YearToAvoid

2018 Mercedes-Benz C300 Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 35 engine complaints for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz C300, 35% of all complaints filed for the year. No related engine recall exists. Median mileage at failure is 34,000 miles, with the PCV valve code P052E as the dominant complaint pattern.

Engine complaints
35
35% of 99
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
34,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) regulator valve failing and triggering check engine code P052E, often causing oil leaks, oil burning, or oil and gas smells from the valve area.
  • Some owners describe the engine stalling or shutting off unexpectedly while stopped at lights or in parking lots.
  • A few owners report the engine failing to restart after being turned off, requiring repeated manual restart attempts.
  • One owner described a cracked piston with violent shaking and an illuminated check engine light at higher mileage.
  • Some owners report white smoke from the exhaust along with the check engine light coming on during driving, which cleared once the vehicle was shut off.
  • A rattling or popping noise from the engine at idle or acceleration was reported shortly before a vehicle became inoperable.

When 2018 Mercedes-Benz C300 engine complaints were filed

First complaint Sep 23, 2019, latest Jan 9, 2026.

2018 Mercedes-Benz C300 engine complaints: complaints filed per month4Sep 2019Mar 2022Feb 2023Aug 2023Feb 2024Jul 2024Jan 2026
35 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2019 to Jan 2026; peak Feb 2023 (4).

Engine recalls for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz C300

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by C300 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201016 (4%)
  2. 201114 (3%)
  3. 20126 (2%)
  4. 201315 (6%)
  5. 20145 (5%)
  6. 2015133 (35%)
  7. 201696 (34%)
  8. 201781 (38%)
  9. 201835 (35%)
  10. 201918 (26%)
  11. 20209 (27%)
  12. 20218 (57%)
  13. 20223 (12%)
  14. 20232 (9%)
  15. 20242 (18%)
  16. 20251 (25%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2018 Mercedes-Benz C300 have?
NHTSA lists 35 engine complaints for the 2018 C300, which is 35% of all 99 complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz C300 engine?
No. The data shows no related recalls tied to engine complaints for the 2018 C300.
What is the most common engine problem on the 2018 C300?
Multiple owners report the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) regulator valve failing, triggering check engine code P052E and causing oil leaks or oil burning.
At what mileage do engine problems typically appear on the 2018 C300?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA is 34,000 miles.
How does the 2018 C300 compare to other C300 years for engine complaints?
The 2018 model's engine complaints make up 35% of its total complaints, similar to 2015 (35%) and 2016 (34%), while 2021 shows a higher 57% share though on far fewer total complaints.

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.