2022 Mercedes-Benz C 300 Rear Compartment and Trunk Recall (22V678)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC · 6,752 vehicles · Reported September 12, 2022
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC is recalling 6,752 2022 Mercedes-Benz C 300 vehicles. Moisture accumulation in the trunk may leak into the signal acquisition module (SAM), causing an electrical short circuit. An electrical short circuit in the SAM could lead to various malfunctions, such as rear exterior lighting failure, unintentional rear seat folding, and rearview camera failure, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. In addition, an electrical short circuit might increase the risk of a fire. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 22V678 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 22V678000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 2022090011 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | September 12, 2022 |
| Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC |
| Vehicles | 2022 Mercedes-Benz C 300 |
| Units affected | 6,752 |
| Component | Electrical System > Wiring > Rear Compartment / Trunk |
| Safety risk | An electrical short circuit in the SAM could lead to various malfunctions, such as rear exterior lighting failure, unintentional rear seat folding, and rearview camera failure, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. In addition, an electrical short circuit might increase the risk of a fire. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C 300 in recall 22V678?
Moisture accumulation in the trunk may leak into the signal acquisition module (SAM), causing an electrical short circuit.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2022 C300 vehicles. Moisture accumulation in the trunk may leak into the signal acquisition module (SAM), causing an electrical short circuit.
Is it safe to drive a 2022 C 300 with recall 22V678?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: An electrical short circuit in the SAM could lead to various malfunctions, such as rear exterior lighting failure, unintentional rear seat folding, and rearview camera failure, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. In addition, an electrical short circuit might increase the risk of a fire.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: An electrical short circuit in the SAM could lead to various malfunctions, such as rear exterior lighting failure, unintentional rear seat folding, and rearview camera failure, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. In addition, an electrical short circuit might increase the risk of a fire.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the rear compartment and trunk.
Which vehicles are included in recall 22V678?
Recall 22V678 covers 6,752 vehicles: 2022 Mercedes-Benz C 300.
NHTSA lists 6,752 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Mercedes-Benz | C 300 |
What is the fix for the C 300 rear compartment and trunk recall?
Yes. Dealers will install a cover for the SAM, free of charge.
Dealers will install a cover for the SAM, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 2, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022090011.
When was recall 22V678 announced?
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC reported recall 22V678 to NHTSA on September 12, 2022. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as December 2, 2022.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| September 12, 2022 | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 22V678000. |
| December 2, 2022 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 49 months ago. If your C 300 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my C 300 is part of recall 22V678?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 22V678 is open on your C 300, it will be listed there.
The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2022 C 300 vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.
What should C 300 owners do about recall 22V678?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 22V678000 applies to your C 300.
- Call a Mercedes-Benz dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Write down when symptoms involving the rear compartment and trunk happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.
What are C 300 owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 7 of them about the electrical system.
Since recall 22V678 was reported on September 12, 2022, owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the electrical system on these vehicles. 3 of them (50%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the electrical system and were received on or after September 12, 2022, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related electrical system issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 25 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 7 of them involve the electrical system. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2022 Mercedes-Benz C 300: 25 complaints in total, 7 about the electrical system
Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):
There have been two complete failures of the control module /screen in the center dash of the vehicle which operates all vehicle features and some key safety features. The screen simply ceases operation and shuts down all controls for the vehicle.
2022 Mercedes-Benz C 300 owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11478169, filed August 8, 2022
The contact owns a 2022 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V678000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue.
2022 Mercedes-Benz C 300 owner, GA, NHTSA complaint 11489659, filed October 17, 2022
The contact owns a 2022 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V678000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount time for the recall repair.
2022 Mercedes-Benz C 300 owner, GA, NHTSA complaint 11491821, filed November 1, 2022
Can recall 22V678 make my C 300 a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Owners often ask whether this rear compartment and trunk recall means their C 300 qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
Intermittent electrical problems are a frequent source of repeat repair visits: the dealer cannot reproduce the fault, the owner brings the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C 300 back, and the problem shows up again.
The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.
Civil Code 1793.22(b) sets out a presumption that applies in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles: two or more repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, four or more attempts for the same defect, or more than 30 total days out of service for repairs. Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases. Owners outside that window can still have a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your C 300 been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Mercedes-Benz C 300 recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 22V678
Did the recall 22V678 fix work?
Since recall 22V678 was reported on September 12, 2022, owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the electrical system on these vehicles. 3 of them (50%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed December 2, 2022.
Is the 22V678000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my C 300 is part of recall 22V678000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 22V678000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Mercedes-Benz. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.