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Mercedes-Benz · Compact car

2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

HybridGas
Subcompact Cars
11 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
F
Safety Signal
35 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls4 critical10
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA25
Crash ratingNHTSA overall—
Fuel economybest combined, EPA29 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas compact car with 11 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the C300, is EPA-rated at 29 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for this model year, 4 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 25 complaints, most often about the forward collision avoidance.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
C300HybridRWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo + 48V Li-Ion253629$2,650
C300 4maticHybridAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo + 48V Li-Ion243327$2,850
AMG C43 4maticHybridAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo + 48V Li-Ion192622$3,500
C300 4matic ConvertibleGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo213025$3,100
C300 4matic CoupeGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo223125$3,100
C300 CoupeGasRWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo223125$3,100
C300 ConvertibleGasRWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo212924$3,250
AMG C43 4matic ConvertibleGasAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo182822$3,500
AMG C43 4matic CoupeGasAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo182721$3,700
AMG C63 S ConvertibleGasRWD4.0L 8-cyl turbo162419$4,100
AMG C63 S CoupeGasRWD4.0L 8-cyl turbo162419$4,100

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 46048, 46049, 46555, 45922, 45921, 45920, 45923, 46217, 46123, 46431.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (10)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Latches/Locks/Linkages

310,667 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020-2021 CLA, 2019-2022 A-Class, 2022-2023 C-Class, 2024 CLE, 2020-2026 GLA/GLB, and 2023-2024 GLC vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific model information. The micro-switch in the driver's door lock may corrode and fail to detect an open door, preventing the electronic parking brake or "Auto-Park" feature from engaging automatically. This may result in a vehicle rollaway.RiskA vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash or injury.FixDealers will replace the driver's door lock, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 18, 2026. 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 July 31, 2026.
NHTSA campaign 26V481000reported Jul 24, 2026Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
!critical

Electrical System

2025050003/4
443 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023-2024 C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL, GLC, EQE SUV, EQE, EQS SUV, and EQS vehicles that were incorrectly repaired under recall 24V-115. An incorrect fuse box that was not designed for the vehicle may have been installed.RiskAn incorrect fuse box 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.FixDealers will inspect and replace the main fuse boxes, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2025050003/4.
NHTSA campaign 25V255000reported May 12, 2025Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
▲high

Seat Belts

2025040012
46 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-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.RiskA loose seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 25V253000reported May 2, 2025Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
!critical

Electrical System

2024070005
1,058 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2022-2023 C 300 vehicles. The bolt securing the electrical wire to the pre-fuse box could be improperly tightened, causing the wire to overheat. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024070005.RiskAn overheated wire can cause a fire and a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers will inspect and rework the wiring harness, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 2, 2024. Owner may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
NHTSA campaign 24V446000reported Jun 14, 2024Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
▲high

Electrical System

2024060009
18 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023 AMG C43 4MATIC vehicles, equipped with AMG Performance seats. The seat wiring harness may be incorrectly routed, which can cause it to become damaged when the seat is fully reclined.RiskA damaged wiring harness can prevent the air bags installed in the seats from deploying as intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.FixDealers will inspect and reroute the wiring harness, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 12, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024060009.
NHTSA campaign 24V371000reported May 24, 2024Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
!critical

Electrical System

2024030008
31,848 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-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.RiskAn 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.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 24V115000reported Feb 16, 2024Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

79,676 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-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.RiskA loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 23V880000reported Dec 21, 2023Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
!critical

Electrical System

2023070016,17,18,16
1,558 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2022-2023 C300 and 2023 AMG C43 vehicles. The ground connections for the electrical wiring harness may not be secured properly, which can result in the electrical wiring harness overheating.RiskAn overheated wiring harness can increase the risk of a fire.FixDealers will inspect and repair the ground connections for the electrical wiring harness, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6373. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023070016, 2023070017, 2023070018, and 2024070016.
NHTSA campaign 23V463000reported Jun 30, 2023Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
▲high

Electrical System

2023070015
8,178 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2022-2023 C300 and 2023 AMG C43 vehicles. The transmission wiring harness may be the incorrect length, which can result in harness damage and a loss of drive power.RiskA loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.FixDealers will inspect and repair the transmission wiring harness routing, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 18, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6373. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2023070015.
NHTSA campaign 23V462000reported Jun 30, 2023Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

2023070012
143,551 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-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.RiskA loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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 23V445000reported Jun 26, 2023Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
25complaints filed

2 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 1 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2023: 10 · 2024: 8 · 2025: 5 · 2026: 2

Most-cited components

Forward Collision Avoidance15
Service Brakes6
Electrical System5
Unspecified5
Tires3
Engine2

What owners describe

“2 of 245/40HR18XL & 2 of 225/45HR18XL... All 4 tires replaced I purchased a 2023 Mercedes-Benz C300 from Benzel Busch motor car (an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer) in [XXX] in XXX. Since purchase, this vehicle has had repeated, unresolved defects. The Check Engine warning light has illuminated numurous times, resultin…”Jun 16, 2026 · Tires · NHTSA owner report
“I am filing a safety complaint regarding my 2023 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 4MATIC. The vehicle has approximately 23,000 miles. On multiple occasions, the vehicle has abruptly and violently applied the brakes and/or come to a near stop while I was driving on highways and side roads, even though there was nothing in front of…”May 5, 2026 · Service Brakes · NHTSA owner report
“On 4 different occasions car brake assist activated causing car to come to an immediate stop and jerk. At stop light as I started to accelerate a left turn car came to an immediate stop almost causing the car behind hit rear end. Brake assist light activated. This happened twice. And twice when in reverse backing out o…”Jul 18, 2025 · Forward Collision Avoidance · NHTSA owner report

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.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP

NHTSA has not published 5-Star crash ratings for this model year.

Compare the 2023 C-Class with

2023 Toyota Corolla →

Other C-Class model years

A

2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

0 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

1 recalls · 3 complaints

B

2025 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

2 recalls · 4 complaints

D

2024 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

3 recalls · 15 complaints

F

2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

9 recalls · 26 complaints

F

2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

7 recalls · 17 complaints

F

2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

12 recalls · 45 complaints

F

2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

18 recalls · 74 complaints

F

2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

19 recalls · 128 complaints

F

2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

17 recalls · 250 complaints

F

2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

14 recalls · 314 complaints

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). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

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

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