BMW 535I vs Mercedes Benz C300
Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.
Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.
| Measure | BMW 535I | Mercedes Benz C300 |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints on file | 722 | 1,788 |
| Model years covered | 1986–2016 | 2008–2009 |
| Worst model year | 2011 | — |
| Best model year | 2016 | — |
| Crashes reported | 37 | 47 |
| Fires reported | 30 | 53 |
| Injuries reported | 23 | 41 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 |
| Most complained-about part | Engine & Cooling | Airbags |
| Share of complaints involving harm | 12.5% | 7.9% |
BMW 535I by year
What breaks
Engine & Cooling
167
23.1%
Fuel & Propulsion
146
20.2%
Electrical System
79
10.9%
Airbags
51
7.1%
Transmission & Drivetrain
45
6.2%
Lights
43
6.0%
Other & Unspecified
28
3.9%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
21
2.9%
Mercedes Benz C300 by year
What breaks
Airbags
459
25.7%
Electrical System
428
23.9%
Steering
273
15.3%
Lights
228
12.8%
Other & Unspecified
69
3.9%
Engine & Cooling
57
3.2%
Suspension
49
2.7%
Brakes
38
2.1%