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2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Hybrid

Compact Cars
3 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26

Safety Signal

92 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record

RecallsNHTSA campaigns 1

Complaintsnone reporting a crash, fire or injury 4

Crash ratingnot rated by NHTSA —

Fuel economybest combined, EPA 29 mpg

Starting MSRP4 trims · manufacturer $49,650

2027 2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid compact sedan with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the C300, is EPA-rated at 29 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of A. Owners have filed 4 complaints, most often about the vehicle speed control. Manufacturer pricing runs from $49,650 to $88,000 across 4 trims.

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

Trims & pricing

Source: manufacturer press kitWhich trim should I buy? → Compare a trim →

Trim	Powertrain	Drive	MSRP	HP	Torque	Seats	Cargo (2nd row)	Wheels
C 300	Hybrid	RWD	$49,650	255 hp	295 lb-ft	5	11.6 cu-ft	18 in
C 300 4MATIC	Hybrid	AWD	$51,650	255 hp	295 lb-ft	5	11.6 cu-ft	18 in
AMG C 43	Hybrid	AWD	$64,150	416 hp	369 lb-ft	5	11.6 cu-ft	18 in
AMG C 63 S E PERFORMANCE	Plug-in hybrid	AWD	$88,000	671 hp	752 lb-ft	5	11.6 cu-ft	19 in

MSRP excludes destination. Open a trim for the complete spec sheet and standard/optional equipment. Have the car in front of you? Decode its VIN to see which of these trims it is and what it was priced at.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov

Configuration	Powertrain	Drive	Engine / motor	City	Hwy	Comb	Annual fuel*
C300	Hybrid	RWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	25	35	29	$2,850
C300 4matic	Hybrid	AWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	24	33	27	$3,050
AMG C43 4matic	Hybrid	AWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	19	27	22	$3,750

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 49259, 49260, 49264.

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Recalls (1)

Source: NHTSA recall database

▲high

Electrical System

2026050004

144,049 vehicles 91% reported repaired built Sep 19, 2022 – Feb 6, 2026

Problem Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2024-2026 AMG GT, C-Class, E-Class, SL, CLE, and GLC vehicles. The infotainment control unit may reset while the vehicle is in motion and cause the instrument panel display to go blank. Risk An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer and warning lights, increases the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will update the infotainment control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 29, 2026. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2026050004. 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 May 8, 2026.

Filed with NHTSADefect report PDF Owner letter PDF Remedy instructions PDF Dealer notice PDF

NHTSA campaign 26V281000 reported May 1, 2026 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 2026 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.

NHTSA VIN check →Mercedes-Benz’s own VIN lookup →

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 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database

4complaints filed

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

3.1 per 10,000 built · Mercedes-Benz reported 13,108 C-Class built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2026: 4

Most-cited components

Vehicle Speed Control 2

Electrical System 2

Structure 1

Air Bags 1

Exterior Lighting 1

Engine 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.

CEL followed by no crank / no start. Codes u3017 and u0168. Software flashed and no crank / no start returned. SAM & EIS modules replaced and no crank/no start returned with new codes. U103F00 + P143400 + P051300. Now Mercedes is directing the replacement of the ethernet harness between the SAM and EIS.

Electrical System Aug 30, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11760695

The contact owns a 2026 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that there was white powder discovered inside the vehicle. The contact initially thought that it was mold. The contact stated that the heating system had caused the issue. The air bag dust was on the headliner and the driver's side A-pillar.

Structure at 1,729 miles Sep 21, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11765781

When driving 75mph in order to change my favorite radio station, I must go to the center tablet, scroll until I find the station desired and then must tap it in the center or it does not change. On my 2025 MB C model you could change the channels on the steering column.

Vehicle Speed Control May 22, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11739607

I acquired a Mercedes-Benz C300 from Mercedes-Benz of White Plains at on the last day of XXX Within 2 days of the car sitting in my driveway, I took it out for a drive; the electronic systems failed while I was driving on the highway. The speedometer and odometer went dark, and the turn signals stopped working.

Electrical System Aug 26, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11759811

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.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications

Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 358

Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-09-26

Kindsas classified by NHTSA 335 service bulletins, 16 others, 7 over-the-air updates

Most often about: Electrical System, Structure, Steering, Visibility/Wiper, Suspension.

