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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2018–2026

Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 18 owner complaints for the Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC, covering model years 2018 to 2026. The 2018 model year drew the most complaints (12), and Structure is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 5 recall campaigns on file
  • 18 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 7 model years with data (2018–2026)
  • most complaints: 2018 (12 for that model year)
  • top component: Structure (4 complaints)
  • latest recall 26V481000 (reported Jul 24, 2026)
  • 0 complaints reporting a crash (0.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a fire (0.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting an injury (0.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC complaints by model year

5 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2018 model year has the most complaints: 12 of 18, or 66.7%. Next come 2024 (3) and 2021 (1). The fewest are for 2026, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2018–2026Column chart of 18 complaints across 9 model years. The highest is 2018 with 12. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2018: 12 complaints1220182019: 0 complaints20192020: 0 complaints20202021: 1 complaint120212022: 0 complaints20222023: 1 complaint120232024: 3 complaints320242025: 0 complaints20252026: 1 complaint12026
Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
2018120000
202110000
202310000
202430000
202610000
All model years180000

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Structure is the component named most often, in 4 complaints (22.2% of all 18), followed by Electrical System (3) and Engine (3).

Components named most often in Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Structure422.2%
Electrical System316.7%
Engine316.7%
Suspension316.7%
Unknown or Other316.7%
Air Bags211.1%
Exterior Lighting211.1%
Communication15.6%
Lane Departure15.6%
Power Train15.6%
Seat Belts15.6%
Service Brakes15.6%
Steering15.6%
Tires15.6%
Vehicle Speed Control15.6%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC recalls

5 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name C 300 4MATIC, newest first. The 5 campaigns cover model years 2018 to 2026. The 2018 model year appears in the most campaigns (3).

  • 5 recall campaigns
Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC recall campaigns covering each model year
DecadeYears ending in 0Years ending in 1Years ending in 2Years ending in 3Years ending in 4Years ending in 5Years ending in 6Years ending in 7Years ending in 8Years ending in 9
2018: 3 campaigns2019: no campaigns
2020: no campaigns2021: no campaigns2022: 1 campaign2023: 1 campaign2024: no campaigns2025: 1 campaign2026: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 26V481000

    Reported

    Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Lock

    Model years 2022–2023

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020-2021 CLA, 2019-2022 A-Class, 2022-2023 C-Class, 2024 CLE, 2020-2026 GLA/GLB, and 2023-2024 GLC vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific model information. The micro-switch in the driver's door lock may corrode and fail to detect an open door, preventing the electronic parking brake or "Auto-Park" feature from engaging automatically. This may result in a vehicle rollaway.

    Consequence:
    A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash or injury.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the driver's door lock, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 18, 2026. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning July 31, 2026.

    Filed by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

  2. NHTSA campaign 26V281000

    Reported

    Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel

    Model years 2025–2026

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2024-2026 AMG GT, C-Class, E-Class, SL, CLE, and GLC vehicles. The infotainment control unit may reset while the vehicle is in motion and cause the instrument panel display to go blank.

    Consequence:
    An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer and warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will update the infotainment control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 29, 2026. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2026050004. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 8, 2026.

    Filed by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

  3. NHTSA campaign 18V906000

    Reported

    Exterior Lighting › Headlights

    Model year 2018

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 Mercedes-Benz C300 and C300 4MATIC vehicles. The headlights on these vehicles may not be properly adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

    Consequence:
    If the low beam headlight is not properly adjusted, the driver may have reduced visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    MBUSA has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the setting of the headlights and adjust them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019020008.

    Filed by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

  4. NHTSA campaign 18V838000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification

    Model year 2018

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 C300 Cabriolet, C300 Coupe, C300 4Matic Cabriolet, C300, C300 4Matic Coupe, C300 4Matic, C43 AMG Cabriolet, C43 AMG Coupe, C63 S AMG Cabriolet, C350e Plug-In Hybrid, C63 AMG Cabriolet, C63 AMG Coupe, C63 S AMG Coupe, C63 AMG, C63 S AMG, 2018-2019 GLC300 4Matic Coupe, GLC300, GLC63 AMG Coupe, GLC300 4Matic, GLC350e Plug-In Hybrid, GLC43 AMG Coupe, GLC43 AMG, GLC63 S AMG Coupe, and GLC63 AMG vehicles equipped with Audio 20 head units and automatic child seat recognition. The status of the passenger side air bag may not display correctly.

    Consequence:
    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 of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the audio head unit software, free of charge. The recall began January 3, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018120009.

    Filed by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

  5. NHTSA campaign 18V608000

    Reported

    Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear

    Model year 2018

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 Mercedes-Benz C300, C300 4MATIC, C63 AMG, and C63S AMG vehicles. Incorrect bonding of the rear window may cause the window to loosen and detach from the vehicle.

    Consequence:
    If the window detaches from the vehicle, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will rework the rear window bonding, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 2, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

    Filed by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC have?

NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recall campaigns for the Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC, covering model years 2018 to 2026. The most recent, 26V481000, was reported on July 24, 2026 and is filed under “Latches/locks/linkages”. The 2018 model year is covered by the most campaigns (3).

Which Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC model year has the most complaints?

The 2018 model year, with 12 of the 18 complaints in NHTSA’s file (66.7%). The next are 2024 (3) and 2021 (1). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC complaint?

Structure is the component named most often: 4 complaints, or 22.2% of all 18. Electrical System (3) and Engine (3) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Mercedes-Benz dealer.

How many Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 18 complaints, 0 report a crash, 0 a fire, 0 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Mercedes-Benz models

8 models · most complaints first

The Mercedes-Benz models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Mercedes-Benz VIN decoder with every Mercedes-Benz model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Mercedes-Benz models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.