2015 Mercedes-Benz C400 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Structure (3) · Structure:body (2) · Visibility/Wiper (1)
Safety recalls (8)
Structure:body:roof And Pillars 2023-12-15 · campaign 23V854000 · 2,976 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014-2020 C-Class, CLA, GLA, S-Class, GLC, and GLE vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair, allowing the front panel to detach from the vehicle.
Risk: A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 2, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on, March 22,2024, and August 2, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 21V-197.
Structure:body:roof And Pillars 2021-03-19 · campaign 21V197000 · 15,096 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2020 C300 Coupe, C43 Coupe AMG, C43 AMG, 2015-2020 C300, GLA250, 2016-2018 C350e, CLA45 Coupe AMG, 2015 C400, S65 AMG, 2015-2019 C63 AMG, 2016 C450, 2015-2016 GLA45 AMG, S600, 2016-2020 GLC300, 2017-2019 GLC43 AMG, GLE43 Coupe AMG, 2014-2019 CLA250 Coupe, 2014-2015 CLA45 AMG, 2018 GLC63 AMG, 2014-2017 S550, 2018-2020 S450, 2016-2019 GLE63 Coupe AMG, 2016 GLE450 Coupe, 2014-2020 S63 AMG, 2018-2019 S560, and 2019 GLC350e vehicles equipped wi
Risk: The adhesive bonding of the front panel might deteriorate, possibly causing the front panel to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mercedes-Benz dealer will remove the bonded panel and will install a new front panel by following the detailed repair instructions and using the approved primer, cleaner and adhesive, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021 and October 26, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Communication 2019-11-01 · campaign 19V787000 · 24,226 vehicles
Defect: 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
Risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:frontal 2017-10-06 · campaign 17V627000 · 495,290 vehicles
Defect: 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 Cou
Risk: If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
Fix: 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.
Steering:electric Power Assist System 2015-12-16 · campaign 15V845000 · 28,452 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015 C300 and C400 4matic sedans manufactured January 27, 2014, to December 1, 2014. Due to an error in the electric power steering control unit software, the affected vehicles may have a loss of electric power steering assist.
Risk: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the power steering software, free of charge. The recall began in January 15, 2016. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump 2015-03-10 · campaign 15V138000 · 3,039 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015 C300 4matic and C400 4matic vehicles manufactured April 7, 2014, to July 25, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may be improperly secured to the fuel tank. Secondly, electrical wires that connect to the fuel delivery module might have been pinched between the flange of the fuel delivery module and the tank.
Risk: If the locking plate is not properly secured to the fuel delivery module it may become loose, and leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire. If the electrical wires are pinched, the fuel pump may stop working, resulting in a stall, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles for improperly secured locking plates and pinched wires, correcting the vehicles as necessary, free of charge. The recal began on April 24, 2015. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2015030004.
Exterior Lighting:headlights 2015-02-11 · campaign 15V087000 · 9,137 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015 C300 and C400 vehicles manufactured from June 18, 2014, through September 5, 2014, that fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." The affected vehicles were assembled with horizontal adjustment mechanisms that allow the owner to change the horizontal adjustment used during the manufacturing process, instead of the proper seali
Risk: If the original horizontal adjustment is used to alter the low beam aim, the misaimed headlamp may not properly illuminated the road or cause increased glare to oncoming drivers, which increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the horizontal adjustment mechanisms on the headlamps with sealing caps on the affected vehicles. The recall began May 23, 2016. Owners may contact Mercedes at 1-800-367-6372.
Steering 2014-09-26 · campaign 14V598000 · 10,509 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015 C300 4Matic and C400 4Matic vehicles manufactured March 28, 2014, to September 18, 2014. If the steering coupling interlock mechanism is not locked in place, the sliding shaft, which is part of the steering column, could become disengaged from the steering coupling socket due to vibrations, steering thrust, or load feedback from the road surface.
Risk: If the sliding shaft becomes disengaged from the steering coupling socket, the driver may experience noises, steering backlash, and in a worst case, loss of steering control, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the steering coupling interlock mechanism to verify that it is in the locked position, free of charge. The recall began on October 1, 2014. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2014090008.
