SEAT BELTS:FRONT
2024 Mercedes-Benz C 300
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 11 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2024 Mercedes-Benz C 300, most frequently naming the electrical, brakes and driver assistance categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 300 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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 2024 | 1 | 1 |
| May 2024 | 1 | 2 |
| Jun 2024 | 1 | 3 |
| Aug 2024 | 1 | 4 |
| May 2025 | 1 | 5 |
| Jul 2025 | 2 | 7 |
| Oct 2025 | 1 | 8 |
| Jan 2026 | 1 | 9 |
| Jul 2026 | 2 | 11 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Electrical425.0%
- Brakes318.8%
- Driver assistance318.8%
- Airbags212.5%
- Engine212.5%
- Interior & seats16.3%
- Powertrain (other)16.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
3 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
DRIVING A 2024 MERCEDES C300 ON THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE IN THE LEFT LANE AT 70 MPH THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN. WHILE THE VEHICLE SLOWED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC I WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO THE OUTSIDE LANE WHERE IT STOPPED. I CALLED MERCEDES EMERGENCY WHO SUGGESTED WAITING A WHILE AND TRY STARTING THE VEHICLE . AFTER A FEW MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALERS COMPUTER ACKNOWLEDGED THE STOPPAGE AND AFTER THREE WEEKS AND 500 MILES DRIVEN BY THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE AND PLANS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE COMPUTER. I AM [XXX] OLD AND AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR AND WANT TO END THE LEASE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- NHTSA ID
- 11751377
- Incident
- Jul 8, 2026
While I am driving my car it will make a loud crackling sound then my screens go black and warning sounds go off! This is not normal and I read there are recalls but when I entered my vin# nothing came up. Not to mention since I bought the car last February, I have had nothing but issues with my AC turning off which that I have taken to the dealership with video proof and told it was a software update which did not fix the issue. i am paying way too much money for a newer vehicle and having more issues than my 2015 Mercedes Cla 250.
- NHTSA ID
- 11749373
- Incident
- Jul 9, 2026
The car jerks so hard at times randomly that it feels like I got rear ended and it is completely unsafe. It also does small jerks at times. It's happened driving 70 mph down a highway, making a right turn accelerating slowly. Going slow down the street at 35, at a red light completely stopped or stop sign. There's no rhyme or reason to it. I've taken it to Mercedes five or six times now with the same issue and they have not been able to duplicate the problem. It's currently at Jacksonville Mercedes dealership where I bought it with the foreman. He is with my permission driving it back and forth to work because I said I do not want the car back until they can duplicate the problem and fix it or recall it or give me a new one or give me my money back. One of the instances that jerked so hard that it hurt my back. None of the sensors go off when it's plugged in while they're trying to locate a problem it only happens when it's being driven and again there's no rhyme or reason to when it happens. It does happen pretty regularly at least 10-12 times hard over the last year and the little ones happen more frequently at least 20 to 30 over the last year the last time being when I drove it on 1/5/26. Miles have been from 200 to 9100. It been happening for a year now. Mercedes Clearwater and Mercedes Jacksonville will have all of the files from the five or six times I've brought it in. I also attempted to get a lemon law request through Mercedes executive services in March or April which they denied because they couldn't duplicate the problem, but there was never a serious attempt to duplicate it by Mercedes until now that it's at the Jacksonville location where I purchased it from. The Foreman and GM there are taking it more seriously and the foreman again is driving it back and forth to work in hopes of duplicating the problem.
