Home · 2015 Mercedes-benz C-class Hybrid · Complaints

What 435 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 Mercedes-benz C-class Hybrid

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (435)Crash / fire / injury (13)Engine (134)Fuel system (75)Body & structure (73)Electrical system (54)Steering (28)Suspension (28)Airbags (26)Transmission & drivetrain (23)Visibility & wipers (17)Brakes (10)

Newest first · 435 complaints · page 9 of 18

Sep 16, 2022Steering

Failed component: power steering. Mercedes Benz of Princeton did the replacement, but we're not sure if they kept the part. Safety issue: On June 14, 2022, the vehicle’s power steering failed in the middle of a drive (see attachment for the error message). This was a major risk since the car was stuck in the middle of the road, with the steering wheel requiring tremendous force to turn. Luckily, we were a few 100 feet away from home, so we just left it. Next morning the car turns on fine and there are no issues with the steering. One week later, on June 19, 2022, the issue resurfaced. This time we were driving 35mph in a public street with traffic behind us. We were barely able to pull the car over to the side of the road. We took the car to Mercedes Benz of Princeton where they diagnosed the issue and quoted $4551 to replace the entire steering rack. We also contacted MB USA to understand why our vehicle wasn't recalled as part of NHTSA Recall ID #15V-845. After dragging their feet for a full month (where no updates were provided), they denied the claim. On July 22, 2022, we ended up paying the full cost of repair and lost the use of the vehicle for a full month.

NHTSA ODI 11484758

Aug 30, 2022Visibility & wipers

While driving on the highway, I heard a noise.  While still driving , I quickly looked around which included looking in my rear view mirror.  I saw something in the air and saw it hit the road.  It didn't occur to me that what I saw flying was from my car.  I thought the noise was from some part of the object (maybe a screw) hitting my car.// When I got to where I was going, I walked from my driver's side around the back of the car looking to see if there were any noticeable issues.  When I didn't see any issues, I decided to walk to the front of the car where I noticed the panel missing between the top of the front windshield and the sunroof. // I found the following article: https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2021/mercedes-benz-sunroof-problems-cause-recall.shtml The scenario described in the article happened to me on Saturday 27Aug2022: "And a 2015 Mercedes C300 driver heard loud wind noise coming from the top of the vehicle near the windshield while driving above 40 mph. ... while driving on the freeway the driver heard a loud ripping noise and realized the panel was missing. The sunroof panel that flew away wasn't found."

NHTSA ODI 11482118

Aug 25, 2022Body & structure

The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that there was a crack on the front panel of the panoramic roof. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and found that the roof panel was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V197000 (Structure). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA ODI 11481157

Aug 16, 2022Fuel system

Strong odor of fuel in the cabin when entering the cabin and stronger when vehicle is first started

NHTSA ODI 11479497

Aug 13, 2022Driver assistance

I took my vehicle to the dealership to have recall worked on (top sunroof panel) apparently they refused to work on it because my sunroof is not working. I received a letter after i financed the vehicle stating that there was a recall so to take it in to the dealership and if sunroof needed to be fixed it would. Long story short, back in July the panel detached from my vehicle while i was on the freeway. Thankfully I didn’t cause an accident but I would like some help so the dealership can fix the recall.

NHTSA ODI 11479093

Aug 10, 2022Engine & coolingDriver assistance

The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C250. The contact stated that the vehicle would suddenly stall while driving at various speeds. The contact would have to place the vehicle in park, turn the vehicle off then on again to regain proper function. The vehicle's collision prevention assist plus inoperative warning was illuminated. The contact stated that there were other unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact called the dealer who confirmed the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 11478583

Aug 3, 2022

Crankcase ventilation (PCV system), on C300 and GLC 300 is a know issue with this model care fro 2015 to 2021, yet Mercedes Benz manufacture the cars the same way with addressing in order to over charge customers and claim it’s a wear and tear part

NHTSA ODI 11477283

Aug 1, 2022Steering

The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the power steering malfunction message appeared on the instrument panel. As the contact attempted to exit the highway, excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V845000 (Steering). The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11476885

Jul 29, 2022Transmission & drivetrainDriver assistance

Reported to local dealer and corporate office about the issues with shift module not shifting at random, meaning that the vehicle won't shift from park to drive or reverse, and so forth. The local dealer tried to reprogram the software, but the problem still persists. When plugging in my OBD II & DTC readers, code U0103 appairs which translates to "Lost communication with gear shift control module". My concern with this is that I've had this issue while in traffic, which would make my vehicle a hazard. When it comes to the collision prevention system, the system randomly turns on and off, meaning that when it's needed it might turn on, but when it's not needed it randomly turns on. Once again, addressed this with a local dealer and Mercedes Benz corporate with no avail. My concerns here is that the vehicle could prematurely brake causing an accident or not brake at all causing an accident.

