2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Typical pattern

8.8% of complaints about the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2017 vehicle — around the middle of the 203 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 6.1 yr in service. The most-reported system is engine (80 complaints), typically at 6.5 yr or about 36,000 miles.

Covers 2 variants: C300 (287), C350E (9)

Complaints: 297
Median age at failure: 6.1 yr
Median mileage: 29,000 n=82
Crash / fire / tow: 9.4% of reports
Safety recalls: 10

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System

0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y

Engine

80 reports · 36,000 mi

6.5 yr

2.5%

Other

35 reports · 6,000 mi

6.1 yr

17.1%

Electrical system

32 reports · 44,771 mi

4.2 yr

9.4%

Fuel / propulsion

32 reports · 47,000 mi

6.8 yr

Structure

24 reports · 40,000 mi

6.9 yr

8.3%

Seat belts

22 reports · 20,000 mi

4.8 yr

9.1%

Air bags

16 reports · 14,000 mi

1.8 yr

37.5%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

23V854000 2023-12-15

Structure:body:roof and pillars

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014-2020 C-Class, CLA, GLA, S-Class, GLC, and GLE vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair, allowing the front panel to detach from the vehicle.

A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

22V365000 2022-05-20

Electrical system:software

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, AMG GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, GLB-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system.

A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.

21V197000 2021-03-19

Structure:body:roof and pillars

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2020 C300 Coupe, C43 Coupe AMG, C43 AMG, 2015-2020 C300, GLA250, 2016-2018 C350e, CLA45 Coupe AMG, 2015 C400, S65 AMG, 2015-2019 C63 AMG, 2016 C450, 2015-2016 GLA45 AMG, S600, 2016-2020 GLC300, 2017-2019 GLC43 AMG, GLE43 Coupe AMG, 2014-2019 CLA250 Coupe, 2014-2015 CLA45 AMG, 2018 GLC63 AMG, 2014-2017 S550, 2018-2020 S450, 2016-2019 GLE63 Coupe AMG, 2016 GLE450 Coupe, 2014-2020 S63 AMG, 2018-2019 S560, and 2019 GLC350e vehicles equipped with a panoramic sunroof. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunro

The adhesive bonding of the front panel might deteriorate, possibly causing the front panel to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

21V072000 2021-02-12

Communication

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2019 C300, E300, 2018-2020 CLA250, 2020 CLS450, AMG E53, AMG GT53, GLE450, 2018 AMG E63, AMG GTA, 2017-2020 GLA250, GLC300, 2019 GLC350, AMG GLC43, 2017-2018 GLE350, 2019 AMG GLC 43, GLC350, GLE400, 2017 GLS450, S550, C300 Cabrio, and 2018-2019 S560 vehicles. On June 18, 2021, an additional 9 vehicles were added, including certain 2021 GLA250, GLC300, 2018 S450, E400, and 2017 CLA250 vehicles. The communication module might have been inadvertently deactivated during a service visit, which could have disabled the Emergency Call (eCa

A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting emergency services through the call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.

21V058000 2021-02-05

Electrical system:software

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash.

Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.

21V032000 2021-01-29

Seat belts:front:retractor

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2021 C300, 2017-2020 AMG C43, and AMG C63 vehicles. The front seat belts might not fully retract to their stowed position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

If the seat belt does not fully retract, the occupant may find the operation of the seat belt inconvenient and not wear it, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

19V787000 2019-11-01

Communication

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf

An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.

19V130000 2019-02-26

Seats

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Mercedes-Benz C300 Cabriolet, C300 Coupe, AMG C43 Coupe, C300 4MATIC Cabriolet, C300 4MATIC Coupe, AMG C43 Cabriolet, AMG C63 Cabriolet, AMG C63 Coupe, AMG C63 S Cabriolet and AMG C63 S Coupe vehicles and 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 Coupe, E400 Cabriolet, E400 4MATIC Cabriolet and E400 4MATIC Coupe vehicles. The seatbacks of the front seats may not properly lock on the right side of the seat.

