5 Mercedes Cars With MOST Recalls (Check Before Buying)

No doubt Mercedes is one of the biggest names in the automotive industry. However, as flashy as Mercedes vehicles can be, some recalls have been issued over the years due to varying flaws in their design.

Mercedes has issued 1,836 recalls. Data from afrc.org suggests Mercedes is accountable for 5.1% of the total recalls issued by the NHTSA. Mercedes also takes the 6^th position in the total number of recalls for any car make.

We’ve gathered a list of the most recalled Mercedes models below.

1. Mercedes C300

The C300 is a compact luxury sedan and is no doubt one of the best-selling Mercedes in the market. It sports a relatively powerful engine and a great passenger capacity and comfort.

The car comes fully equipped with advanced technology, including safety features. Companies often use the C300 as an executive car.

Number of Recalls

The C300 accounts for 5.4% of the 1,836 Mercedes recalls that have been issued since 1977. It has been recalled 100 times. This makes it the most recalled model.

Of all the C300 model years, the 2018, 2016 and 2015 models are currently the most recalled C300s. They all have 11 recalls. These 3 model years alone make up 33% of the total C300 recalls.

You would do well to avoid these years.

Next in line is the 2017 model year racking up 10 recalls. The 2011, 2010, and 2009 models all have 8 recalls each. Hence, they’d be preferred over the above listed models.

The 2019, 2013 and 2008 model years each have 7 recalls.

However, the model years with the fewest number of recalls are the 2014 and 2012 model years. They make up just 12% of the total C300 recalls. You may prefer these models over any other model year in the C300 line-up.

Listed below are the most common reasons for the 100 recalls on the C300:

• Airbags defects (Unexpected deployment, incorrect status display of passenger air bag, and incorrect deployment because of incorrect software update)
• Electrical system (Engine stall because of CPC reset, electronic parking brake failure, battery terminals disconnection and overheating of the starting current limiter)
• Control module
• Software problems
• Exterior lighting (Tail light failure and improperly adjusted headlights)

Related: 5 Mazda Models With The Most Recalls (Check Before Buying!)

2. Mercedes Sprinter 2500/3500

The Mercedes Sprinter cargo van is no doubt one of the most popular vans in the world today. Its attractive features include great cargo capacity and a good interior standing height.

It also has wonderful fuel efficiency, which provides a great value for money.

The Mercedes Sprinter 2500 has an annual maintenance cost of $1,778. That of the Sprinter 3500 is about $1,372.

Many businesses rely on a Sprinter for daily logistic operations since it can convey large amounts of goods. However, let’s look at the vehicle’s recall information.

Number of Recalls

The Mercedes Sprinter 2500 has been recalled 46 times. This takes up 2.5% of all Mercedes recalls over the years.

The 2016 and 2015 models are the model years with the highest number of recalls. They both have 13 recalls and together make up a massive 56.5% of Mercedes Sprinter 2500 recalls. If you’re looking to buy any of these problematic model years, ensure they’re free of all recall-related issues.

The 2017 and 2014 model years are next, with 6 and 5 recalls, respectively.

The 2013 model year has 3 recalls to its name and is responsible for only 6.5% of total Mercedes Sprinter 2500 recalls. This seems like a fair assessment of its reliability relative to the other model years.

The least recalled Sprinter 2500s are the 2012, 2011 and the 2010 model years, which all have 2 recalls and are each responsible for only 4.34% of total Sprinter 2500 recalls. When compared with the 2016 model year, they appear to be ideal.

The Mercedes Sprinter 3500 has very similar recall data to the Mercedes Sprinter 2500. The number of recalls for the model years is alike except the 2017 sprinter 3500, which has 7 recalls, and the 2014 sprinter 3500 with 4 recalls.

The sprinter 3500, like the sprinter 2500, has been recalled 46 times and also takes up 2.5% of the total number of Mercedes recalls.

Below are the most common reasons for Sprinter 2500/3500 recalls:

• Airbag defects (Inflator explosion, airbags may not remain functional or deploy, and inflator may rupture)
• Equipment (Incorrect UVW labels and clogged fire extinguishers)
• Body (Missing spot welds on side walls and windows may be vulnerable in a crash)
• Driveshaft (Improper welding of driveshaft bearing and vulnerable fuel tank due to loose driveshaft)
• Engine coolant (Oil leaks around gasket areas)

Related: 5 Lincoln Models With Most Recalls (Check Before Buying!)

3. Mercedes C350

The Mercedes C350, like all cars manufactured by Mercedes, is a highly efficient vehicle. It comes in sedans, coupes and convertibles.

