Body complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 25% | — |
| 2023 | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2022 | 1 | 4% | 6,000 miles |
| 2020 | 4 | 12% | 29,000 miles |
| 2019 | 7 | 10% | 53,000 miles |
| 2018 | 18 | 16% | 49,000 miles |
| 2017 | 24 | 11% | 40,000 miles |
| 2016 | 28 | 10% | 45,000 miles |
| 2015 | 60 | 16% | 63,000 miles |
| 2014 | 9 | 10% | 52,000 miles |
| 2013 | 58 | 22% | 80,000 miles |
| 2012 | 54 | 20% | 110,000 miles |
| 2011 | 49 | 10% | 105,000 miles |
| 2010 | 34 | 8% | 63,000 miles |
| 2009 | 27 | 5% | 94,000 miles |
| 2008 | 9 | 1% | 72,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that a section of the roof near the top of the windshield, between the sunroof, had detached and flown off the vehicle while driving 30 MPH in bumper-to-bumper traffic. The driver was able to grab the portion of the rubber gasket and pulled it into the vehicle through the driver's side front window. The roof was in three pieces. The contact turned on the hazard lights and was able to pull over safely to the side of the roadway. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was concerned about the failure potentially causing a road hazard under different circumstances. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic the next day who declined to service the vehicle and informed the contact it was an issue for the manufacturer. …
I own a 2020 Mercedes-Benz C300 equipped with a power trunk. On July 22, 2026, I took my vehicle to Annapolis Mercedes-Benz because the power trunk was repeatedly closing on its own while people were standing in the trunk opening. I specifically reported that the trunk was unexpectedly closing while I, my child, or another individual was loading or unloading the vehicle and expressed concern that someone could be injured. The dealership kept the vehicle for several hours but advised me that no malfunction could be found. I was told the trunk had been reset and that there were no problems with the vehicle. I also provided video evidence of the trunk malfunction by text message to my service advisor. On August 2, 2026, the exact same problem occurred. …
The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the convertible top support were fraying. The contact stated the parts were almost the thickness of a shoelace and enabled the convertible top to fold correctly when the top was folding down. The contact stated that the Part Number was A2057780500. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the dealer determined that the entire convertible top needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure, and the contact filed a case. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving and attempting to close the sunroof, the sunroof made an abnormal popping sound. The contact pulled over and attempted to close the sunroof, but the sunroof failed to close. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V197000 (Structure); however, the VIN was not associated with the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, a part of the panoramic roof towards the driver's side detached from the vehicle. The contact pulled over to inspect the vehicle. The part was no longer attached, and the contact had to continue driving. The failure caused additional electrical failures due to water entering the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that the sunroof failed to open, and the infotainment center was inoperable. The contact found information on NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V854000 (Structure); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who related the failure to the recall; however, the vehicle could not be repaired under the recall because the VIN was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. …
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz C-300. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH South on the interstate towards Miami, the front panel detached without warning. The contact pulled over to inspect the vehicle and became aware that the panel between the windshield and sunroof had detached. The contact stated that water started entering the vehicle from several areas. The sunroof was inoperable. The contact called the insurance company. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V854000 (Structure). The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH on the highway, the contact heard a popping sound coming from an unknown part of the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, exited the vehicle, and became aware that the roof panel had shuddered. The contact stated there was no glass in the vehicle. No injuries were sustained. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on two occasions. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer by the previous owner to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V197000 (STRUCTURE); however, the recall repair failed to prevent the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall related to the failure. …
The contact owns 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, he heard air coming in through the OSI cover. Once the contact arrived at his destination, he noticed that the front sunroof panel had detached from the vehicle. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not under warranty and that the vehicle was already repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V197000 (Structure). The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not under warranty and that the dealer was not obligated to repair the vehicle free of changer. The failure mileage was 40,000.
Related recalls (3)
Structure › Body › Roof and pillars
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014-2020 C-Class, CLA, GLA, S-Class, GLC, and GLE vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 2, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on, March 22,2024, and August 2, 2024.
Structure › Body › Roof and pillars
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2020 C300 Coupe, C43 Coupe AMG, C43 AMG, 2015-2020 C300, GLA250, 2016-2018 C350e, CLA45 Coupe AMG, 2015 C400, S65 AMG, 2015-2019 C63 AMG, 2016 C450, 2015-2016 GLA45 AMG, S600, 2016-2020 GLC300, 2017-2019 GLC43 AMG, GLE43 Coupe AMG, 2014-2019 CLA250 Coupe, 2014-2015 CLA45…
Remedy: Mercedes-Benz dealer will remove the bonded panel and will install a new front panel by following the detailed repair instructions and using the approved primer, cleaner and adhesive, free of charge.
Structure › Body
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Mercedes C300 Cabriolet, C300 4Matic Cabriolet, C43 AMG Cabriolet, C63S AMG Cabriolet, and C63 AMG Cabriolet vehicles. Due to a bonding issue introduced in the production process, the rear beltline trim may separate from the vehicle.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear beltline trim and replace the trim if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on September 21, 2018.
NHTSA investigations
Front Roof Panel Detachment
On January 8, 2021, after ongoing review with Mercedes Benz, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-001 to assess allegations of front roof panel detachments while driving at highway speeds in certain 2015 Mercedes-Benz (Mercedes) C-Class vehicles.The subject front roof panel is a stationary panel composed of polycarbonate and is attached to the…
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercedes-Benz C300 years have body problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2015 (60), 2013 (58), 2012 (54), 2011 (49) and 2010 (34) model years. Body complaints make up 16% of all complaints for the 2015.
Is there a recall for Mercedes-Benz C300 body problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 23V-854 (roof and pillars, Dec 15, 2023); 21V-197 (roof and pillars, Mar 19, 2021); 18V-456 (body, Jul 10, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mercedes-Benz C300 body problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles; 23% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the body (253 mentions), followed by the frame and members (49).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.