2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 449 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 23 C-Class model years with reports.
Of the 2015 reports, 11 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 10 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints
449 reports, newest first.
Other or unspecified, Jul 1, 2021
Driving down the interstate and half of the stationary roof panel dislodged. Luckily no accidents occurred due to the malfunction. The other half is still loosely attached and I am worried it could cause an accident if it detaches . I have emailed and called headquarters as well as my local dealership and no one has the ability to fix the problem and cannot confirm if I choose to pay out of pocket, that I will be reimbursed. There is a recall and it’s #21V197. At this point I want some sort of solution so I can ensure the safety of myself and those driving around me.
Engine, Jun 28, 2021
I was in middle line on I-5 SB San Diego doing 40-60MPH when my car suddenly started to shudder, shake and smoke came from the exhaust. The car lost power and the check-engine light came on right away. I was told that Cylinder 3 lost pressure, that the engine wall was damaged and that possibly the piston and wrist pin are cracked. My car has only 66K miles and the Mercedes Benz dealership is telling me that I need a new engine that will cost $19,000. After doing some research I have found out that I wasn't the only one with this issue. I have listed an example here: "HERE IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE 2015 M274 MERCEDES ENGINE REGARDING THE WRIST PINS. MERCEDES HAS ISSUED NUMEROUS INTERNAL SERVICE BULLETINS ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE ENGINES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH WRIST PINS WITH TOO MUCH TOLERANCE THAT SLAP AGAINST THE PISTON WHEN OPERATING THAT COULD LEAD TO PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURES. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON ONLINE FORUMS OF PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURES (PRE 100K MILES)." MBUSA requested from me proof that the car was serviced on time and with the correct parts. Once I was able to prove everything they told me that they were sorry but I still need to pay for everything. They did offer a "10% good-will discount". I wish they told me when I was buying a car that after every 6th oil change I will need a new engine. PLEASE MAKE MERCEDES MAKE THIS RIGHT AND FIX THE AFFECTED CARS THE RIGHT WAY.
Structure, Jun 21, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V197000 (STRUCTURE) however, the part to do the recall was unavailable. The contact stated on June 18, 2021, while driving 55 mph, the roof plastic panel detached and flew into oncoming traffic. The contact stated no one was injured. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000. VIN tool confirms part not available.
Structure, Jun 16, 2021
Sunroof clips are snapping on many w205 2015 mercedes c300 models causing the panoramic roof to come loose potentially flying off the car while driving this has the potential to hurt many people. Mercedes claims there is only a recall for models up to 2011 however hundreds of thousands of later model vehicles have the same issue. I read an article saying they recently opened a recall for the later models but my vin isn’t covered. If the 100 pound panoramic roof flies off while driving on the highway at 70 mph it can definitely kill someone. Please address my concern I cannot afford to come out of pocket for Mercedes defect and lack of help.
Other or unspecified, Jun 10, 2021
My daughter was driving at freeway speeds, when she heard, what we now know, is a portion of the sunroof panel flapping and break off. There was no warning, no instrument indication, and assume the broken part was a safety hazard to vehicles following. We took her vehicle to Fletcher Jones Mercedes in Newport Beach, but they're hesitating about repairing or reimbursing costs, due to the pending nature of the NHTSA Recall #21V197.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 9, 2021
Heavy fuel/gasoline smell around engine bay began approximately 2 years ago while the car was still under original 5 year warranty. Fuel smell would persist outside of the vehicle despite the vehicle not being driven for multiple days. When driven, fuel smell would permeate into the cabin of the vehicle and cause mild headaches to the occupants. Taken to dealer to find cause of smell and was advised that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. Fuel smell continues to persist since it was originally noticed without change and vehicle is no longer within warranty period. Recently, this vehicle was taken back to the same dealer for servicing for an unrelated issue. Told the service representative that there was a fuel smell that continues to linger around the vehicle when parked and inside the cabin. This inspection revealed leaks from two fuel lines and technician recommended replacement. Warning lamps, messages, or other indicators from the car never appeared.
Electrical system, Air bags, May 29, 2021
Passenger side airbag light keeps coming on when someone is sitting in the car. My electrical system shuts off and on and goes haywire
Engine, May 21, 2021
check engine light and check oil light came on in rush hour traffic in atlant during rush hour. Car started sputtering and finally made it to the shoulder of the interstate and oil was low on the dip stick. I added oil and a day later same thing. Took it to the dealer and cracked piston in #1 cylinder service guy said about 3 to 6 a day on this year benz.