Kelly’s Blue Book gives the C350 a 3 out of 5 rating. On RepairPal, the C350 has a 3.5 out of 5 rating for reliability. Both ratings suggest the C350 provides above average value. Still, it makes our list of most recalled Mercedes models.

Number of Recalls

The Mercedes C350 has been recalled 45 times. This occupies 2.45% of all Mercedes recalls since 1977.

The 2009 model is the most recalled model year, with 8 recalls. It alone accounts for 17.8% of the entire recalls on the Mercedes C350. This means that if any model year is to be avoided, it should be the 2009 model.

Other models, like the 2013 model, have 6 recalls, while the 2011, 2010 and 2008 models all have 5 recalls.

The remarkable models are the 2007 and 2006 model years, with just 2 recalls each. Fair models are the 2015, 2014, and 2012 model years. They each have 4 recalls.

The problems responsible for most of the recalls include:

• Airbag problems (Unexpected deployment, inadequate grounding of steering components and explosion)
• Exterior lighting (Tail light failure and poor ground connection)
• Communication (Emergency call system failure)
• Control module (Incorrect software update)
• Electrical system (Electrical system may affect the correct airbag deployment)

4. Mercedes C63 AMG

The Mercedes C63 AMG is a luxury car that adds a little extra power to all that class. This includes turbocharged engines, high performance transmission, upgraded suspension, and a wonderful interior.

These features set the C63 AMG apart from its counterparts.

However, the C63 AMG still has a pretty high number of recalls relative to other models.

Number of Recalls

The Mercedes C63 AMG has been recalled 43 times. This makes it accountable for 2.34% of the total Mercedes recalls.

The 2017 model takes the cake for the highest number of recalls. It also takes up over 16% of the total Mercedes C63 AMG recalls. This makes it the model to steer clear of.

The 2018 and 2013 models both rank 2^nd in the number of recalls. They each have 6 recalls which also make them less desirable model years. The 2015 model has 5 recalls, while the 2014 and 2012 models both have 4 recalls to their name.

So far, the most remarkable model appears to be the 2009 model with only 1 recall. It seems like the best choice for drivers with low tolerance for high maintenance costs.

The 2011 model is also remarkable with just 2 recalls. The 2016 and 2010 models have only been recalled thrice.

These are the most common reasons for the Mercedes C63 AMG recalls:

• Airbag issues (Unexpected deployment and incorrect status display)
• Communication (Inaccurate car location)
• Power train (The differential mounting flange may fracture)
• Steering (Stuck steering wheel)
• Seats (Seatbacks may not properly lock)
• Structure (Rear beltline trim may separate from car)

Related: 5 Chrysler Models With Most Recalls (Check Before Buying!)

5. Mercedes GLC300

The GLC300 is a compact luxury SUV which boast of a spacious cabin and comfortable seats, while sporting a high performance engine and a stable suspension.

These are wonderful features that most people want in a car. Yet, the GLC300 is not completely free of faults. Let’s take a look.

Number of Recalls

The GLC300 has 42 recalls and takes up 2.29% of all Mercedes recalls. The 2016 model has 14 recalls, which is the highest number of recalls for any model year. It also takes up 33.3% of all GLC300 recalls, which is too huge a percentage for a single model year.

We advise you to avoid the 2016 model year. The 2017 model year comes in 2^nd with 11 recalls, which is still a pretty high tally. If possible, the 2017 model should also be avoided.

The 2018 and 2019 models have 9 and 5 recalls, respectively. The 2020 model has just 3 recalls, which is the least number of recalls for any model year.

We observed that the more recent the model years, the fewer recalls it has. This looks good on any data chart and says a lot about Mercedes’ commitment to product improvement over the years.

This information means that the recent Mercedes GLC300 models would be preferred and are more reliable than the older models.

The bulk of the reasons for the GLC300 recalls include:

• Airbags (Improper bolting of airbag modules, incorrect status display, unexpected deployment, and airbag rupture)
• Buckle assembly (Retracting latch plates into interior paneling)
• Electrical system (Overheated starting current limiter, incorrectly routed wiring harness, and incorrect software update)
• Steering (Deactivated power steering assist, failure of power steering to control unit connection and improperly welded contact pins)
• Structure

Final Thoughts

Going by data observed from all the Mercedes models on the list above, the most reoccurring problems involve airbag defects. This is also the case across the different model years of the different models.

If possible, avoid the problematic model years of these vehicles. However, you might insist on buying a used model. In that case, ensure you go with a technician to check for all the common defects, especially airbags.

Meanwhile, you can also explore some problems with the Mercedes-Benz EQE.

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