warning message confirmed the systems were inoperable. A subsequent software update was required to restore them. Defect 3 – Check Engine Light; Dealer Advised Continued Operation: While driving with the unrepaired strut assembly, the check engine light illuminated. I have photographic evidence. Service Manager Simon explicitly advised me it was safe to continue driving. I contest this. I was not provided a loaner vehicle. Inaccurate Service Records: On June 5, 2026, service notes falsely stated the check engine light was not illuminated. I presented photographic evidence to service representative Robert Rodriguez, who verbally confirmed the photograph. The record was not corrected, potentially obscuring defect patterns from NHTSA review. I respectfully request NHTSA add this complaint to the public database, investigate whether this model has a safety-related defect pattern, and review the dealership's practice of advising consumers to operate vehicles with known structural defects.
I had to take a detour one night coming home, the detour led to a bridge that connects to a highway. Approaching the bridge my car started to jerk and pop up with all of these notification about “blind spot assistance” is down, “car engine failure, please check user manual”, “car malfunction” with a engine battery symbol. All the while the engine light was on. All these warning was popping up one after another, while I was trying to merge onto the bridge. Mind you there is no shoulder currently during the active merging or on the bridge, but I didn’t think of what would happen next. As I merge onto the bridge at 35mph the car shuts off completely on me. My car automatically sets itself into Neutral mode and I was rolling on the bridge at 35mph, no shoulder and no brakes or gas to move properly. I called the police but they won’t dispatch a officer unless I am in a accident or about to cause on, but they heard I am rolling at 35mph and they said from her words herself “I can’t send a officer over for your reason ma’am, are you a threat to others or about to crash? Can’t you just brake?” My car system never turned back on, I stepped my foot on the brakes all the way praying something will work as I existed the bridge onto a small shoulder. The emergency brakes came on as I keep swerving onto the grass. As everyone was going 65mph I don’t know why I wouldn’t impose as a threat if I have no control over my car from oncoming traffic. This is a very dangerous situation, and my service shop said we try to retest the issue/diagnostics but couldn’t replicate the situation and told me that my car is fine. But this isn’t the first time that happened and it also wasn’t the last. I don’t know what test they’re running but telling me it’s a simple system malfunction error every time is playing with my lifespan. Do not recommend.
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Complaint Audible "slurping" operating noise from the fuel tank Cause Conditions: • The fuel tank is around half full • The secondary chamber is almost empty. The suction jet pump suctions up small quantities of fuel and air. This results in vibrations and turbulence, which make noises. These noises may sound like slurping. The fuel pump and the drained secondary chamber amplify certain noises which can be loud or shrill. The viscosity of the fuel and the intensity of the fuel pump also impact the noises. • The fuel level is in the area of the saddle overflow in the primary chamber. The fuel mixed with air flows back into the secondary chamber. The noises may therefore be audible for longer • If the primary chamber is no longer in the area of the saddle overflow, the noises should disappear because the secondary chamber no longer receives fuel. • The area of the saddle overflow in the primary chamber is around +/- 2 liters of fuel volume (fuel gauge shows around half full). Remedy • Refill/drain approx. 5 liters of fuel; if the noise is reduced/is no longer present due to this, the circumstance specified above is present Further measures may cause a reduction in noises in the specified area: • In isolated cases, a fuel tank installed under stress may amplify the noises. The installation position of the fuel tank and the contact surfaces on the body-in-white should be checked here. To do so, release the fuel tank and refasten it, see WIS. • Replacement of component parts such as fuel tank/delivery module does not provide a remedy! If a similar noise is heard, but the tank volume is 3/4 or 1/4 and not 1/2 as described above, another circumstance is present
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Complaint After an "Over the Air" update (OTA), FM or SDARS radio reception is limited; only a few stations are found. Cause The firmware installation was incomplete. Remedy In the A26/17 control unit "MBUX multimedia system" (head unit), use XENTRY to carry out the special process "All Modules"; this will reinstall the firmware completely.
