Air Bags. Review the 93 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 18 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 reports4 fire reports9 injury reports

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

10 reports

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Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2024

EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

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I was driving on the highway my car sort of hesitated for a brief second then continued on as if nothing about one mile later my car began to slow down while I was in traffic so asap I pulled over at this point I could only go about 40 miles per hour which was very terrifying at that time it came a complete stop. After restarting the car 3-4 times it stayed running I continue home which was about 12 miles from my current location. For the next few days I did not go any where. I then had an appointment to have the 80,000 mile maintenance I mentioned the problem I was then told I need a throttle body replacement costing more than $2000 that I can not afford. At that time I started researching my own problem. My relative who works on 18 wheel truck for a living, . that perhaps it just may need cleaning rather than replacement . Also per my research this happens quite often with this model it also stated that Mercedes C250 was the worst Mercedes of that year many many owners have had this problem. The yellow ESP light come on saying it is off also my hold brake no longer works. It work at my prior dealer appointment it while going to appointment afterwards it did not work since over 9 years seldom used I wasn't concerned thus that is the message that appears when car fails Mercedes wants me to pay I believe $2000 problem not needed

NHTSA ODI #11601521

Mileage unknown · Jul 5, 2024

Fuel/propulsion System

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I bought my 2014 C250 back in 2017 with 17K miles and currently has 58,570 miles. The issue is with fast acceleration from a stop or slow moving. When trying to accelerate to merge with traffic after a few seconds the vehicle goes into limp mode and the check engine light comes on. In limp mode I am only able to accelerate very slowly and this is a major concern for my safety. This has been and ongoing issue over the past few years and I have learned to reset it temporarily (around 10 times) with a YouTube fix. I recently found out that there was a recall for the high pressure fuels pump on some C250 models but mine was never included. I also found out that the recall time limit has expired. Please investigate and expand the recall along with the time limit so my vehicle will be included.

NHTSA ODI #11599273

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2021

EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

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I was trying to merge onto a freeway from a complete stop and because this freeway has an extremely short on-ramp, you need to get up to a high speed in very little time. As such, I put my car in Sport driving mode and accelerated very hard from a complete stop. The car accelerated as normal for a few seconds (I reached approximately 40 to 50 MPH), then I felt the car lag and felt a loss of power. The car was in limp mode and I couldn’t accelerate even though I was pressing the gas pedal all the way to the floor. A few seconds after this occurred, I notice that the check engine light turned on. I was able to maintain a speed around 50 MPH and got off the freeway. I took my car to both the Mercedes dealership and an independent mechanic and both diagnosed a failure of the high pressure fuel pump. I also tried to see if this will happen again and after hard acceleration in regular driving mode, the exact same issues occurred. I have read that there are issues with the high pressure fuel pump with my car model and I ask that you guys please investigate thoroughly to see if a recall would be necessary. Losing power while accelerating is extremely dangerous and a huge safety hazard for all drivers on the road. I could have easily been rear ended by another driver since I couldn’t accelerate to a faster speed. I have not yet replaced the high pressure fuel pump but plan to do so in the next few days. Attached is the diagnostic invoice from the Mercedes dealership. As stated on the invoice, please note that my car only has 43,000 miles, which makes the high pressure fuel pump failure very surprising.

NHTSA ODI #11433064

72,000 miles · Mar 15, 2021

Fuel/propulsion System

MY VEHICLE LOSSES POWER AND CAR MOVED INTO (LIMP MODE) DURING THE ACCELERATION PROCESS FOR PASSING, MERGING ONTO FREEWAY, COMING OUT OF A CORNER AND ACCELERATING. UPON DEALER DIAGNOSIS P0002 COMES UP AS HPFP AS THE CAUSE, AND I WAS NOTIFIED AS THIS BEING A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE 1.8L MOTOR IN MY VEHICLE. ALONG WITH TIMING CHAIN…

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NHTSA ODI #11403079

95,000 miles · Sep 23, 2020

EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

CABIN FILLS UP WITH FUEL SMELL, VISIBLE LEAK UNDER FUEL TANK AND BY THE FRONT LEFT TIRE. LEAK AND SMELL OCCURS BOTH IN MOTION AND STATIONARY/IDLE.

