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Mercedes-Benz C300Model year report

2020 Mercedes-Benz C300 Problems

Compared with other Mercedes-Benz C300 years

Typical for this model

42/100 0.8× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2022

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
33filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
28,722miles, 11 complaints with mileage
Recalls
9campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
25 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl RWD · 22 city / 31 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz C300 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz C300. The part named most often is engine, with 8 complaints (24% of the total), followed by other or unknown (5) and body and structure (4). 11 of the complaints include a mileage, and 64% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 28,722 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns and 183 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 13 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 6 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 13 Mercedes-Benz C300 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 42 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Latches, locks and linkages (2), Steering (2), Tires (2), Vehicle speed control (2), Brakes (1), Lane departure (1).

Example complaints

Engine: “My 2016 C300 (in-line 4 turbo, petrol with 241hp) at 55k miles had 1st cylinder cracked while driving on highway, and my car is out of warranty. I talked to my dealership and the corporate separately. The dealership would cover the cost of the parts whether the engine needs replacement or not, as I bought my car there new and have been using them through prepaid maintenance. I decided to fix the car and pay them pre-arranged labor. …”

NHTSA complaint #11382939, filed 2020-12, 55,000 miles

Other or unknown: “On a number of occasions, I have received an auditable warning, and a red light on the dash that disappears as quickly as it happens. I cannot contribute any cause for the warning and there isn't any residual information about the source of the warning.”

NHTSA complaint #11385957, filed 2020-12, 1,000 miles

Body and structure: “Automatic trunk closing mechanism caused the trunk hood to close on my head as I was putting groceries in the trunk. This has occurred several times in the past but this time it hit my head with more force. I have not brought it to a dealer and it has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police or any other entity. There was no warning or alarm before it closed. This could cause serious head injury to an individual on blood thinners.”

NHTSA complaint #11747837, filed 2026-07

Electrical system: “Vehicle has ongoing and recurring electrical and engine-related defects that affect safe operation. The primary systems involved are the electrical system, engine ignition system, and powertrain. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Prior service records show issues beginning in 2020 involving repeated electronic system failures requiring multiple repairs and component replacements. …”

NHTSA complaint #11733212, filed 2026-04

Mileage when problems were reported

64% of the 11 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 6,000 and 87,000 miles.

36%0–109%10–2518%25–509%50–759%75–10018%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (11 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 28,722 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

202020212022202320242025720267
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz C300. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
C-Class · sedan 4WDnot rated5 / 4——4 · 11.0% risk
C-Class · sedan RWDnot rated5 / 4——4 · 11.0% risk

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2020 Mercedes-Benz C300 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
C300 RWD2.0L 4-cyl9-speed automatic243528$2,950
C300 4matic 4WD2.0L 4-cyl9-speed automatic233326$3,150
C300 4matic Convertible 4WD2.0L 4-cyl9-speed automatic212924$3,400
C300 4matic Coupe 4WD2.0L 4-cyl9-speed automatic213025$3,300
C300 Convertible RWD2.0L 4-cyl9-speed automatic212924$3,400
C300 Coupe RWD2.0L 4-cyl9-speed automatic223125$3,300

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

See all 9 recalls for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz C300 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 183 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 183 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz C300

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202411—3—30—Too new
2023223,9009—25—Too new
2022256,0009—2533 · FewerRising
20211486,0787527—Not enough data
20203328,7229—2542 · TypicalStable
20196922,62617—2547 · TypicalRising
20189950,0001852538 · TypicalRising
201721628,0001552677 · MoreRising
201629140,3001352872 · MoreRising
201538148,5001142886 · MoreStable
20149427,000552213 · FewerStable
201326280,000652239 · TypicalFalling
201226783,5006—2028 · FewerFalling
201148079,000642153 · TypicalFalling
201045365,3006—2166 · MoreFalling
200957670,0008—2184 · MoreFalling
200867278,8907—2169 · MoreStable

All Mercedes-Benz C300 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2020 Mercedes-Benz C300 have?

NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz C300 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz C300 is reported most often?

Engine is named most often, in 8 complaints (24% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 5.

Has the 2020 Mercedes-Benz C300 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2020 Mercedes-Benz C300 get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Mercedes-Benz C300 (C300 Coupe, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 25 mpg combined, 22 city and 31 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2020 Mercedes-Benz C300 reported?

Among the 11 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 28,722 miles and the middle half falls between 6,000 and 87,000 miles; 64% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.