- NHTSA ID
- 11709707
- Incident
- Jan 5, 2026
On Friday [XXX] at approximately [XXX]. My wife and I were driving our 2024 C-Class 300 (~8,000 miles on this vehicle) on [XXX] and entering the intersection of [XXX]. Riverside, CA 92506 when all of sudden the car just died (the engine stopped running, pushing the gas pedal with no power) and all the dashboard lights came on flashing like crazy. This incident paced my wife and I in a very venerable bad not safe situation. If there was any traffic at in this intersection at that moment it would have been a bad situation. I called MB Walter's they could hear the sounds which were loud and they ask me to open and close the doors to see if sound would stop and wait 5 minutes and try to restart. Waited 5 minutes car started and we drove it to Walter's. The week before I had it back in the service department because the finger print function was not working any longer. They supposedly replaced the software package and then this major issue happen. The service department at Walter's has tried at least two times to download a new software package however this vehicle is not allowing it to accept it. They said engineers from the East coast were trying to help but nothing has been accomplished. It is becoming frustrating and allowing the overall safety concern has been increasing for my wife and I. What if this happens again and we are on the freeway or a street with traffic which both situations could cause a severe accident and harm. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- NHTSA ID
- 11692765
- Incident
- Oct 3, 2025
The vehicle appears to have experienced a braking system malfunction, possibly involving the brake-by-wire system, electronic stability control (ESC), or unintended acceleration event. When the brake pedal was fully depressed, the car suddenly and uncontrollably accelerated forward into a cinder block wall. After the incident, it was observed that only the left-side tires left skid marks, indicating an apparent brake imbalance or failure on the right side. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. My safety and the safety of others were severely compromised. My daughter and I were in the car during this and are extremely traumatized. Despite pressing the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated forward and crashed into a cinder block wall, which could have resulted in serious injury or death had a person, pedestrian, or oncoming vehicle been in front. This type of malfunction poses a critical risk of high-speed unintended collisions in public or residential areas. As of now, the problem has not yet been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or service center, but further inspection is pending. I am requesting a full diagnostic evaluation, including electronic and mechanical systems related to throttle and braking. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by Mercedes-Benz, police, or insurance representatives, but the car is in the possession of a Mercedes’ collision center. NO, there were no warning lamps, messages, or unusual symptoms on the dashboard prior to the event. The vehicle gave no indication of mechanical or electronic failure before the sudden acceleration occurred.
- NHTSA ID
- 11677330
- Incident
- Jul 30, 2025
The driver’s seat in my car moves backward on its own while I’m driving. I’ve taken the car to the dealership several times, but the issue still hasn’t been resolved. This is extremely dangerous and frightening. It has happened twice on the highway, Several times in the dealership’s garage, And most recently, while I was pulling out of a parking spot: Half of my car was still in the parking area and the other half was already in the street. The road had a curve, so other drivers couldn’t see me until they got very close, which could have caused a serious accident. This is a serious safety concern that needs immediate attention.
- NHTSA ID
- 11677176
- Incident
- Jul 26, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
- NHTSA ID
- 11659453
- Incident
- Sep 7, 2024
Issue: Post-Airbag Deployment PCM Lockout Description: I am reporting a critical safety concern regarding the 2024 Mercedes-Benz C300. After an airbag deployment, the vehicle's Powertrain Control Module (PCM) is designed to automatically lock, preventing the engine from being restarted. While this feature is intended to enhance safety, it poses significant risks in certain emergency situations. For instance, in scenarios such as a landslide, attempted robbery, or a collision with wildlife in a remote area with poor cell signal, this design could leave the driver stranded without the ability to restart the vehicle and drive to safety. The inability to restart the vehicle could result in life-threatening situations where immediate evacuation from the scene is necessary. Recommendation: To mitigate this risk, I strongly suggest implementing an emergency override function that allows the driver to restart the vehicle after airbag deployment if they are in a clear state of consciousness. This could be achieved by incorporating a method such as long-pressing the ignition button, which would allow the driver to force-start the vehicle and improve their chances of survival in critical situations.
