The 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is associated with 25 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 10 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Forward Collision Avoidance, accounting for 6 reports (24% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 14 certified vehicle configurations spanning 2L 4-Cyl hybrid, 2l 4-cyl, 3l 6-cyl, and 4l 8-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 19 to 29 MPG combined. Detailed NHTSA crash-test ratings are not available in the current AutoUtility dataset for this model year. The 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class belongs to the 5th generation (W206) C-Class platform spanning model years 2022–2026.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 25 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 10 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Forward Collision Avoidance (6 / 24%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 2 crash / 0 fire / 1 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: Not rated by NHTSA
- • EPA Efficiency: 19–29 MPG (14 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 Hybrid | 2L 4-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 25 MPG | 36 MPG | 29 MPG | — | $2,600 / yr |
| GLC300 Hybrid | 2L 4-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 25 MPG | 32 MPG | 28 MPG | — | $2,700 / yr |
| C300 4matic Hybrid | 2L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 24 MPG | 33 MPG | 27 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
| GLC300 4matic Hybrid | 2L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 23 MPG | 31 MPG | 26 MPG | — | $2,900 / yr |
| C300 Coupe | 2L 4-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 22 MPG | 31 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $3,050 / yr |
| C300 4matic Coupe | 2L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 22 MPG | 31 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $3,050 / yr |
| C300 4matic Convertible | 2L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 21 MPG | 30 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $3,050 / yr |
| C300 Convertible | 2L 4-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 21 MPG | 29 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $3,150 / yr |
| GLC300 4matic Coupe | 2L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 20 MPG | 26 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $3,450 / yr |
| AMG C43 4matic Convertible | 3L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 18 MPG | 28 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $3,450 / yr |
| AMG C43 4matic Hybrid | 2L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 19 MPG | 26 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $3,450 / yr |
| AMG C43 4matic Coupe | 3L 6-Cyl | All-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 | 16 MPG | 24 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $4,000 / yr |
| AMG C63 S Coupe | 4L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 16 MPG | 24 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $4,000 / 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 |
| 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| Cabriolet C AWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| Coupe 2 DR AWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| 4 DR RWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| Cabriolet C RWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| Coupe 2 DR RWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Standard and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Standard in official NHTSA records for tested 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class models.
View complete 2023 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 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class problems & component breakdown (15 categories) →
Affected Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LOCK
Defect Summary: Mercedes-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.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers 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.
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
Defect Summary: Mercedes-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.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers 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.
Affected Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers 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.
View all 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class recalls & campaign history (10 campaigns) →