Structure, May 20, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the sun roof ceased in the open position. The contact stated that the adhesive on the paneling had deteriorated which caused the sun roof to lose functionality. The vehicle was not taken to the local dealer. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V197000 (STRUCTURE) however, the vin was not included. The manufacturer was informed of failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, May 13, 2021
THE CAR HAS INTERMITTENT STARTING ISSUES MORE NOTICEABLY DURING ECO START / STOP PROCESS. WHEN CAR DOES AN ECO STOP AT RED LIGHT OR STOP BUT IT IS UNABLE TO RESTART CONSISTENTLY (10-20% FAIL RATE). ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS COME ON AND CAR IS STALLED. CAR CAN ROLL IF ON A HILL. CAR CAN BE RESTARTED BY TURNING CAR ON AND OFF MANUALLY. ONLY ERROR CODE IS P1CE200 BUT THE MANUFACTURER SUGGESTED STEPS DO NO SOLVE PROBLEM. BATTERY, AUXILLARY BATTERY, STARTER, VOLTAGE DIP LIMITER, BATTERY SENSOR, STARTER RELAY WERE REPLACED. DELEAR UNABLE TO FIND PROBLEM AND SAYS ALL SOFTWARE IS UP TO DATE.
Other or unspecified, Apr 28, 2021
WHILE DRIVING MY 2015 MERCEDES BENZ C300 4MATIC WITH PANORAMIC ROOF ONE DAY ON RTE 9 IN HYDE PARK NY, A 2 LANE STATE ROAD I WAS TRAVELING AT 40 MPH, I SUDDENLY HEARD MORE AIR THAN USUAL AND THEN SECONDS LATER A LOUD FLAPPING NOISE ON ROOF. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY ONLY TO FIND THE STATIONARY ROOF PANEL ALL THE WAY FORWARD ON THE ROOF, (DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF GLASS PORTION OF THE PANO ROOF) BECAME LOOSE ON ONE SIDE AND FLAPPED OPEN WITH WIND WHEN IN MOTION. I USED 3 QUARTERS BETWEEN WINDSHIELD AND SAID PANEL TO HOLD IT FROM POPPING UP WHILE DRIVING AND DROVE IMMEDIATELY TO A BODY SHOP. TBEY INSPECTED IT AND DETERMINED IT WAS HELD DOWN WITH BLACK EPOXY SIMILAR TO WHAT IS USED TO INSTALL GLASS SUCH AS WINDSHIELDS. THEY ADDED SOME EPOXY AND TAPED DOWN THE PIECE FOR ME. APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK LATER I WAS TRAVELING ON THE SAME ROAD AT ABOUT 30MPH AND SUDDENLY ALL WITHIN LIKE 2 SECONDS HEARD LOUD WIND, THEN FLAPPING, THEN SAW THE ROOF PIECE FLY OFF SWING IN FRONT OFF WINDSHIELD IT WAS STILL ATTACHED TO A RUBBER GASKET, THEN UP IN THE AIR AND BACK DOWN AND SMACKED THE SIDE OF DRIVERS DOOR BEFORE BREAKING FREE AND FLYING DOWN THE ROAD BEHIND ME. LUCKILY IT DID NOT STRIKE ANY CARS OR PEOPLE AS IT BRIEFLY HELD ON TO THE GASKET ATTACHED. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND WAS ABLE TO RETRIEVE IT, BROKEN INTO 2 PIECES. SOME ONLINE RESEARCH FOUND THIS HAS BEEN A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH MANY, MANY PEOPLE WHO POSTED ALL OVWR THE INTERNET ON FACEBOOK AND SEVERAL OTHER SITES. I THEN FOUND THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, AND PART WAS RECALLED BY MERCEDES FOR 10S OF THOUSANDS IF CARS, BUT THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE MY YEAR (BUT DID INCLUDE MY MODEL FOR OTHER YEARS). THIS IS VERY OBVIOUSLY THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE COVERED FOR ALL YEARS BY MERCEDES. I CALLED AND AFTER A LENGTHY PHONE CALL WITH MERCEDES BENZ I GOT NOWHERE. THE AGENT FOR MB REFUSED TO EVEN ADMIT IT WAS A RECALL, AND WAS RUDE.
