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U.S. public vehicle records

2014 Mercedes-Benz C300: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

94 owner complaints analyzed

5 distinct recall campaigns

27,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2014 model year. Data snapshot: . 21 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 52 of 94 complaints (55.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior1414.9%
Braking behavior99.6%
Electrical and battery issues66.4%
Fuel system concerns33.2%
Transmission and shifting22.1%
Engine operation11.1%

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.

Air Bags
52
Steering
13
Suspension
11
Electrical System
8
Unknown Or Other
8
Structure:Body
7
Vehicle Speed Control
3
Engine
2
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags52
Steering13
Suspension11
Electrical System8
Unknown Or Other8
Structure:Body7
Vehicle Speed Control3
Engine2

Air Bags: 52; Steering: 13; Suspension: 11; Electrical System: 8; Unknown Or Other: 8; Structure:Body: 7; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Engine: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
9
25,000 to 49,999
8
50,000 to 74,999
3
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
1
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0009
25,000 to 49,9998
50,000 to 74,9993
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above1

Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 73 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.

2014
3
2015
1
2016
2
2017
6
2018
14
2019
25
2020
11
2021
2
2022
9
2023
8
2024
9
2025
3
2026
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20143
20151
20162
20176
201814
201925
202011
20212
20229
20238
20249
20253
20261

2014: 3; 2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2017: 6; 2018: 14; 2019: 25; 2020: 11; 2021: 2; 2022: 9; 2023: 8; 2024: 9; 2025: 3; 2026: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10654025 · 2014-11-10 (November 10, 2014)

RE: CONTINENTAL PROCONTACT (FRONT) 225 45 R17 AND (REAR)245 40 17- ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2014 AT 306 MILES TIRE DISPLAYED BULGE NEXT TO "C" OF CONTINENTAL OF FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE CAR WAS SITTING FOR A WEEK NOT BEING DRIVEN WHEN THE BULGE APPEARED. I WAS NOT GOING TO DRIVE ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND CHANCE A BLOW OUT ACCIDENT. CAR WAS TOWED TO MB FREEHOLD WHERE THEY TOLD ME I WENT OVER A POTHOLE. I DIDN'T BELIEVE THAT TO BE THE CASE BUT I WAS AT THERE MERCY. TIRE WAS REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME; NOVEMBER 8,2014 THE …

Owner-reported narrative. 1,196 miles reported. Look up ODI 10654025 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10660706 · 2014-11-24 (November 24, 2014)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10660706 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10668400 · 2014-12-26 (December 26, 2014)

R/F TIRE BUBBLE IN SIDEWALL. AT 1959 MILES A BUBBLE APPEARED IN THE R/F TIRE. I DISCOVERED THE BUBBLE WHILE WASHING THE CAR . THIS APPEARED ABOUT TWO MONTH AFTER PURCHASE. AUGUST 19 20014 THE DEALER RELUNCTANTLY REPLACE THE TIRE. I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY BUBBLES SINCE THAT DATE. I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH THE CONTINENTAL TIRES. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 1,959 miles reported. Look up ODI 10668400 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10713334 · 2015-04-28 (April 28, 2015)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MERCEDES BENZ C300. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION AND THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TRAFFIC LIGHT POLE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED LACERATIONS TO THE HEAD, MUSCLE DAMAGE TO THE LEGS, AND A FRACTURE ON THE EYE SOCKET. THE CONTACT RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE…

Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10713334 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10838837 · 2016-02-28 (February 28, 2016)

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY AND THE TRUNK WAS OPENED WHEN THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE WINDOW WAS NOT STRUCK. THIS OCCURRED AFTER A 200 MILE HIGHWAY TRIP WITH NO ISSUES. OBVIOUSLY, IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY IT COULD HAVE BEEN A DIFFICULT SITUATION.

Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10838837 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10865334 · 2016-05-17 (May 17, 2016)

AT FIRST THE CAR WOULD HAVE A LIGHT TICKING OR KNOCKING NOISE AFTER A 15-20 MINUTE RUN ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH. LAST WEEK, FRIDAY EVENING, I STARTED SMELLING SMOKE SOMETHING LIKE PLASTIC, ENOUGH TO MAKE YOU SEARCH FOR THE SOURCE. IT SEEM AS THOUGHT THE SMOKEY SMELL IS COMING FROM THE INSIDE BUT AFTER OPENING THE DRIVERSIDE DOOR THE BURNING SMELL IS COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR. ON YESTERDAY, MONDAY, FOUR DAYS SINCE I FIRST SMELL OF SMOKE, WHICH IS CONSISTENT NOW AND LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC WHO SAID RUNNING OVER A PLASTIC BAG IS THE POSSIBLE …

Owner-reported narrative. 24 miles reported. Look up ODI 10865334 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10967181 · 2017-03-20 (March 20, 2017)

WHEN THE OUTSIDE AIR INTAKE IS COVERED WITH SNOW OR ICE IT WILL NOT ALLOW OUTSIDE AIR INTO THE HVAC SYSTEM. THIS CAUSES THE FRONT WINDOW DEFROSTER TO NOT BE ABLE TO BLOW AIR ON THE WINDSHIELD TO CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW ON BEHALF OF MERCEDES BENZ. IF HOT WATER IS POURED OVER THE OUTSIDE AIR INTAKE SCREEN THE BLOWER WILL OPERATE PROPERLY, BLOWING HOT AIR TO DEFROST THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. ONLY HAPPENS IF THE CAR IS OUTSIDE WITH SNOW OR ICE BUILDUP TO BLOCK AIRFLOW INTO THE HVAC SYSTEM. DEFROSTER WILL WORK PRO…

Owner-reported narrative. 15,962 miles reported. Look up ODI 10967181 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11040329 · 2017-10-27 (October 27, 2017)

I HAVE RECEIVED A NOTICE EARLIER THIS YEAR REGARDING MY AIRBAG RECALL AND STILL NO DEALER CAN TELL ME WHEN THE REPLACEMENT WILL BE IN. JUST YESTERDAY 10/26/2017 I RECEIVED A MAILER NOTICE THAT TK HOLDINGS HAS FILED FOR CHAPTER 11. HOW DO I GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED?

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11040329 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.

17V177000 · Electrical System:Software | Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-Inactive

Reported: 2017-03-14 (March 14, 2017)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 AMG GT-S, GLC300, CLA250 and GLE300d 4Matic vehicles, 2013 C250, E350 BlueTec and G63 AMG vehicles, 2008-2014 C300 vehicles, 2013-2014 C300 4Matic and ML350 4Matic vehicles, 2009 C350 vehicles, 2014 CLS550, E350 4Matic, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Wagon 4Matic, GLK350 and SL550 vehicles, 2012 CLS550 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2016 E350 vehicles, 2016-2017 GL450 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2014 ML350 4Matic BlueTec vehicles, 2015 S550, S550 4Matic and C300 4Matic Sedan vehicles, 2015-2016 C300 Sedan vehicles, and 2017 SL63 AMG vehicles. Various control units on these vehicles may have been updated with incorrect software, potentially affecting the correct deployment of the air bags in the event of a crash.

Consequence: If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
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 ↗