NHTSA ODI #11360709

Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2019

Fuel/propulsion SystemStructure

2014 MERCEDES C 250 1) SMELLS OF STRONG FUEL FUMES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE 2) STALLS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PASS VEHICLES OR ACCELERATE SOMETIMES 3) RED PAINTING HAS CLEAR COAT FINISH PEELING 4) CAR SMELLS LIKE SPOILED MILK / MILDEW DURING SUMMER MONTHS WHEN AIR CONDITIONER IS STARTING

NHTSA ODI #11170884

50,187 miles · May 10, 2018

Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion SystemFire

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ C250W. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE ON ITS OWN AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF PALM BEACH (4000 OKEECHOBEE BLVD, WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33409, 561-689-6363) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. WHILE DRIVING BACK HOME AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE DRIVER HEARD A HISSING SOUND AND DARK SMOKE GUSHED FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. FLAMES APPROXIMATELY SEVEN FEET HIGH POURED OUT FROM THE HOOD AND ENGULFED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CAUSED BY THE PREVIOUS REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED AN INVESTIGATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,187.

NHTSA ODI #11092850

28,400 miles · Apr 2, 2017

Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

I HAD BEEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, GOT OFF ONTO A SIDE ROAD AND WHEN APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT WHILE BRAKING: MY CAR COMPLETELY DIED (WHILE IN DRIVE). THE MOTOR SHUT OFF, THE ELECTRICAL DASH SYSTEM LIGHTS ALL WENT OFF AND THE HAZARD TRIANGLE SYSTEM CAME ON (WITH THE SYMBOL OF AN EXCLAMATION MARK(!) INSIDE THE TRIANGLE). AFTER A…

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NHTSA ODI #10969983

Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2015

Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

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I LEASED MY VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER OF 2013. THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN TO AND FROM WORK AND IN THE BEGINNING I NEVER HAD A PROBLEM. A FEW MONTHS AGO I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHILE WOULD VIOLENTLY SHAKE WHE TRYING TO ACCELERATE. I MANGED TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE FOR ABOUT ANOTHER 30 MINUTES AND MADE IT TO THE DEALER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF BUT ONCE THEY RESTARTED IT THE CAR RAN FINE. SINCE THEN THEN CAR WILL RANDOMLY LOOSE POWER ALL OF A SUDDEN IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 3 OR 4 TIMES AND THEY KEEP IT FOR A WEEK AND THEN GIVE IT BACK AND SAY THAT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO RECREATE THE ISSUE. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT ONCE SO FAR AND WHEN I LET MY BROTHER USE THE CAR HE WAS ALMOST HIT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN BECAUSE OF THE RANDOM POWER LOSS. I HAVE CONTACTED MBUSA AND SPOKE WITH SOMEONE NAMED JUAN. I CONTINUED TO CALL HIM ANS TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER EVERYTIME IT HAPPENED EXPRESSING MY CONCERNS ABIUT THE CAR AS WELL AS SAFETY. JUAN INTIALLLY ACTED AS IF HE CARED BUT THAT WAS SHOR LIVED AS HE FINALLY CALLED BACK ON 10/2/15 AND EXPLAINED THAT HIS MANAGERS AND MBUSA WERE UNABLE TO CREATE THE ISSUE AT THE DEALER LEVEL SO THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO AT THIS POINT... AT THAT POINT I REALIZED THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT MBUSA WILL DO FOR ME AND THAT I WILL CONTINUE TO FORCED TO DRIVE AND PAY FOR A VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10779447

2,797 miles · Sep 4, 2015

EngineFuel/propulsion System

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LEASED OUR MERCEDES AND SHORTLY AFTERWARDS WE STARTED EXPERIENCING HESITATION, LAGGING AND EVEN STALLING OF THE VEHICLE AS WE TRIED TO ACCELERATE. TWICE THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED AS WE PULLED INTO TRAFFIC, NARROWLY ESCAPING POSSIBLE INJURY AND DAMAGING SEVERAL CARS. HESITATION HAS OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING, (PRESSING ON ACCELERATOR AND THE ENGINE DOES NOT RESPOND BY EVIDENCE OF NO RPM INCREASE). AGAIN, THIS HAS OCCURED NUMEROUS TIMES. WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE BACK TO MERCEDES FOUR TIMES, FOR A TOTAL OF 39 DAYS!!!! AND STILL TO THIS DAY, THE VEHICLE STILL HAS THE ISSUE, WHILE MERCEDES CLAIMS THERE ISN'T A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THEY HAVE GIVEN US EVERY EXCUSE IN THE BOOK OF WHY NO PROBLEM EXISTS, EVEN AFTER THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THE CAR HAS A 6 SECOND DELAY WHICH IS UNACCEPTABLE!!!!!!! TWO DIFFERENT INDIVIDUALS HAVE DROVE THE VEHICLE AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME HESITATION PROBLEM. THE CAR IN OUR EYES IS A HAZARD TO THE STREETS AND HIGHWAYS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA. WE ARE PAYING FOR A CAR THAT IS DANGEROUS AND HAS THE HIGH PROBABILITY OF CAUSING AN ACCIDENT WITH CATASTROPHIC RESULTS...........

NHTSA ODI #10761483

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.

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.

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