Is the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C 300 a bad year?
216 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 78, 7.8× a quiet C 300 year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 17k–56k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2017 C 300 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 36,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 78 (36%) | 17k–56k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 31 (14%) | 9k–52k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Body structure | 24 (11%) | 17k–83k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 9 (4%) | 28k–68k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 33 (15%) | 48k–78k miles · ahead | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Seat belts | 21 (10%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 15 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 13 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 12 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 36,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 216 complaints: 10 mention a crash · 3 mention a fire · 13 report an injury · 11 say the car was towed.
12 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Aug 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C 300: 15
The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair, allowing the front panel to detach from the vehicle. A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system. A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair. The adhesive bonding of the front panel might deteriorate, possibly causing the front panel to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
On June 18, 2021, an additional 9 vehicles were added, including certain 2021 GLA250, GLC300, 2018 S450, E400, and 2017 CLA250 vehicles. The communication module might have been inadvertently deactivated during a service visit, which could have disabled the Emergency Call (eCall) function. A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting emergency services through the call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash. Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
The front seat belts might not fully retract to their stowed position. If the seat belt does not fully retract, the occupant may find the operation of the seat belt inconvenient and not wear it, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
The seatbacks of the front seats may not properly lock on the right side of the seat. If the seatback does not properly lock, in the event of a crash, the seatbacks may fold forward, increasing the risk of injury.
A locknut in the steering rack may break under high load, possibly causing the steering to become stuck in one position. A car that cannot be properly steered has an increased risk of a crash.
Due to a bonding issue introduced in the production process, the rear beltline trim may separate from the vehicle. If the beltline trim were to separate from the vehicle while driving, it could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The seatbacks of the front seats may not properly lock on the right side of the seat. If the seatback does not properly lock, in the event of a crash, the seatbacks may fold forward, increasing the risk of injury.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. The driver's air bag may unexpectedly deploy due to insufficient grounding of the steering components if an electrostatic discharge occurs and the air bag clockspring is broken. If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
The affected vehicles have front seat seatbelt pretensioners that may not function properly in the event of a crash. If the front seat seatbelt pretensioners do not function properly, the seat occupants may not be adequately restrained in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. The electrical contacts for the power steering electric motor may not have been properly welded, possibly resulting in a loss of electrical contact. A loss of electrical contact will cause the electric power steering assist to deactivate, increasing the risk of a crash.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. In the event that the engine or transmission cannot turn over, the starting current limiter may overheat from the repeated attempts of the starter motor attempting to start the vehicle. If the starting current limiter overheats, the surrounding components can melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Mercedes-Benz: 125
Repair instructions Mercedes-Benz sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C 300. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Only vehicles with a variable transfer case are affected
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…
Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end)
Dear Mercedes-Benz USA Dealers, The part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed…
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Front Roof Panel Detachment
Neighbouring years
2016 C 300: 291 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2018 C 300: 99 complaints, keep it.
Every Mercedes-Benz C 300 year
2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All C 300 years side by side
Other Mercedes-Benz models: Mercedes-Benz AMG E 55 · Mercedes-Benz C 230 · Mercedes-Benz C 250 · Mercedes-Benz C 320 · Mercedes-Benz C 350 · Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 · Mercedes-Benz E 300 · Mercedes-Benz E 320 · Mercedes-Benz E 350 · Mercedes-Benz E 500 · Mercedes-Benz E 550 · Mercedes-Benz GL 450 · Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 · Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 · Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 · Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 · Mercedes-Benz ML 320 · Mercedes-Benz ML 350 · Mercedes-Benz Metris · Mercedes-Benz R 350 · Mercedes-Benz S 430 · Mercedes-Benz S 500 · Mercedes-Benz S 550 · Mercedes-Benz S Class · Mercedes-Benz SL 500 · Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 · Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C 300 a bad year?
216 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 78, 7.8× a quiet C 300 year. At 36,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 17k–56k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C 300?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (78), electrical system (31), body structure (24), visibility and wipers (9), fuel system (33). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 17k–56k miles.
How many recalls does the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C 300 have?
15 recall campaigns list this model year: Body structure (NHTSA 23V-854), Electrical system (NHTSA 22V-365), Body structure (NHTSA 21V-197), Communication (NHTSA 21V-072) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.