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2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Gas
Subcompact Cars
15 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
D
Safety Signal
68 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Counts recalls, not crash safety — this vehicle earned 5 of 5 stars from NHTSA. A much-recalled best-seller scores low here; see the methodology.
RecallsNHTSA campaigns 7
Complaintsnone reporting a crash, fire or injury 17
Crash ratingNHTSA overall 5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 27 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact sedan with 15 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the C300, is EPA-rated at 27 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of D. Owners have filed 17 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class — photograph via Wikimedia Commons
Mercedes-Benz C-Class · Photo: Alexander-93 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
C300GasRWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo233527$3,050
C300 4maticGas4WD2.0L 4-cyl turbo233327$3,050
C300 CoupeGasRWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo243327$3,050
C300 4matic CoupeGas4WD2.0L 4-cyl turbo233226$3,150
C300 ConvertibleGasRWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo233126$3,150
C300 4matic ConvertibleGas4WD2.0L 4-cyl turbo223025$3,300
AMG C43 4matic ConvertibleGas4WD3.0L 6-cyl turbo192722$3,750
AMG C43 4matic CoupeGas4WD3.0L 6-cyl turbo192722$3,750
AMG C43 4maticGas4WD3.0L 6-cyl turbo182721$3,900
AMG C63GasRWD4.0L 8-cyl turbo172621$3,900
AMG C63 SGasRWD4.0L 8-cyl turbo172621$3,900
AMG C63 ConvertibleGasRWD4.0L 8-cyl turbo172520$4,100
AMG C63 CoupeGasRWD4.0L 8-cyl turbo172620$4,100
AMG C63 S ConvertibleGasRWD4.0L 8-cyl turbo172520$4,100
AMG C63 S CoupeGasRWD4.0L 8-cyl turbo172620$4,100

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 43515, 43348, 43332, 43333, 43335, 43334, 43528, 43527, 43535, 43531.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
C300, C300 4matic, C300 4matic Convertible, C300 4matic Coupe, C300 Convertible, C300 Coupe6 / 10California LEV-III ULEV50 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 50All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—
AMG C43 4matic, AMG C43 4matic Convertible, AMG C43 4matic Coupe5 / 10California LEV-III ULEV70 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 70All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—
AMG C63, AMG C63 Convertible, AMG C63 Coupe, AMG C63 S, AMG C63 S Convertible, AMG C63 S Coupe3 / 10Federal Tier 3 Bin 125All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body styleSedan/Saloon
Doors4
GVWR classClass 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)

Engine Basics

Cylinders6
Displacement3 L
Engine configurationV-Shaped

Fuel Economy

FuelGasoline

Seating

Seat rows2
Seating capacity5 seats

Transmission

TransmissionAutomatic
Transmission speeds9

Driver assistance

Standard: Anti-lock brakes, Automatic emergency braking, Backup camera, Blind-spot monitoring, Electronic stability control, Forward collision warning

Optional: Adaptive cruise control, Lane departure warning, Lane keeping assist, Parking assist

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: AMG C43, AMG C63 S, C300, C300-4M). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada
Length184.6–187.4 in
Width (body, without mirrors)71.3 in
Height55.1–57.5 in
Wheelbase111.8 in
Track, front61.4–62.6 in
Track, rear61.0–62.2 in
Curb weight3,583–4,275 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear51/49 to 55/45

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 11 configurations: AMG C 63 S 2-door Convertible, AMG C 63 S 2-door Coupe, C 300 4Matic 4-door Sedan, C 300 4Matic 4-door Wagon, C 43 AMG 4Matic 4-door Sedan, C 43 AMG 4Matic 4-door Wagon …. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

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Factory warranty running out?

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.

What to check before you buy →

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Recalls (7)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

2023070012
143,551 vehicles 92% reported repaired
Problem Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2023 C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS, SL, GT, GLC, GLE, GLS, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The fuel pump may shutdown, which can result in 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 14, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2023070012.
NHTSA campaign 23V445000 reported Jun 26, 2023 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Electrical System

See Recall Schedule
242,722 vehicles 91% reported repaired
Problem Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, AMG GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, GLB-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system. Risk A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury. Fix The communication module software will be updated through an Over-the-Air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2022. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on July 8, 2022, May 17, 2024, July 29, 2024, and September 27, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers are for this recall is 2022060005 and 2023110006.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 22V365000 reported May 20, 2022 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Back Over Prevention

2022060007
126,443 vehicles 92% reported repaired
Problem Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, C-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe/Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and CLS-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The rearview camera may not display the rearview image due to a software error. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility." Risk An inoperable rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022060007.
NHTSA campaign 22V232000 reported Apr 8, 2022 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Seats