If the seatback does not properly lock, in the event of a crash, the seatbacks may fold forward, increasing the risk of injury.

18V850000 2018-11-29

Steering:rack and pinion:rack

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Mercedes Benz C300, 2017-2019 C300 Cabrio, C300 Coupe, C63 Cabrio, 2015 C63S AMG, 2018-2019 C300, C350e, C63 AMG, C63S AMG Cabrio, 2018 C63 AMG Cabrio, C63 AMG Coupe, C63S AMG, C63S AMG Coupe, E300, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2019 CLS450, E450 Cabrio, and E450 Coupe rear-wheel drive vehicles. A locknut in the steering rack may break under high load, possibly causing the steering to become stuck in one position.

A car that cannot be properly steered has an increased risk of a crash.

18V456000 2018-07-10

Structure:body

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Mercedes C300 Cabriolet, C300 4Matic Cabriolet, C43 AMG Cabriolet, C63S AMG Cabriolet, and C63 AMG Cabriolet vehicles. Due to a bonding issue introduced in the production process, the rear beltline trim may separate from the vehicle.

If the beltline trim were to separate from the vehicle while driving, it could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

In owners’ own words

Other 5 mi 3 mo in service

SUNROOF EXPLOSION TOOK PLACE IN TRANSIT TO DELIVERY TO MY HOME IN CENTERVILLE, OHIO FROM HOUSTON, TEXAS. IT WAS STATIONARY INSIDE OF ENCLOSED TRANSIT VEHICLE.

Other mileage not reported 6 mo in service

"TAKATA RECALL" I HAD MY 2017 MERCEDES BENZ C300 FIR ONLY A FEW MONTHS AND I HAVE EXPERIENCE 4 ENCOUNTERS AS TO WHERE MY VEHICLE WOULDNT START BACK UP WHILE SITTING INSIDE OF MY VEHICLE FOR AT LEAST 2 TO 3 MINS ITS LIKE BEING LOCKED INSIDE OF MY OWN CAR EVERYTHING COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN THE ENGINE NOR PUSH START WOULDNT WORK MY CAR IS ALWAYS PARKED FOR SMALL PERIODS OF TIME WGEN THIS INCIDENT TOOK PLACE I TOOK IT OVER TO THE MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER AND I WAS TOLD MY CAR IS NEW AND IT DOES THAT TIME TO TIME

Other 6,000 mi 1.4 yr in service

MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED THE 2ND DAY I HAD THE VEHICLE. " SEPT 2017". I HAVE INFORMED THE MB MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES AND HE DID NOTHING AFTER MANY FAILED ATTEMPTS WITH MERCEDES OF EL CAJON I ASKED TO BE PLACED WITH A NEW SERVICE ADVISOR. RECIEVED MY NEW WINDSHIELD IN FEB 2018 ALREADY HAVING PROBLEMS. LITTLE CRACKS ARE STARTING TO FORM AGAIN. NOT HAPPY WITH MY PURCHASE. DEFINITLY NOT HAPPY WITH THIS DEALERSHIP.

Electrical system mileage not reported 6 mo in service

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V114000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Other C-Class model years

How to read this

This is what owners reported, not a reliability rating. People file with NHTSA about alarming failures, not routine ones, and complaint volume tracks how many cars were sold.
Failure ages come from the incident date on each complaint, populated on about 83% of records. Mileage is shown where reported — NHTSA’s 2021 system change cut mileage capture to roughly 15%, so it thins out sharply after MY2020.
Every rank compares this vehicle only against others of the same model year. A 2025 car has not had time to accumulate five-year failures, so comparing early-failure share across years is meaningless.
Fourteen make-months distorted by media storms and mass recalls — Toyota in February 2010 ran 11× normal volume across 33 models — are excluded.
Recalls are manufacturer actions and authoritative; complaints are not. A recall listed here may already have been performed on any individual car. Check a specific VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.