POWER TRAIN
Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. Note: Sound file in attachment Cause If the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar nut (by 1 turn), the problem is due to cracking of the microweld between the wheel bearing inner race and the joint housing of the side shaft. Note: The collar nut must always be replaced after being loosened. See also LI33.20-P-078406 Remedy Coat contact surface of side shaft with wheel bearing with Molykote paint. To do this, proceed as follows: 1. Remove side shafts 2. Clean contact surface A (see image file in attachment "Outer joint housing before") before coating with Molykote, using "spirit" (free of dust and grease) 3. Coat contact surface A (see image file in attachment "Outer joint housing after") with Molykote and leave to dry for "one hour" in removed condition 4. Reinstall side shafts Note: Before using the antifriction coating (Molykote), stir it or shake it thoroughly for (at least 1 minute).
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Complaint Traffic sign symbol for "Traffic Sign Assist" is blinking in instrument cluster without obvious cause usually with one of the following scenarios: • Flashing without a speed limit ("- -"). • Flashing when current vehicle speed is under speed limit. • Flashing between US speed limit symbol and European speed limit symbol. NOTE: • Verify that the concern falls under one of the attachment videos. If not, then it is outside of the scope of this LI. • This also does not cover "Traffic Sign Inoperative" messages on the instrument cluster. Cause There are two identified reasons for this concern: 1. Country code information stored incorrectly at a particular geographic latitude range. 2. Incorrect reference data when the vehicle is started and a GPS signal is not immediately available. Remedy Do not replace parts. Please open a TIPS case to the Body/Chassis/Entertainment inbox but read the below carefully: • The vehicle must be exhibiting the concern as shown in the attachment videos. • The vehicle DOES NOT need to be at the dealer, nor does it need to be brought into the dealership. • If the geographic location is known, it is very important that it is provided. • Provide any pictures or videos, if available. A new software for the head unit is scheduled for tentative release in Q3 2026.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Complaint Radio station cover art does not refresh when switching stations. The UI continues to show the old station’s artwork instead of updating to the new one. Cause When a new station change request is triggered, a temporary glitch is causing the Head Unit application to fail to overwrite the previous request. This glitch is causing the cover art mismatch in the Radio application. Remedy Please do not replace any parts. The E505.9 software is released and available in XENTRY Q3 2026.
SUSPENSION
Complaint Creaking noise, in irregular sequence when driving slowly in combination with slight steering movements and/or Creaking/crackling noises from the area of the wheel bearing on the front axle when cornering/ maneuvering. Sound file attached for comparison. MUST match noise for proper diagnosis. NOTE: Steering functionality is not affected. Cause Contact area between wheel bearing and steering knuckle. See also: LI35.30-P-058566 (Throttle Lift-Off Noise - Rear) LI33.30-P-056665 (Throttle Lift-Off Noise - Front) LI40.10-P-059248 (Wheel cracking noise when cornering) Remedy 1. Perform Operation A and evaluate by testing vehicle. 2. If noise is still present after re-testing: • If 192/232 chassis, verify FIN is in the listed range below in "Operation B" and perform. • If not 192/232 chassis or vehicle is a 192/232 not in the listed FIN range, additional verifications of where the noise is coming from are needed. Use multiple channel NVH method to narrow down location. Verify the LI's listed above were completed or if there are other similar noises associated with the chassis (Example: 192/232 also has under panel noises and an associated LI). Operation A: 1. Clean contact surfaces of wheel bearing and steering knuckle with brake cleaner as seen in the attached pictures. NOTE: The front area of the wheel bearing and the seals must not come into contact with the cleaner, otherwise, the sealing rings will be damaged. 2. Clean threads of wheel bearing mounting. 3. Thinly coat contact surfaces of wheel bearing, steering knuckle, and axle mating face with Molykote (annular joint grease). See the attached steering knuckle and wheel hub pictures for reference. NOTE: Axle mating face greasing is also covered in LI35.30-P-058566 and LI33.30-P-056665. Operation B (Only applies to 192 and 232 in listed FIN range): Only affects vehicles up to FIN end number: • Model series 192: xxx xxx xx 002 876 • Model series 232: xxx xxx xx 022 312 1. Replace steering knuckle. 2. Wheel bearings do not need to be replaced.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.