YearToAvoid

2014 Mercedes-Benz C300 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2014 Mercedes-Benz C300 has a complaint index of 53 and ranks 8th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Airbags are the top problem area, making up 55% of complaints, backed by 5 recall campaigns.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
53/100
#8 of 16 C300 years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
94
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
5
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
6
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
5
Top issue
Airbags
Best nearby year
2021
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
22
19 city / 27 hwy
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0

Top 2014 Mercedes-Benz C300 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags52 (55%)
  2. Suspension, Wheels & Tires14 (15%)
  3. Steering13 (14%)
  4. Structure & Body11 (12%)
  5. Electrical System9 (10%)
  6. Other8 (9%)
  7. Engine5 (5%)
  8. Brakes2 (2%)
  9. Fuel System1 (1%)
  10. Transmission & Powertrain1 (1%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Passenger frontal airbags failed to deploy in crashes, sometimes totaling the vehicle and leaving owners with fractures.
  • Owners reported unintended acceleration or forward movement while shifting into drive with the brake pedal depressed, leading to crashes.
  • Front tires developed sidewall bulges at very low mileage, sometimes while the car sat parked.
  • The check engine and traction control lights illuminated together, traced to an electronic module needing repair.
  • A ticking or knocking noise after sustained highway driving was followed by a burning smell from under the car.
  • The windshield defroster failed to clear ice or snow because the outside air intake became blocked, restricting airflow.
2014 Mercedes-Benz C300 complaints: complaints filed per quarter82014 Q42017 Q12018 Q32019 Q32020 Q32022 Q22023 Q42024 Q4
94 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2014 Q4 to 2026 Q1; peak 2018 Q2 (8).

2014 Mercedes-Benz C300 recalls

5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 19V787000Nov 1, 2019Other24,226 vehiclesOver-the-air fix

    Communication

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf

    Risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.

  2. NHTSA 19V010000Jan 9, 2019Airbags288,779 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014 C250, C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2014-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, GLK 350, GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, 2015-2017 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2014-2017 E550 Cabrio, and 2014-2016 E550 Coupe vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally, MBUSA is recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2011 C300, 2011-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2011-2016 E550 Cabrio, E550 Coupe, 2011-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." MBUSA is also recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2010-2011 C300, 2010-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Coupe, 2011-2014 E350 Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2016-2017 E550 Cabrio, 2010-2016 E550 Coupe, 2010-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

  3. NHTSA 17V627000Oct 6, 2017Airbags495,290 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling these vehicles: 2014-2018 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, CLA45 AMG 4Matic, 2015-2018 GLA250, GLA250 4Matic, GLA45 AMG 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C63S AMG, 2012-2014 C250, C350, C300 4Matic, E550 4Matic, 2013-2014 C63 AMG, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2013-2015 C350 4Matic Coupe, GLK250 4Matic BlueTec, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, 2016-2017 C350e, C43 AMG, 2015 C400 4Matic, 2016-2018 C63 AMG, GLC300, GLC300 4Matic, 2017-2018 C300 Coupe, C300 4Matic Coupe, C43 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, C63S AMG Coupe, C300 Cabriolet, C300 4Matic Cabriolet, C43 AMG Cabriolet, C63 AMG Cabriolet, C63S AMG Cabriolet, GLC300 4Matic Coupe, GLC43 AMG, GLC43 AMG Coupe, 2014 E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabriolet, E400 Hybrid, 2015-2017 E400 Coupe, E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabriolet, 2014-2017 E550 Coupe, E550 Cabriolet, B250e, 2014-2016 E250 BlueTec, E63 AMG 4Matic Wagon, 2012-2013 E350 BlueTec, 2012-2016 E350, E350 4Matic, 2015-2016 E400, E400 4Matic, 2012 E63 AMG, 2014-2015 E250 4Matic BlueTec, 2013-2016 E350 Wagon, 2017 GLC300d 4Matic, and 2018 GLC350e 4Matic. 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.

    Risk: If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will add sufficient grounding to the steering components, free of charge. The recall began in December 6, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

See all 5 recalls for the 2014 Mercedes-Benz C300 →

2014 Mercedes-Benz C300 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
19 MPG
Highway
27 MPG
Combined
22 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,650
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2014 compared with other C300 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2012Caution67266620
2013Caution60259622
2014Caution5394522
2015Avoid873811127.5
2016Avoid802861327.5

All Mercedes-Benz C300 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Mercedes-Benz C300 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2014 C300 gets a Caution verdict, with a complaint index of 53 and 94 total complaints, ranking 8th worst among 16 model years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2014 Mercedes-Benz C300?
Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 55% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 27,000 miles and involvement in 3 crashes.
Does the 2014 Mercedes-Benz C300 have an airbag recall?
Yes. NHTSA lists two airbag-related recalls for this year, covering a passenger frontal air bag module replacement and added grounding for steering components tied to airbag function.
How does the 2014 C300 compare to other C300 years?
With a complaint index of 53, the 2014 model is better than the 2010 and 2011 model years (indexes of 100 and 93, both rated Avoid) but worse than newer years like 2020 and 2021, which score 47 and 7.
How many recalls affect the 2014 Mercedes-Benz C300?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2014 C300, covering airbags, steering, electrical software, and the eCall system, with no do-not-drive recalls.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.