repaired · 2025 Q4
Body: roof and pillars
Risk. A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
2018 Mercedes-Benz C300Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 99 owner complaints about the 2018 Mercedes-Benz C300, most often about the engine. It is covered by 18 safety recalls, and for recall 23V-854 the manufacturer reports only 41% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 16, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2018 Mercedes-Benz C300 has problems
99 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
34Engine
14Structure2 crash/fire/injury
12Steering1 crash/fire/injury
10Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
9Fuel/propulsion system
4Air bags
4Forward collision avoidance
3Visibility
3Communication
1612 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 34 | 0 |
| Structure | 14 | 2 |
| Steering | 12 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 10 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 9 | 0 |
| Air bags | 4 | 1 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 4 | 2 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 |
| Communication | 3 | 0 |
| 12 other systems | 16 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
18 recalls
2018 Mercedes-Benz C300 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2026 Q2
Communication: auto crash notification
Risk. A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency…
repaired · 2023 Q4
Exterior lighting: headlights
Risk. Incorrectly adjusted headlights may reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2023 Q3
Body: roof and pillars
Risk. 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…
Show 14 more recalls
repaired · 2023 Q3
Communication
Risk. A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting emergency services through the call center in an emergency, potentially delaying…
repaired · 2023 Q4
Communication: auto crash notification
Risk. Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
repaired · 2022 Q4
Front: retractor
Risk. 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…
repaired · 2021 Q1
Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery
Risk. Loss of power from the battery can impair post-crash functions, such as communicating with emergency services and activating hazard lights.
repaired · 2020 Q4
Seats
Risk. If the seatback does not properly lock, in the event of a crash, the seatbacks may fold forward, increasing the risk of injury.
repaired · 2020 Q2
Exterior lighting: headlights
Risk. If the low beam headlight is not properly adjusted, the driver may have reduced visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2020 Q2
Steering
Risk. If the steering connection was not properly locked, the mechanical connection between the steering wheel and steering rack may come loose, reducing steering…
repaired · 2022 Q2
Rack and pinion: rack
Risk. A car that cannot be properly steered has an increased risk of a crash.
repaired · 2020 Q2
Sensor: occupant classification
Risk. If the passenger air bag is incorrectly displayed as 'ON' when it is not, a front seat passenger may be unaware that the air bag will not deploy in the event…
repaired · 2020 Q1
12v/24v/48v battery: cables
Risk. If the battery is shorted, the emergency door unlocking would be deactivated for an outside responder and the short circuit could increase the risk of a fire.
repaired · 2020 Q1
Visibility: glass, side/rear
Risk. If the window detaches from the vehicle, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2019 Q4
Structure: body
Risk. If the beltline trim were to separate from the vehicle while driving, it could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2019 Q3
Seats
Risk. If the seatback does not properly lock, in the event of a crash, the seatbacks may fold forward, increasing the risk of injury.
repaired · 2019 Q4
Air bags: frontal
Risk. If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mercedes-Benz.
Best & worst years
2018 vs. every other C300 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the C300 median. How we score
'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2018 Mercedes-Benz C300, and the recalls they led to.
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
- Front Roof Panel DetachmentLed to recall 21V-197
In owners' words
What C300 owners report
Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
Check engine light comes on, Error Code P052E, after a lot of research, this is a known defective part by Benz. Huge safety issue not addressed by them. Very costly to fix for a customer. There is a new and improved replacement part from Benz indicating they are aware of the faulty old parts that…
My vehicle only had 31,000 miles and I experienced engine failure. I bought a new engine for 16, 500. 00 dollars. Mercedes Benz did nothing. I almost got in to several accidents because the engine completely stop on the interstate. Almost got hit by several cars. This is unacceptable.
The engine light is on with only 35000 miles. Upon using an OBD2 scanner, error code P052e positive crankcase ventilation(PCV) malfunction was detected. It's a problem that I researched and noticed a lot of people having the same issue. I was told that this can cause the car to stall or shut down?…
Own a 2018 C300?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.