AI DamageMercedes-Benz C204: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Mercedes-Benz C204 across 4 model years: 15 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 40% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 27% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel/propulsion system 27% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 20% of all complaints
- 5 Electronic stability control 13% of all complaints
- 6 Engine 7% of all complaints
- Air bags: 6 complaints (40% of all).
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (27% of all).
- Fuel/propulsion system: 4 complaints (27% of all).
- Steering: 3 complaints (20% of all).
- Electronic stability control: 2 complaints (13% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 15 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Mercedes-benz 2014 c 2 50s have had a serious issue with faulty high pressure fuel pumps when you go to give it a gas in a hurry it puts the engine into a limp mode and it will not go this is a serious safety issue and you could be struck by another vehicle
My electronic steering lock failed. Luckily, I was parked but now the car will not start, or unlock the steering wheel. If this failed while I was driving it would be a danger.
On thursday, february 27, 2020 my vehicle was not starting in order to take me home at 9:40 pm. Due to the failure of the esl in the steering column I am now forced to wait here until a tow truck comes.
Esl sudden failure, apparently this is a very common failure for this vehicle for years now with no action to recall or address the design of this part. Car is immobilized and must be towed, but only to dealer who must program the part but not sell it to customer or other service center to repair or replace.
The car has an open recall for over a year now, without any resolution. I cannot have a passenger in my car...
The esl steering lock malfunctioned. This causes the car not to start. I had the airbags replaced due to recall about 3 week sales earlier. The car was working properly the day before and the next morning the car won't start and a message comes up about removing the key.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other models of this make
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.