2023 Mercedes-Benz C 300 problems & reliability
22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2023 Mercedes-Benz C 300, alongside 9 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Sep 21, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several components.
1 complaint report injuries (1 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Forward Collision Avoidance → | 10 | 45% |
| Electrical System | 5 | 23% |
| Service Brakes | 5 | 23% |
| Unknown / Other | 4 | 18% |
| Engine | 2 | 9% |
| Tires | 2 | 9% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 5% |
| Power Train | 1 | 5% |
| Structure | 1 | 5% |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“When going into Reverse the passenger side mirror angles down to see curbs. When putting back into Drive it should be going back up to normal angle, but 20% of the time it does not go back up. If you're driving in the dark you may not know it's reverted back up and get into a car accident. Dealership said there are no…”
Visibility/wiper · filed Nov 15, 2025
“The contact owns a 2023 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that on occasion while driving at various speeds, the vehicle unexpectedly stopped without the brake pedal being depressed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed twice by the local dealer, and the contact was advised that the…”
Forward Collision Avoidance · filed Aug 13, 2025
“My panoramic sunroof spontaneously exploded while driving down the highway, no external impact was made. The glass exploded from the inside out. It made a loud boom, it startled me on the highway resulted me to swerving on the road, which would have put me and other drivers at risk. There's plenty other MB drivers…”
Unknown / Other · filed Aug 7, 2025
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Technical service bulletins
345 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2023 Mercedes-Benz C 300. The 10 most recent:
Complaint During part of the steering movement, it feels heavier or more difficult to steer in the same spot every time. OR Rattling, humming, dry sliding/gravel noise from the electric steering system when steering…
LI46.35-P-067339 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 28, 2026
Complaint • Harsh 1‑2, 2‑3, and/or 3‑4 shift • Jerky shifting • Jolting when accelerating from stop Cause Insufficient software application causing elevated K81/K27/B05 fill time adaptations and elevated torque…
LI27.60-P-076554 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 26, 2026
Complaint Tailgate opens unintentionally. Cause Accidental or unnoticed activation of the button to open the tailgate on the vehicle key. EXAMPLE: when stored in trouser pocket, handbag etc. Remedy As of the 6th…
LI72.20-P-075746 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 24, 2026
Complaint Traffic sign symbol for "Traffic Sign Assist" is blinking in instrument cluster without obvious cause usually with one of the following scenarios: • Flashing without a speed limit ("‑ ‑"). • Flashing when…
LI54.71-P-079104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 22, 2026
Dear Mercedes-Benz Owner: In our continuing efforts to ensure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA is extending the warranty coverage for…
CL - Tank Leak Detection · Warranty Program/Extension · issued Aug 15, 2026
Dear Mercedes-Benz USA Dealers, The part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed, and any existing stock must be returned to your facing PDC. The deadline for all dealer returns is no later than…
PSL-NCU Return Parts 8/14 · Other · issued Aug 15, 2026
Complaint The following most common complaints may be observed: • Brief connectivity interruptions when using Apple CarPlay over Wi-Fi • Audio cuts out • Device not recognized • No operation possible Cause There are…
LI82.85-P-079088 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 14, 2026
Complaint 1. General Diagnostic Tips 2. One or More PARK Sensor Activations 3. Red Ring Around Vehicle 4. "Active Parking and Parking Assist Inoperative" on Instrument Cluster 5. Cameras 6. Other Park Topics. Cause…
LI54.65-P-080132 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 12, 2026
Complaint During cold starting, a tortoise symbol may be displayed in the event of reduced engine output. For "non-hybrid vehicles", the thermostat symbol must be displayed. Cause Coding N133/1 IC Instrument cluster…
LI54.30-P-078529 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 10, 2026
Complaint A popup is seen on the HU with the message "data connection temporarily not available". Potentially affected functionalities in NTG4.5, NTG5 1.Weather 2.Local Search 3.IP Radio 4.Send2Car 5.Speech Detection…
LI82.85-P-079087 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 6, 2026
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz C 300 has 9 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2023 Mercedes-Benz C 300?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.