2021060010
218 vehicles 99% reported repaired
Problem Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 C300 Cabriolet, C43 AMG Cabriolet, C63 AMG Cabriolet, C63 AMG S Cabriolet, E450 Cabriolet, and E53 AMG Cabriolet vehicles. The rear headrests may be incorrectly mounted to the seatbacks. Risk Incorrectly mounted headrests could move or detach from the seat during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Fix Dealers will inspect the rear seatback guide bushings and replace them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 16, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021060010.
NHTSA campaign 21V406000 reported May 28, 2021 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Seats

2021040016
8,634 vehicles 98% reported repaired
Problem Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 C-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe and Convertible, GLC, CLS, AMG GT 4-door Coupe and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. A faulty electrical contact within the seat position switch may prevent the driver and passenger air bags and seat belt force limiters from properly activating during a crash. Risk Air bags and seat belts that do not perform properly in a crash can increase the risk of injury. Fix MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat position switches, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 21, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021040016.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V230000 reported Apr 1, 2021 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Electrical System

2021020025
1,292,258 vehicles 95% reported repaired
Problem Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash. Risk Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash. Fix MBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020025.
NHTSA campaign 21V058000 reported Feb 5, 2021 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Seat Belts

2021020010
24,550 vehicles 94% reported repaired
Problem Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2021 C300, 2017-2020 AMG C43, and AMG C63 vehicles. The front seat belts might not fully retract to their stowed position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection." Risk If the seat belt does not fully retract, the occupant may find the operation of the seat belt inconvenient and not wear it, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash. Fix MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will check the retraction function of the front seat belts and adjust the damping foam within the B-pillars, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020010.
NHTSA campaign 21V032000 reported Jan 29, 2021 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

Whether any of this applies to one specific C-Class

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2021 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Mercedes-Benz publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.

Find parts for this C-Class →

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
17complaints filed

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries · 0 deaths reported

5.3 per 10,000 built · Mercedes-Benz reported 32,134 C-Class built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2022: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2024: 3 · 2025: 7 · 2026: 4

Most-cited components

Engine 8
Fuel/Propulsion System 3
Air Bags 2
Power Train 2
Electrical System 1
Back Over Prevention 1

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz C 300. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the engine compartment while accelerating. There were no warning lights illuminated.
Engine at 88,000 miles Aug 7, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11755408
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes Benz C. The contact stated that while driving on the highway, the vehicle began to lose power, riding rough. The check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a fuel injection failure. The vehicle read diagnostic code P1CEF85.
Fuel/Propulsion System at 60,000 miles May 19, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11738727
Driving and something came from underneath the vehicle and cause me to swerve in all the airbags deployed
Air Bags Dec 9, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11704073
Both driver and passenger seatbelts do not fully retract and remain loose. Must be manually guided back into mechanism. I see that there has been a recall for the cabriolet version of this vehicle platform but not for the coupe version.
Seat Belts Aug 4, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11754860
I am reporting a safety defect involving the panoramic sunroof on my 2021Mercedes-Benz Coop vehicle. The panoramic sunroof has malfunctioned due to an apparent design or manufacturing defect. The sunroof fails to open / close and makes grinding or popping noises which malfunctioned unexpectedly.
Visibility/Wiper Jan 20, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11712287
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG equipped with Continental Tires, Tire Line: Sport Contact, Tire Size: 225/40/R19, DOT Number: LMJAD5UR (Front Tires) and Pirelli Tires, Tire Line: P Zero, Tire Size: 225/40/R19, DOT Number: 93X2Y082 (Rear Tires).
Tires at 12,000 miles Apr 18, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11517697

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by Mercedes-Benz itself: 5 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 6 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 16 per 100,000 built. Every C-Class model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR 4WD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆11%
4 DR RWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆11%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Extended coverage on file 3 filings by the manufacturer with NHTSA naming this model year

The term and the vehicles it covers are the manufacturer’s, as NHTSA’s summary of each filing states them; a dealer checks one particular car by its VIN. Every Mercedes-Benz warranty extension (9) → · Every warranty extension on file, all makes →

Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 720
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-09-26
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 622 service bulletins, 36 over-the-air updates, 24 others

Most often about: Electrical System, Power Train, Engine, Equipment, Structure.

