2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 has a Complaint Index of 73 and ranks 5th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine problems dominate at 38% of complaints, and NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns for this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 73/100
- #5 of 16 C300 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 216
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 15
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 10
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 17
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 26
- 23 city / 30.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 17 / 0
Top 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine81 (38%)
- Other36 (17%)
- Fuel System33 (15%)
- Electrical System31 (14%)
- Structure & Body24 (11%)
- Seat Belts21 (10%)
- Airbags15 (7%)
- Steering13 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain12 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers9 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy or deployed with reduced force during frontal and side-impact crashes, sometimes causing injuries.
- The engine compartment produced smoke or caught fire while the vehicle was being driven at low speed.
- The steering wheel suddenly pulled hard to one side without warning, leading to loss of control.
- The electrical system caused a fire inside the parked vehicle, starting in the center console area.
- The panoramic sunroof opened or closed unevenly or got stuck partway, a glitch owners describe as recurring.
- A parked vehicle reportedly accelerated suddenly while being maneuvered into a parking space, jumping a curb.
2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 recalls
15 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V854000Dec 15, 2023Structure & Body2,976 vehicles
Structure:body:roof and pillars
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014-2020 C-Class, CLA, GLA, S-Class, GLC, and GLE vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. 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.
Risk: A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 2, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on, March 22,2024, and August 2, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 21V-197.
- NHTSA 22V365000May 20, 2022Electrical System242,722 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Electrical system:software
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, AMG GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, GLB-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: The communication module software will be updated through an Over-the-Air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2022. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on July 8, 2022, May 17, 2024, July 29, 2024, and September 27, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers are for this recall is 2022060005 and 2023110006.
- NHTSA 21V197000Mar 19, 2021Structure & Body15,096 vehicles
Structure:body:roof and pillars
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2020 C300 Coupe, C43 Coupe AMG, C43 AMG, 2015-2020 C300, GLA250, 2016-2018 C350e, CLA45 Coupe AMG, 2015 C400, S65 AMG, 2015-2019 C63 AMG, 2016 C450, 2015-2016 GLA45 AMG, S600, 2016-2020 GLC300, 2017-2019 GLC43 AMG, GLE43 Coupe AMG, 2014-2019 CLA250 Coupe, 2014-2015 CLA45 AMG, 2018 GLC63 AMG, 2014-2017 S550, 2018-2020 S450, 2016-2019 GLE63 Coupe AMG, 2016 GLE450 Coupe, 2014-2020 S63 AMG, 2018-2019 S560, and 2019 GLC350e vehicles equipped with a panoramic sunroof. 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.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: Mercedes-Benz dealer will remove the bonded panel and will install a new front panel by following the detailed repair instructions and using the approved primer, cleaner and adhesive, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021 and October 26, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23 MPG
- Highway
- 30.5 MPG
- Combined
- 26 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,050
- 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.
2017 compared with other C300 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 reliable?
- Compared with other C300 model years, 2017 ranks 5th worst out of 16 years with a Complaint Index of 73, so NHTSA data places it in the Caution range rather than among the better years.
- What is the top problem area for the 2017 C300?
- Engine complaints lead the list, making up 38% of all complaints for this year, with a median mileage at failure of 28,000 for the model year overall and 36,000 for engine-specific complaints.
- How many recalls does the 2017 C300 have?
- NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns tied to the 2017 C300, covering areas like structure & body, electrical system, and seat belts, though none are do-not-drive recalls.
- Are there airbag problems in the 2017 C300?
- Yes, airbags are a reported problem area with 15 complaints and 6 crashes noted, and sample complaints describe airbags not deploying fully during collisions.
- Which C300 years are better than 2017?
- Years like 2020, 2021, and 2024 carry much lower Complaint Index scores (47, 7, and 13) and Good or Best verdicts, unlike the 2017 model year's Caution rating.