Mercedes-Benz C-Class Engine problems
80 of the 331 complaints about the Mercedes-Benz C-Class (24.2%) concern Engine, making it the model's largest problem area. That share is 1.1× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.
Analysis
By model year, Engine complaints peak with the 2018 model (40, 31% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2022 model (2). 19 Engine complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 9 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
Owners most often describe: “crankcase”, “ventilation”, “engine”, “positive” and “code”. None of these reports describes a crash or fire.
No recall campaign addresses Engine for the tracked model years.
By model year
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 19 · Previous 12 months: 9
Common terms in reports
- crankcase18
- ventilation17
- engine65
- positive14
- code23
- valve19
What owners report
Throughout the year, the car had many issues, the blind spot sensors and glass sensors didn't work, and it constantly showed that the stop/start system wasn't working. Twice, the car turned off by itself at a stoplight.
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz C 300. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the engine compartment while accelerating. There were no warning lights illuminated.
Driving a 2024 mercedes c300 on the florida turnpike in the left lane at 70 mph the engine suddenly slowed down. While the vehicle slowed in heavy traffic I was able to merge to the outside lane where it stopped.
Throttle body and accelerator pedal position sensors failed. Component is available for inspection upon request. Independent service center confirmed failure on 1/3/2026 with 6 stored fault codes: P2101, P0122, P0222, P0123, P0223, P2135.
Car fails to accelerate past 25 mph when entering roadway. Roadway area is 45mph and vehicle would not accelerate to reach safe levels. This out myself and occupants of my vehicle in danger as traffic is already at the 45+ mph limit. Vehicle has 30,000 miles.
I had to take a detour one night coming home, the detour led to a bridge that connects to a highway. Approaching the bridge my car started to jerk and pop up with all of these notification about “blind spot assistance” is down, “car engine failure, please…
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
No recall campaign addresses Engine for the tracked model years.
Problem areas · Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Mercedes-Benz C-Class problems, complaints & recalls by model year ›
Related reading
- Why modern engines burn oil, and what owner complaints revealThe design choices that make many recent engines consume oil, the warning signs owners describe, what counts as normal, and which tracked models draw the most engine complaints right now.
Frequently asked questions
How common are Engine problems on the Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
80 of the 331 complaints about the Mercedes-Benz C-Class (24.2%) concern Engine, making it the model's largest problem area. That share is 1.1× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.
Which Mercedes-Benz C-Class model years have the most Engine complaints?
By model year, Engine complaints peak with the 2018 model (40, 31% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2022 model (2).
Is there a recall for Mercedes-Benz C-Class Engine problems?
No recall campaign addresses Engine for the tracked model years.