2018 Mercedes-Benz C 300 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
98 owner complaints analyzed
18 distinct recall campaigns
50,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 21 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 34 of 98 complaints (34.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 11 | 11.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 9.2% |
| Braking behavior | 6 | 6.1% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 3.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 2.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 34 |
| Unknown Or Other | 20 |
| Steering | 11 |
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 9 |
| Structure:Body | 7 |
| Structure | 6 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
Engine: 34; Unknown Or Other: 20; Steering: 11; Electrical System: 10; Fuel/Propulsion System: 9; Structure:Body: 7; Structure: 6; Air Bags: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 77 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 16 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 13 |
| 2023 | 24 |
| 2024 | 22 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 4 |
2018: 4; 2019: 16; 2020: 1; 2021: 5; 2022: 13; 2023: 24; 2024: 22; 2025: 9; 2026: 4
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11169926 · 2019-01-14 (January 14, 2019)
I AM WRITING TO SHARE MY DISSATISFACTION WITH MERCEDES BENZ. I HAVE A 2018 C300 THAT WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW. THE STEERING WHEEL IS DETERIORATING AND I ADDRESSED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF ONTARIO,CA. I OPENED A CASE WITH CORPORATE AND SPOKE WITH CASE MANAGER JAMES WHO WAS NOT HELPFUL, AND REFUSED TO PUT IN A ESCALATION TO MANAGEMENT ABOUT MY SITUATION. HE ACTUALLY THOUGHT MY CALL WAS FUNNY AND LAUGHED AT ONE POINT. I WAS INSULTED BY MERCEDES BENZ WITH THE COMMENT YOU GUYS TOLD ME ABOUT MY WHEEL, AND HOW YOU WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THE STANDAR…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11169926 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11174248 · 2019-02-04 (February 4, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V850000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF LONG BEACH (2300 E SPRING ST, SIGNAL HILL, CA 90755, [phone removed]) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11174248 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11413611 · 2021-04-23 (April 23, 2021)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V058000 (COMMUNICATION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT MERCEDES-BENZ OF SAN FRANCISCO (LOCATED AT 500 8TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103, [phone removed]) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. ## VIN PASSED ## MERCEDES-BENZ …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11413611 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11475159 · 2022-07-21 (July 21, 2022)
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the SOS warning light was illuminated. Upon testing the SOS system, the contact stated that the system failed to operate as needed. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V365000 (Electrical System, Communication). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for service, however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer on multiple occasion for multiple repairs related to the failure. Recently, the contact was informed that the Hermes…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11475159 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11102627 · 2018-06-19 (June 19, 2018)
I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO MERCEDES BENZ FOR A REAR TAIL LIGHT RECALL. WHEN I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. NOTE: THIS WAS NOT HAPPENING PRIOR TO ME DROPPING THE CAR OFF TO THE DEALER. THE SERVICE MANAGER DROVE MY CAR BACK TO THE MECHANIC. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT, IRONICALLY, THE BRAKE LINE RUSTED (METAL LINE) OUT CAUSING THE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT. ALSO, PASSENGER FRONT SEAT SENSOR WENT. SEAT WILL NOT MOVE BACK OR FORWARD.
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11102627 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11163276 · 2018-12-24 (December 24, 2018)
FORWARD COLLISON SYSTEM ($1700 OPTION) AEB, DOES NOT WORK AS DESCRIBED IN MB LITERATURE OR WEBSITE. IN MY OPINION, THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM (AEB) IN MY 7 MO. OLD 2018 MERCEDES C300 SIMPLY DOES NOT WORK. I SPECIAL ORDERED THE CAR WITH THE 997 PKG THAT INCLUDES, DRIVER ASSISTANCE, BAS+, AND DISTRONIC THE MB MANUAL STATES: 'IF ACTIVE BRAKE ASSIST DETECTS THAT THERE IS A RISK OF COLLISION, YOU WILL BE WARNED VISUALLY AND ACOUSTICALLY. IF YOU DO NOT REACT AUTONOMOUS BRAKING CAN BE INITIATED IN CRITICAL SITUATIONS.' AND FURTHER THAT…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11163276 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11519686 · 2023-04-30 (April 30, 2023)
The code I received is p052e from the check engine light. This can cause the car to stall out mid way through driving and cause a potential fatal accident. This is a common issue across C300 And GLC benz.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11519686 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11548498 · 2023-10-05 (October 5, 2023)
Engine code: P052e - the widest spread engine issue on Mercedes which fails emissions testing. Crankcase ventilator issue which leads to stalling.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11548498 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11610269 · 2024-08-22 (August 22, 2024)
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz C300. While driving at various speeds, the contact could hear an abnormal sound from the transmission. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to a local dealer for diagnosis, but the failure could not be replicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 57,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11610269 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11744612 · 2026-06-16 (June 16, 2026)
Transmission failed, yes available for inspection Very bad safety issue Yes it has been confirmed by dealship Yes by the deanship Yes there was warning lamps that appeared in January 2026
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11744612 at NHTSA ↗