⌘K
Home›Mercedes-Benz›C-Class›2021
Mercedes-Benz · Compact car

2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Gas
Subcompact Cars
15 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
F
Safety Signal
59 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns7
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA17
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA27 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact car with 15 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the C300, is EPA-rated at 27 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 17 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
C300GasRWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo233527$2,850
C300 4maticGas4WD2.0L 4-cyl turbo233327$2,850
C300 CoupeGasRWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo243327$2,850
C300 4matic CoupeGas4WD2.0L 4-cyl turbo233226$3,000
C300 ConvertibleGasRWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo233126$3,000
C300 4matic ConvertibleGas4WD2.0L 4-cyl turbo223025$3,100
AMG C43 4matic ConvertibleGas4WD3.0L 6-cyl turbo192722$3,500
AMG C43 4matic CoupeGas4WD3.0L 6-cyl turbo192722$3,500
AMG C43 4maticGas4WD3.0L 6-cyl turbo182721$3,700
AMG C63GasRWD4.0L 8-cyl turbo172621$3,700
AMG C63 SGasRWD4.0L 8-cyl turbo172621$3,700
AMG C63 ConvertibleGasRWD4.0L 8-cyl turbo172520$3,900
AMG C63 CoupeGasRWD4.0L 8-cyl turbo172620$3,900
AMG C63 S ConvertibleGasRWD4.0L 8-cyl turbo172520$3,900
AMG C63 S CoupeGasRWD4.0L 8-cyl turbo172620$3,900

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 43515, 43348, 43332, 43333, 43335, 43334, 43528, 43527, 43535, 43531.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

Compare coverage →

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

Recalls (7)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

2023070012
143,551 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-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.RiskA loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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 campaign 23V445000reported Jun 26, 2023Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
○minor

Electrical System

See Recall Schedule
242,722 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-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.RiskA disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.FixThe 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 campaign 22V365000reported May 20, 2022Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
○minor

Back Over Prevention

2022060007
126,443 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-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."RiskAn inoperable rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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 campaign 22V232000reported Apr 8, 2022Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
▲high

Seats

2021060010
218 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 C300 Cabriolet, C43 AMG Cabriolet, C63 AMG Cabriolet, C63 AMG S Cabriolet, E450 Cabriolet, and E53 AMG Cabriolet vehicles. The rear headrests may be incorrectly mounted to the seatbacks.RiskIncorrectly mounted headrests could move or detach from the seat during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.FixDealers will inspect the rear seatback guide bushings and replace them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 16, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021060010.
NHTSA campaign 21V406000reported May 28, 2021Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
▲high

Seats

2021040016
8,634 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 C-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe and Convertible, GLC, CLS, AMG GT 4-door Coupe and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. A faulty electrical contact within the seat position switch may prevent the driver and passenger air bags and seat belt force limiters from properly activating during a crash.RiskAir bags and seat belts that do not perform properly in a crash can increase the risk of injury.FixMBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat position switches, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 21, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021040016.
NHTSA campaign 21V230000reported Apr 1, 2021Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
○minor

Electrical System

2021020025
1,292,258 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-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.RiskFailure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.FixMBUSA 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 campaign 21V058000reported Feb 5, 2021Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
▲high

Seat Belts

2021020010
24,550 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-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."RiskIf the seat belt does not fully retract, the occupant may find the operation of the seat belt inconvenient and not wear it, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.FixMBUSA 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.
NHTSA campaign 21V032000reported Jan 29, 2021Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
17complaints filed

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2022: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2024: 3 · 2025: 7 · 2026: 4

Most-cited components

Engine8
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Air Bags2
Power Train2
Electrical System1
Back Over Prevention1

What owners describe

“The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz C 300. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the engine compartment while accelerating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that th…”Aug 7, 2026 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“Both driver and passenger seatbelts do not fully retract and remain loose. Must be manually guided back into mechanism. I see that there has been a recall for the cabriolet version of this vehicle platform but not for the coupe version. I am unsure why there hasn't also been a recall for the coupe C205 as it is the sam…”Aug 4, 2026 · Seat Belts · NHTSA owner report
“The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes Benz C. The contact stated that while driving on the highway, the vehicle began to lose power, riding rough. The check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a fuel injection failure. The vehicle read diagnostic code P1CEF85. The manufa…”May 19, 2026 · Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR 4WD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆11%
4 DR RWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆11%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Compare the 2021 C-Class with

2021 Toyota Corolla →

Other C-Class model years

A

2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

0 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

1 recalls · 3 complaints

B

2025 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

2 recalls · 4 complaints

D

2024 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

3 recalls · 15 complaints

F

2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

10 recalls · 25 complaints

F

2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

9 recalls · 26 complaints

F

2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

12 recalls · 45 complaints

F

2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

18 recalls · 74 complaints

F

2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

19 recalls · 128 complaints

F

2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

17 recalls · 250 complaints

F

2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

14 recalls · 314 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

JSON for this page · API