2014 Mercedes-Benz C250: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
163 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
49,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2014 model year. Data snapshot: . 66 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 93 of 163 complaints (57.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 23 | 14.1% |
| Braking behavior | 11 | 6.7% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 3.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 3.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 1.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 0.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 93 |
| Engine | 22 |
| Steering | 18 |
| Unknown Or Other | 13 |
| Electrical System | 12 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 10 |
| Structure:Body | 10 |
| Service Brakes | 8 |
Air Bags: 93; Engine: 22; Steering: 18; Unknown Or Other: 13; Electrical System: 12; Fuel/Propulsion System: 10; Structure:Body: 10; Service Brakes: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 17 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 16 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 22 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 17; 25,000 to 49,999: 16; 50,000 to 74,999: 22; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (22). 97 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 |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2018 | 36 |
| 2019 | 34 |
| 2020 | 23 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 12 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2014: 3; 2015: 8; 2016: 3; 2017: 11; 2018: 36; 2019: 34; 2020: 23; 2021: 6; 2022: 12; 2023: 8; 2024: 10; 2025: 6; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 23 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 5 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10561362 · 2014-01-24 (January 24, 2014)
I WAS DRIVING FOUR DAYS AFTER I LEASED MY BRAND NEW C250 2014 MERCEDES, AND THE CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STREET. THE COP AND I COULDNT EVEN MOVE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET. I AM WORRIED THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. THUS I HAVE BEEN CALLING MERCEDES TO PLEASE REPLACE THE CAR WITH A SAFE ONE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 60 miles reported. Look up ODI 10561362 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10586131 · 2014-05-02 (May 2, 2014)
THIS PROBLEM FIRST STARTED 2 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE OF THIS BRAND NEW 2014 MERCEDES C CLASS. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON AND ALARM STARTS DINGING EVEN THOUGH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAS NEVER BEEN APPLIED. THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE IT STOP IS TO PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE RELEASE LEVER. THIS HAS OCCURRED DURING INITIAL START-UP AND WHILE DRIVING. THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEIR TECHNICIANS RESPONSE IS " THE C CLASS DOES THAT". AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER THE TECHNICIANS SAID…
Owner-reported narrative. 30 miles reported. Look up ODI 10586131 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10618354 · 2014-08-02 (August 2, 2014)
I PURCHASED THIS C250 IN DEC 2013, HAVE 3 SIMILAR OCCURRENCE WERE THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESPOND. ONCE COMING OUT OF A LIGHT, AND TWICE ON I-95 BOTH TIMES TRYING TO SWITCH LANES TO GET OUT OF ON COMING TRAFFIC, AND ON BOTH OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND TO THE GAS PEDAL. ONE OF THE INCIDENTS OCCURRED WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. WE WERE LUCKY WERE NOT KILLED BY THE SEMI TRACTOR TRAILERS. AM A RETIRE AIR FORCE FIREFIGHTER AND I HAVE SEEN SOME HORRIBLE STUFF ON THE HIGHWAYS, THANK GOD IT WAS NOT MEANT TO BE THOSE DAYS. I CONTACTED MERCEDES-…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10618354 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10671406 · 2015-01-09 (January 9, 2015)
DRIVING ON A FOUR-LANE STREET (TWO LANES ON EACH SIDE) WITH MY TWO KIDS. THE 2014 C250 HAD A MALFUNCTION WITH THE ELECTRIC STEERING: AUTOMATICALLY JERKING THE CAR TO THE RIGHT. I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND HIT THE CURB. IT FELT LIKE WE WENT AIRBORNE. I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT TO TRY TO STABILIZE THE CAR, QUICKLY REALIZING THERE WAS TRUCK TO THE LEFT I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL BACK TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID HITTING THE TRUCK. THIS CAUSED ME TO HIT THE CURB AGAIN. IT ALL HAPPENED SO FAST IT WAS HARD TO STABILIZE THE CAR. MERCEDE…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10671406 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10706262 · 2015-04-17 (April 17, 2015)
I WAS DRIVING ON I-10 EASTBOUND AT APPROXIMATELY MILE MARKER 180 TO 182, WHEN I MADE A LANE CHANGE TO LET A FASTER MOVING VEHICLE PASS ME. I WENT FROM THE LEFT TO RIGHT LANE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 70 OR 75 MPH, (SPEED LIMIT ON I-10 IS 75 MPH). UPON ENTERING THE RIGHT LANE I SAW A TRACTOR TRAILER BRAKE LIGHTS, AND I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE IN MY C 250, AND IT CAUSED THE CAR WHEELS TO LOCKED UP, WHICH ALSO CAUSED THE CAR TO SKID, AND SWERVE THE BACK END. THE C 250 DID SLOW DOWN SOME, BUT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AFTER THE C 250 IMPACTED THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 2,240 miles reported. Look up ODI 10706262 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10721554 · 2015-05-26 (May 26, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MERCEDES BENZ C250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND WAS TOWED BY THE DEALER, WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10721554 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10758700 · 2015-08-23 (August 23, 2015)
THIS IS IN REGARDS TO THE CONTINENTAL CONTI PRO CONTACT TIRES BEING DEFECTIVE. I HAVE 2 TIRES THAT WERE ON MY CPO 2014 MERCEDES BENZ THAT I PURCHASED A FEW MONTHS AGO THAT HAVE DEVELOPED BUBBLES IN THE SIDEWALL FROM NO IMPACT. I PUT LESS THAN 9,000 MILES BEFORE THE DEFECT SURFACED. MY DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THEY AREN'T WARRANTED OR DEFECTIVE? THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD AND A CAR THAT MY FAMILY DRIVES DAILY. I HAVE STARTED CONTACT DIRECTLY WITH CONTINENTAL.
