Mercedes-Benz Years to Avoid by Model
Mercedes-Benz years to avoid: the 2008 C 300 (836 complaints), 2014 E350 (300 complaints) and 2020 GLE 350 (122 complaints) lead the list. All 6 Mercedes-Benz models we track have at least one avoid-rated year; the cleanest records include the 2013 Sprinter 2500 and 2019 GLE 350. Based on 9,323 NHTSA owner complaints, rated model year by model year.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, recall campaigns & service bulletins · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
Mercedes-Benz years to avoid, model by model
| Model | Years to avoid | Best years | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | 201920202021 | 20112013 | 433 (2008–2025) |
| Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | 20142016 | — | 344 (2008–2025) |
| Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 | 20202022 | 2019 | 477 (2016–2025) |
| Mercedes-Benz C 300 | 2008 | 2014202020222023 | 5,255 (2008–2025) |
| Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 | 2023 | — | 698 (2016–2025) |
| Mercedes-Benz E350 | 2008201020112012201320142017 | 20202022 | 2,116 (2008–2025) |
Verdicts are each model’s own, rated against that model’s history (see the methodology); counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume.
The worst year for each Mercedes-Benz model
2008 Mercedes-Benz C 300: 836 NHTSA owner complaints · Full C 300 breakdown →
2014 Mercedes-Benz E350: 300 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2017 · Full E350 breakdown →
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350: 122 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2020 and 2022 · Full GLE 350 breakdown →
2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500: 79 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2019, 2020 and 2021 · Full Sprinter 2500 breakdown →
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300: 64 NHTSA owner complaints · Full GLC 300 breakdown →
2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500: 61 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2014 and 2016 · Full Sprinter 3500 breakdown →
Looking for the years to buy instead?
Frequently asked questions
What Mercedes-Benz years should you avoid?
By model: Sprinter 2500 2019, 2020 and 2021; Sprinter 3500 2014 and 2016; GLE 350 2020 and 2022; C 300 2008; GLC 300 2023; E350 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2017. Each verdict matches that model's own years-to-avoid page, built from NHTSA owner-complaint and recall records.
What are the best Mercedes-Benz years to buy?
The cleanest federal records by model: Sprinter 2500 2011 and 2013; GLE 350 2019; C 300 2014, 2020, 2022 and 2023; E350 2020 and 2022.
Which Mercedes-Benz model has the most years to avoid?
The Mercedes-Benz E350, with 7 avoid-rated model years (2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2017) across 18 years on record (2008–2025).
How are Mercedes-Benz years to avoid rated?
Each model year's NHTSA owner complaints are weighted for severity, converted to a rate per year on the road, compared with the rest of that model's own history and adjusted for recalls. Full method at /research/years-to-avoid/methodology.
Where does the Mercedes-Benz data come from?
Federal records: 9,323 NHTSA owner complaints across 6 Mercedes-Benz models, plus NHTSA recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins filed with NHTSA. Counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume.