Air Bags. Review the 162 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports5 fire reports14 injury reports

Engine complaints

46 reports

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Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2022

Engine

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The camshaft adjuster failed on my vehicle and created start up issues and had to be replaced at 123K miles. While not an immediate safety concern, the camshaft adjuster failure could lead to engine failure and is an inherent issue in this vehicle make and model. This is a flaw in the vehicle and Mercedes did not notify me of any recall or warranty terms.The repair code was confirmed and repaired by an authorized Mercedes dealer for $2800.There were no warning lamps however I experienced engine start up issues. I contacted Mercedes as was advised they would open a case to review potentially partial warranty coverage however did not receive any type of resolution.

NHTSA ODI #11458092

Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2021

Engine

MB have 51 000 miles at 1300 rpm acceleration getting rattling noise, just started two week.

NHTSA ODI #11440386

Mileage unknown · Nov 11, 2021

EngineFuel/propulsion System

over the last week I noticed a strong gas smell outside the car as I walk around in the back I check the gas cap and it seals normally and stronger than the smell that comes out of the gas cap

NHTSA ODI #11440097

Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2021

Engine

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I was told by the Mercedes Benz service center I take my car to that the timing chain and cam adjusters failed. I have a Mercedes Benz 2013 C250, with only 58,000 miles on it. I have my car serviced on time. I was driving my car on the highway, thank God I stopped at a local drugstore and when I tried to turn my car back on, only the lights will come on. It would not start up, and I had to have my car towed to the MB Hunt Valley service center where I get my car serviced. The Service Rep told me I had to have the timing chain, camadjusters, and lower guide rails replaced costing $6000. There is a extended warranty on the camadjusters which took the price down to 3600 which is still pricey. Which makes me wonder shouldn't the timing chaing also be under extended waranty. This type of event should only happen at least after the car reaches 100,000 miles. I have called Mercedes Benz customer service and awaiting for someone to call me back to see if they can assist. Awaiting a response as of 8/2/2021. I called after getting diagnoses which was 7/30/21. I have read numerous other reports of this same exact issue happening to other people. This is a extreme risk and safety matter that needs to be addressed by Mercedes Benz as a recall. Being newer model cars, the timing chain and camshaft adjusters should not fail, and most definitely not fail at 58,000 miles. Please look into this before someone gets hurt.

NHTSA ODI #11427465

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2021

Air BagsEngineFuel/propulsion System

I HAVE SEVERAL SAFTEY RECALLS AND PERFORMANCE RECALLS. RIGHT NOW MY CAR IS NOT OPERABLE DUE TO THESE RECALLS. THERE IS NO DEALER ON MY ISLAND. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW FROM HAWAII AND SHIPPED TO GUAM. THE DEALER IS REQUESTING US TO SHIP BACK THE VEHICLE TO FIX THESE RECALLS. WHICH WILL COST ME ABOUT 10,000.00 FOR…

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NHTSA ODI #11391106

69,000 miles · Nov 12, 2020

Engine

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HELLO, I BOUGHT MY CAR FROM LOCAL DEALER, USED WITH 69K MILES. DELIVERED IT WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. DEALER CLAIMED IT WAS LOW WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID. I TEST DRIVE IT AND TOOK CAR TO MY HOUSE. AFTER A MONTH, I WENT TO MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE STATION WHERE I FOUND OUT THE CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER IS OUT. COSTING ANOTHER $4900. I RESEARCH MORE ON THIS ISSUE; THIS IS A FLAW IN THE MERCEDES M271 ENGINE. AFTER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MILEAGE, THE CAMSHAFT AND TIMING CHAIN HAVE BEEN MALFUNCTIONING IN MOST MERCEDES C250 CARS. MERCEDES DID A RECALL ON IT YEARS AGO THE CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER SOLENOID IS VERY FAULTY AS IT HAPPENS TO MOST C250 VEHICLE OWNERS. THE CHECK ENGINE STAYS ON EVERY DAY, THERE ARE 1000S OF PEOPLE REPORTED THIS ISSUE WITH MERCEDES.

NHTSA ODI #11374350

57,900 miles · Sep 12, 2020

Engine

THE TIMING MECHANISM COMMONLY FAILS IN 2012-2013-2014 CARS AND THE ENGINE MAY STUTTER OR TOTALLY FAIL. THE LOCAL DEALER WANTS $7820 TO REPAIR THE CONDITION IN A CAR WHICH HAD LESS THAN 58000 MILES. THE WARRANTY IS OVER AT 50000 MILES. THE FAILURE IS COMMON AND THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET AND.MANY OF THE INDEPENDENT…

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NHTSA ODI #11354599

88,500 miles · Aug 31, 2020

Engine

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DOING AROUND 70 MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR LOST POWER AND START SHAKING ACTING LIKE IT DIDN'T WANT TO GO FORWARD, I WAS AFRAID THAT IT WAS GOING SHUT DOWN ON ME AND A LOT OF CARS WAS COMING BEHIND ME I WAS SO AFRAID I WAS GOING TO BE IN A BAD ACCIDENT, I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER AND COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT INCIDENT, BUT I WAS AFRAID THE CAR WAS GOING TO SHUT OFF ON ME AND NOT START BACK UP BUT I MANAGE TO MAKE IT HOME BECAUSE I WAS ONLY A FEW MILES AWAY. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK THE CAR TO BE DIAGNOSE BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I WENT TO THE AUTOMOBILE REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSE AND THE CODE CAME UP FOR CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS I HAD THEM REPLACED, THEN MY CAR STARTED HESITATING TO START AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THEN GO OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND I WOULD DRIVE IT FOR ABOUT 30 MINS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME BACK ON AGAIN STAY ON FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND GO BACK OFF AGAIN, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN AND I WAS INFORM THAT IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN BUT I DIDN'T BELIEVE IT, BECAUSE I HAD JUST REPLACED THE SENSORS AND THE SPARK PLUGS AND I DIDN'T HAVE THAT MANY MILES ON IT AND I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 3 1/2 YEARS, I STILL DIDN'T BELIEVE IT THEN MY CAR STARTED TO HESITATE ON STARTING UP AND LOOSING POWER WHEN I WAS DRIVING IT AGAIN, SO I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER AUTOMOBILE REPAIR SHOP THAT SPECIALIZE IN FIXING MERCEDES BENZ AND IT CAME BACK WITH THE SAME DIAGNOSE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS DUE TO TIMING CHAIN, TIMING CHAIN NEED REPLACING. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACE 2 CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS ON THIS CAR. I WAS TOLD IT WILL COST ME AROUND 5000.00 TO FIX IT. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD MY CAR MAINTENANCE SERVICE ON TIME, I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THIS CAR IS HAVING THIS TYPE OF PROBLEMS. I AM SO AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11352408

5 miles · Aug 27, 2020

Engine

ENGINE START NOCKING WHILE DRIVING AND THEN STOPPED ,TOOK IT TO MERCEDES DEALER , OVER 10000.00 TO FIX IT , CAM SHAFT ADJUSTER FAILED AND DAMAGED CYLINDER HEAD.

NHTSA ODI #11351558

89,000 miles · Aug 24, 2020

Engine

CAR LOST POWER, DIDN'T OVERHEAT. FOUND OUT THE TENSION AND TIMING AND HEADS NEED REPLACING AFTER 89,000 MILES

NHTSA ODI #11350990

Official recalls

21V638000 · Air Bags:frontal

Aug 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.

19V787000 · Communication

Nov 1, 2019

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

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

19V010000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

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.

18V043000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 10, 2018

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013 C250, C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C350, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG, C63 Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, E550 Cabrio, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E550 Coupe, GLK350 4Matic, GLK250 Bluetec 4Matic, GLK350, SLS Coupe, SLS AMG GT Coupe, and SLS Roadster vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of 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, MBUSA is recalling certain 2010 C300, C300 4Matic, C63 AMG, E350 Coupe, E550 Coupe, GLK350, and GLK350 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of 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." MBUSA is also recalling certain 2009 C300, C300 4Matic, C63 AMG, and C350 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." In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver 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. Mercedes issued an interim notification to owners on February 23, 2018. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

17V627000 · Air Bags:frontal

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.

17V252000 · Steering

Apr 12, 2017

Mercedes-Benz USA LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2014 C250, C300 4MATIC, GLK250 4MATIC BLUETEC and GLK350 vehicles, 2013 C250 Coupe, C350, C350 4MATIC Coupe, C350 Coupe and C63 AMG Coupe vehicles, and 2013-2015 GLK350 4MATIC vehicles. The steering coupling connecting bolt may have been insufficiently tightened, possibly resulting in a loss of steering.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A loss of steering can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering coupling connecting bolt, tightening it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

17V177000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE ; Electrical System:software

Mar 14, 2017

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 AMG GT-S, GLC300, CLA250 and GLE300d 4Matic vehicles, 2013 C250, E350 BlueTec and G63 AMG vehicles, 2008-2014 C300 vehicles, 2013-2014 C300 4Matic and ML350 4Matic vehicles, 2009 C350 vehicles, 2014 CLS550, E350 4Matic, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Wagon 4Matic, GLK350 and SL550 vehicles, 2012 CLS550 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2016 E350 vehicles, 2016-2017 GL450 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2014 ML350 4Matic BlueTec vehicles, 2015 S550, S550 4Matic and C300 4Matic Sedan vehicles, 2015-2016 C300 Sedan vehicles, and 2017 SL63 AMG vehicles. Various control units on these vehicles may have been updated with incorrect software, potentially affecting the correct deployment of the air bags in the event of a crash.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:software

Consequence: If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Consequence: If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module