26 of the
669 complaints filed about the Mercedes Benz C 300
are about the airbag system —
4% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2017.
I purchased this vehicle on December 26, 2025 from an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership. Shortly after the purchase, I discovered an issue related to the airbag system, which indicates a potential safety defect. At the time of purchase and during the test drive, the vehicle was already turned on, and no warning or disclosure was provided regarding any airbag malfunction or warning message. The issue became apparent only after the purchase. I later brought the vehicle in for repairs. While some repairs were performed, the airbag issue was not fixed and remains in the same condition as before. The dealership is now refusing to repair the airbag system at no cost and is insisting that I pay for the repair, despite the fact that this defect appeared immediately after purchase and was never disclosed to me. I believe this represents a serious safety concern, as a malfunctioning airbag system may fail to protect occupants in the event of an accident. I also believe the vehicle was sold to me with an undisclosed safety defect. I am requesting that this issue be formally reviewed and investigated.
NHTSA complaint #11712823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In October 2024, the rear subframe was replaced due to rust perforation in the area of the suspension arm mounting bracket. I had no warning. The car was in for routine service at Mercedes Benz of New London. It had rusted from the inside out and was considered unsafe to drive by the Mercedes service advisor. I could have had a serious accident! I had no choice but to replace the subframe as it is my only vehicle. Shockingly I learned many others have had this issue with various Mercedes models/years and that Mercedes Benz knows of this serious safety problem and there is a class action lawsuit pending but subframe replacement is not covered under warranty by Mercedes Benz, so the cost was mine to bear.
NHTSA complaint #11676702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Issue: Post-Airbag Deployment PCM Lockout Description: I am reporting a critical safety concern regarding the 2024 Mercedes-Benz C300. After an airbag deployment, the vehicle's Powertrain Control Module (PCM) is designed to automatically lock, preventing the engine from being restarted. While this feature is intended to enhance safety, it poses significant risks in certain emergency situations. For instance, in scenarios such as a landslide, attempted robbery, or a collision with wildlife in a remote area with poor cell signal, this design could leave the driver stranded without the ability to restart the vehicle and drive to safety. The inability to restart the vehicle could result in life-threatening situations where immediate evacuation from the scene is necessary. Recommendation: To mitigate this risk, I strongly suggest implementing an emergency override function that allows the driver to restart the vehicle after airbag deployment if they are in a clear state of consciousness. This could be achieved by incorporating a method such as long-pressing the ignition button, which would allow the driver to force-start the vehicle and improve their chances of survival in critical situations.
NHTSA complaint #11610577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated that while making a left turn at 40 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the front passenger side of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy upon impact and the seat belt also failed to restrain the contact during the crash. Due to both failures, the contact's head and chest hit the steering wheel. The contact was taken to the hospital by ambulance and given an X-ray exam. The contact was treated for lacerations to the forehead and suffered pain to the head, neck, back, and chest. The whereabouts of the other driver were unknown. A police report was filed. The vehicle was initially towed to an independent mechanic and later back to the contact's home where it remained in the contact's possession. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11588668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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. It was initially thought that a software update would resolve the problem, but that did not work. After the software update was completed, a new "parktronic" module was installed. That also did not solve the issue. I am now being advised that the car is issuing fault codes related to the airbag system. It seems that there are some serious electrical problems that are plaguing the vehicle. The service department has advised me that they have no clear date on when this issue will be resolved.
NHTSA complaint #11576712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was reversing my vehicle when I heard a snap, and the inside dash panel warning sign came on…later I google it and found out it has happened to many other people. the clock spring behind the steering wheel snapped and airbags warning signs came on with possibility of deploying at any moment.
NHTSA complaint #11492300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE
I was reversing my vehicle when I heard a snap, and the inside dash panel warning sign came on…later I google it and found out it has happened to many other people. the clock spring behind the steering wheel snapped and airbags warning signs came on with possibility of deploying at any moment.
NHTSA complaint #11492300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated while driving at a slow speed in traffic, another vehicle rear-ended and caused her to crash into the vehicle in front. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the back of her head, her left shoulder, right wrist, and right arm along with chest pains and facial contusion. The contact sought medical attention at an emergency room. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to her residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.
