Short answer
Among Mercedes-Benz C-Class model years through 2024, 2000 has the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns on record (0) and 2018 has the most (19). Recall counts are not a reliability score; they show how often a safety defect had to be corrected.
Quick read
Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Key Facts
- Model years with data
- 27 (2000–2026)
- Distinct recall campaigns
- 80
- Fewest recalls
- 2000 (0)
- Most recalls
- 2018 (19)
- Most recalled system
- Air bags (40)
- 5-star overall rating
- 2013, 2014, 2016 and 3 more years
Mercedes-Benz C-Class Recalls and Ratings by Model Year
| Model year | Recall campaigns | Overall crash rating | Most recalled systems |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Recent: still collecting recalls | 1 | Not rated | Electrical system |
| 2025 Recent: still collecting recalls | 2 | Not rated | Electrical system, Seat belts |
| 2024 | 3 | Not rated | Electrical system, Fuel system, gasoline, Seat belts |
| 2023 | 10 | Not rated | Electrical system, Fuel system, gasoline, Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2022 | 9 | Not rated | Electrical system, Fuel system, gasoline, Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2021 | 7 | 5 stars | Communication, Seat belts, Back over prevention |
| 2020 | 12 | Not rated | Communication, Structure, Back over prevention |
| 2019 | 18 | Not rated | Electrical system, Communication, Seat belts |
| 2018 | 19 | 5 stars | Communication, Seats, Structure |
| 2017 | 17 | 5 stars | Communication, Steering, Structure |
| 2016 | 14 | 5 stars | Steering, Communication, Electrical system |
| 2015 | 14 | 4–5 stars | Air bags, Steering, Electrical system |
| 2014 | 6 | 5 stars | Air bags, Communication, Electrical system |
| 2013 | 7 | 5 stars | Air bags, Communication, Electrical system |
| 2012 | 7 | Not rated | Air bags, Electrical system, Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2011 | 6 | 4 stars | Air bags, Electrical system, Exterior lighting |
| 2010 | 6 | Not rated | Air bags, Electrical system, Exterior lighting |
| 2009 | 8 | Not rated | Air bags, Electrical system, Engine and engine cooling |
| 2008 | 8 | Not rated | Air bags, Electrical system, Engine and engine cooling |
| 2007 | 5 | Not rated | Visibility, Air bags |
| 2006 | 7 | Not rated | Visibility, Air bags, Electrical system |
| 2005 | 6 | Not rated | Visibility, Air bags, Electrical system |
| 2004 | 4 | Not rated | Visibility, Seat belts |
| 2003 | 3 | Not rated | Visibility |
| 2002 | 3 | Not rated | Visibility |
| 2001 | 3 | Not rated | Visibility |
| 2000 | 0 | Not rated | None on record |
No model years match your search.
The scale of the difference
Recall Campaigns by Model Year
Distinct NHTSA recall campaigns per model year. Years after 2024 are recent and still collecting recalls.
- 20261 recall
- 20252 recalls
- 20243 recalls
- 202310 recalls
- 20229 recalls
- 20217 recalls
- 202012 recalls
- 201918 recalls
- 201819 recalls
- 201717 recalls
- 201614 recalls
- 201514 recalls
- 20146 recalls
- 20137 recalls
- 20127 recalls
- 20116 recalls
- 20106 recalls
- 20098 recalls
- 20088 recalls
- 20075 recalls
- 20067 recalls
- 20056 recalls
- 20044 recalls
- 20033 recalls
- 20023 recalls
- 20013 recalls
- 20000 recalls
Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Analysis
How to read recall counts
A recall campaign is a safety defect that the manufacturer or NHTSA required to be fixed. Counts depend on how long a model year has been on the road, so recent years look better than they will in time; this page therefore ranks only model years through 2024. A high count can also mean a manufacturer reacts quickly to small defects, so it says little about breakdowns or running costs.
What the recalls were about
Across all model years, the systems named most often in Mercedes-Benz C-Class recalls are air bags (40), electrical system (32), visibility (25), communication (20) and steering (15). The number in brackets counts model-year entries, so one campaign that covers several years is counted in each.
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA has an overall star rating for 8 of these 27 model years, and 2013, 2014, 2016 and 3 more years earned 5 stars. Ratings before 2011 come from an earlier version of the program and are not directly comparable with later years. A range such as 4–5 means versions of the same model year were rated differently.
FAQ: Mercedes-Benz C-Class Best and Worst Years
What are the best years for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
By NHTSA recall campaigns, 2000 are the cleanest model years through 2024, with 0 each.
Which Mercedes-Benz C-Class model years have the most recalls?
2018 has the most, with 19 recall campaigns each.
Does a recall mean the car is unreliable?
No. A recall is a safety correction filed with NHTSA, usually repaired free of charge. It does not measure breakdowns or running costs, so use these counts together with a vehicle history report and an inspection.
Sources & methodology
Recalls and crash ratings come from the NHTSA datasets and APIs, retrieved on 2026-10-03. A record counts for this model when its make matches and its model name starts with the same words as "C-Class", so variants such as body styles are included. Only model years from 2000 are used, and each recall campaign is counted once per model year. The data does not say whether an individual car was repaired, so check a specific car by VIN.
NHTSA, US Department of Transportation; this page is not endorsed by NHTSA. Maintained by Artsiom Dusau. Editorial policy