2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class problems and recalls

Owners filed 119 complaints on the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class in the last three full years, out of 253 on record. The most cited component is the Engine.

253
Complaints
0
Recalls
12
Crash reports
3
Fire reports
17
Injuries
74.5
Severity index

Severity index 74.5 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 74.5p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 46 of 137 by severity index among 2017 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 66% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2017 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 83 complaints (32.8%)83 33%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 38 complaints (15.0%)38 15%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 35 complaints (13.8%)35 14%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 32 complaints (12.6%)32 13%StructureStructure: 26 complaints (10.3%)26 10%Seat BeltsSeat Belts: 26 complaints (10.3%)26 10%Air BagsAir Bags: 18 complaints (7.1%)18 7%SteeringSteering: 15 complaints (5.9%)15 6%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE8332.8%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3815.0%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3513.8%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3212.6%
STRUCTURE2610.3%
SEAT BELTS2610.3%
AIR BAGS187.1%
STEERING155.9%

Complaints filed per year

028562016: 12017: 212018: 152019: 142020: 132021: 312022: 342023: 562024: 402025: 232026: 5 (partial year)161718192021222356242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20161
201721
201815
201914
202013
202131
202234
202356
202440
202523
2026 (year to date)5
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 1.5x those in 2020 to 2022 (119 against 78).

Other Mercedes-Benz C-Class model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 13 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-08-30. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.