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10758700 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10761483 · 2015-09-04 (September 4, 2015)
LEASED OUR MERCEDES AND SHORTLY AFTERWARDS WE STARTED EXPERIENCING HESITATION, LAGGING AND EVEN STALLING OF THE VEHICLE AS WE TRIED TO ACCELERATE. TWICE THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED AS WE PULLED INTO TRAFFIC, NARROWLY ESCAPING POSSIBLE INJURY AND DAMAGING SEVERAL CARS. HESITATION HAS OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING, (PRESSING ON ACCELERATOR AND THE ENGINE DOES NOT RESPOND BY EVIDENCE OF NO RPM INCREASE). AGAIN, THIS HAS OCCURED NUMEROUS TIMES. WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE BACK TO MERCEDES FOUR TIMES, FOR A TOTAL OF 39 DAYS!!!! AND STILL TO THIS DAY, THE VEHIC…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,797 miles reported. Look up ODI 10761483 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
17V252000 · Steering
Reported: 2017-04-12 (April 12, 2017)
Mercedes-Benz USA LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2014 C250, C300 4MATIC, GLK250 4MATIC BLUETEC and GLK350 vehicles, 2013 C250 Coupe, C350, C350 4MATIC Coupe, C350 Coupe and C63 AMG Coupe vehicles, and 2013-2015 GLK350 4MATIC vehicles. The steering coupling connecting bolt may have been insufficiently tightened, possibly resulting in a loss of steering.
Consequence: A loss of steering can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering coupling connecting bolt, tightening it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V627000 · Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 2017-10-06 (October 6, 2017)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling these vehicles: 2014-2018 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, CLA45 AMG 4Matic, 2015-2018 GLA250, GLA250 4Matic, GLA45 AMG 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C63S AMG, 2012-2014 C250, C350, C300 4Matic, E550 4Matic, 2013-2014 C63 AMG, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2013-2015 C350 4Matic Coupe, GLK250 4Matic BlueTec, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, 2016-2017 C350e, C43 AMG, 2015 C400 4Matic, 2016-2018 C63 AMG, GLC300, GLC300 4Matic, 2017-2018 C300 Coupe, C300 4Matic Coupe, C43 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, C63S AMG Coupe, C300 Cabriolet, C300 4Matic Cabriolet, C43 AMG Cabriolet, C63 AMG Cabriolet, C63S AMG Cabriolet, GLC300 4Matic Coupe, GLC43 AMG, GLC43 AMG Coupe, 2014 E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabriolet, E400 Hybrid, 2015-2017 E400 Coupe, E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabriolet, 2014-2017 E550 Coupe, E550 Cabriolet, B250e, 2014-2016 E250 BlueTec, E63 AMG 4Matic Wagon, 2012-2013 E350 BlueTec, 2012-2016 E350, E350 4Matic, 2015-2016 E400, E400 4Matic, 2012 E63 AMG, 2014-2015 E250 4Matic BlueTec, 2013-2016 E350 Wagon, 2017 GLC300d 4Matic, and 2018 GLC350e 4Matic. The driver's air bag may unexpectedly deploy due to insufficient grounding of the steering components if an electrostatic discharge occurs and the air bag clockspring is broken.
Consequence: If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will add sufficient grounding to the steering components, free of charge. The recall began in December 6, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V010000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2019-01-09 (January 9, 2019)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014 C250, C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2014-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, GLK 350, GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, 2015-2017 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2014-2017 E550 Cabrio, and 2014-2016 E550 Coupe vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally, MBUSA is recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2011 C300, 2011-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2011-2016 E550 Cabrio, E550 Coupe, 2011-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." MBUSA is also recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2010-2011 C300, 2010-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Coupe, 2011-2014 E350 Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2016-2017 E550 Cabrio, 2010-2016 E550 Coupe, 2010-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V787000 · Communication
Reported: 2019-11-01 (November 1, 2019)
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
Consequence: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V638000 · Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 2021-08-13 (August 13, 2021)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2016 E400 Coupe, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2011-2014 E350 Coupe, and 2012-2014 E350 Cabrio vehicles. An incorrect front passenger air bag may have been installed during a prior repair.
Consequence: An incorrect air bag may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag on the affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 10, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA campaign record ↗