NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
61 reportsClear category filter51,000 miles · Apr 24, 2017
Engine
TIMING CHAIN ON THE VEHICLE STRETCHES OUT OVER TIME. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO NOT START PROPERLY AND CAN SNAP WHILE DRIVING AND STOP THE CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND DRIVING. THERE IS NO SERVICE RECOMMENDATION FOR THE TIMING CHAIN AND USUALLY STARTS GIVING TROUBLE AFTER THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. I HAVE NOT HAD MY…
Read full complaint
TIMING CHAIN ON THE VEHICLE STRETCHES OUT OVER TIME. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO NOT START PROPERLY AND CAN SNAP WHILE DRIVING AND STOP THE CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND DRIVING. THERE IS NO SERVICE RECOMMENDATION FOR THE TIMING CHAIN AND USUALLY STARTS GIVING TROUBLE AFTER THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. I HAVE NOT HAD MY CAR STOP IN TRAFFIC BUT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE MERCEDES BENZ FORUMS.
NHTSA ODI #10980072
57,000 miles · Apr 14, 2017
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTED A CHOKING AND KNOCKING SOUND IN THE ENGINE. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SHAFT TENSIONER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTED A CHOKING AND KNOCKING SOUND IN THE ENGINE. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SHAFT TENSIONER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR DID NOT ILLUMINATE THIS TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AGAIN WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SHAFT TENSIONER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THE CONTACT WAS PLACED ON HOLD FOR 1.5 HOURS AND THEN DISCONNECTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
NHTSA ODI #10978538
Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2017
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, A RATTLING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A CAM SHAFT ISSUE, AND THE TIMING CHAIN AND SPROCKETS NEEDED TO BE REPLACE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, A RATTLING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A CAM SHAFT ISSUE, AND THE TIMING CHAIN AND SPROCKETS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT THE VEHICLE YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10971635
94,572 miles · Mar 31, 2017
EngineFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, SMOKE SUDDENLY APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD AND FLAMES WERE PRESENT UNDER THE VEHICLE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, SMOKE SUDDENLY APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD AND FLAMES WERE PRESENT UNDER THE VEHICLE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,572. UPDATED 06/01/17*LJ UPDATED 09/18/2017*JS
NHTSA ODI #10969769
94,177 miles · Jan 19, 2017
EngineFuel System, GasolinePower Train
THE CEL CAME ON AND THE ENGINE WAS HAVING A ROUGH START . I TOOK IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND AFTER USING THE STAR DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM THE DIAGNOSES WAS CAMSHAFT ADJUSTERS IN FAILURE. THE REMEDY REPLACE THE CAMSHAFT ADJUSTERS. COST $3500.00. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10946355
55,000 miles · Sep 13, 2016
Engine
WHEN STARTING THE CAR THE VEHICLE MAKE LOUD RATTLING NOISE AND THE ENTIRE CAR SHAKES. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT IS THE CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER/ACTUATORS. WHICH NEED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE TIMING CHAIN. HE ALSO SAID IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AS THEY CAN FAIL AND CAR WILL STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A ROAD. THE CAR WH…
Read full complaint
WHEN STARTING THE CAR THE VEHICLE MAKE LOUD RATTLING NOISE AND THE ENTIRE CAR SHAKES. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT IS THE CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER/ACTUATORS. WHICH NEED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE TIMING CHAIN. HE ALSO SAID IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AS THEY CAN FAIL AND CAR WILL STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A ROAD. THE CAR WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE SOMETIMES DOESN'T WANT TO GO AND YOU CAN ACTUALLY FELL THE CAR JERK SEEMING AS THE CHAIN IS SKIPPING. IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. CAR HAS 67,000 MILES AND THIS STARTED HAPPENING AT 57K MILES.
NHTSA ODI #10906264
Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2016
Engine
DEALER SAID THE CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER WITH CHAIN TENSIONER NEEDS TO BE REPLACE AT 65,000 MILES. ALSO THE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACE TOO. THIS AFTER SPENDING OVER $773.06 HUNDRED DOLLARS ON ENGINE ANALYSIS. I DECLINE THE SERVICE BECAUSE IT WILL COST ME $5,324.98 TO GET THE JOB DONE. COULD THIS BE A SAFETY RECALL BECAUSE T…
Read full complaint
DEALER SAID THE CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER WITH CHAIN TENSIONER NEEDS TO BE REPLACE AT 65,000 MILES. ALSO THE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACE TOO. THIS AFTER SPENDING OVER $773.06 HUNDRED DOLLARS ON ENGINE ANALYSIS. I DECLINE THE SERVICE BECAUSE IT WILL COST ME $5,324.98 TO GET THE JOB DONE. COULD THIS BE A SAFETY RECALL BECAUSE THE DEALER SAID ONE OF THIS DAYS IT MIGHT JUST STOP ON THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. NOW I AM DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM I MENTION ABOVE.
