Mercedes-Benz C Class recalls and safety
6 recalls · crash ratings 2011-2021 · 193 owner complaints
6
recalls
6
recalls
The Mercedes-Benz C Class has 6 recalls covering 137,455 vehicles as reported; model year 2008 is covered by the most (2). The 2021 Mercedes-Benz C Class earned 5 of 5 stars overall in crash tests (best version). Owners filed 1 safety complaints in the 12 months to Sep 2026; electrical system is named most over all years.
Updated Oct 11, 2026 · recalls to Oct 6, 2026
Recalls
6
Most for 2008: 2
Units affected
137K
As reported
Overall stars
5 of 5
Model year 2021
Complaints, 12 mo
1
To Sep 2026
Do-not-drive
0
None
By model year
Which model years are covered by the most recalls, and which get the most complaints
Recalls by model year
How many recalls cover each model year. Hover a year for the count.
Crash test star ratings
25 rated versions, model years 2008 to 2021
Overall stars by model year
The best and lowest overall rating of the versions tested each year (5 is best).
| Year | Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4 DR · 4WD | 11.1% risk | |||
| 2021 | 4 DR · RWD | 11.1% risk | |||
| 2020 | 4 DR · 4WD | Not rated | Not rated | 11.0% risk | |
| 2020 | 4 DR · RWD | Not rated | Not rated | 11.0% risk | |
| 2019 | 4 DR · 4WD | Not rated | Not rated | 11.0% risk | |
| 2019 | 4 DR · RWD | Not rated | Not rated | 11.0% risk | |
| 2018 | 4 DR · 4WD | 11.0% risk | |||
| 2018 | 4 DR · RWD | 11.0% risk | |||
| 2017 | 4 DR · 4WD | 11.0% risk | |||
| 2017 | 4 DR · RWD | 11.0% risk | |||
| 2016 | 4 DR · 4WD | 11.0% risk | |||
| 2016 | 4 DR · RWD | 11.0% risk | |||
| 2015 | 4 DR · 4WD | 11.0% risk | |||
| 2015 | 4 DR · RWD | 11.0% risk | |||
| 2014 | 4 DR · AWD | 10.5% risk | |||
| 2014 | 4 DR · RWD | 10.5% risk |
The 16 newest of 25 rated versions. Download the CSV for all of them, with the safety features.
5 stars is the best. Ratings before model year 2011 used older tests.
Owner complaints
Safety complaints about the Mercedes-Benz C Class, by the month they were received
Complaints per month
1 in the 12 months to Sep 2026.
Components named most
- Electrical system94
- Engine and engine cooling27
- Power train15
- Tires13
- Exterior lighting12
- Air bags11
- Suspension11
- Complaints
- 193
- Crashes reported
- 9
- Fires reported
- 14
- People injured
- 12
Counts only, as reported by owners and not verified.
Parts recalled
Recalls of the Mercedes-Benz C Class by component
- Electrical system2 · 66K units
- Seat belts2 · 10K units
- Air bags1 · 61K units
- Engine and engine cooling1 · 149 units
Mercedes-Benz C Class recalls
Newest first
| Date | Recall | Hazard | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 7, 2008 | Mercedes Benz C, C Class, CL, CL Class and 15 more (2003-2009): Electrical systemNo. 08V303000 | Crash risk | 404 |
| Oct 3, 2007 | Mercedes Benz C-CLASS (2008): Seat beltsNo. 07V465000 | Crash risk | 5,823 |
| Dec 20, 2005 | Mercedes Benz C Class (2005-2006): Air bagsNo. 05V560000 | Crash risk | 61,000 |
| Dec 19, 2003 | Mercedes Benz C Class, CLK Class, E Class (2004): Seat beltsNo. 03V534000 | Crash risk | 4,348 |
| Dec 4, 2001 | Mercedes Benz C Class (1998-1999): Electrical systemNo. 01V366000 | Fire | 65,731 |
| Apr 4, 1996 | Mercedes Benz C Class, E Class, S Class, SL Class (1996): Engine and engine coolingNo. 96V058000 | Crash risk | 149 |
Related pages
Questions and answers
Is the 2009 Mercedes-Benz C Class recalled?
Yes: 1 recall covers the 2009 Mercedes-Benz C Class. Check the recall pages below for what is wrong and the free fix; a dealer can tell if a single vehicle still needs the repair.
How many recalls does the Mercedes-Benz C Class have?
6 recalls cover the Mercedes-Benz C Class, for 137,455 vehicles as reported. The most common problem is electrical system (2 recalls).
What is the safety rating of the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C Class?
5 of 5 stars overall (4 DR): frontal crash 4, side crash 5 and rollover 4 stars, with a 11.1% chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
What do owners complain about most on the Mercedes-Benz C Class?
Electrical system: named in 94 of the 193 safety complaints about the Mercedes-Benz C Class, then engine and engine cooling (27). One complaint can name several components.
A recall means the maker found a safety problem and offers a free fix; it does not mean every unit has the problem. Units affected are as reported by the company. Popular models sell more and so have more recalls and complaints. Official public data, updated daily. Models are written as published, so a few versions of one model can be listed under slightly different names.