NHTSA complaint #11469189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, there was a burning odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated the passenger side air bags was enabled warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated the vehicle made an abnormal noise. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer but was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11453645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On July 17, 2021 I was driving at the posted rate of speed down I-275 Southbound here in Michigan. All of the sudden and without warning, there was a loud explosion which happened, from as near as I can tell, in the driver's side windshield pillar, where there is an airbag. No warning lights came on, and the car did not change its driving characteristics. Only after I reached my destination and searched under the dash, and every where else (including the exterior), did I find that the plastic "cover" on the pillar is pushed away from the pillar and much more loose than the plastic cover on the passenger side. Since the incident, I have had severe tinnitus in my left ear which was about 15-18" away from it. The air bag did not deploy. I did not hit a pothole, did not hit a bump, did not hit another vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11428078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was in a car accident on June 30,2021. A Car collided into my drivers side at the front left wheel. My airbags did not deploy and i was injured. my injuries consisted of neck, shoulder, and lower back. I was also thrown to the passenger side of the vehicle because my seat belt did not seem to lock. Thank you, [XXX] email- [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11423870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving in a curved onramp connecting from one street to another the vehicle experienced a complete loss of steering ability which resulted in the vehicle continuing to move straight, off the pavement, and into a wall. The vehicle bounced off of the wall and loss of steering ability continued and the vehicle could not be controlled, crossed the road, went over a guardrail, and down an embankment until it came to a stop (approx 100ft). The vehicle engine never turned off until it came to a stop at which point the vehicle was manually turned off. No airbags deployed. There were no warning lights or signals of failing components prior to the loss of steering. An initial review by the body shop states that the vehicle is a total loss. The vehicle has been meticulously dealer maintained since the time of delivery as a new vehicle. The vehicle is pending inspection by Mercedes-Benz and by the insurance representative. The issue appears to be the same as those recalls described by NHTSA campaign number 18V872000 and/or 18V850000. The vehicle was never included in either of those recall campaigns. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request, but Mercedes-Benz is picking up the vehicle to perform its inspection.
NHTSA complaint #11423998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V850000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF COCONUT CREEK (LOCATED AT 4250 FL-7, COCONUT CREEK, FL 33073, (954)406-1167) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11244881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, WAS BROADSIDED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT THE AIR BAG UNDER THE DASHBOARD OF THE DRIVER SIDE DEPLOYED WITH SUCH FORCE THAT CAUSED LACERATIONS AND SECOND DEGREE BURNS ON THE DRIVERS LEGS. THE POLICE WAS PRESENT AND A REPORT NUMBER: 38-18-85 WAS FILED. THE DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE, TREATED AND RELEASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT, THE INSURANCE COMPANY LABELED THE VEHICLE DESTROY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11243472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ C300W. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 18V850000 (STEERING) AND 18V838000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF ORANGE PARK (7018 BLANDING BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32244, (904) 777-5900) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE AND PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT, RESPECTIVELY.
NHTSA complaint #11190243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ C300W. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V838000 (AIR BAGS) BY MERCEDES-BENZ OF ARCADIA (101 N SANTA ANITA AVE, ARCADIA, CA 91006, (626) 701-8904). HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
NHTSA complaint #11186601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN HEAD ON COLLISION. THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT NOT TO FULL CAPACITY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD AND NECK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.
NHTSA complaint #11172855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V627000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF GEORGETOWN AT 512-930-6150 (LOCATED AT 7401 N INTERSTATE 35 FRONTAGE RD, GEORGETOWN, TX 78626) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #11123053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HIT A BEAR IN MONTANA IN MY 2017 MERCEDES C300 AT 86MPH AND DESTROYED THE FRONT OF MY CAR. THE SEATBELTS DEPLOYED AND WRENCHED US INTO OUR SEATS AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE FRONT AIR VENTS BUT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF. ON THE DASH THE VEHICLES STATED THAT THE AIRBAGS IN ALL 4 ZONES IN THE CAR MALFUNCTIONED AND SERVICE IS REQUIRED. MERCEDES IS STATING THAT THE LIGHT IS FROM A SEATBELT ERROR CODE BUT THE DASH DID NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT SRS OR SEATBELTS. I DO NOT WANT TO PUT MY FAMILY BACK IN THE CAR AND DO NOT FEEL IT SHOULD BE REPAIRED. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED PHOTOS OF THE ERROR MESSAGES ON THE DASH. I DO NOT KNOW HOW I CAN HIT SOMETHING THAT HARD AND NOT HAVE THEM DEPLOY. MERCEDES IS DOING AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION BUT THEY HAVE NOT GIVEN ME THE RESULTS OF THAT AND IT HAS BEEN OVER 3 WEEKS. VEHICLE WAS IN FOR A AIRBAG RECALL NOT TAKATA RELATED ON JANUARY OF 2018 AND THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #11112163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.