Home · 2017 Mercedes-benz C-class Phev · Complaints

What 251 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Mercedes-benz C-class Phev

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 (251)Crash / fire / injury (19)Engine (82)Electrical system (35)Fuel system (35)Body & structure (26)Seat belts (26)Airbags (18)Steering (15)Transmission & drivetrain (15)Visibility & wipers (11)Wheels (6)

18 of 251 complaints match · Airbags · clear filters

Jul 28, 2025SuspensionAirbags

In October 2024, the rear subframe was replaced due to rust perforation in the area of the suspension arm mounting bracket. I had no warning. The car was in for routine service at Mercedes Benz of New London. It had rusted from the inside out and was considered unsafe to drive by the Mercedes service advisor. I could have had a serious accident! I had no choice but to replace the subframe as it is my only vehicle. Shockingly I learned many others have had this issue with various Mercedes models/years and that Mercedes Benz knows of this serious safety problem and there is a class action lawsuit pending but subframe replacement is not covered under warranty by Mercedes Benz, so the cost was mine to bear.

NHTSA ODI 11676702

May 14, 2024AirbagsSeat beltsCrash1 injury

The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated that while making a left turn at 40 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the front passenger side of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy upon impact and the seat belt also failed to restrain the contact during the crash. Due to both failures, the contact's head and chest hit the steering wheel. The contact was taken to the hospital by ambulance and given an X-ray exam. The contact was treated for lacerations to the forehead and suffered pain to the head, neck, back, and chest. The whereabouts of the other driver were unknown. A police report was filed. The vehicle was initially towed to an independent mechanic and later back to the contact's home where it remained in the contact's possession. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11588668

Nov 4, 2022Electrical systemAirbags

I was reversing my vehicle when I heard a snap, and the inside dash panel warning sign came on…later I google it and found out it has happened to many other people. the clock spring behind the steering wheel snapped and airbags warning signs came on with possibility of deploying at any moment.

NHTSA ODI 11492300

Jun 14, 2022AirbagsCrash1 injury

The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated while driving at a slow speed in traffic, another vehicle rear-ended and caused her to crash into the vehicle in front. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the back of her head, her left shoulder, right wrist, and right arm along with chest pains and facial contusion. The contact sought medical attention at an emergency room. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to her residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.

NHTSA ODI 11469189

Jul 8, 2021AirbagsCrash1 injury

I was in a car accident on June 30,2021. A Car collided into my drivers side at the front left wheel. My airbags did not deploy and i was injured. my injuries consisted of neck, shoulder, and lower back. I was also thrown to the passenger side of the vehicle because my seat belt did not seem to lock. Thank you, [XXX] email- [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11423870

Feb 29, 2020AirbagsSpeed controlBrakesCrash

ON MARCH 8, 2018 MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. WHILE DRIVING TO A MEETING THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE LOCKED UP SENDING THE VEHICLE INTO A 360-DEGREE SPIN. ALL SAFETY FEATURES IN THE VEHICLE FAILED. NO BRAKES, NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON IMPACT. ON OR AROUND OCTOBER 21ST OF 2018. MY VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A SECOND ACCIDENT. THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE VEHICLE ARE IDENTICAL. WHILE ON MY WAY TO A MEETING THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL GOT LOCKED WHICH SENT THE CAR INTO A 360-DEGREE SPIN. BRAKES, STABILITY CONTROL FAIL, THE CAR ACCELERATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKES, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLPOY ON IMPACT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT I REQUESTED MBUSA TO DISPATCH A SOFTWARE ENGINEER TO HAVE THE ONBOARD ELECTRONICS EXAMINED FOR A POSSIBLE DEFECT. MBUSA ALONG WITH THE MANUFACTURER ARE REFUSING TO HAVE AN ENGINEER SENT. THE DEALERSHIP IS ENGAGED IN DECEITFUL TACTICS IN THEIR COMMUNICATIONS WITH MBUSA LLC. THE DEALERSHIP HAS LIED MULTIPLE TIMES TO MBUSA STATING I AM NOT SHOWING UP TO PRESCRIBED MEETINGS. I HAVE SHOWED ON TIME ON THE DATE THE MEETINGS WITH THE ENGINEER WAS SUPPOSED TO TAKE PLACE AND HAVE A WITNESS. ON THE NIGHT OF THE SECOND ACCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS BROKEN INTO TWICE. THE DEALERSHIP STAFF HAVE CHANGED THE RIGHT REAR TIRE ON THE VEHICLE TO MAKE IT APPEAR AS THOUGH IT WAS THE TIRE'S FAULT. THE PURCHASE RECEIPT FOR THE TIRE AND THE DOT NUMBERS DO NOT MATCH THE DOT NUMBER CURRENTLY ON A TIRE REPLACED BY THE STAFF. MBUSA ALLEGES IT IS THE TIRES FAULT WITHOUT PROVIDING ANY SCIENTIFIC FACT BASED EVIDEMCE. A YEAR AN A HALF LATER THE ISSUE IS NOT RESOLVED AND EVERYONE IS POINTING FINGERS AT EACH OTHER.