  • LI46.10-P-080896 Service bulletin
    2026-09-26 · Steering
  • Complaint Slight creaking noises when steering. Cause Noises may come from one or more sleeves of the horn contact plate. Remedy Remove the horn contact plate and check the sleeves for noise; see attached video. If necessary, apply lubricant to the sleeves.
  • LI27.00-P-073124 Service bulletin
    2026-09-26 · Power Train
  • Complaint Customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (NAG3 Classic /9G‑TRONIC automatic transmission) and 725.1 (NAG3 facelift/9G‑TRONIC automatic transmission facelift) For faster, more effective and more targeted diagnosis, Intelligent Predictive Repair (IPR) has been developed and integrated into XENTRY Diagnosis. This ensures an automated diagnosis process. Cause As part of t
  • LI83.90-P-080935 Service bulletin
    2026-09-25 · Visibility/Wiper
  • Complaint CEL illuminates and/or AC does not blow cold. Cause Potentially relevance to hardware and/or software Remedy Scenario 1: 1. If the AC does not blow cold air, replace compressor (if compressor's index and part number Figure 1 match against Table 1). a. If the compressor does not fall within Table 1, please open a TIPS case. b. Flush procedure must be followed as per WIS. Scenario 2: 1. If
  • LI42.10-P-078779 Service bulletin
    2026-09-22 · Service Brakes
  • Complaint Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE: Although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. Cause Although the cause of the vibration is most likely due to excessive lateral runout on the rotor or hub/wheel bearing, the system as
  • LI82.62-P-078631 Service bulletin
    2026-09-14 · Structure — Body
  • Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. Cause Under analysis. Remedy To narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • If the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary, create a TIPS case with an informative video as an attachment. Note: Please refer to this document i
  • LI27.10-P-075869 Service bulletin
    2026-09-14 · Power Train
  • Complaint Only vehicles with a variable transfer case are affected. This can be identified through control unit N45 or N15/7 in the quick test. When accelerating with light load, vibrations or jolting sensation may come from the drivetrain. It may be mistaken for a harsh shift. Cause Modified oil quality of the transfer case over time Remedy 1. Check initial quick test for faults in the following
  • LI27.00-P-073124 Service bulletin
    2026-09-04 · Power Train
  • Complaint Customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (NAG3 Classic / 9G‑TRONIC automatic transmission) and 725.1 (NAG3 facelift/9G‑TRONIC automatic transmission facelift) For faster, more effective and more targeted diagnosis, Intelligent Predictive Repair (IPR) has been developed and integrated into XENTRY Diagnosis. This ensures an automated diagnosis process. Cause As part of
  • LI42.10-P-063502 Service bulletin
    2026-09-01 · Service Brakes
  • Complaint Noises/ squealing from the service brake in various driving situations and ambient conditions. Cause Frictional vibrations Remedy The intent of this document is to reduce noise from high performance AMG brakes. AMG brakes are designed for performance under high load and in certain scenarios, can emit noise. Some scenarios are normal and some are induced by driving style like those listed

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class failed the emissions check on 1.0% of first inspections — lower than the 1.9% for every 2021 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 0.72% (every 2021 vehicle: 1.5%).

New York inspections 1.0%

failed emissions

1,384 initial inspections of 1,365 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2021 C-ClassEvery 2021 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check1.0%1.9%1,379
Failed the safety inspection0.72%1.5%1,384
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0.14%0.19%1,384
Miles driven a year7,11010,343odometer at inspection
Average odometer37,72854,681odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2021 vehicle” is every 2021 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

Common questions about the 2021 C-Class

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 7 recall campaigns for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The most serious on file is 23V445000, covering Fuel System, Gasoline. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

NHTSA gave the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 5 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 4-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 4-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it D (68/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

Across the 15 EPA-rated configurations of the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the best EPA combined figure is 27 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

Transport Canada measured it at 184.6–187.4 in long, 71.3 in wide (body, without mirrors), 55.1–57.5 in tall, on a 111.8 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 3,583–4,275 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

Owners have filed 17 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, most often about engine, fuel/propulsion system, air bags. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

The EPA smog rating for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class runs 3 to 6 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-III ULEV50, California LEV-III ULEV70, Federal Tier 3 Bin 125, Federal Tier 3 Bin 50, Federal Tier 3 Bin 70 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

The manufacturer has filed 720 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, most often covering electrical system, power train, engine. The most recent is dated 2026-09-26. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class failed the emissions check on 1.0% of first inspections — lower than the 1.9% for every 2021 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 0.72% (every 2021 vehicle: 1.5%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations15 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates15 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls7NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints17NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings2 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins720NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
InvestigationsnoneNHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationNo defect investigation has been opened.
Driver-assist crash reportsnoneNHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like.
Specifications filed with NHTSA11 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions7 fieldsTransport Canada, Canadian Vehicle SpecificationsLength, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

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