2021 Mercedes-Benz C 300: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C 300: 7 recalls, 14 owner complaints and up to 27 mpg combined.
Recalls
7 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #21V032000 · 2021 · 24,550 vehicles
What's wrong: The front seat belts might not fully retract to their stowed position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) number 208, "occupant crash protection."
Why it matters: If the seat belt does not fully retract, the occupant May find the operation of the seat belt inconvenient and not wear it, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will check the retraction function of the front seat belts and adjust the damping foam within the b-pillars, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2021.
Communication, Electrical Vehicle recall #21V058000 · 2021 · 1,292,258 vehicles
What's wrong: Please refer to the part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module May fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (ecall) in the event of a crash.
Why it matters: Failure of the ecall system May result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
The fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (ota) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021.
Seat belts, Airbags Vehicle recall #21V230000 · 2021 · 8,634 vehicles
What's wrong: Please refer to mbusa's recall report for specific vehicle model details. A faulty electrical contact within the seat position switch May prevent the driver and passenger air bags and seat belt force limiters from properly activating during a crash.
Why it matters: Air bags and seat belts that do not perform properly in a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat position switches, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 21, 2021.
Seats Vehicle recall #21V406000 · 2021 · 218 vehicles
What's wrong: The rear headrests May be incorrectly mounted to the seatbacks.
Why it matters: Incorrectly mounted headrests could move or detach from the seat during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the rear seatback guide bushings and replace them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 16, 2021.
Backup camera Vehicle recall #22V232000 · 2022 · 126,443 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: An inoperable rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2022.
Communication, Electrical Vehicle recall #22V365000 · 2022 · 242,722 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A disabled ecall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: 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.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #23V445000 · 2023 · 143,551 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 14, 2024.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (8): the most common themes are warning light on (4), stalls / loses power (2), noise or vibration (2).
- Fuel & propulsion (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Airbags (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Electrical (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz C 300 has 14 owner complaints, ranking #7 of 10 C 300 model years for complaints (well below the 50 average). Complaints peaked in 2025 (6 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 86,078 miles. Neighboring years: 2020 (33 complaints, 9 recalls), 2022 (25 complaints, 9 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 | 35 | 27 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C 300.
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FAQ
Does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C 300 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 vehicle recalls for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C 300. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2021 Mercedes-Benz C 300 problems?
Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (8), fuel & propulsion (2), airbags (1).
What gas mileage does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C 300 get?
EPA ratings run up to 27 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic 9-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2021 Mercedes-Benz C 300 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.