NHTSA ODI 11315335

Aug 13, 2019AirbagsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, WAS BROADSIDED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT THE AIR BAG UNDER THE DASHBOARD OF THE DRIVER SIDE DEPLOYED WITH SUCH FORCE THAT CAUSED LACERATIONS AND SECOND DEGREE BURNS ON THE DRIVERS LEGS. THE POLICE WAS PRESENT AND A REPORT NUMBER: 38-18-85 WAS FILED. THE DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE, TREATED AND RELEASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT, THE INSURANCE COMPANY LABELED THE VEHICLE DESTROY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11243472

Jan 29, 2019AirbagsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN HEAD ON COLLISION. THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT NOT TO FULL CAPACITY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD AND NECK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.

NHTSA ODI 11172855

Aug 28, 2018Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V627000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF GEORGETOWN AT 512-930-6150 (LOCATED AT 7401 N INTERSTATE 35 FRONTAGE RD, GEORGETOWN, TX 78626) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11123053

Jul 18, 2018AirbagsSeat beltsBody & structureCrash2 injuries

I HIT A BEAR IN MONTANA IN MY 2017 MERCEDES C300 AT 86MPH AND DESTROYED THE FRONT OF MY CAR. THE SEATBELTS DEPLOYED AND WRENCHED US INTO OUR SEATS AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE FRONT AIR VENTS BUT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF. ON THE DASH THE VEHICLES STATED THAT THE AIRBAGS IN ALL 4 ZONES IN THE CAR MALFUNCTIONED AND SERVICE IS REQUIRED. MERCEDES IS STATING THAT THE LIGHT IS FROM A SEATBELT ERROR CODE BUT THE DASH DID NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT SRS OR SEATBELTS. I DO NOT WANT TO PUT MY FAMILY BACK IN THE CAR AND DO NOT FEEL IT SHOULD BE REPAIRED. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED PHOTOS OF THE ERROR MESSAGES ON THE DASH. I DO NOT KNOW HOW I CAN HIT SOMETHING THAT HARD AND NOT HAVE THEM DEPLOY. MERCEDES IS DOING AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION BUT THEY HAVE NOT GIVEN ME THE RESULTS OF THAT AND IT HAS BEEN OVER 3 WEEKS. VEHICLE WAS IN FOR A AIRBAG RECALL NOT TAKATA RELATED ON JANUARY OF 2018 AND THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN REPAIRED.

NHTSA ODI 11112163

Apr 27, 2018Electrical systemAirbags

SINCE I BOUGHT IN FEBRUARY 2017 BRAND NEW 2017 MERCEDES BENZ C300 CONVERTIBLE IN ONE YEAR OF OWNERSHIP I HAD TO BRING MY CAR SEVERAL TIMES FOR SERVICES LIKE, THE CONVERTIBLE TOP WOULD NOT WORK, THE MIRRORS WOULD NOT FOLD, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT ADJUST, ELECTRONICAL ISSUES LIKE CONNECTING MY CELL PHONE TO THE CAR. ( I HAD THE TOP GOT REPLACED ONLY AFTER COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR.) TODAY APRIL 27 2018 I COULD NOT START THE CAR IN THE MORNING TO GO TO WORK, THE DISPLAY WAS SHOWING THE KEY IS NOT DETECTED( HAD TO EXIT THE CAR COUPLE OF TIMES, WITH THE KEY AND TRY AGAIN TO START THE CAR UNTIL IT FINALLY WORKED).HAD MY TOP OPEN WHILE WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND ONCE PARKED THE TOP WOULD NOT CLOSE, AND AGAIN HAD TO EXIT THE CAR LOCK UNLOCK AN TRY AGAIN COUPLE OF TIMES BEFORE IF FINALLY CLOSED. I DID RECEIVE A LETTER SAYING THAT THE CAR WAS DEFEFECTED, AND THAT THE AIRBAG ON THE DRIVERS SEET MAY NOT WORK, I'LL ATTACH THE LETTER ( BROUGHT FOR SERVICES) BUT IT'S SEEMS THAT THEY DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. ALSO THE TIRE PRESSURE EVERY COUPLE OF WEEKS IT'S LOW, AND THE DISPLAY WOULD SHOW SOMETIMES THAT THE SEET IS NOT FIRM OR STEADY. I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW CAR TO FEEL SAFE AND DO NOT FEEL THAT WAY.