Steering, Suspension, Lane departure, Mar 27, 2021
THE C300 4MATIC SPECIFICALLY SHOULD BE RECALLED BECAUSE SOMETHING NEAR THE FRONT END SQUEAKS AND MAKES ALL TYPES OF NOISES
Other or unspecified, Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Mar 23, 2021
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON/ FOWL ORDER COMING FROM AC UNIT/ LOUD GAS SMELL WHEN START IGNITION IN THE MORNING
Structure, Engine, Mar 17, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT GERBER COLLISION & GLASS (102 CORPORATE PARK DR, HENDERSON, NV 89074) HOWEVER, WHILE LEAVING THE COLLISION CENTER, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ASKED THE COLLISION CENTER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR THE SOUND HOWEVER, THE COLLISION CENTER DECLINED. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF HENDERSON SERVICE CENTER (925 AUTO SHOW DR, HENDERSON, NV 89014) TO BE INSPECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,321.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 15, 2021
GAS LEAK/ SMELL IN CABIN AT IDLE
Power train, Mar 4, 2021
THE 7 SPEED TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD FROM 1 GEAR TO 2 GEAR TO 3 GEAR. FROM 3 GEAR ALL THE WAY TO 7 GEAR IS VERY SMOOTH. ALSO THE SAME WAY AROUND WHEN YOU DOWNSHIFT FROM 3 GEAR TO 2 GEAR TO 1 GEAR. THE SLOWING DOWN IS VERY HARSH AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THAT THE CAR IS GOING TO A FULL STOP. ALL THE POWER AND SPEED CUT DOWN A FEW SECONDS BEFORE FULL STOP. I HAVE PERSONALLY TRIED TO DO THE RESET WITH KEY AND PEDAL TRICK BUT IT ONLY WORKS FOR A DAY OR TWO AND GOES RIGHT BACK TO THE ROUGH SHIFTING.
Engine, Mar 1, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED WITH AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PROPERLY ACCELERATE AND UNINTENTIONALLY DECELERATED WHILE SPUTTERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER MERCEDES BENZ OF WILMINGTON LOCATED AT 3801 LANCASTER PIKE, WILMINGTON, DE 19805 TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Structure, Feb 22, 2021
UPON SUBMITTING A CLAIM FOR MY "INOPERATIVE" SENSOR ISSUE AND THE CAR LOSING ALL POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I DISCOVERED YOUR CLAIM ABOUT PANORAMIC SUNROOF DETACHMENTS. WELL YOU ARE IN LUCK AS I HAVE A LOVELY MERCEDES WITH A ROOF PANEL THAT I HAD TO GLUE TO THE TRACK AS IT CAME APART. THE HINGE ON RIGHT SIDE IS LOOSE. I CAN NO LONGER OPEN THE SUNROOF OR IT WILL CATCH WIND AS IF IT'S ABOUT TO DETHATCH. DRIVING THE SUNROOF IS SO LOOSE THAT IT WILL NOT CLOSE WITHOUT THE HELP OF HOLDING IT DOWN SO IT LOCKS INTO PLACE. BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER LAST SUMMER AND THEY BRUSHED IT OFF AND TRIED TO CHARGE ME OVER $2,000 TO GET IT FIXED. THEY SAID "COMMON ISSUE" I WOULD PRODUCE PICTURES, HOWEVER MY CAR IS CURRENTLY SITTING AT A MERCEDES FACTORY SHOP GETTING ITS OTHER SAFETY ISSUES TAKEN CARE OF.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Forward collision avoidance, Feb 21, 2021
ON FEBRUARY 9TH, DURING MY MORNING COMMUTE ON THE INTERSTATE THE CAR LOST POWER TO THE DRIVETRAIN. MESSAGE THAT DISPLAYS WAS "COLLISION ASSIST PLUS INOPERATIVE" ALONG WITH CRUISE CONTROL INOPERATIVE. WITH AN AMBER ESP LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THERE WAS NO ENGINE LIGHT ON. WHEN THIS MESSAGE APPEARED THE CAR WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE (LIMP MODE). IN AVOIDANCE TO BEING IN A REAR END COLLISION I QUICKLY PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE CAR AND TURNED BACK ON. INOPERATIVE MESSAGE, LIMP MODE AND ESP LIGHT WAS CLEARED. I CALLED DEALER TO NOTIFY. MY THOUGHT WAS THE BATTERY IS A DUD (WAS REPLACED THE DAY PRIOR), THE CAR NEEDS A SOFTWARE REBOOT DUE TO THE NEW BATTERY OR CAR WAS NOT CONNECTED TO THE "MEMORY SAVER" CORRECTLY. OR THE SENSORS WERE DIRTY. SO I DID THE EASIEST. I WASHED THE CAR. THIS PROBLEM CONTINUED TO HAPPEN 5-6 TIMES MORE OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS STALLING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65-75 MPH. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS & LIFE THREATENING. NO ENGINE PROBLEMS APPARENT. SEEMS TO BE RADAR OR SOFTWARE. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, I FOUND MANY OTHER WITH THIS SAME ISSUE ON NHTSA. I ATTACHED A PICTURE OF CAR SHOWING MESSAGE WITH NO POWER. MY SEATBELT WAS OFF AS I WAS ON SIDE OF ROAD TRYING TO GET TO GAS STATION. THIS ISSUE IS CLEARED BY TURNING CAR ON / OFF. THEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN HOURS OR A DAY LATER, LOSS OF POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. COAST OVER.
