The 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is associated with 16 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 7 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Engine, accounting for 6 reports (38% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 18 certified vehicle configurations spanning 2l 4-cyl, 3l 6-cyl, and 4l 8-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 20 to 27 MPG combined. The 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class belongs to the 4th generation (W205) C-Class platform spanning model years 2015–2021.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 16 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 7 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Engine (6 / 38%)
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 20–27 MPG (18 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| C300 Coupe | 2L 4-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 24 MPG | 33 MPG | 27 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
| C300 4matic | 2L 4-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 23 MPG | 33 MPG | 27 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
| C300 | 2L 4-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 23 MPG | 35 MPG | 27 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
| C300 4matic Coupe | 2L 4-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 23 MPG | 32 MPG | 26 MPG | — | $2,900 / yr |
| C300 Convertible | 2L 4-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 23 MPG | 31 MPG | 26 MPG | — | $2,900 / yr |
| GLC300 | 2L 4-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 22 MPG | 29 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $3,050 / yr |
| C300 4matic Convertible | 2L 4-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 22 MPG | 30 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $3,050 / yr |
| GLC300 4matic Coupe | 2L 4-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 22 MPG | 28 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $3,150 / yr |
| GLC300 4matic | 2L 4-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 21 MPG | 28 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $3,300 / yr |
| AMG C43 4matic Coupe | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 19 MPG | 27 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $3,450 / yr |
| AMG C43 4matic Convertible | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 19 MPG | 27 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $3,450 / yr |
| AMG C63 | 4L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 17 MPG | 26 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| AMG C63 S | 4L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 17 MPG | 26 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| AMG C43 4matic | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 18 MPG | 27 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| AMG C63 S Convertible | 4L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 17 MPG | 25 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,800 / yr |
| AMG C63 Convertible | 4L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 17 MPG | 25 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,800 / yr |
| AMG C63 S Coupe | 4L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 17 MPG | 26 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,800 / yr |
| AMG C63 Coupe | 4L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 17 MPG | 26 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,800 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| 2 DR 4WD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| 4 DR 4WD | | | | | 11.1% |
| Cabriolet C 4WD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| 2 DR RWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| 4 DR RWD | | | | | 11.1% |
| Cabriolet C RWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as No and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as No in official NHTSA records for tested 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class models.
View complete 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class problems & component breakdown (10 categories) →
Affected Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: 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.
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: 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.
Affected Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION
Defect Summary: 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."
Free Manufacturer Remedy: 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.
View all 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class recalls & campaign history (7 campaigns) →