2020 Mercedes-Benz C300 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2020 Mercedes-Benz C300 has a complaint index of 47, ranking 9th of 16 model years, and earns a Good verdict. It has 33 complaints, 9 recall campaigns, and no do-not-drive recalls.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 47/100
- #9 of 16 C300 years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 33
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 9
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 21.5 city / 30.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2020 Mercedes-Benz C300 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine9 (27%)
- Structure & Body6 (18%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (15%)
- Other5 (15%)
- Electrical System3 (9%)
- Fuel System3 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (9%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (9%)
- Airbags2 (6%)
- Steering2 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Rearview camera images freeze or fail while backing up, leading to low-speed parking collisions.
- Collision-avoidance sensors illuminate warning lights, then deactivate or malfunction on their own.
- The traffic sign reader feature abruptly slows the car on its own after misreading a posted speed limit.
- Owners report a fuel smell traced to rubber fuel lines not covered under warranty.
- One owner described an airbag deploying near the windshield pillar without warning lights or a change in vehicle handling.
- A steering lock occurred without warning while driving, causing a loss of control.
2020 Mercedes-Benz C300 recalls
9 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 22V232000Apr 8, 2022Collision Avoidance & Cameras126,443 vehicles
Back over prevention:display function
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, C-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe/Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and CLS-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The rearview camera may not display the rearview image due to a software error. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: An inoperable rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022060007.
2020 Mercedes-Benz C300 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21.5 MPG
- Highway
- 30.5 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,200
- 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.
2020 compared with other C300 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Mercedes-Benz C300 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 C300 has a complaint index of 47 and ranks 9th out of 16 model years, earning a Good verdict relative to other C300 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 C300?
- Engine issues make up 27% of complaints (9 complaints), followed by Structure & Body at 18% (6 complaints) and Collision Avoidance & Cameras at 15% (5 complaints, 3 involving crashes).
- Does the 2020 C300 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2020 C300, covering areas including the engine turbocharger oil lines, front roof panel, LED headlights, seat belts, and communication module software. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2020 C300 compare to other years?
- The 2020 model's complaint index of 47 is lower than earlier years like 2010 (100) and 2011 (93), but higher than 2021 (7) and 2024 (13), which both earn Best verdicts.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2020 C300?
- The EPA rates the 2020 C300 at 25 mpg combined (21.5 city / 30.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200.