NHTSA Data Explorer

Mercedes-Benz C250

Data refreshed May 30, 2026

Select a model year to filter results to that year of the Mercedes-Benz C250.

Complaints

930

Active records

Recalls

15

Active records

TSBs

273

Active records

Filing history

Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.

Reported severity

Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.

Deaths

1

Injuries

47

Crashes

40

Fires

25

Top reported issues — Mercedes-Benz C250

Click a category to expand its values.

Safety restraint issue

208

Condition issue

174

Operating state

173

Reporting mechanism

138

Performance issue

93

Engine behavior

87

Noise

79

Thermal issue

56

Starting behavior

49

Safety restraint behavior

38

Electrical issue

30

Braking behavior

29

Fluid issue

28

Vibration/harshness

27

Access/entry issue

25

Steering behavior

25

Lighting behavior

15

Driver assistance issue

13

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

13

Smell

11

Powering on/off behavior

10

Recent change

7

HVAC behavior

6

Infotainment behavior

5

Ride/handling behavior

5

Communication/network issue

2

Wiper/washer behavior

2

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

2014 MERCEDES-BENZ C250

Filed May 6, 2026


The electronic steering lock (ESL) system on my 2014 Mercedes-Benz C250 failed without warning, leaving the vehicle completely unable to start. When attempting to start the vehicle, the key would insert but the vehicle would not crank or start, and the steering lock malfunction prevented normal operation of the vehicle. The vehicle became stranded and inoperable. This failure created a safety risk because the vehicle could not be moved and left me stranded unexpectedly. If this failure were to…

2014 MERCEDES-BENZ C250

Filed Mar 11, 2026


The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz C250. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to start. Additionally, the steering wheel was difficult to turn to the left or the right. The vehicle was eventually started and driven to a dealer; however, after the vehicle was parked and turned off, the contact attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The dealer replaced the battery however, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the dealer then…

2014 MERCEDES-BENZ C250

Filed Feb 9, 2026


my car overheats badly and shakes and it is starting to smoke from the hood in snowy conditions

2013 MERCEDES-BENZ C250

Filed Feb 2, 2026


ESL emulator is bad. Keeps no crank Steering lock Also sunroof water spouts are not working as they should they do no open to release water.

2014 MERCEDES-BENZ C250

Filed Nov 21, 2025


The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-250. The contact stated that the driver’s side seat air bag warning light was illuminated. The air bag was visible through the seat and was able to be moved manually. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V010000 (Air Bags); however, the VIN was not included in the recall, and the recall referenced the front passenger’s seat air bag.…

2012 MERCEDES BENZ C-CLASS

Filed Nov 3, 2025


The taillights in my 2012 c300 was starting to go out intermittently. At first the notification came on for the brake light but the brake light kept working. Afterwards the rest of the taillights and the sidemarker light went out as well. I went to go take a look and the grounding wire was oxidated and corroded. A known issue in which there was a recall made for the 2008-2011 version of the w204 but this did not apply to the 2012 w204. As of last week my entire rear drivers side light is out…

2013 MERCEDES-BENZ C250

Filed Nov 2, 2025


The vehicle was represented to me as safe to drive, with no major mechanical issues, and that it would pass emissions after only a simple minor fix. After I took possession, the check engine light came on. The car began running rough and showing hesitation. A scan immediately showed a camshaft position sensor fault, cylinder misfire, lean fuel condition, and oxygen sensor/emissions faults. I was also told by a professional shop that the timing chain may be failing. I was then warned that these…

2014 MERCEDES-BENZ C250

Filed Sep 27, 2025


I was coming off the freeway on 9/25/25, and when I pressed on the breaks they completely locked up and would not break at all. The car turned off, no warning lights nothing, and I continued to hit the break and the car would not stop, then all of a sudden it came to a stop almost colliding within inches of hitting the Semi-Truck in front of me. This is the second time in one year that this has happened to me, I have had the car checked out the first time last year immediately, and even paid…

2014 MERCEDES-BENZ C250

Filed Sep 19, 2025


The ESL Module in this model is designed to unlock the steering and ignition when the vehicle key's passcode matches, using a small, mechanical motor with significantly poor durability. The problem is that this motor's failure is unpredictable, and many users of this model have been stranded and unable to start their vehicles due to the motor's lifespan ending. Even when the car is painstakingly brought to a dealership, repairs cost approximately $1,800 to $2,000, or owners are resorting to…

2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250

Filed Sep 15, 2025


-The steering wheel and brake locked up and became unusable while driving at approximately 75mph. Cruise control was enabled for a few miles (maybe 2) and disabled after. Around 5 minutes after disabling, the car began to surge between acceleration and deceleration drastically on its own. All of the dashboard lights that come on when the key is initially inserted came on at once while engine was on/running and the car was in drive. After finally being able to reach a safe enough spot, I put the…

Data sourced from NHTSA's public datasets. Issue classifications are generated by Repair Surge. About this data.

Updated May 30, 2026. Refreshed nightly.