2020 Mercedes-Benz C 300
Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 97 |
| 2019 | 65 |
| 2020 | 32 |
| 2021 | 13 |
| 2022 | 25 |
| 2023 | 22 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 1 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
25% of complaints: engine — 8 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
Cylinder head is defective. Service advisor told me it was a known issue in which exhaust valves within cylinder head are prone to premature wear. If left unaddressed it leads to inevitable engine failure. I was quoted $12,000.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240331
9% of complaints: power train — 3 distinct reports on file.
9% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 3 distinct reports on file.
9% of complaints: electrical system — 3 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that her son was driving at an undisclosed speed when another vehicle's muffler detached and crashed into the undercarriage of the contact's vehicle.
NHTSA ODI report, 20210525
6% of complaints: visibility — 2 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the communication module, free of charge. The recall began April 14, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020030016.
Campaign 20V068000 — check if this car was fixed
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020 C300, E350, and GLC300 vehicles equipped with turbocharged 4-cylinder gasoline engines.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the turbocharger oil lines and tighten them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began August 17, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Campaign 20V364000 — check if this car was fixed
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2021 C300, 2017-2020 AMG C43, and AMG C63 vehicles. The front seat belts might not fully retract to their stowed position.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will check the retraction function of the front seat belts and adjust the damping foam within the B-pillars, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2021.
Campaign 21V032000 — check if this car was fixed
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
Campaign 21V058000 — check if this car was fixed
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2020 C300 Coupe, C43 Coupe AMG, C43 AMG, 2015-2020 C300, GLA250, 2016-2018 C350e, CLA45 Coupe AMG, 2015 C400, S65 AMG, 2015-2019 C63 AMG, 2016 C450, 2015-2016 GLA45 AMG, S600, 2016-2020...
Remedy: Mercedes-Benz dealer will remove the bonded panel and will install a new front panel by following the detailed repair instructions and using the approved primer, cleaner and adhesive, free of charge.
Campaign 21V197000 — check if this car was fixed
Mercedes-Benz LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2020 C300, 2019-2020 A220, AMG C43, AMG C63, 2020 GLE580, GLB250, 2020-2021 GLE450, GLE350, 2021 AMG GLE63, and AMG GLE53 vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the LED headlights, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed August 13, 2021. A second notice will be sent once the remedy is available.
Campaign 21V509000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 22V365000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 22V232000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 23V854000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2020 Mercedes-Benz C 300 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine issues (8 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (3 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (3 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 20V068000 (communication) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V364000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V032000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V058000 (communication, electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V197000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V509000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V365000 (communication, electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V232000 (back over prevention) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V854000 (structure) has been completed.
FAQ
Is the 2020 Mercedes-Benz C 300 reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Mercedes-Benz C 300?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2020 Mercedes-Benz C 300 have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.