NHTSA ODI 11476508

Jul 28, 2022Fuel system

Check engine lite with code P052E that is "Positive Crank Case Ventilation Regulation Valve Performance" at around 65K miles. This might pose danger with engine failure. the problem has been confirmed by an independent service center. Dealer said that this problem is common to the year and model of my car and that the manufacturer has replaced this piece in newer models. Since the manufacturer already know this issue and replaced the piece with a better one for newer model. I believe this part should be recalled and replaced by the manufacturer. it is crazy amount of money for the consumer to fix this.

NHTSA ODI 11476351

Jul 25, 2022Transmission & drivetrainAirbags

The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would intermittently fail to accelerate upon the depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where she was informed that the turbo booster was defective. The contact then took the vehicle to another independent mechanic where the oil circulation and turbo booster were replaced. After the repair, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with a defective clockspring. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed her that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred her to the NHTSA. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11475712

Jul 24, 2022

This is in regard to my 2015 Mercedes Benz C300 4 matic. I was driving at the normal speed of approximately 65mph on the highway. When out of nowhere, I heard a very loud wind noise. I was terrified since I was alone and was not sure why or what happened. I pulled over and noticed the front panel of my Sunroof glass was missing. I was very disappointed as I have always believed that MB has had a strong reputation for their cars. I circled back around and was able to find the part on the side of the highway, but it was broken. I have had heavy-duty tape covering the space so water cannot get in. I contacted my local MB repair shop and told me the part would be $1100 and labor would be additional.

NHTSA ODI 11475572

Jul 11, 2022EngineFuel system

PCV valve

NHTSA ODI 11473344

Jul 7, 2022Engine

check engine light p052e71 the valve for the crankcase ventilation has malfunctioned, and the actuator is blocked. Replaced the crankcase vent valve assembly 59k mileage when this issue occurred.

NHTSA ODI 11472681

May 20, 2022AirbagsCrash

Air bags did not deploy on car accident and also traction control was not working, steering wheel will go to the side when driving under 40 MPH which is dangerous and car will slide when driving on puddle of water whenever it rained.

NHTSA ODI 11465364

May 19, 2022Engine

Check engine light came on and gave code P052E PCV Regulator Valve Performance

NHTSA ODI 11465331

May 16, 2022Engine

Cracked cylinder #1. Causes rough idle, loss of power and lots of white smoke out the tail pipe. This is dangerous for anyone behind the car trying to see through the smoke then loosing power and other vehicles almost hitting me. Mercedes know they are defective but because of the large cost associated with repairing them they will not fix.

NHTSA ODI 11464848

May 15, 2022Body & structure

Problem with Panoramic Moonroof. One side will not close. Mercedes is aware of the issue. Price to fix is $2,500. Roof will not close or seal.

NHTSA ODI 11464700

Apr 26, 2022Fuel system

2015 C 300 Mercedes Benz Crankcase ventilation/ oil separator is bad. Vehicle has only 50,000 miles. Please help, Mercedes should have this on recall, a lot of people has this same issue. Thanks

NHTSA ODI 11462360

Apr 19, 2022Electrical system

The dealership garage isla verde in carolina, refuse to service my car. They are the only Mercedes-Benz dealer in Puerto Rico and there is no other dealer that can service the recalls of my car. Currently they don’t want to fix the recall NTHSA# #21V197 Bonding of Panoramic Sunroof Panel - Wave 2 MY. Their service is poor and negligent. They make an appoinment to then cancel it and deny receiving me or my car on the only authorized dealer to fix the recall and denying any services to my car. They refuses my entrance.

NHTSA ODI 11461257

Apr 15, 2022Engine

Cylinder #1 losing compression. Onset acute after exiting freeway. Car lost power. Engine warning light turned on. Independent repair shop advised compression problem in Cylinder #1. Dealer then inspected and advised there was compression loss in Cylinder #1. Dealer recommended engine replacement (not repair). The car only has around 46,000 miles and is a 2015 model.

NHTSA ODI 11460977

Apr 8, 2022Engine

The crankcase ventilation valve has gone out on my car. This is a continual problem with these vehicles at low mileage. Mercedes Benz should recall the part for repair as they stated it could damage the engine.

NHTSA ODI 11460195

Mar 28, 2022Fuel system

ONLY HAVE 35,000 MILES AND RECEIVED POSITIVE CRANK CASE VALVE

NHTSA ODI 11458658

Mar 28, 2022Fuel system

Got error code P052E when performing state inspection for my car. This looks like "Positive Crankcase Ventilation Regulator Valve" issue and have seen lot of people who owns Mercedes Benz reported this issue.

NHTSA ODI 11458727

Mar 24, 2022Wheels

There wasn’t any warning lamps prior to my rear right tire exploding on highway.

NHTSA ODI 11458118

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Working with the data? Download all 435 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 25, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2015 Mercedes-benz C-class Hybrid verdict →