Electrical complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 25% | — |
| 2024 | 5 | 36% | — |
| 2023 | 5 | 22% | 6,000 miles |
| 2022 | 7 | 28% | 6,000 miles |
| 2021 | 1 | 7% | — |
| 2020 | 3 | 9% | 6,000 miles |
| 2019 | 13 | 19% | 54,000 miles |
| 2018 | 11 | 10% | 53,000 miles |
| 2017 | 31 | 14% | 45,000 miles |
| 2016 | 32 | 11% | 11,000 miles |
| 2015 | 50 | 13% | 20,000 miles |
| 2014 | 9 | 10% | 65,000 miles |
| 2013 | 19 | 7% | 91,000 miles |
| 2012 | 12 | 5% | 85,000 miles |
| 2011 | 43 | 9% | 75,000 miles |
| 2010 | 84 | 19% | 70,000 miles |
| 2009 | 198 | 34% | 70,000 miles |
| 2008 | 228 | 34% | 79,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Within the first week of ownership (delivery on 1/15/24), the car's parking and/or front collision sensors started malfunctioning on a regular basis. The sensors repeatedly gave off false alerts when the car would approach intersections even though no obstacles were in front of, or behind, the car. The false alerts were quite startling and they consisted of loud alarms and warning images in both the driver's display and the car's heads up display. The repeated false alarms posed a significant safety hazard because they initially caused me to slam on the brakes risking a rear end collision. Once I realized the sensors were malfunctioning, I started to ignore them which is equally dangerous if a real collision needed to be averted. The car is currently in the service department, and it has been there for a total of 29 days thus far. …
While I am driving my car it will make a loud crackling sound then my screens go black and warning sounds go off! This is not normal and I read there are recalls but when I entered my vin# nothing came up. Not to mention since I bought the car last February, I have had nothing but issues with my AC turning off which that I have taken to the dealership with video proof and told it was a software update which did not fix the issue. i am paying way too much money for a newer vehicle and having more issues than my 2015 Mercedes Cla 250.
The contact owns a 2023 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH with the Intelligent Cruise Control activated, with no other vehicles or objects nearby, the vehicle inadvertently slowed down. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality but later displayed the following messages: "Active Emergency Stop Assist Currently Unavailable", and "Active Steering Assist Inoperable". The Forward Collision Avoidance warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 6,000.
First week, the car would take off fast as soon as the brakes were released. Then first time I used the heat there was a crackling sound coming form the side of the center display and it got extremely hot, I was on the FWY driving in the rain. Brakes: Intermittently, when braking, the car speeds up as if shifting to N, problematic in the FWY traffic behind another car, sometimes the brake pedal can be heard rattling really lose underfoot, brakes also used to groan when backing up. Electrical: intermittently, the door/trunk lock, side mirror, garage door opener do not work, and the dash displays change by themselves, the worst is the unreasonably hot center display that burns fingers, and becomes untouchable on hot days. Transmission: seems not to work in unison with the accelerator as sometimes the RPM needle hits 3-4 but the car will not speed up or is sluggish. …
The contact owns a 2022 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V445000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 23V462000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Additionally, the contact stated that on several occasions, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that she had to wait for an undisclosed amount of time to restart the vehicle. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The contact then stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated and stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that she felt unsafe driving the vehicle and was concerned for her safety. The dealer was not notified of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2022 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V678000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount time for the recall repair. The local dealer was notified of the recall notice and denied that there was a recall affiliated with the VIN. The manufacturer was notified of the issue, but no further assistance was provided. Additionally, the contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that her son was driving at an undisclosed speed when another vehicle's muffler detached and crashed into the undercarriage of the contact's vehicle. The front driver and passenger side tires exploded and fractured the rims. The contact stated that the vehicle's alert system failed to warn her son of the incoming object which resulted in the collision. The contact's son did not receive medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 6,000.
Vehicle has ongoing and recurring electrical and engine-related defects that affect safe operation. The primary systems involved are the electrical system, engine ignition system, and powertrain. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Prior service records show issues beginning in 2020 involving repeated electronic system failures requiring multiple repairs and component replacements. Since purchasing the vehicle in April 2023, the vehicle has developed more serious failures, including: - September 2024: Check engine light with loss of power and inability to exceed safe driving speeds - October 2024: Engine misfiring due to ignition coil failure requiring replacement of ignition components - September 2025: Additional ignition coil electrical fault (code P0353) The problem has been reproduced and confirmed through dealership service inspections and diagnostic reports. …
Related recalls (14)
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2024-2026 AMG GT, C-Class, E-Class, SL, CLE, and GLC vehicles. The infotainment control unit may reset while the vehicle is in motion and cause the instrument panel display to go blank.
Remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 29, 2026. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2026050004.
Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023-2024 C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL, GLC, EQE SUV, EQE, EQS SUV, and EQS vehicles that were incorrectly repaired under recall 24V-115. An incorrect fuse box that was not designed for the vehicle may have been installed.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the main fuse boxes, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2022-2023 C 300 vehicles. The bolt securing the electrical wire to the pre-fuse box could be improperly tightened, causing the wire to overheat. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024070005.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and rework the wiring harness, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 2, 2024. Owner may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023-2024 C300, AMG C43, S580e, S580, Maybach S580, Maybach S680, AMG SL43, AMGSL63, GLC300, EQE350, EQE500, EQS450, EQS580, AMG EQS, 2023 S500, AMG SL55, AMG EQE, 2024 E350, E450, AMG C63e S, CLE300 Coupe, CLE450 Coupe, and GLC300 Coupe vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the main fuse boxes, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 5, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024030008.
Electrical system › Wiring
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2022-2023 C300 and 2023 AMG C43 vehicles. The ground connections for the electrical wiring harness may not be secured properly, which can result in the electrical wiring harness overheating.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the ground connections for the electrical wiring harness, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023.
Show 9 more recalls
Electrical system › Wiring
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2022-2023 C300 and 2023 AMG C43 vehicles. The transmission wiring harness may be the incorrect length, which can result in harness damage and a loss of drive power.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the transmission wiring harness routing, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 18, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6373.
Electrical system › Wiring › Rear compartment/trunk
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2022 C300 vehicles. Moisture accumulation in the trunk may leak into the signal acquisition module (SAM), causing an electrical short circuit.
Remedy: Dealers will install a cover for the SAM, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 2, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Electrical system › Software
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 C300, C300 Coupe, CLS450, E450 Coupe and S450, 2017-2019 E300, 2018 E400 Coupe, E400 Stationwagon, and 2018-2019 S560 vehicles that have previously had the instrument cluster replaced.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. The recall began September 8, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Electrical system › 12V/24V/48V battery
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 C300, C300 4MATIC, and C43 AMG 4MATIC vehicles. The mounting bracket for the 12-volt battery may not be secured. This may allow the battery to shift, possibly disconnecting the terminals in the event of a crash.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the battery mounting bracket, free of charge. The recall began October 18, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Electrical system › Software
Mercedes-Benz USA,LLC (Mercedes) is recalling certain 2019 C43 AMG, C43 AMG Cabrio, C43 AMG 4MATIC Coupe, C300 4MATIC, C300 4MATIC Coupe, C300 Coupe, C300 Cabrio, C300 4MATIC Cabrio, and C300 vehicles.
Remedy: Mercedes has notified owners, and dealers will update the ESP system software, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2019. Owners may contact Mercedes customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Electrical system › Software
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 Mercedes-Benz C300, C300 4Matic, C300 4Matic Cabrio, C300 4Matic Coupe, C300 Coupe, C300 Cabrio, C43 AMG, C43 AMG Cabrio, C43 AMG Coupe, CLS450, CLS450 4Matic, CLS53 AMG 4Matic, E53 AMG 4Matic, E450 4Matic, E450 4Matic Coupe, E53 AMG 4Matic Coupe, G550, and G63 AMG…
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the CPC control unit software, free of charge. The recall began April 12, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Electrical system › 12V/24V/48V battery › Cables
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic Coupe, C300 4Matic Cabrio, E300, E300 4Matic, C300, C300 4Matic, C300 Coupe and C300 Cabrio vehicles.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive pole cover, free of charge. The recall began November 27, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Electrical system › Software
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…
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.
Electrical system › Starter assembly
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2017 C300 4Matic, C300, CLA250, CLA250 4Matic and CLA45 AMG vehicles, 2017 C300 4Matic Cabrio, C300 4Matic Coupe, C300 Cabrio, C300 Coupe, E300, E300 4Matic, E400 4Matic Wagon, E43 AMG 4Matic, GLA250, GLA250 4Matic and GLC300 4Matic Coupe vehicles and 2016 C350e and…
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fuse in the electrical line to the starter, free of charge. The recall began August 31, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of rear tail light functionality
ODI initially received 21 reports of rear light assembly failure due to a melted electrical connector or housing.Since opening the initial , ODI has received a total of 114 complaints reflecting an ongoing and increasing trend.In each report, one or both rear light assemblies fail completely (i.e., all lights housed within the assembly extinguish, including the stop, tail, and turn signal functions) when the…
Loss of rear lighting assembly
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of loss of rear lighting in model year (MY) 2008-2011 Mercedes Benz C-Class vehicles.Complainants alleged that one or both rear lighting assemblies fail to illuminate (i.e., all lights housed within the assembly extinguish, including the stop, tail, and turn signal functions) or illuminate dimly.In some reports,…
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercedes-Benz C300 years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (228), 2009 (198), 2010 (84), 2015 (50) and 2011 (43) model years. Electrical complaints make up 34% of all complaints for the 2008.
Is there a recall for Mercedes-Benz C300 electrical problems?
Yes — 14 recalls, including 26V-281 (instrument cluster/panel, May 1, 2026); 25V-255 (fuses and circuit breakers, May 12, 2025); 24V-446 (fuses and circuit breakers, Jun 14, 2024). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mercedes-Benz C300 electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles; 24% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the ignition (4 mentions), followed by the ignition › switch (3).
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.