- NHTSA ID
- 11610577
- Incident
- Aug 3, 2024
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
STEERING
Complaint During part of the steering movement, it feels heavier or more difficult to steer in the same spot every time. OR Rattling, humming, dry sliding/gravel noise from the electric steering system when steering (see attachment). Complaint does not impact the ability to safely steer or control the vehicle. Cause Ball screw drive (KGT) of electric steering damaged by: 1. External force due to: ‑ Hitting the curb/posts with the front wheels. ‑ Driving over obstacles (e.g. pothole/ threshold/ speed bump/ gully) at an inappropriate speed. 2. Corrosion/ water ingress through a damaged boot (see attachment). ‑ Cracks (1) ‑ High pressure cleaner (2) ‑ Animal bite (3) See various examples listed in the attachments for examples of outside influence. Remedy Remove boot clamps closest to steering gear housing on both left and right (as seen in "Steering Rack Boot Clamp Location"). Pull back boot and inspect for rust, broken end stops, water, or any other anomalies. Replace electric steering. Note: Steering gears replaced due to outside influence or damage must not be claimed under warranty!
POWER TRAIN
Complaint • Harsh 1‑2, 2‑3, and/or 3‑4 shift • Jerky shifting • Jolting when accelerating from stop Cause Insufficient software application causing elevated K81/K27/B05 fill time adaptations and elevated torque adaptations for concerning shift. Note: Shift quality in E Performance models can be affected if the HV Battery state of charge (SOC) reaches 25% or below. Remedy Check VGS software level, and follow relevant remedy instructions. (see attachment) AMG 43 models with VGS software levels up to 22A: As of 4/18/2025, an aftersales software improvement has been released. This software has been implemented in production as of model year 2024, however this LI should still be followed if the concern is present. 232 ‑ A0009025699 206 ‑ A0009025599 Please ensure your Xentry machine is up to date with the latest Add Ons and continue with the following steps: Note: ALL steps must be performed to rectify concern 1. Perform software update all control units included in VGS software update. 2. Check transmission oil level and correct, if necessary (transmission oil temperature > 60 °C) 3. Perform Xentry Valve Flushing procedure at least 3x 4. Perform resetting of deceleration values (VGS > Special Procedures > Special procedure > Resetting learned values Deceleration mode) 5. Perform a standstill adaptation, then read out new EEPROM data 6. Perform driving adaptation(s) while adhering to the below parameters for at least 20‑30 miles. Note: There is no menu in Xentry for this procedure. We recommend displaying the torque in the instrument cluster. If all below parameters are met at the time the shift, a driving adaptation will automatically occur. Harsh 1‑2 Perform a driving adaptation of 4‑5 (adapts K81 for the 1‑2 shift) Harsh 2‑3 Perform a driving adaptation of 6‑7 (adapts B05 for the 2‑3 shift) Harsh 3‑4 Perform a driving adaptation of 3‑4 (adapts K27 directly) ‑ See attached PDF for min/max torque, and RPM parameters ‑ Transmission oil temperature > 30°C (>86°F) ‑ Level track (no incline/decline) ‑ Slippery drive program ‑ Display the torque in the instrument cluster ‑ Constant engine torque ‑ Do not shift via paddle AMG 63 models with VGS software levels up to 22A: No aftersales software resolution is planned. Perform above steps and release the vehicle. If the vehicle returns and already had ALL steps in this LI performed on a previous visit, or has software level 23A and newer: Please submit a TIPS case to the Powertrain inbox and ensure the following is included: ‑ Initial Quick Test w/ Freeze Frame Data ‑ VGS Control Unit Log ‑ Initial EEPROM (before any adaptations or Xentry procedures were performed) ‑ Detailed vehicle history of the complaint
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY
Complaint Tailgate opens unintentionally. Cause Accidental or unnoticed activation of the button to open the tailgate on the vehicle key. EXAMPLE: when stored in trouser pocket, handbag etc. Remedy As of the 6th generation, the vehicle key can be recoded so that the tailgate no longer opens as a result of a long press on the button, but by double‑clicking on the button instead. This reduces the likelihood of the button being activated accidentally or unintentionally. The recoding can be carried out as follows: 1. Add SA Code O19 into VeDoc (O for Oscar, not "zero") • an XSS ticket may be necessary to add the SA code 2. Perform SCN coding of EIS N73 control unit 3. Deactivate the vehicle key (a successful deactivation is indicated by the LED lighting up 2x briefly and then 1x for a long period). 4. Place the vehicle key in the storage compartment on the key symbol and turn on the ignition. IMPORTANT: all other vehicle keys must be outside the recognition range of the vehicle when doing this! Perform steps 3 and 4 successively for all vehicle keys. Notes: 6th, 7th and 8th generation keys can be deactivated as follows: Up to modification year 22/1 by double clicking the "Lock button" As of modification year 22/1, by press and holding the “Lock button", then double‑click the “Unlock button" at the same time. On model series 167, the storage compartment with the key symbol is located in the armrest. The SCN coding from the EZS is only transferred correctly to the vehicle key under the following conditions: Only one vehicle key is located in the vehicle, this key has been deactivated and it is positioned on the marking in the storage compartment for the data transfer. The costs for this adaptation are to be borne by the customer. For the newer BR 174, 178, 244, 248, 520, and 540, a software update must be initiated, as there is no way to perform SCN coding.
