Mercedes-Benz · C-Class · 2021
2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
5
Recalls
13
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has 5 recalls and 13 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: engine (5 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is engine with 5 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Compare the recall list with the complaint mix to see whether the most reported issues overlap with formal NHTSA safety campaigns.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class currently shows 5 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 13 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are engine (5), fuel/propulsion system (2), suspension,power train,air bags (1).
- Vehicle
- 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
- Recalls
- 5
- Complaints
- 13
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
11.1% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: NoLane Departure Warning: No
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 23V445000June 26, 2023
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2023 C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS, SL, GT, GLC, GLE, GLS, and G-Class vehicles. 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.
Remedy Status
Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 14, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2023070012.
NHTSA ID: 22V365000May 20, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, AMG GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, GLB-Class, and G-Class vehicles. 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.
Remedy Status
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. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers are for this recall is 2022060005 and 2023110006.
NHTSA ID: 22V232000April 08, 2022
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, C-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe/Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and CLS-Class vehicles. 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."
Remedy Status
Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022060007.
NHTSA ID: 21V058000February 05, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. 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.
Remedy Status
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. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020025.
NHTSA ID: 21V032000January 29, 2021
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2021 C300, 2017-2020 AMG C43, and AMG C63 vehicles. 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."
Remedy Status
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. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020010.
Owner Complaints
13 totalENGINE
Dec 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and failed to exceed 30 MPH, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle did not require a restart. The contact also stated that while s...
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SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS
Dec 4, 2025
Driving and something came from underneath the vehicle and cause me to swerve in all the airbags deployed
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Nov 23, 2025
My car had a coolant leak last year a hose broke and I have a 2021. My son’s mercedes sis the same thing on 11/23/2025. I have researched ma y others with this same issue. There should be a recall on that hose or whatever the problem Is.
ENGINE
Oct 10, 2025
2021 Mercedes-Benz C300 with M254 2.0L turbo engine experienced sudden cylinder head failure at 44,000 miles due to manufacturing porosity in the cylinder head and camshaft bore scoring. Dealer confirmed defect. This is a known, recurring issue on 2021–2023 M254 engines with mult...
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VISIBILITY
Oct 6, 2025
I am reporting a safety defect involving the panoramic sunroof on my 2021Mercedes-Benz Coop vehicle. The panoramic sunroof has malfunctioned due to an apparent design or manufacturing defect. The sunroof fails to open / close and makes grinding or popping noises which malfunctio...
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FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Oct 5, 2025
While driving car on Sunday 10/5, it suddenly failed to respond to gas pedal pressure. The car stopped accelerating and rather slowed to 15 MPH, almost causing a car from behind to hit me in the rear side.
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Jun 9, 2025
My C300 only had about 42,000 miles and was less than 5 years old. Just after the factory warranty expired, the engine was running rough and hot, and "check engine" light illuminated. My local garage quickly diagnosed the problem as a failed cylinder head, stated that it is commo...
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ENGINE
Feb 13, 2025
Cylinder head needed to be replaced on the M264 engine at 35,000 miles. The replacement part is also known to be defective for the same reasons. This is a common defect known to the manufacturer and they have not issued a recall. My concern is that of a roadside breakdown that wo...
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BACK OVER PREVENTION
Nov 2, 2024
Rearview camera not displaying any image when transmission is put in reverse.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Jan 28, 2024
First day leasing the vehicle within 6 hours lights malfunction and malfunction warning on dash to seek workshop, vehicle was taken for inspection to original dealer (Mercedes Benz of Bakersfield). During inspection I added additional concerning complaints about passenger door no...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 13 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2021 Mercedes-Benz models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Mercedes-Benz C-Class Years
2022 Mercedes-Benz C-ClassCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.5r25c2020 Mercedes-Benz C-ClassCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.9r44c2023 Mercedes-Benz C-ClassCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.7r23c2019 Mercedes-Benz C-ClassCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.12r70c2024 Mercedes-Benz C-ClassCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.3r10c2018 Mercedes-Benz C-ClassCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.18r121c
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2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE-ClassAnother 2021 Mercedes-Benz option for same-year comparison.10r77c2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-ClassAnother 2021 Mercedes-Benz option for same-year comparison.12r36c2021 Mercedes-Benz S-ClassAnother 2021 Mercedes-Benz option for same-year comparison.4r32c2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-ClassAnother 2021 Mercedes-Benz option for same-year comparison.5r19c2021 Mercedes-Benz E-ClassAnother 2021 Mercedes-Benz option for same-year comparison.6r18c2021 Mercedes-Benz A-ClassAnother 2021 Mercedes-Benz option for same-year comparison.2r9c
Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class have?
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has 5 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
NHTSA has received 13 owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class are engine (5 reports), fuel/propulsion system (2 reports), suspension,power train,air bags (1 reports).
Does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 5 recalls on record for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.