2019 Mercedes-Benz C300Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 70 owner complaints about the 2019 Mercedes-Benz C300, most often about the engine. It is covered by 17 safety recalls, and for recall 23V-854 the manufacturer reports only 41% of affected cars repaired.

2019 Mercedes-Benz C300

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 6, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2019 Mercedes-Benz C300 has problems

70 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine180
Electrical system131
Fuel/propulsion system81
Structure71
Service brakes62
Power train60
Seat belts50
Steering50
Fuel system, gasoline50
9 other systems162

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

17 recalls

2019 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.

41%repaired · 2025 Q4

Body: roof and pillars

Recall 23V-854 · Dec 15, 2023 · 2,976 vehicles · 1,209 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

91%repaired · 2026 Q2

Communication: auto crash notification

Recall 22V-365 · May 20, 2022 · 242,722 vehicles · 219,931 repaired

Risk. A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

89%repaired · 2024 Q2

Back over prevention: display function

Recall 22V-232 · Apr 8, 2022 · 126,443 vehicles · 112,211 repaired

Risk. An inoperable rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

83%repaired · 2024 Q1

Fuel injection system: fuel rail

Recall 21V-961 · Dec 13, 2021 · 139 vehicles · 116 repaired

Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 13 more recalls
93%repaired · 2023 Q4

Exterior lighting: headlights

Recall 21V-509 · Jul 2, 2021 · 1,467 vehicles · 1,365 repaired

Risk. Incorrectly adjusted headlights may reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

55%repaired · 2023 Q3

Body: roof and pillars

Recall 21V-197 · Mar 19, 2021 · 15,096 vehicles · 8,323 repaired

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

82%repaired · 2023 Q3

Communication

Recall 21V-072 · Feb 12, 2021 · 67 vehicles · 55 repaired

Risk. A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting emergency services through the call center in an emergency, potentially delaying…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

95%repaired · 2023 Q4

Communication: auto crash notification

Recall 21V-058 · Feb 5, 2021 · 1,292,258 vehicles · 1,231,020 repaired

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

90%repaired · 2022 Q4

Front: retractor

Recall 21V-032 · Jan 29, 2021 · 24,550 vehicles · 22,048 repaired

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

100%repaired · 2022 Q3

Latches/locks/linkages

Recall 20V-608 · Oct 2, 2020 · 7 vehicles · 7 repaired

Risk. In the event of a rear-end crash, the center console lid may open, increasing the risk of injury to occupants.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

63%repaired · 2022 Q2

Electrical system: software

Recall 20V-449 · Jul 31, 2020 · 56 vehicles · 35 repaired

Risk. Without the audible tone and blinking warning light to remind the front seat occupants that their seat belts are not buckled, they may forget to buckle their…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

93%repaired · 2021 Q1

Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery

Recall 19V-586 · Aug 9, 2019 · 26,584 vehicles · 24,761 repaired

Risk. Loss of power from the battery can impair post-crash functions, such as communicating with emergency services and activating hazard lights.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

96%repaired · 2020 Q4

Sensing system: radar

Recall 19V-540 · Jul 19, 2019 · 1,957 vehicles · 1,876 repaired

Risk. An impaired Active Brake Assist may not automatically apply partial or full braking as expected, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

98%repaired · 2020 Q2

Electrical system: software

Recall 18V-909 · Dec 19, 2018 · 675 vehicles · 661 repaired

Risk. Driving the vehicle with the ESP system deactivated could increase the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

92%repaired · 2022 Q2

Rack and pinion: rack

Recall 18V-850 · Nov 29, 2018 · 6,373 vehicles · 5,857 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

94%repaired · 2020 Q2

Seat belts

Recall 18V-839 · Nov 27, 2018 · 4,969 vehicles · 4,683 repaired

Risk. If the seat belt tensioning does not activate in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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

2019 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
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2019 Mercedes-Benz C300, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Front Roof Panel DetachmentPE21001 · closed Oct 14, 2021
    Led to recall 21V-197
In owners' words

What C300 owners report

Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

A 55,000 miles vehicle - escalated to a $10,000. repairs - Coolant Leakage and SOLENOID related issues - the mental duress and stress from a unreasonable cost and seriousness of repaire requireements as the car got just out of the warranty period.
Complaint 11776109 · Nov 6, 2026
The M264 2.0L engine suffered a catastrophic internal failure. While making a left turn at an intersection, the vehicle suddenly shut off and stalled, leaving the car stranded in active traffic and creating an immediate safety risk. Prior to the shutdown, the check engine light came on accompanied…
Complaint 11766013 · Sep 21, 2026
The vehicle experienced a severe safety issue involving a sudden loss of motive power in active traffic. 1. Initial Symptoms & Diagnosis: Recently, the Check Engine Light illuminated. Although the light turned off before my scheduled appointment, I still brought the vehicle to an authorized…
Complaint 11764481 · Sep 15, 2026

Own a 2019 C300?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.