In October 2024, the rear subframe was replaced due to rust perforation in the area of the suspension arm mounting bracket. I had no warning. The car was in for routine service at Mercedes Benz of New London. It had rusted from the inside out and was considered unsafe to drive by the Mercedes service advisor. I could have had a serious accident! I had no choice but to replace the subframe as it is my only vehicle. Shockingly I learned many others have had this issue with various Mercedes models/years and that Mercedes Benz knows of this serious safety problem and there is a class action lawsuit pending but subframe replacement is not covered under warranty by Mercedes Benz, so the cost was mine to bear.
2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 airbags problems
15 complaints (7% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 14,000. 6 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 15
- of this car's complaints
- 7%
- typical mileage
- 14,000
- crashes
- 6
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Frontal: driver clockspring/spiral cassette1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Mercedes-Benz C300 airbags problems in other years
Related recalls
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling these vehicles: 2014-2018 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, CLA45 AMG 4Matic, 2015-2018 GLA250, GLA250 4Matic, GLA45 AMG 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C63S AMG, 2012-2014 C250, C350, C300 4Matic, E550 4Matic, 2013-2014 C63 AMG, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2013-2015 C350 4Matic Coupe, GLK250 4Matic BlueTec, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, 2016-2017 C350e, C43 AMG, 2015 C400 4Matic, 2016-2018 C63 AMG, GLC300, GLC300 4Matic, 2017-2018 C300 Coupe, C300 4Matic Coupe, C43 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, C63S AMG Coupe, C300 Cabriolet, C300 4Matic Cabriolet, C43 AMG Cabriolet, C63 AMG Cabriolet, C63S AMG Cabriolet, GLC300 4Matic Coupe, GLC43 AMG, GLC43 AMG Coupe, 2014 E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabriolet, E400 Hybrid, 2015-2017 E400 Coupe, E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabriolet, 2014-2017 E550 Coupe, E550 Cabriolet, B250e, 2014-2016 E250 BlueTec, E63 AMG 4Matic Wagon, 2012-2013 E350 BlueTec, 2012-2016 E350, E350 4Matic, 2015-2016 E400, E400 4Matic, 2012 E63 AMG, 2014-2015 E250 4Matic BlueTec, 2013-2016 E350 Wagon, 2017 GLC300d 4Matic, and 2018 GLC350e 4Matic. The driver's air bag may unexpectedly deploy due to insufficient grounding of the steering components if an electrostatic discharge occurs and the air bag clockspring is broken.
- Risk
- If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
- Remedy
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will add sufficient grounding to the steering components, free of charge. The recall began in December 6, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑877‑496‑3691.
Recall number 17V627000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
EA21002
What 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated that while making a left turn at 40 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the front passenger side of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy upon impact and the seat belt also failed to restrain the contact during the crash. Due to both failures, the contact's head and chest hit the steering wheel. The contact was taken to the hospital by ambulance and given an X-ray exam. The contact was treated for lacerations to the forehead and suffered pain to the head, neck, back, and chest. The whereabouts of the other driver were unknown. A police report was filed. The vehicle was initially towed to an independent mechanic and later back to the contact's home where it remained in the contact's possession. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
I was reversing my vehicle when I heard a snap, and the inside dash panel warning sign came on…later I google it and found out it has happened to many other people. the clock spring behind the steering wheel snapped and airbags warning signs came on with possibility of deploying at any moment.
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated while driving at a slow speed in traffic, another vehicle rear-ended and caused her to crash into the vehicle in front. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the back of her head, her left shoulder, right wrist, and right arm along with chest pains and facial contusion. The contact sought medical attention at an emergency room. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to her residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.
I was in a car accident on June 30,2021. A Car collided into my drivers side at the front left wheel. My airbags did not deploy and i was injured. my injuries consisted of neck, shoulder, and lower back. I was also thrown to the passenger side of the vehicle because my seat belt did not seem to lock. Thank you, [XXX] email- [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 mercedes benz c300. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, was broadsided on the passenger side by another vehicle. The frontal air bags deployed, but the air bag under the dashboard of the driver side deployed with such force that caused lacerations and second degree burns on the drivers legs. The police was present and a report number: 38-18-85 was filed. The driver was transported to the hospital by ambulance, treated and released. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot, the insurance company labeled the vehicle destroy. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 8,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owned a 2017 mercedes-benz c300. While at a stop light, the contact's vehicle was involved in an head on collision. The driver's air bag deployed, but not to full capacity. The contact sustained head and neck injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 14,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 mercedes-benz c300. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v627000 (air bags). The contact called mercedes-benz of georgetown at 512‑930‑6150 (located at 7401 n interstate 35 frontage rd, georgetown, tx 78626) and was informed that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
I hit a bear in montana in my 2017 mercedes c300 at 86mph and destroyed the front of my car. The seatbelts deployed and wrenched us into our seats and smoke came out of the front air vents but the airbags did not go off. On the dash the vehicles stated that the airbags in all 4 zones in the car malfunctioned and service is required. Mercedes is stating that the light is from a seatbelt error code but the dash did not say anything about SRS or seatbelts. I do not want to put my family back in the car and do not feel it should be repaired. Please see attached photos of the error messages on the dash. I do not know how I can hit something that hard and not have them deploy. Mercedes is doing an internal investigation but they have not given me the results of that and it has been over 3 weeks. Vehicle was in for a airbag recall not takata related on january of 2018 and this was supposed to have been repaired.
Since I bought in february 2017 brand new 2017 mercedes benz c300 convertible in one year of ownership I had to bring my car several times for services like, the convertible top would not work, the mirrors would not fold, the steering wheel would not adjust, electronical issues like connecting my cell phone to the car. ( I had the top got replaced only after couple of months after I purchased the car.) today april 27 2018 I could not start the car in the morning to go to work, the display was showing the key is not detected( had to exit the car couple of times, with the key and try again to start the car until it finally worked).had my top open while was driving to work and once parked the top would not close, and again had to exit the car lock unlock an try again couple of times before if finally closed. I did receive a letter saying that the car was defefected, and that the airbag on the drivers seet may not work, I'll attach the letter ( brought for services) but it's seems that they didn't fix the problem. Also the tire pressure every couple of weeks it's low, and the display would show sometimes that the seet is not firm or steady. I bought a brand new car to feel safe and do not feel that way.
Questions about the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 airbags
Does the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 15 complaints about the airbags of the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300, 7% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 14,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 airbags?
Yes, 1 recall: 17V627000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Mercedes-Benz C300 have bad airbags?
The Mercedes-Benz C300 model years with the most airbags complaints are 2011 (250 complaints), 2010 (202 complaints) and 2012 (114 complaints).
Other 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 problems
Engine 79Fuel system 33Electrical 31Body 24Seat belts 21Steering 13Transmission 12Visibility 9Driver assistance 4Acceleration 2Brakes 2Suspension 2Tires 2
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