2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class engine problems
85 of the 253 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). Filed under the same heading: 122 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the engine
Source: NHTSA complaint database0 of the 85 reports a crash · 1 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2017: 9 · 2018: 1 · 2020: 3 · 2021: 4 · 2022: 16 · 2023: 28 · 2024: 18 · 2025: 3 · 2026: 3
Half of the 12 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 28,000 and 48,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
253 complaints in all about the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, 3 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Engine” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Mercedes-Benz C-Class engine problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Check engine light came on, a day after purchasing from dealer. Mileage at 55k. Check engine light code was p052e71, confirmed from 2 auto repairers. One was Mercedes Benz who quoted me $3900 to repair. In the Mercedes Benz booklet warranty says emission related repairs are covered for 15 years/150k miles for hybrid vehicles
I have a 2017 C350E with 69K miles. Dealer wants $2900 to fix the Crankcase Ventilation Valve. The part that needs to be replaced costs about $600 with lot of labor time involved (~$2500). The part number is 274090560084.
ode P052E : Positive Crankcase Ventilation Regulator Valve Performance. This seems to be a common problem with the C300. It's not an easy fix. MB hasn't addressed this common issue. Also strong smell of gas coming into the cabin during start up. Took car to Keys Van Nuys Mercedes in North Hollywood and was no recall.
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH, the vehicle stalled inadvertently and would not exceed 3 MPH. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was unable to veer to the side of the roadway. The contact turned on the hazard lights.
My car leaked oil very fast while me & my wife were on a trip and it stopped on the highway and engine was stalling and misfiring due to a manufacture defect that is common with this model so it did put us in a very dangerous & risky situation.
What is on file about the engine
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- 17V114000 CriticalFeb 23, 2017 · 307,629 vehicles
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2017 C300 4Matic, C300, CLA250, CLA250 4Matic and CLA45 AMG vehicles, 2017 C300 4Matic Cabrio, C300 4Matic Coupe, C300 Cabrio, C300 Coupe, E300, E300 4Matic, E400 4Matic Wagon, E43 AMG 4Matic, GLA250, GLA250 4Matic and GLC300 4Matic Coupe vehicles and 2016 C350e and GLC300 vehicles and 2016-2017 C450 4Matic AMG Sport and GLC300 4Matic vehicles. In the event that the engine or transmission cannot turn over, the starting current limiter may overheat from the repeated attempts of the starter motor attempting to start the vehicle.
122 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
- LI01.20-P-080884 Service bulletinAug 12, 2026
- Complaint Oil leaks found on M176 or M177 engines diagnosed to be from the cylinder head cover area Cause Unknown (under investigation) Remedy If oil leaks are found at left or right cylinder head cover area please collect the following information and open TIPS case. 1. Collect photos of the leak 2. Include close up and wide view photos to accurately represent the location 3. Include if the vehic
The 1 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre engine problems common on the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 85 owner complaints naming the engine on this model year (34% of everything owners filed about it), and 122 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the engine on the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 17V114000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do engine problems show up on the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 36,000 miles; half of them between 28,000 and 48,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.