Mercedes-Benz engine problems

Across all Mercedes-Benz models in NHTSA's complaint database, 3,435 complaints involve engine. The C300 accounts for the largest share (14%). The single worst model year is the 2015 C300 with 128 engine complaints.

Complaints: 3,435 about engine, all Mercedes-Benz models
Most affected: C300 14% of these complaints
Typical mileage: 65,000 miles 1,806 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires: 70 and 167

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

Which Mercedes-Benz models

Model	Complaints	Share
C300	470	14%
E350	227	7%
GLC 300	206	6%
C230	163	5%
ML350	162	5%
C250	135	4%
ML320	128	4%
CLA250	126	4%
E320	114	3%
GLA 250	82	2%

Worst model years for engine

Engine complaints by model year

Totals across all models of the brand. Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.

View the numbers

Model year	Complaints
1990	5
1991	14
1992	14
1993	27
1994	37
1995	82
1996	30
1997	21
1998	70
1999	118
2000	71
2001	83
2002	88
2003	89
2004	52
2005	75
2006	273
2007	169
2008	99
2009	59
2010	56
2011	58
2012	141
2013	127
2014	186
2015	243
2016	241
2017	216
2018	123
2019	95
2020	141
2021	134
2022	72
2023	66
2024	29
2025	19
2026	12

Among the 1,806 of these complaints that report mileage, the median is about 65,000 miles.

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many vehicles each brand sells, so large brands naturally have more complaints.

Mercedes-Benz engine problems

At a glance

Which Mercedes-Benz models

Worst model years for engine

Engine complaints by model year