NHTSA ODI 11090429

Apr 6, 2018Airbags

VEHICLE HAS INSUFFICIENT ELECTRICAL GROUNDING THAT CAN LEAD TO AN INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AIRBAG. MERCEDES REFUSES TO INFORM ME OF A DATE THAT THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED. I WAS SENT A LETTER FROM MERCEDES DATED NOVEMBER 2017 AND THE DEALERS AND THE MANUFACTURE WILL NOT GIVE ME A DATE. I AM UNSURE AS I DRIVE THE AUTO THAT THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY CAUSING AND ACCIDENT AND INJURY TO MYSELF. WHY CAN'T THE VEHICLE BE REPAIRED IN A TIMELY MANNER? I AM NOW IN THE 5TH MONTH AND WONDERING IF I AM DRIVING A TIME BOMB.

NHTSA ODI 11083593

Mar 12, 2018Electrical systemAirbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE THREE RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE AIR BAGS AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REMEDIED FOR AN AIR BAG RECALL; HOWEVER, THE PARTS HAD NOT BEEN AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME. THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF WEST HOUSTON, 1025 HWY 6, HOUSTON, TX 77079, (281) 492-5800) WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE SUPPLIED FOR THE OTHER TWO RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN INFORMATION. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 11078686

Feb 21, 2018Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V627000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF BUFFALO (8185 MAIN ST, WILLAMSVILLE, NY) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11074010

Dec 10, 2017Electrical systemAirbagsSeat belts

TAKATA RECALL SEATBELT ISSUES WARRANTY ITEMS /ELECTRICAL NO RESPONSE FROM DEALER AFTER REPEATED EMAILS

NHTSA ODI 11053814

Oct 30, 2017Airbags

WHILE DRIVING THE CARE, I NOTICED THE SEAT BELT LIGHT REMAINED ON DESPITE BEING BUCKLED AND THE PASSENGER AIR WAS NOT SET DESPITE MY WIFE SITTING IN THE SEAT. I FOUND THIS ODD, CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE AND RESEARCHED IF THE CAR HAD A RECALL...THIS CAR DID HAVE A RECALL AND WAS SOLD WHILE IN ACTIVE RECALL STATUS. FEDERAL LAW EXPLICITLY PROHIBITS DEALERSHIPS FROM SELLING A NEW CAR IF A PENDING RECALL HASN'T BEEN PERFORMED. AS, A RESULT, I NO LONGER WANT THIS CAR BECAUSE THE CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SOLD UNTIL THE RECALL WAS PREPARED. BUT, MORE SO BECAUSE THE REMEDY TO REPAIR THIS CAR IS NOT UNTIL MARCH OF 2017.

NHTSA ODI 11041430

Oct 29, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL. WHAT IS CONSIDERED TO BE A "TIMELY MANNER" FOR THE DEALER TO FIX A CAR?

NHTSA ODI 11040900

Oct 25, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL I RECIEVED THE NOTIFICATION FROM TAKATA AIRBAG INFLATORS AT HOME. I CALLED MY DEALER AND THEY DIDN'T AGREE THAT MY CAR HAVE A RECALL FOR AIRBAGS. I CALLED THE MERCEDES BENZ PRINCIPAL OFFICE AND THEY ALSO DENIED I HAVE PROBLMES WITH AIRBAGS. THE WEBSITE OF AIRBAGRECALL.COM SHOWED ACTIVE RECALLS WHEN I PUT MY VIN NUMBER IT SHOWED THAT I HAVE THE PROBLEM.OCT 6 2017 RECALL NUMBER 17V627.MANUFACTURES RECALL NUMBER 2017100005. I FEEL IN RISK TO DRIVE MY CAR AND I NEED IT URGENT. PLEASE I NEED HELP.

NHTSA ODI 11039624

Working with the data? Download all 251 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 20, 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 2017 Mercedes-benz C-class Phev verdict →