Kia Rio vs Mercedes-Benz C300
Owner complaints, worst years and recall history side by side, from official NHTSA data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
Kia Rio
- Total complaints
- 1,245
- Avg per model year
- 54
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 11
- Most complained year
- 2001 (223)
Top problems: Air Bags, Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling
Mercedes-Benz C300
- Total complaints
- 3,460
- Avg per model year
- 384
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 28
- Most complained year
- 2008 (672)
Top problems: Air Bags, Electrical System, Steering
Complaints by model year
| Year | Kia Rio | Mercedes-Benz C300 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 77 | 285 | ||
| 2015 | 52 | 378 | ||
| 2014 | 51 | 94 | ||
| 2013 | 153 | 258 | ||
| 2012 | 52 | 264 | ||
| 2011 | 24 | 480 | ||
| 2010 | 26 | 453 | ||
| 2009 | 39 | 576 | ||
| 2008 | 46 | 672 |
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports per model year. A model that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — compare the shape across years, not just the raw totals, and read the year pages for what actually fails.