Suspension, Wheels, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 20, 2021
SUSPENSION PARTS ARE RUSTING OUT FAST I DON'T LIVE IN A SALTED ROAD FOR BLACK ICE TYPE OF ENVIRONMENT CAR ONLY HAS 66K MILES AND AC POURS FUEL ODORS IN THE CABIN INTERIOR MATERIALS ARE BUBBLING UP FAST EVEN AFTER UV TREATMENTS.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 28, 2021
THERE IS A FUEL HOSE (PARTS NUMBER: 274 070 3500) CONNECT TO THE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP IN FRONT ENGINE AREA. THE FUEL HOSE WAS FASTENED BY A CLAMP (NOT SURE THE PARTS NUMBER) . BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN FLAW, THIS CLAMP WILL LOOSE SINCE IT'S A SNAP JOINT ASSEMBLIES NOT TIGHTEN BY SCREWS. UNDER THIS SITUATION, THE FUEL HOSE WILL LOOSE AND AFFECTED BY THERMAL EXPANSION, THIS PROBLEM WILL CAUSE FUEL LEAK/SEEPING. WE CAN SMELL FUEL NEAR THE PUMP BEFORE WE START CAR IN COLD IN THE MORNING AND THIS SMELL CAN BE SMELLED UNTIL THE ENGINE WORKING INTO THE NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE OR WHEN WE TURN ON THE AC OR HEATER . FUEL IS A VERY CRITICAL SAFETY PROBLEM AND USUALLY WE CANNOT TAKE NOTICE OF THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM.THIS IS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE 11/19/2019 THE DATE WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR TILL NOW
Engine, Jan 26, 2021
CYLINDER ONE CRACKED UNDER NORMAL USE
Engine, Jan 26, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER MERCEDES-BENZ OF LOS ANGELES (1801 S FIGUEROA ST, LOS ANGELES, CA 90015, (213)425-3100) AND THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,000.
Engine, Jan 25, 2021
THERE IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE 2015 M274 MERCEDES ENGINE REGARDING THE WRIST PINS. MERCEDES HAS ISSUED NUMEROUS INTERNAL SERVICE BULLETINS ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE ENGINES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH WRIST PINS WITH TOO MUCH TOLERANCE THAT SLAP AGAINST THE PISTON WHEN OPERATING THAT COULD LEAD TO PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURES. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON ONLINE FORUMS OF PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURES (PRE 100K MILES). I CONTACTED MERCEDES AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THE REPAIR IS WELL OVER $8,000 AND THE AVERAGE PERSON JUST CAN NOT AFFORD IT. YOU DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BASED ON CHATTER DURING DECELERATION. PLEASE MAKE MERCEDES MAKE THIS RIGHT AND FIX THE AFFECTED CARS THE RIGHT WAY. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR AND I AM NOW IN THE HOLE OVER $20,000
Air bags, Wheels, Engine, Jan 12, 2021
EVERY TIME I START MY CAR IT SMELLS LIKE GAS AND IT'S SO STRONG TO THE POINT WHERE IT GIVES ME HEADACHES. ALSO I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND THE ROADS WERE WET FROM PREVIOUS RAIN AND I ALMOST DIED AND HYDROPLANED ON THE FREEWAY. EVEN IF IT'S A SMALL BIT OF RAIN MY CAR STARTS SHAKING AS IF I DON'T HAVE CONTROL. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR AND I JUST GOT THE CAR A MONTH AGO.