2022-2025 Mercedes-Benz C 300 Front Seat Belt Recall (25V253)

Recall 25V253 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2022-2025 Mercedes-Benz C 300 in recall 25V253?

The driver-side seat belt cover may not be properly installed on the seat belt tensioner, which can cause the seat belt anchor to come loose.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2022-2025 C 300, and 2023-2024 AMG C 43 vehicles. The driver-side seat belt cover may not be properly installed on the seat belt tensioner, which can cause the seat belt anchor to come loose.

Is it safe to drive a 2022-2025 C 300 with recall 25V253?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A loose seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: A loose seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

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 front.

Which vehicles are included in recall 25V253?

Recall 25V253 covers 46 vehicles: 2023-2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43; 2022-2025 Mercedes-Benz C 300.

NHTSA lists 46 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the C 300 front seat belt recall?

Yes. Dealers will inspect and repair the seat belt covers, as necessary, free of charge.

Dealers will inspect and repair the seat belt covers, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 16, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2025040012.

When was recall 25V253 announced?

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC reported recall 25V253 to NHTSA on May 2, 2025. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as May 16, 2025.

This recall was filed 17 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 25V253?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 25V253 is open on your C 300, it will be listed there.

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. It shows any open safety recall on your vehicle, including 25V253000. Your VIN is on the registration card, the insurance card, and the driver side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. Recent recalls can take a few days to appear in the lookup.

What should C 300 owners do about recall 25V253?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 25V253000 applies to your C 300.
2. Book the recall appointment with any authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
3. Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
4. Keep a simple log of any front symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. 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 65 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 1 of them about the seat belts.

Too few NHTSA complaints about the seat belts have been filed since recall 25V253 was reported (0) to say whether the fix is holding.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 65 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 1 of them involve the seat belts. 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, 1 about the seat belts
• 2023 Mercedes-Benz C 300: 22 complaints in total, 0 about the seat belts
• 2024 Mercedes-Benz C 300: 11 complaints in total, 0 about the seat belts
• 2025 Mercedes-Benz C 300: 4 complaints in total, 0 about the seat belts
• 2023 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43: 3 complaints in total, 0 about the seat belts
• 2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43: 0 complaints in total, 0 about the seat belts

Can recall 25V253 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 front 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)).

Seat belt defects are safety defects. If the belt, buckle or pretensioner still does not work right after the recall repair, the repeat visit belongs in your records.

A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2022-2025 Mercedes-Benz C 300 has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.

California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.

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.

Frequently asked questions about recall 25V253