AutoDefect IQ

2026 Mercedes-Benz C 300 problems, complaints & recalls

Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (1) · Structure (1)

🧭 Reliability snapshot

97 /100
✓ Typical or better for this model

Compared against other Mercedes-Benz C 300 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →

2
Complaints
1
Recalls
87
Service bulletins
0
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Deaths

Safety recalls (1)

Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel 2026-05-01 · campaign 26V281000 · 144,049 vehicles

Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2024-2026 AMG GT, C-Class, E-Class, SL, CLE, and GLC vehicles. The infotainment control unit may reset while the vehicle is in motion and cause the instrument panel display to go blank.

Risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer and warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will update the infotainment control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 29, 2026. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2026050004. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 8, 2026.

Service bulletins (87)

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.

Steering 2026-09-26 · LI46.10-P-080896 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

complaint slight creaking noises when steering. cause noises may come from one or more sleeves of the horn contact plate. remedy remove the horn contact plate and check the sleeves for noise; see attached video. if necessary, apply lubricant to the sleeves.

Visibility/Wiper 2026-09-25 · LI83.90-P-080935 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

complaint cel illuminates and/or ac does not blow cold. cause potentially relevance to hardware and/or software remedy scenario 1: 1. if the ac does not blow cold air, replace compressor (if compressor's index and part number figure 1 match against table 1). a. if the compressor does not fall within

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

Visibility/Wiper 2026-09-18 · PSL-NCU Return Parts 9/18 · Other

dear dealer partners, the part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed and any existing stock must be returned to your facing pdc. the deadline for all dealer returns is thursday, october 8th, 2026. after october 8th, we will no longer accept returns of these parts. these par

Electrical System 2026-09-17 · LI54.30-P-080963 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

complaint issue after ota update ic odometer reading blank("_ _ _ _") ic maintanence data unavailable cause ota update e61.0 remedy in the ic control unit log, please check the following information: verify whether dtcs b228229, b228287, and b226656 are present in either a or a+s. verify that status

Electrical System 2026-09-15 · LI82.60-P-080383 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

complaint radio station cover art does not refresh when switching stations. the ui continues to show the old station’s artwork instead of updating to the new one. cause when a new station change request is triggered, a temporary glitch is causing the head unit application to fail to overwrite the pr

Showing the 6 most recent of 87 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.

What owners report

2026-09-21 · Structure · 1,729 mi

“the contact owns a 2026 mercedes-benz c300. the contact stated that there was white powder discovered inside the vehicle. the contact initially thought that it was mold. the contact stated that the heating system had caused the issue. the air bag dust was on the headliner and the driver's side a-pillar. the vehicle was taken to the local dealer, wh…”

2026-05-22 · Vehicle Speed Control

“when driving 75mph in order to change my favorite radio station, i must go to the center tablet, scroll until i find the station desired and then must tap it in the center or it does not change. on my 2025 mb c model you could change the channels on the steering column. i asked mb to research this issue and i was told a third party wrote the 2026 …”

Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.

Other Mercedes-Benz C 300 years