AI Damage2018 Mercedes-Benz C 250 D reliability: common problems
Owners of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz C 250 D filed 1 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes. The maker issued 51 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 1
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 51
What fails most often
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (100% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Electronic stability control | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Seats | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Tires | 0 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The first accident occurred on the highway in may 2018. I was driving at a speed of 75 km / h. I saw the car in front of me stepping on the brakes and I also stepped on the brakes, but my car did not slow down.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 21,984 of 32,257 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 32% least complained about).
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors
Cause Under analysis. Remedy To narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • If the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and…
- Complaint Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE
Although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. Cause Although the cause of the vibration…
- Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end)
The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. Note: Sound file in attachment Cause If the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar nut (by 1 turn), the…
- Complaint There are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper wiping performance
A: Wiper blades squeaking, chattering, shuddering B: The windshield is not wiped completely (streaking) C: During the downward movement water is pulled back onto the windshield from the A-pillar (Figure 1) D: After…
- Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged
Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. If a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in…
- Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the…
Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse (and vice versa). Note: Sound file in…
- In our continuing efforts to ensure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the…
In our continuing efforts to ensure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA is extending the warranty coverage for the Diagnostic Module for…
- Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can…
Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky headlamp, physical fogging does not result in a…
- Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon,…
Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical impairment of the…
- Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver,…
Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party during a call. It becomes increasingly…
- Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the…
Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. Note: Sound file in…
- Complaint Washer fluid system leaks Cause Various possible causes
1. Washer fluid reservoir itself. 2. Seal on washer fluid pump/washer fluid reservoir. 3. Washer fluid pump. 3.1. Distributor housing leaks. 3.2. Pump fitting leaks. 3.3. Washer fluid hose cannot be snapped into place…
NHTSA lists 51 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Mercedes-Benz C 250 D?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes. Total complaints: 1.
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz C 250 D?
NHTSA lists 51 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2018 Mercedes-Benz C 250 D from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2018 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.