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.
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
PSL-NCU Return Parts 9/18 Other
2026-09-18 · Visibility/Wiper
Dear Dealer Partners, The part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed and any existing stock must be returned to your facing PDC. The deadline for all dealer returns is Thursday, October 8th, 2026. After October 8th, we will no longer accept returns of these parts. These parts should be returned via ZSR Special Return, using item category SCM Authorized Part Return. Please
LI54.30-P-080963 Service bulletin
2026-09-17 · Electrical System
Complaint Issue after OTA Update IC Odometer Reading blank("_ _ _ _") IC Maintanence data unavailable Cause OTA Update E61.0 Remedy In the IC Control Unit Log, please check the following information: Verify whether DTCs B228229, B228287, and B226656 are present in either A or A+S. Verify that Status Schlüssel‑ID = "ID is not valid" and Anlernstatus = "IC is initialized", as shown in the attached i
LI82.60-P-080383 Service bulletin
2026-09-15 · Electrical System
Complaint Radio station cover art does not refresh when switching stations. The UI continues to show the old station’s artwork instead of updating to the new one. Cause When a new station change request is triggered, a temporary glitch is causing the Head Unit application to fail to overwrite the previous request. This glitch is causing the cover art mismatch in the Radio application. Remedy Pleas
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
LI35.31-P-080353 Service bulletin
2026-09-14 · Power Train
Complaint Whining / humming noises (described as foghorn‑like) from the drivetrain in the rear axle area during cornering. (figure 1) On the above‑mentioned vehicles with a mileage up to 15,000 km (about 9,300 mi), noises can occur from the rear axle differential. Cause Drivetrain resonance caused by the gear mesh of the ring and pinion in the rear axle differential in combination with installed d

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.

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints

Codes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.

Code	What it means	Most often filed under	Where it appears
U0168	Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.	Electrical System · Battery →	1 owner report
U3017	Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.	Electrical System · Battery →	1 owner report

Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.

Compare the 2026 C-Class with

Any vehicle, your weights →

Head-to-head	Verdict
2026 Genesis G70 · Compact Sedan · grade A	G70 +26.4
2026 Toyota Corolla · Compact Sedan · grade A	Corolla +30.4
2026 Volkswagen Jetta · Compact Sedan · grade B	Jetta +21.6
2026 Audi A3 · Compact Sedan · grade A	A3 +6.6
2026 BMW 4 Series · Compact Sedan · grade B	C-Class +15.6
2026 Audi S e-tron · Compact Sedan · grade A	S e-tron +50.1

C-Class by model year

all years, side by side →

Year Safety Recalls Complaints

2027 A 0 0 29 mpg 2026 this page A 1 4 29 mpg 2025 B 2 4 29 mpg 2024 C 3 15 30 mpg 2023 F 10 26 29 mpg 2022 F 9 26 29 mpg 2021 D 7 17 27 mpg 2020 F 12 46 28 mpg 2019 F 18 78 27 mpg 2018 F 19 130 30 mpg 2017 F 17 253 30 mpg 2016 F 14 321 30 mpg

Common questions about the 2026 C-Class

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

How much does the 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class cost?

Manufacturer pricing runs from $49,650 for the C 300 RWD to $88,000 for the AMG C 63 S E PERFORMANCE AWD, across 4 trims. Those are MSRPs from the manufacturer's own press material; they exclude destination, options, taxes and whatever the dealer adds. Every trim and price is listed above.

Does the 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 1 recall campaign for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The most serious on file is 26V281000, covering Electrical System. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

NHTSA has not published a crash-test rating for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class yet. On the recall record WhichTrim grades it A (92/100), which measures open and severe recalls rather than crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

Across the 3 EPA-rated configurations of the 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the best EPA combined figure is 29 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What do owners complain about on the 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, most often about vehicle speed control, electrical system, structure. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

Are there service bulletins for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

The manufacturer has filed 358 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, most often covering electrical system, structure, steering. 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.

Which 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class trim is the best value?

$38,350 separates the cheapest of the 4 trims from the most expensive, so the answer depends on which of the differences you would actually use. Every trim has its own page here with the manufacturer's full specification and equipment list, plus a short summary of exactly what it adds over the base trim — worth reading before a dealer frames the walk-up for you. The trim-by-trim ladder shows what every step up costs and what it makes standard.

Is the 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class better than the 2026 Genesis G70?

The Genesis G70 wins clearly, 95.6 to 69.2, on tech & comfort, safety, performance. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is ahead on fuel & range and space & cargo. We publish a full side-by-side of the 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class against the 2026 Genesis G70 — specifications by family, equipment feature by feature, safety record and ownership costs. You can re-weight what matters to you and the verdict recalculates.

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.

Data	Held	Source	What it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations	3 configurations	EPA certification records	Every configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates	none	EPA emission certificates	The EPA published no certificate we could match to a configuration on this page.
Recalls	1	NHTSA recall campaigns	A complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints	4	NHTSA complaint database	Also complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings	none	NHTSA NCAP	NHTSA has not tested this model year. Cars are selected for testing, so untested is not unsafe.
Service bulletins	358	NHTSA manufacturer communications	Everything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations	none	NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation	No defect investigation has been opened.
Driver-assist crash reports	none	NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01	No 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 NHTSA	none	NHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patterns	We had no VIN pattern to decode for this model year, or the manufacturer filed nothing usable.
Trims, pricing & equipment	4 trims	Manufacturer press kit	Transcribed from the manufacturer's own press material, every value carrying the document it came from.

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. Trim-level specifications and pricing are transcribed from the manufacturer's official press kit; every value carries its source in the data file.

JSON for this page · API