Mercedes-Benz C-Class engine problems, 2016–2027
269 of the 917 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2016–2027 name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). The loudest years: 2016 (100), 2017 (85), 2018 (40). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 manufacturer bulletin, 2 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class engine problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the engine | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 1 | 25% | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2024 | 3 | 20% | — | 51 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 3 | 12% | — | 120 TSBs | the year → |
| 2022 | 2 | 8% | — | 45 TSBs | the year → |
| 2021 | 8 | 47% | — | 73 TSBs | the year → |
| 2020 | 9 | 20% | — | 95 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2019 | 18 | 23% | — | 84 TSBs | the year → |
| 2018 | 40 | 31% | — | 152 TSBs | the year → |
| 2017 in depth | 85 | 34% | 36k | 122 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2016 in depth | 100 | 31% | 43k | 124 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the engine. Nothing here is a rate.
When the engine complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 2 · 2017: 17 · 2018: 2 · 2019: 5 · 2020: 7 · 2021: 10 · 2022: 48 · 2023: 77 · 2024: 55 · 2025: 23 · 2026: 23
Across the model years, half of the 39 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 14,000 and 56,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
2016 Mercedes-Benz C63 S AMG, M177 4.0L twin-turbo V8. This engine is marketed under Mercedes-Benz's "One Man, One Engine" philosophy — hand-assembled by a single master technician.
My coils are faulty and needing to be replaced, but not part of the existing recall for C63s coils. On the message forums for C63s I’ve come across a lot of owners that are having issues not being part of the recall. Campaign No
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.
Very common problem on all Mercedes - code P052E - second time on this car. Engine light, 2nd time on this car. Car is 2018 and has 45k miles. First time it was at 28037 miles. This is a MAJOR issue costing consumers $1500-$2500 to repair and needs a recall from manufacturer
What is on file about the engine, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 20V364000 HighJun 22, 2020 · 90 vehicles
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020 C300, E350, and GLC300 vehicles equipped with turbocharged 4-cylinder gasoline engines. The screws that retain the turbocharger oil feed and return lines may not have been properly tightened, possibly resulting in an oil leak.
- 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.
1 manufacturer bulletin filed under this heading, any model year
- Aug 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
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Mercedes-Benz C-Class problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Mercedes-Benz C-Class years have the most engine complaints?
2016, 100; 2017, 85; 2018, 40. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2021 (47%).
Is there a recall for the engine on the Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 20V364000 (2020), 17V114000 (2017). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do engine problems show up on the Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 34,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 14,000 and 56,000. 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.