Exterior:

Many C-Class Mercedes-Benz owners have complained about the rough ride caused by the run-flat tires installed by the manufacturer. While these tires are designed to allow continued driving in case of a puncture, their inflexible sidewalls make for an uncomfortable driving experience on uneven road surfaces and potholes.

In addition to the run-flat tires, early model C-Class Mercedes-Benz vehicles are also prone to brake issues. Numerous owners have reported encountering noisy, squeaky brakes when coming to a complete stop, and premature brake failure is also a common problem.

Certain vehicles are equipped with an anti-collision system that activates when approaching road works. However, there have been reports of the system misidentifying reflective roadwork signals as an obstacle, resulting in unnecessary activation of the anti-collision system. This poses a significant safety concern and requires immediate attention and resolution from manufacturers.

Interior:

Mercedes Benz C-Class cars have faced several interior-related issues that have caused dissatisfaction among owners. Here are some of the major problems:

The power steering system of the C-Class has caused persistent problems that have resulted in three separate recalls. The first recall was due to a motor failure issue in certain models produced between August 1, 2014, and December 31, 2016, which required replacement. The second recall was issued for vehicles manufactured between November 1, 2017, and April 30, 2018, due to a software glitch that required an update. The third recall pertained to a sensor malfunction in the power steering system of units produced between July 1, 2018, and August 31, 2018, which could result in a complete failure of the system.

The issue of “bleeding” seats has become increasingly common among owners of late-model C-Class cars. This problem seems to be caused by a plasticiser that is used to soften the MBTex seat material. Extreme temperature fluctuations are a common trigger for this problem, with the resultant “bleed” caused by an additive that seeps out of the fabric, solidifying when it cools down. This poses a significant concern for affected owners, requiring prompt attention and remedial action.

Water leaks have been reported by many C-Class owners, primarily following a rainstorm or after washing their car. The matter has been reported to affect all four door panels and the carpets on the car floor, as per the observations of some car owners.

A considerable number of C-Class owners have expressed dissatisfaction with the interior noise levels of the vehicle. This is a significant issue that requires attention from the manufacturer.

Several C-Class owners have reported recurring instances of freezing in their Comand infotainment systems, which can be resolved through a software upgrade.

Certain C-Class vehicles manufactured between January 1, 2018, and March 30, 2018, have been identified with a potential safety concern with the driver’s airbag. The airbag may fail to function effectively during a collision, posing a significant risk to the driver’s safety.

Vehicles manufactured between April 1, 2016, and March 31, 2017, have been found to have defective front seats that fail to adequately restrain front-seat occupants in the event of a collision, posing a significant safety hazard.

The malfunctioning sunroof of Mercedes Benz C-Class W205 cars has caused significant dissatisfaction among owners. Premature failure of the sunroof, particularly after the warranty period, has caused inconvenience and financial burden for affected individuals.

Mechanically:

The C-Class 2015 and 2016 models have experienced frequent engine-related problems, mainly due to cracked or broken pistons. This issue has become prevalent and is causing significant financial strain on many car owners who have had to cover the high repair costs.

The 220d diesel variant of the W205 model has been found to have a severe problem with its chain tensioner, which requires immediate attention. Additionally, there have been reports of plastic intake manifold and fuel filter housing failures that could affect the vehicle’s performance. It is crucial to address these issues promptly to ensure optimal functioning and safety while driving.

Recalls:

October 2014: Mercedes-Benz W205 C-Class vehicles sold in Australia from June to September 2014 were recalled due to potential loss of steering control caused by incorrect installation of the steering column coupling lock, and to fix the issue, the coupling needed to be replaced.

January 2015: Mercedes-Benz issued a recall for OM651 turbo diesel engine vehicles sold in 2014 due to an oil leak from the timing chain tensioner, posing a hazard to other drivers and a potential fire risk.

March 2015: A recall for C 200 BlueDirect diesel models sold from April 2014 to February 2015 due to a software issue that may cause engine stalling during warm-up, posing a potential danger to occupants and other road users.

April 2015: C-Class vehicles manufactured between 1 December 2013 and 30 October 2014 due to a potential risk of stalling caused by the detachment of the fuel feed pump in the fuel tank.

April 2015: Approximately 11,000 2015 C-Class sedans due to a production error causing a steering coupling interlock mechanism issue resulting in hard-to-turn and squeaky steering wheels, with affected owners receiving notifications.

March 2016: Mercedes Benz W205 C-Class vehicles were recalled due to a fire risk caused by a potential deviation in the tightening angle monitoring of the threaded connection of the battery ground line.

August 2016: Vehicles sold between December 2014 and March 2016 were recalled due to potential fuel leak from high-pressure fuel line.

October 2017: A recall was issued for W205 C-Class Sedans sold in Australia between 30 September 2016 and 30 January 2017 due to a potential fault in the front passenger seatbelt tensioner that may increase the risk of injury in the event of a collision.

February 2018: Mercedes Benz issued a recall due to a potential electrostatic discharge that could cause the driver’s airbag to deploy if the steering column switch was damaged or faulty, which could distract or injure the driver.

August 2018: C-Class Sedans sold in Australia between May 1, 2018, and May 31, 2018, were recalled due to incorrectly installed paneling that could contact the exhaust system and catch fire during full-load operation.

October 2018: Mercedes-Benz issued recall campaign for W205 C-Class Sedans sold in Australia from 8 May 2016 to 3 January 2018 due to a risk of the rear window trim detaching while driving, potentially posing a hazard to following vehicles.

November 2018: Recall campaign for C300 Hybrid and C350 Hybrid vehicles due to a potential short circuit hazard caused by incorrect electric line routing.

December 2018: Mercedes-Benz issued a recall campaign for W205 C-Class Sedans sold in Australia between 1 September 2017 to 31 December 2018 due to software affecting the occupant detection function, potentially causing the airbag to not deploy correctly and increasing the risk of injury to the front seat passenger in the event of a collision.

January 2019: ESP software issues could cause brake lights to activate permanently, ESP function to be deactivated, and the parking brake to become immovable, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries to occupants and other road users.

March 2019: Mercedes-Benz recalls W205 C-Class Sedans due to potential failure of PRE-SAFE function and seatbelt detection.