2020 Mercedes-Benz C300 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
40/100
#10 most-complained of 16 C300 years
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz C300 ranks 10th out of 16 model years with a Complaint Index of 40 and a "Good" verdict. It carries 33 complaints, 9 recalls, and 5 reported crashes, with Engine issues the top problem area at 27% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 33
- Recalls
- 9
- Crashes / fires
- 5 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 21.5 city / 30.5 hwy
Top 2020 Mercedes-Benz C300 problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Rearview camera image freezes or the camera and parking sensors deactivate while backing up, sometimes leading to a low-speed crash.
- Sensors and driver-assist warnings illuminate falsely, disabling multiple safety systems at once.
- The traffic sign reader feature abruptly slows the car on its own after reading a posted speed limit.
- Steering has locked up without warning while driving, causing loss of control.
- A loud noise near the windshield pillar airbag area occurred with no warning lights and no change in vehicle handling.
- Owners report a fuel smell traced to the rubber fuel lines at 87,000 miles.
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 40 and a "Good" verdict, ranking 10th out of 16 model years. It has fewer reported problems than most earlier C300 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Mercedes-Benz C300?
- Engine issues are the top problem area, making up 27% of complaints, followed by Structure & Body at 18% and Collision Avoidance & Cameras at 15%. Median mileage at engine-related failure was 55,000 miles.
- Does the 2020 Mercedes-Benz C300 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2020 C300, covering areas including Structure & Body, Electrical System, Collision Avoidance & Cameras, Seat Belts, and Engine. None are marked do-not-drive.
- How does the 2020 C300 compare to other C300 years?
- The 2020 C300's Complaint Index of 40 is better than years like 2010 and 2011, which scored 93 and 100 and are rated "Avoid," but worse than 2021's index of 7, which is rated "Best."