2018 Mercedes-Benz C 300
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz C 300 has 128 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.6x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (27% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2018 mercedes-benz c300. while operating the vehicle, the contact noticed a burnt crayon odor inside the vehicle. the odor made it difficult to breathe inside the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to mercedes-benz of goldens bridge (321 ny-22, goldens bridge, ny 10526), but the c.
128
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.6x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
ENGINE
35 complaints- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNT CRAYON ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR MADE IT DIFFICULT TO BREATHE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF GOLDENS BRIDGE (321 NY-22, GOLDENS BRIDGE, NY 10526), BUT THE C
- • WHEN AT A STOP THE ENGINE WILL NOT RESTART SOMETIMES. I HAVE TO START THE ENGINE MANUALLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME FOUR TIMES IN 5 MONTHS .
- • CYLINDER 1 SPARK PLUGS IS DAMAGED DUE TO PISTON DAMAGE, HOLE IN PISTON. IF EXTRA DAMAGE IS FOUND ON TEAR DOWN, COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. This is direct from the repair facilities reports. While driving my 2018 C-300 there was smoking out of tail pipe, a rough vibration, hard to control the vehic
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNT CRAYON ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR MADE IT DIFFICULT TO BREATHE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF GOLDENS BRIDGE (321 NY-22, GOLDENS BRIDGE, NY 10526), BUT THE C”
— NHTSA complaint filing
OTHER
24 complaints- • 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+,
- • THE SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED OUT OF NO WHERE. SOUNDED LIKE A SHOTGUN BLAST.
- • 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
“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+,”
— NHTSA complaint filing
BODY/STRUCTURE
12 complaints- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V456000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR AS THE RECALL N
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FENDER BECAME PARTIALLY DETACHED FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF FORT WASHINGTON (404 PENNSYLVANIA AVE, FORT WASHINGTON, PA 19034, (215) 646-7700) AND
- • DATE: APRIL 13, 2021. MODEL: C300 YEAR : 2018 MILAGE: 16,000. TIME: 2.30 P.M. WHETHER: SUNNY. ROAD CONDITION: SMOOTH PROBLEM: WHILE DRIVING ON 405 SOUTH AT SPEED OF APPROX 65 TO 70 MPH FOR NO APPARENT REASON , THE CAR UDDENLY , UNEXPECTEDLY, AND FORCEFULLY SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES ( 65 TO 0 MPH) IN
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V456000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR AS THE RECALL N”
— NHTSA complaint filing
STEERING
12 complaints- • 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
- • 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
- • TL* THE CONTACT LEASED A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V850000 (STEERING). MERCEDES-BENZ OF MARIN (540 FRANCISCO BLVD W, SAN RAFAEL, CA 94901, (415) 233-6509) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO
“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”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ELECTRICAL
10 complaints- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNT CRAYON ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR MADE IT DIFFICULT TO BREATHE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF GOLDENS BRIDGE (321 NY-22, GOLDENS BRIDGE, NY 10526), BUT THE C
- • 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
- • To Whom It May Concern, I bought this certified preowned Mercedes Benz, and the recall is open. I have taken the car to the dealership, they deny me from service because its an over the air recall. The Mercedes Benz website clearly states on their letter for consumer that the remedy for this recall
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNT CRAYON ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR MADE IT DIFFICULT TO BREATHE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF GOLDENS BRIDGE (321 NY-22, GOLDENS BRIDGE, NY 10526), BUT THE C”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 128 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNT CRAYON ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR MADE IT DIFFICULT TO BREATHE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF GOLDENS BRIDGE (321 NY-22, GOLDENS BRIDGE, NY 10526), BUT THE C
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: 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+,
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BODY/STRUCTURE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V456000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR AS THE RECALL N
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐STEERING: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Mercedes-Benz C 300 — Year Comparison
How does 2018 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 128
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 8
- Injury reports
- 2
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2018 Mercedes-Benz C 300