Owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, brakes, and transmission. The 11 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2024Two recalls on this model year told owners to park outside until the repair was done.
Do not buy until you have dealer paperwork or a recall lookup showing they were completed for this VIN.
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/11 checked
2024 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/4
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/2
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/4
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Nearby years usually share most parts, so their problems are worth checking on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2024 checks
Worth adding to your 2024 checks
NHTSA complaints for the 2024 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Sudden acceleration at parking-lot speed is the most serious pattern, with three crash-related reports. Drivers describe the car surging while nearly stopped, climbing curbs or striking a glass door, with no warnings and no automatic emergency braking. Other reports describe false parking and collision alarms with no obstacle present, which can prompt hard braking. A C300 stalled in an intersection at about 8,000 miles with dash lights flashing. Several filings in this group describe E350 and EQB models, including frozen or black screens and charging faults, so they may not reflect this car.
Acceleration while the brake pedal is pressed is the single detailed report, and it ended in a crash into a wall with occupants inside. The owner describes skid marks from only the left-side tires afterward and suspects the brake-by-wire or stability control systems, though no cause is confirmed. The second filing contains no description. With only 2 complaints, no broader brake pattern is visible, but the crash report overlaps with the low-speed surging described under electrical problems.
No mechanical failure pattern appears for this car in the powertrain filings. The C300 report is a design objection: after an airbag deploys, the engine is locked out from restarting, which the owner argues could strand a driver in an emergency. The other complaint describes harsh, jerky shifts between 3rd and 4th gear at 25 to 35 mph, confirmed by a dealer, but it concerns an S580 rather than this model.
A driver's seat that slides backward on its own while driving is the most alarming report, occurring on the highway and while pulling into traffic, and it remains unresolved after several dealer visits. A separate complaint describes the passenger seat bouncing, vibrating, and rattling on the road. Dealer technicians confirmed that symptom on a test drive but said nothing could be done and referred the owner to the manufacturer.
Rear creaking when coming to a stop led one mechanic to find a severely rusted rear subframe, with advice to avoid long trips until repaired. That owner reports 120k miles and says Mercedes offers extended coverage for the part. The second filing describes freeway power loss on an S580, a different model, so it says little about this car. Two complaints are not enough to show a clear suspension pattern.
Sidewall bubbles and air loss on the factory Pirelli tires are the consistent complaint. Owners describe bubbles forming during normal driving, tires going flat, and one sudden pressure loss that nearly caused a collision. One report involves 21 inch wheels, with a flat after a 2 inch pothole and bubbles on the other three tires. Both owners believe the tires are not suited to the vehicle's weight, a claim the data does not confirm.
Excerpts from complaints C-Class owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
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.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2024
For two months my EQB has been signaling high voltage when I charge it also now I’m having a problem connecting the plug to charge my car it shows red light has faulty it’s at the shop for a week now and I haven’t gotten updates about my car the cameras as well are turning black not working.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2025
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2024 has the fewest owner complaints of the 7 C-Class years we cover, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Recall repairs are free at any Mercedes-Benz dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023-2024 EQB 250+, 2022-2024 EQB 300 4MATIC, and EQB 350 4MATIC vehicles. The high voltage battery may fail internally and lead to a vehicle fire while parked or driving.
Risk: A vehicle fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Also, owners are advised to only charge their vehicles to a maximum of 80% battery capacity until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will replace the high voltage battery, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed February 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. This recall replaces recalls 25V050 and 25V894. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 25V050 or 25V894 will need to have the new remedy completed. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 13, 2026.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2022-2025 EQB 250, EQB 300 4MATIC, and EQB 350 4MATIC electric vehicles. The high voltage battery may fail internally and lead to a vehicle fire while parked or driving.
Risk: A vehicle fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to only charge their vehicles to a maximum of 80% battery capacity until the repair has been completed. Dealers will update the battery management system software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 22, 2025. This is a phased recall. Phase 1 owner letters were mailed on May 22, 2025. Phase 2 owner letters were mailed on October 31, 2025 and Phase 3 owner letters were mailed on December 12, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2025040005.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023-2026 EQE and GLC vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. The steering coupling bolt may have been improperly tightened, allowing the steering coupling to loosen from the steering rack.
Risk: A loose steering coupling can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will tighten the steering coupling bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 6, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2022-2025 C 300, and 2023-2024 AMG C 43 vehicles. The driver-side seat belt cover may not be properly installed on the seat belt tensioner, which can cause the seat belt anchor to come loose.
Risk: A loose seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the seat belt covers, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 16, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2025040012.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2024 E 350 4MATIC, E 450 4MATIC All-Terrain, and E 450 4MATIC vehicles. The 12-Volt and 48-Volt ground connections for the electrical wiring harness may not be secured properly, resulting in the ground connections overheating.
Risk: Overheated ground connections can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the 12-Volt and 48-Volt ground connections as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 7, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023-2024 AMG GT 63 S E Performance 4-door coupe, 2025 AMG GLC 63 S E Performance, GLC 63 S E Performance Coupe, AMG GT 63 S E Performance, 2023-2025 AMG S 63 E Performance, and 2024-2025 AMG SL 63 S E Performance vehicles with a hybrid powertrain. A software error may cause the high-voltage starter alternator control unit to fail, causing a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the high-voltage starter alternator control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2025030012.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2024 GLC 300 4MATIC, and S 580 4MATIC vehicles. The bolts that secure the rear axle differential to the rear axle carrier may come loose, which can result in a separation of the drive shaft from the rear axle differential.
Risk: Driveshaft separation can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will repair the rear axle differential bolt connection as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120005.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023-2024 C300, AMG C43, S580e, S580, Maybach S580, Maybach S680, AMG SL43, AMGSL63, GLC300, EQE350, EQE500, EQS450, EQS580, AMG EQS, 2023 S500, AMG SL55, AMG EQE, 2024 E350, E450, AMG C63e S, CLE300 Coupe, CLE450 Coupe, and GLC300 Coupe vehicles. The 80-Amp fuses may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause the fuses to fail.
Risk: An 80-Amp fuse that fails can result in a sudden loss of drive power or a loss of critical safety functions such as the restraint systems or instrument cluster, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. Additionally, there could be an increased risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the main fuse boxes, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 5, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024030008.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2024 GLE, GLS, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL, GLC, CLS, AMG GT, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The fuel pump may shutdown, causing a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 28, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on February 23, 2024, April 19, 2024, June 28, 2024, August 9, 2024, October 1, 2024, and December 2, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 23V-445.
Cars shoppers compare with the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, with their own 2024 checklists.
2024 owner complaints, side by side
