YearToAvoid

2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

73/100

#5 most-complained of 16 C300 years

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, with 15 recalls on file, more than most other years.

Complaints
216
Recalls
15
Crashes / fires
10 / 3
Injuries / deaths
17 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
26
23 city / 30.5 hwy

Top 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine81 (38%)
  2. Other36 (17%)
  3. Fuel System33 (15%)
  4. Electrical System31 (14%)
  5. Structure & Body24 (11%)
  6. Seat Belts21 (10%)
  7. Airbags15 (7%)
  8. Steering13 (6%)
  9. Transmission & Powertrain12 (6%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers9 (4%)

What owners report

  • Airbags fail to deploy fully or at all during frontal or side-impact crashes, sometimes causing injuries.
  • Front seat belts fail to lock or retract properly during collisions, allowing occupants to shift out of position.
  • The steering wheel suddenly jerks or resists control while driving straight, leading to loss of control.
  • Electrical fires have started in the center console and engine compartment while parked or driving at low speed.
  • Panoramic sunroofs glitch, opening or closing unevenly or not responding at all.
  • Vehicles have experienced sudden unintended acceleration at low speeds while parking.
2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 complaints: complaints filed per quarter202016 Q42018 Q12019 Q22020 Q42022 Q12023 Q22024 Q32025 Q4
285 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2016 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2023 Q3 (20).

2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 recalls

15 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

See all 15 recalls for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 →

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

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
2015Avoid873811127.5
2016Avoid802861327.5
2017Caution732161526
2018Good47991825
2019Good33691725

All Mercedes-Benz C300 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2017 C300 has a Complaint Index of 73, ranking 5th worst among 16 model years and earning a Caution verdict relative to other C300 years.
What is the top problem area for the 2017 C300?
Engine complaints lead at 38% of all reports, with a median failure mileage of 36,000 miles, according to NHTSA data.
Does the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 have recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 15 recalls for the 2017 C300, covering areas like structure and body, electrical systems, and seat belts, none marked do-not-drive.
How does the 2017 C300 compare to other years?
NHTSA data shows 2010 and 2011 had higher Complaint Index scores (93 and 100, both Avoid), while 2018 onward improved, with 2021 and 2024 rated Best.
What is the fuel economy of the 2017 C300?
EPA rates the 2017 C300 at 26 mpg combined (23 city / 30.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050.

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.