US vehicle recalls and complaint patterns, explained

Mercedes-Benz C-Class recall history and complaint patterns

Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.

Last updated: (NHTSA data snapshot)

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At a Glance

Total Recalls 9
Total Complaints 269
Years Covered 1991–2012

Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards. Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.

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Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.

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Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data. Always check your specific VIN on NHTSA.gov for vehicle-specific recall information.

Key Takeaways

A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.

Recall Themes

Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas. Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.

Electrical

2 campaigns · Years: 1998–1999, 2005–2006

These campaigns relate to wiring or electrical components that can cause warning lights, loss of function, or fire risk in some cases.

Official notices (evidence):

Seats and restraints

2 campaigns · Years: 2004, 2008

These campaigns relate to seats, belts, airbags restraint integration, or child restraint anchoring components.

Official notices (evidence):

Airbags

1 campaign · Years: 2005–2006

These campaigns relate to airbag system components and deployment/airbag readiness issues.

Official notices (evidence):

Engine and cooling

1 campaign · Years: 1996

These campaigns relate to engine or cooling components where failures can lead to stalling or overheating risk.

Official notices (evidence):

Most Reported Issues

Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class in NHTSA complaint data are Electrical system, Electrical system:wiring:front underhood, Engine and engine cooling.

Jump to Model Year

Year-by-Year Overview

Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and complaints, not risk predictions.

Model Year Recalls Complaints Details
2012 0 2 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Exterior lighting.
2008 1 18 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Tires.
2006 2 12 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel, Engine and engine cooling, Exterior lighting:headlights.
2005 2 8 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seats, Air bags:frontal, Electrical system.
2004 1 20 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Air bags:side/window.
2003 0 12 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Power train:driveline, Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator.
2002 0 46 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Engine and engine cooling, Seats.
2001 0 25 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine and engine cooling.
2000 0 13 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electronic stability control (esc), Service brakes, hydraulic, Vehicle speed control.
1999 1 7 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery, Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components, Engine and engine cooling.
1998 1 7 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Child seat, Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly.
1997 0 5 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Suspension:front, Electrical system.
1996 1 10 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Electrical system:ignition, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline.
1995 0 64 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Electrical system:wiring:front underhood, Electrical system:wiring.
1994 0 19 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:wiring:front underhood, Electrical system, Engine and engine cooling.
1991 0 1 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine.

What to Do Next

Check Your VIN on NHTSA.gov

Recall Evidence by Year

A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model. The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.

Most common areas involved: Electrical system , Seat belts and Air bags

Show recall evidence by year

2008

  • Seat belts: Rear/other: Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (07V465000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Certain vehicles fail to comply with some of the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, "Occupant crash protection." The rear outboard seat belts do not comply with the lap-belt lockability requirement which enables the lap belt portion of the belt to be locked by the user

2006

  • Air bags: Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (05V560000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Certain passenger vehicles equipped with sport model steering wheels fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, "Occupant crash protection." In certain low risk air bag deployment tests conducted by nhtsa, using an out-of-position unbelted 5th percentil
  • Electrical system: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (08V303000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Mercedes-benz is recalling my 2006-2008 m-class, r-class, my 2005-2009 slk-class, my 2005-2008 c-class, my 2003-2004 and 2006-2008 clk-class, my 2003-2008 e-class, my 2004 and 2008 cl-class, my 2008 cls-class, my 2004 and 2007-2008 s-class, my 2003 g-class, and my 2003-2004, 2006 and 2009 sl-clas

2005

  • Air bags: Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (05V560000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Certain passenger vehicles equipped with sport model steering wheels fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, "Occupant crash protection." In certain low risk air bag deployment tests conducted by nhtsa, using an out-of-position unbelted 5th percentil
  • Electrical system: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (08V303000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Mercedes-benz is recalling my 2006-2008 m-class, r-class, my 2005-2009 slk-class, my 2005-2008 c-class, my 2003-2004 and 2006-2008 clk-class, my 2003-2008 e-class, my 2004 and 2008 cl-class, my 2008 cls-class, my 2004 and 2007-2008 s-class, my 2003 g-class, and my 2003-2004, 2006 and 2009 sl-clas

2004

  • Seat belts: Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (03V534000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: On certain passenger vehicles, some seat belt buckles may have a burr on a metal component of the locking mechanism. The presence of the burr could prevent the seat belt from locking under certain circumstances.

1999

  • Electrical system: 12V/24v/48v battery: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (01V366000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with hoppecke batteries. The battery maintenance schedule could be less than needed to maintain proper electrolyte levels.

1998

  • Electrical system: 12V/24v/48v battery: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (01V366000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with hoppecke batteries. The battery maintenance schedule could be less than needed to maintain proper electrolyte levels.

1996

  • Engine and engine cooling: Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (96V058000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The drive belt pulley on the engine can develop fatigue cracks in the metal and break. If the drive pulley breaks, the car would not have engine cooling, battery charging, and/or power steering.

Other Mercedes-Benz Models

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⚠️ Important Safety Information

Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data. This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.

For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.

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