Diagsheet

2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 · symptom sheet

Check engine light or misfire

  • 51owner reports
  • 52,000median miles
  • $2,000median quote
  • 0involved a crash

Newest report Mar 20, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

118 of the 216 complaints on this car are about the engine. 51 of those describe misfire, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2017 C300.

Tick what matches of 51 reports

4
4

What got replaced

Few of these reports name the part that was replaced.

Recalls and investigations

3 recalls on the engine cover the 2017 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

22V-365May 20, 2022
Electrical System:Software

Mercedes-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.

Risk and remedy
Risk: A 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.
Remedy: The 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.
21V-058Feb 5, 2021
Electrical System:Software

Mercedes-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.

Risk and remedy
Risk: Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
Remedy: MBUSA 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.
17V-114Feb 23, 2017
Electrical System:Starter Assembly

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2017 C300 4Matic, C300, CLA250, CLA250 4Matic and CLA45 AMG vehicles, 2017 C300 4Matic Cabrio, C300 4Matic Coupe, C300 Cabrio, C300 Coupe, E300, E300 4Matic, E400 4Matic Wagon, E43 AMG 4Matic, GLA250, GLA250 4Matic and GLC300 4Matic Coupe vehicles and 2016 C350e and GLC300 vehicles and 2016-2017 C450 4Matic AMG Sport and GLC300 4Matic vehicles. In the event that the engine or transmission cannot turn over, the starting current limiter may overheat from the repeated attempts of the starter motor attempting to start the vehicle.

Risk and remedy
Risk: If the starting current limiter overheats, the surrounding components can melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fuse in the electrical line to the starter, free of charge. The recall began August 31, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2017080002.

NHTSA investigations into the engine on the C300

DP22-002opened Sep 12, 2022
Engine And Engine Cooling · model years 2015

C300 wrist-pin allegation. Closed feb 27, 2024.

NHTSA summary
In a letter dated April 29, 2022, Mr. Sergio Betancourt (the petitioner) submitted a petition attributing engine failure of his 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 to “wrong sized wrist-pins” and asserted that these were prevalent on all Mercedes-Benz models (including the Metris minivan, GLC300, and C300) equipped with a version of the M274 engine. The petition cited Mercedes Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) LI03.10-P-060916 (meant for the 2015 C300) and postulated that the “wrong-sized wrist pin” would allow the piston to “wiggle in the cylinder as it would move up and down”. In addition to the Mercedes-Benz TSB, the petitioner enclosed a service center repair estimate and images of other online submissions discussing the M274 engine. In the incident that prompted the petition, the petitioner reported that the vehicle lost power and shook in response to accelerator application during highway driving, followed by white smoke from the exhaust pipe. The petitioner stated that the subsequent service center visit led to a cracked piston diagnosis. The service record from this visit prescribed an engine teardown to localize the failure and characterize any resulting engine damage and listed a number of repair options that included replacement of one piston, four pistons, or the entire engine long block (depending on the level of damage suffered). TSB LI03.10-P-060916 (“TSB”) was first released on February 27, 2015 and pertained to Engine Code 274.920. It cited the following c
EA13-008opened Dec 20, 2013
Electrical · model years 2010

Loss of rear lighting assembly. Closed may 12, 2014, led to recall 14V-177.

NHTSA summary
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of loss of rear lighting in model year (MY) 2008-2011 Mercedes Benz C-Class vehicles.Complainants alleged that one or both rear lighting assemblies fail to illuminate (i.e., all lights housed within the assembly extinguish, including the stop, tail, and turn signal functions) or illuminate dimly.In some reports, complainants also alleged that the failure was accompanied by a burning smell emanating from the trunk of the vehicle.When examined, these vehicles showed evidence of overheating at the lighting assembly harness connector, including damaged (blackened) wiring and plastic.The rear lighting failures typically involved one side of the vehicle however in some cases both assemblies failed (although probably not simultaneously).ODI identified 5 fire and one injury allegations during the course of this investigation.Two fires occurred while the vehicles were parked.One originated in the vicinity of the driver?s side light assembly where the fire and associated damage was confined to the trunk area, and the fire self extinguished due to oxygen starvation.As a result of the fire, the vehicle was repurchased by Mercedes and salvaged.The second fire originated on the passenger's side and required fire department response to extinguish; the fire damaged the tail light and surrounding body panels as well as the trunk area and wiring.The vehicle was repaired and returned to service.Two f

None of these investigations covers the 2017 model year.

What owners paid

6 of the 51 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,740 to $2,500.

$1,740$2,000$2,500
$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 40,200 and 62,000 miles, from the 17 reports that gave a mileage.

120
822
2523
1424
225
126

What owners wrote

“Keep getting a code P052E! Changed the oil and code went away for a few days then came back. Looked into getting it fixed and it seems like Mercedes has known about this issue and hasn’t called for a recall on this piece of equipment! Very costly to fix and says it needs to be replaced every 30k to 50k miles! At around 1k to 3k to fix everytime that’s something they should recall”

Filed Aug 20, 2024 · 50,000 miles

“Car check engine light came on with only 62,000 miles. Diagnosed as code P052E, the issue is the positive crankcase ventilation valve being faulty. Regular oil changes and maintenance was done. I see multiple complaints with this issue, why is this not recalled? It is very expensive to have fixed.”

Filed Jul 10, 2024 · 62,000 miles

“The Crankcase Ventilator Actuator has malfunctioned, resulting in the Check Engine light showing up. The MB C300 4matic 2017 vehicle is at 40,200 miles as of [XXX]. Lot of other MB owners have reported same issues. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”

Filed Sep 12, 2023 · 40,200 miles

“Code P052E costing me over $2500 to repair. I’m not the only one dealing with this problem and my car only has 58k miles and it’s a 2017. Should be recalled considering the part being defective.”

Filed Mar 11, 2023 · 58,000 miles

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 51 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.