Service bulletins (116)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Service Brakes 2026-09-22 · LI42.10-P-078779 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60mph. note: although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. cause although the cause of the vibra
Structure:body 2026-09-14 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Steering 2026-08-28 · LI46.35-P-067339 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint during part of the steering movement, it feels heavier or more difficult to steer in the same spot every time. or rattling, humming, dry sliding/gravel noise from the electric steering system when steering (see attachment). complaint does not impact the ability to safely steer or control
Structure:body 2026-08-24 · LI72.20-P-075746 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint tailgate opens unintentionally. cause accidental or unnoticed activation of the button to open the tailgate on the vehicle key. example: when stored in trouser pocket, handbag etc. remedy as of the 6th generation, the vehicle key can be recoded so that the tailgate no longer opens as a res
Electrical System 2026-08-12 · LI54.65-P-080132 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint 1. general diagnostic tips 2. one or more park sensor activations 3. red ring around vehicle 4. "active parking and parking assist inoperative" on instrument cluster 5. cameras 6. other park topics. cause various root causes remedy see attached diagnostic guide.
Electrical System 2026-08-06 · LI82.85-P-079087 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint a popup is seen on the hu with the message "data connection temporarily not available". potentially affected functionalities in ntg4.5, ntg5 1.weather 2.local search 3.ip radio 4.send2car 5.speech detection service 6.navigation 7.iheartradio 8.traffic cams cause mb apps is sundowned for al
Showing the 6 most recent of 116 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-08-08 · Structure · 100,000 mi“the contact owns a 2015 mercedes benz c400. the contact stated that while vehicle was inside a high-pressure car wash, water leaked from the roof panel at the front of the vehicle, nearby the front windshield. the cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assi…”
2025-02-10 · Suspension“rear subframe cracked while driving and rear of car sways from one lane to the next when brakes are applied. car is not safe…”
2024-11-01 · Structure · 112,000 mi“the contact owns a 2015 mercedes-benz c400. the contact stated that while the vehicle was being serviced, the contact was informed by the dealer that the rear subframe needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 112,000.…”
2024-08-09 · Structure · 74,000 mi“the contact owns a 2015 mercedes-benz c400. the contact stated while driving 55-60 mph, the front roof panel separated and flew off. the contact drove back and was able to pick the front roof panel off the road. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the front roof panel needed to be replaced. additionally, the dealer inf…”
2024-06-23 · Unknown Or Other“my boyfriend and i were driving my 2015 mb c400 down the road in november 2020 and it was a beautiful day out so we decided we would open the sunroof to get some fresh air. i was driving so my boyfriend pressed the button for the sunroof to open. as the sunroof was opening, there was a cracking and popping sound coming from above us. we immediately…”
2024-02-07 · Structure:body“my car failed pa state inspection due to a hole and rusted rear subframe. i have determined that there is a recall associated with this issue but that my vehicle just missed the recall limit. the recall affected 2008-2015 models (c class with chassis 204). my vehicle is a 2015 c class with chassis 205. it is evident that my vehicle has the same …”
2021-09-04 · Structure:body“panoramic glaaa sunroof mounting bracket made of cheap thin plastic that it breaks easily allowing the panoramic glass roof to fly off the car if driven while open.…”
2017-09-05 · Engine · 9,700 mi“engine randomly stalls after sitting at red light/or while in traffic. all warning/dashboard lights come on and you can only start the car by putting it in park, then pushing start. the car has less than 10k miles. dealership can't find code or replicate the issue. internet searches indicate it is an issue and other makes and models have been rec…”
2016-01-13 · Vehicle Speed Control · 5,300 mi“while driving the vehicle on the highway at 70 mph, the cruise control shut off and the car began to slow down. i was able to maintain control and noticed 3 error messages including: esc inoperable, cruise control inoperable, and collision prevention plus inoperable. i was able to continue driving and when i went to accelerate from a stop light, …”
2015-10-06 · Visibility/Wiper · 146 mi“the panoramic sunroof in my car exploded at approximately 6.45am on monday, june 29th 2015. the car was purchased new from mercedes benz in paramus on saturday, june 27th, 2015. the car had 146 miles on the odometer. i was in nj and i was traveling west on i-78 (express lanes) at approximately 65mph. there were no other vehicles in close proximi…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.