NHTSA ODI #10903136
57,219 miles · Apr 4, 2016
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD CLANKING NOISE WHEN IT WAS STARTED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EXHAUST CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. T…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD CLANKING NOISE WHEN IT WAS STARTED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EXHAUST CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,219.
NHTSA ODI #10853394
Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2015
EngineUnknown Or Other
WHILE DRIVING ON I-5 NORTH COMING FROM LA JOLLA, MY VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING, AND SUDDENLY STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY FREEWAY. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, THEN RESTARTED AFTER FIVE SECOND. AFTER RESTARTING MY VEHICLE IT STARTED RUNNING AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES ALREADY, AND HAVE BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE C…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING ON I-5 NORTH COMING FROM LA JOLLA, MY VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING, AND SUDDENLY STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY FREEWAY. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, THEN RESTARTED AFTER FIVE SECOND. AFTER RESTARTING MY VEHICLE IT STARTED RUNNING AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES ALREADY, AND HAVE BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE CENTER (ON EACH OCCASION). SERVICE REPORT INDICATE TRANSMISSION ERROR. AT TIMES, THE "SLIPPERY ROAD" SIGN ON MY DASHBOARD WOULD BLINK EVEN THOUGH THE WEATHER IS HOT OR HAS NOT RAIN FOR AGES.
NHTSA ODI #10761682
47,000 miles · Jul 7, 2015
Engine
REF: NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10676804 SUMMARY: CAMSHAFT INTAKE ADJUSTER REPLACED THERMOSTAT SEALS REPLACED CHAIN TENSIONER REPLACED MY 2012 MB C250, WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY BY YEAR AND MILEAGE, WAS DECLINED TO BE SERVICE BY MERCEDES BENZ OF CUTLER BAY, FLORIDA. THERE REASONING IS THAT I DID NOT USE A MB OIL FILTER; THEY HAVE …
Read full complaint
REF: NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10676804 SUMMARY: CAMSHAFT INTAKE ADJUSTER REPLACED THERMOSTAT SEALS REPLACED CHAIN TENSIONER REPLACED MY 2012 MB C250, WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY BY YEAR AND MILEAGE, WAS DECLINED TO BE SERVICE BY MERCEDES BENZ OF CUTLER BAY, FLORIDA. THERE REASONING IS THAT I DID NOT USE A MB OIL FILTER; THEY HAVE CANCELLED MY WARRANTY. EVEN THOUGH I HAVE DONE ALL THE PROPER OIL CHANGES SOONER THAT THE MB RECOMMENDATIONS.
NHTSA ODI #10732552
Official recalls
5Aug 13, 2021
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2016 E400 Coupe, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2011-2014 E350 Coupe, and 2012-2014 E350 Cabrio vehicles. An incorrect front passenger air bag may have been installed during a prior repair.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An incorrect air bag may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag on the affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 10, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
May 22, 2020
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012 C250, C250 Coupe, C300, C350, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG, and C63 AMG Coupe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall. An incorrect replacement front passenger air bag may have been installed.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An incorrect passenger air bag may not provide adequate protection, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020060011.
Jan 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 & remedy
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.
Oct 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 & remedy
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.
Jan 10, 2017
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012 C300 4Matic, C250, C250 Coupe, C350, C350 Coupe 4Matic, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, E550 Cabrio, E550 Coupe, GLK350 4Matic, GLK350, SLS AMG Cabrio, and SLS AMG Coupe vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above MBUSA is recalling certain 2009 C300 4Matic, C300, C350 and C63 AMG vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above MBUSA is recalling certain 2008 C300 4Matic, C300, and C350 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag modules, free of charge. Owners were sent an interim notification in March 2017. Second notices started going out in October 2018 and continue to be mailed as parts become available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
Illustration