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What 14 owners told NHTSA about the 2024 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 (14)Crash / fire / injury (3)Brakes (4)Electrical system (4)Engine (3)Airbags (2)Backup camera & sensors (1)Body & structure (1)Driver assistance (1)Lane Departure (1)Seats (1)Speed control (1)

4 of 14 complaints match · Brakes · clear filters

May 27, 2026BrakesEngineLane Departure

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 check user manual”, “car malfunction” with a engine battery symbol. All the while the engine light was on. All these warning was popping up one after another, while I was trying to merge onto the bridge. Mind you there is no shoulder currently during the active merging or on the bridge, but I didn’t think of what would happen next. As I merge onto the bridge at 35mph the car shuts off completely on me. My car automatically sets itself into Neutral mode and I was rolling on the bridge at 35mph, no shoulder and no brakes or gas to move properly. I called the police but they won’t dispatch a officer unless I am in a accident or about to cause on, but they heard I am rolling at 35mph and they said from her words herself “I can’t send a officer over for your reason ma’am, are you a threat to others or about to crash? Can’t you just brake?” My car system never turned back on, I stepped my foot on the brakes all the way praying something will work as I existed the bridge onto a small shoulder. The emergency brakes came on as I keep swerving onto the grass. As everyone was going 65mph I don’t know why I wouldn’t impose as a threat if I have no control over my car from oncoming traffic. This is a very dangerous situation, and my service shop said we try to retest the issue/diagnostics but couldn’t replicate the situation and told me that my car is fine. But this isn’t the first time that happened and it also wasn’t the last. I don’t know what test they’re running but telling me it’s a simple system malfunction error every time is playing with my lifespan. Do not recommend.

NHTSA ODI 11740286

Jul 30, 2025BrakesDriver assistanceCrash

The vehicle appears to have experienced a braking system malfunction, possibly involving the brake-by-wire system, electronic stability control (ESC), or unintended acceleration event. When the brake pedal was fully depressed, the car suddenly and uncontrollably accelerated forward into a cinder block wall. After the incident, it was observed that only the left-side tires left skid marks, indicating an apparent brake imbalance or failure on the right side. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. My safety and the safety of others were severely compromised. My daughter and I were in the car during this and are extremely traumatized. Despite pressing the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated forward and crashed into a cinder block wall, which could have resulted in serious injury or death had a person, pedestrian, or oncoming vehicle been in front. This type of malfunction poses a critical risk of high-speed unintended collisions in public or residential areas. As of now, the problem has not yet been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or service center, but further inspection is pending. I am requesting a full diagnostic evaluation, including electronic and mechanical systems related to throttle and braking. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by Mercedes-Benz, police, or insurance representatives, but the car is in the possession of a Mercedes’ collision center. NO, there were no warning lamps, messages, or unusual symptoms on the dashboard prior to the event. The vehicle gave no indication of mechanical or electronic failure before the sudden acceleration occurred.

NHTSA ODI 11677330

May 7, 2025Brakes

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ODI 11659453

Jun 18, 2024Electrical systemBrakes

I was driving and all of a sudden a loud sound started occurring and the sound appeared to come from my breaks as if they were about to give out. The car is currently at Mercedes getting looked at. I’m concerned for my safety as I have taken this car in for two other issues in the last couple of months.

NHTSA ODI 11594999

Working with the data? Download all 14 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 2024 Mercedes-benz C-class Hybrid verdict →