Research · Compact Cars

2025 Mercedes-Benz C-ClassRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 4 owner complaints for the 2025 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Most complaints involve back over prevention (2) and structure (1). The EPA rates it 20–29 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
20–29mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest May 2026
Owner complaints
4
Top: back over prevention
Fuel cost / yr
$2,750est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: instrument cluster

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported May 2, 2026NHTSA 26V281000

Seat belts: front

Free remedy

Mercedes-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.

Seat beltsReported May 2, 2025NHTSA 25V253000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

4 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2026 – Jun 2026
  1. Back over prevention2
  2. Structure1
  3. Electrical system1
  4. Vehicle speed control1
  5. Service brakes1
  6. Other / unknown1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each C-Class model year we’ve synced.

Only one model year synced so far.

Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Back over prevention

2 reports
“The 2025 c300 rwd sedan was parked outside for about an hour. After getting back into the car and reversing, the rear camera would not display. The camera/parking interface was activated however there was an error symbol where the camera image is displayed, with a camera crossed through. Restarting the car, shifting back into drive, and stowing the camera did not restore the rear camera image. The camera deploys upon reversing and the lens/housing is clean. The image is not displayed in the driver display. This is unacceptable and another software issue that causes intermittent equipment failure, disabling vital safety systems and greatly increasing the risk of a collision.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 3, 2026Back over preventionODI 11741727

Structure

1 report
“The panoramic sunroof unexpectedly shattered while the vehicle was parked in my driveway overnight. There was no collision, impact, weather event, vandalism, or any other external cause that could explain the failure. The damaged sunroof remains available for inspection upon request, and security camera footage from my property shows no outside influence that could have caused the glass to break. The unexpected failure of the panoramic sunroof created a significant safety risk. Had this occurred while I was driving, shattered glass could have fallen into the vehicle, potentially causing injury to me or my passengers, obstructing visibility, or leading to a loss of control of the vehicle. The fact that the glass failed without warning while the vehicle was stationary raises concerns about the safety and structural integrity of the panoramic sunroof system. The dealership claims that they inspected the vehicle and confirmed that the panoramic sunroof was shattered. However, they did not want to provide me with the inspection report and denied the claim responsibility and have not acknowledged the failure as a manufacturing defect. The vehicle has been inspected…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 2, 2026Structure, Unknown or otherODI 11741578

Electrical system

1 report
“After driving the 2025 c300 sedan and leaving it parked for an hour or two, I come back to the car and turn it on. Neither the central screen or drivers screen were operable. The engine, interior lighting, sounds, and other systems were working however all the screens were completely dead. The car had no speedometer, gear selection, park brake, A/C control, or any function. This is the second time it has happened first on 02/12/2026 and then today on 03/17/2026. After locking the car and leaving it alone for an hour, functions restart normally. This is unacceptable and has already happened twice. The car is undrivable as no speedometer, gear, parking/etc is display. Nothing is display as the car has only two displays. The car is running the latest version of MBUX 3.3 and is up to date via OTA software updates.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 18, 2026Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Back over preventionODI 11725129
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars, Subcompact Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo hybrid · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo plug-in hybrid
Transmissions
Automatic 9-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
EV range
320 mi (EPA)

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
C300
Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
253529$2,750303
C300 4matic
Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
243327$2,950329
AMG C43 4matic
Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
192722$3,600405
AMG C63 S E Performance
Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
192220$4,000362
  • C300
    Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    25 city · 35 hwy · $2,750/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • C300 4matic
    Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    24 city · 33 hwy · $2,950/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • AMG C43 4matic
    Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    19 city · 27 hwy · $3,600/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • AMG C63 S E Performance
    Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    19 city · 22 hwy · $4,000/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2025 Mercedes-Benz C-Class as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2025 C-Class questions

How many recalls does the 2025 Mercedes-Benz C-Class have?

2 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2025 Mercedes-Benz C-Class problems?

Owners filed 4 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are back over prevention (2), structure (1), electrical system (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2025 Mercedes-Benz C-Class get?

The EPA rates the 2025 Mercedes-Benz C-Class at 20–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026