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 Update head unit software to latest version and the re‑check function in the same location. If vehicle is still exhibiting one of the symptoms as described exactly as in the complaint section or as shown in the video attachments, open a TIPS case to the Body/Chassis/Entertainment inbox with the following: • Video of the concern. • Exact location (latitude and longitude is best)
ENGINE; SUSPENSION
Dear Mercedes-Benz USA Dealers, The part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed, and any existing stock must be returned to your facing PDC. The deadline for all dealer returns is no later than Thursday, September 3rd, 2026. After September 3rd, returns of these parts will no longer be accepted. These parts should be returned via ZSR Special Return, using item category SCM Authorized Part Return. Please include a copy of this NCU as your authorization to return these parts. This procedure will not affect your return allowance. All returned parts will be replaced in accordance with the chart provided below.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Dear Mercedes-Benz Owner: In our continuing efforts to ensure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA is extending the warranty coverage for the Diagnostic Module for Tank Leakage Detection ("DMTL") on your vehicle from the original New Vehicle Limited Warranty of 4 years / 50,000 miles to 15 years/150,000 miles (whichever occurs first). This applies to the vehicle regardless of ownership. Why the Warranty extension? On certain Model Year 2018 - 2024 A / C / CLA / CLS / E / G / GLA / GLB / GLC / GLE / GLS / GT / S / SL Mercedes-Benz vehicles, under certain circumstances, the DMTL may trigger erroneous Diagnostic Trouble Code ("DTC") entries that may result in the illumination of the Check Engine Malfunction Indicator Lamp ("MIL"). Any repairs under this warranty extension must be performed by an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership. • If your preferred authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership performs a diagnosis and confirms that your vehicle has the issue, the repair will be covered under this extended warranty and performed at no cost to you. • This extended warranty does not apply to any other components or conditions beyond the ones mentioned above, and standard warranty terms apply, including the exclusions with respect to extra expenses, as identified in the Service and Warranty Information booklet.
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.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 4 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2024Viewing | 11 | 3 | 0 | 59.2 |
| 2023 | 22 | 9 | 0 | 51.8 |
| 2022 | 25 | 9 | 0 | 54.0 |
| 2021 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 57.8 |
| 2020 | 33 | 9 | 1 | 70.6 |
| 2019 | 69 | 17 | 1 | 63.8 |
| 2018 | 99 | 18 | 2 | 59.5 |
| 2017 | 216 | 15 | 2 | 64.5 |
| 2016 | 286 | 13 | 2 | 62.4 |
| 2015 | 381 | 11 | 3 | 58.8 |
| 2014 | 94 | 5 | 1 | 55.1 |
| 2013 | 259 | 6 | 1 | 54.6 |
| 2012 | 266 | 6 | 1 | 55.1 |
| 2011 | 480 | 6 | 2 | 56.9 |
| 2010 | 453 | 6 | 2 | 56.7 |
| 2009 | 576 | 8 | 3 | 58.8 |
| 2008 | 672 | 7 | 3 | 58.2 |
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.