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

Power Train complaints

7 reports

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Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2024

EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

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Driving on [XXX] to Atlanta GA my car would not automatically shift and began to vibrate badly. I was almost hit by other vehicles as I pulled off the highway to check car out. Car was vibrating badly in idle and when I resumed my trip back home the car would not accelerate properly and caused tremendous stress and danger. Figured out that car would not shift automatically and I was forced to shift the car manually. Car would sputter and vibrate badly and would only slightly less vibrate to where I could drive it home in gear D5 and would less vibrate at 75+ mph very dangerous, and would lose power and shake violently going up highway hills. I prayed all the way home and barely made it shaken. I called my Mercedes Benz Dealer from the highway and immediately scheduled appointment on 8/15/24. This was a major safety hazard and life threatening situation with my Mercedes Benz C250 2014 car. My car 100% serviced over the years at dealership I bought it from Rick Hendricks Mercedes Benz of Lake Norman NC. Thank you for your time! Actor & Model [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11607584

61,192 miles · Mar 22, 2024

Power Train

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The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz C250. The contact stated while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle jerked and then the traction control warning light illuminated. The contact released the accelerator pedal and was able to press the accelerator pedal again to regain normal operation of the vehicle. The contact continued to drive the vehicle for a few months without experiencing another failure. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for routine maintenance where it was diagnosed that the differential mounting flange was cracked on the driveshaft. The contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V654000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired due to the parts not being available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,192.

NHTSA ODI #11578887

46,000 miles · Apr 4, 2018

Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, IT ROLLED FORWARD ONTO THE LAWN. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED 'CAR WILL ROLL'. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE M…

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NHTSA ODI #11083275

18,000 miles · Sep 9, 2017

Power TrainSteeringStructureFire

I WAS DRIVING ON GLADES ROAD, BOCA RATON, FL. I HEARD A LOUD NOISE, SAW SMOKE AND LOST MY POWER STEERING. I MANAGED TO PULL INTO TOWN CENTER MALL, GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND SAW THAT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE BOCA RATON POLICE CAME, #5 FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO MERCEDES OF DELRAY.

NHTSA ODI #11022435

20,000 miles · Dec 15, 2015

EnginePower Train

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MERCEDES BENZ C250. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A LEAK COMING FROM THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL FUMES COMING FROM THE OIL PAN AND DIP STICK IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED AS INTENDED. IN ADDITION, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY LEAKS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ODI #10810209

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

7,000 miles · Aug 2, 2014

Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

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I PURCHASED THIS C250 IN DEC 2013, HAVE 3 SIMILAR OCCURRENCE WERE THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESPOND. ONCE COMING OUT OF A LIGHT, AND TWICE ON I-95 BOTH TIMES TRYING TO SWITCH LANES TO GET OUT OF ON COMING TRAFFIC, AND ON BOTH OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND TO THE GAS PEDAL. ONE OF THE INCIDENTS OCCURRED WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. WE WERE LUCKY WERE NOT KILLED BY THE SEMI TRACTOR TRAILERS. AM A RETIRE AIR FORCE FIREFIGHTER AND I HAVE SEEN SOME HORRIBLE STUFF ON THE HIGHWAYS, THANK GOD IT WAS NOT MEANT TO BE THOSE DAYS. I CONTACTED MERCEDES-BENZ USA HQ. ON ALL THESE SAFETY OCCURRENCE BELOW AND ALL [XXX] AT HQ 1 800 367 6372 [XXX] WOULD TELL ME IS THAT VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY.... ON THE LAST TIME IT HAPPEN THEY SAID THE NEW ENGINE HAD BACKFIRED AND THEY WERE GOING THE REPLACE A FUEL PORT OR SOMETHING... IN THIS NEW VEHICLE. ENGINE 3X, NEW BRAKES, ALIGNMENT, DEAD BATTERY, TAN LEATHER TURNING BLUE. THANKS IN ADVANCE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10618354

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