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2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Hybrid

Compact Cars
3 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11

Safety Signal

92 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record

RecallsNHTSA campaigns1

Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA3

Crash ratingNHTSA overall—

Fuel economybest combined, EPA29 mpg

2027 2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid compact car with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the C300, is EPA-rated at 29 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of A. Owners have filed 3 complaints, most often about the vehicle speed control.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov

Configuration	Powertrain	Drive	Engine / motor	City	Hwy	Comb	Annual fuel*
C300	Hybrid	RWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	25	35	29	$2,650
C300 4matic	Hybrid	AWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	24	33	27	$2,850
AMG C43 4matic	Hybrid	AWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	19	27	22	$3,500

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 49259, 49260, 49264.

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Recalls (1)

Source: NHTSA recall database

▲high

Electrical System

2026050004

144,049 vehicles

ProblemMercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2024-2026 AMG GT, C-Class, E-Class, SL, CLE, and GLC vehicles. The infotainment control unit may reset while the vehicle is in motion and cause the instrument panel display to go blank.RiskAn instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer and warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.FixDealers will update the infotainment control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 29, 2026. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2026050004. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 8, 2026.

NHTSA campaign 26V281000reported May 1, 2026Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database

3complaints filed

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

Filed per year: 2026: 3

Most-cited components

Vehicle Speed Control2

Electrical System2

Exterior Lighting1

Engine1

Power Train1

What owners describe

“CEL followed by no crank / no start. Codes u3017 and u0168. Software flashed and no crank / no start returned. SAM & EIS modules replaced and no crank/no start returned with new codes. U103F00 + P143400 + P051300. Now Mercedes is directing the replacement of the ethernet harness between the SAM and EIS. This intermitte…”Aug 30, 2026 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report

“I acquired a Mercedes-Benz C300 from Mercedes-Benz of White Plains at [XXX] [XXX] on the last day of XXX Within 2 days of the car sitting in my driveway, I took it out for a drive; the electronic systems failed while I was driving on the highway. The speedometer and odometer went dark, and the turn signals stopped work…”Aug 26, 2026 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report

“When driving 75mph in order to change my favorite radio station, I must go to the center tablet, scroll until I find the station desired and then must tap it in the center or it does not change. On my 2025 MB C model you could change the channels on the steering column. I asked MB to research this issue and I was told …”May 22, 2026 · Vehicle Speed Control · 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

NHTSA has not published 5-Star crash ratings for this model year.

Compare the 2026 C-Class with

2026 Toyota Corolla →

Other C-Class model years

2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

0 recalls · 0 complaints

2025 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

2 recalls · 4 complaints

2024 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

3 recalls · 15 complaints

2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

10 recalls · 25 complaints

2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

9 recalls · 26 complaints

2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

7 recalls · 17 complaints

2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

12 recalls · 45 complaints

2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

18 recalls · 74 complaints

2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

19 recalls · 128 complaints

2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

17 recalls · 250 complaints

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.

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