MotorCaliberNHTSA Safety Index
NHTSA crash test of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED

2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Federal crash-test performance, recalls, and complaints, scored into one NHTSA Safety Index.

0Recalls
44Complaints
1Investigations
ABOUT THE MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a compact luxury sedan that has long served as the entry point into the three-pointed star lineup, targeting professional buyers and premium-minded drivers who want European refinement in a manageable package. Covering model years 2019 through 2024, this is a vehicle that competes at the heart of the prestige compact segment against rivals like the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4.

VERDICT

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class earns an NHTSA Safety Index of 75 out of 100, an average result driven by its federal crash-test stars and its recall record. No vehicle recalls are on file for this model year.

WHO IT IS FOR
  • shoppers who want the full federal safety picture in one place
WHAT REVIEWERS SAY

Reviewers generally regard the C-Class as one of the more polished and driver-focused entries in the compact luxury sedan segment, praising its cabin quality, ride character, and brand prestige. Most consider it a benchmark for interior refinement at this price tier, though some note that rivals can match or exceed it on technology features and outright performance value.

NCAP // CRASH TESTCrash-test breakdown

OverallNot rated
Frontal
SideNot rated
Rollover
Rollover risk 11%

Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15079

Index breakdown

Crash protection56/70
Avoidance tech2/10
Defect record16.5/20
Forward collision warning: NoLane departure warning: NoStability control: Standard

NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images

Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.

NHTSA // RECALLSRecall record

No vehicle recalls are on file for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class at NHTSA as of 2026-07-03. Equipment recalls, if any, are excluded from the safety score.

NHTSA // COMPLAINTSOwner complaints

44 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.

5reported crash
0reported fire
4reported injuries
0reported deaths
Most-reported systemsEngine 9Power Train 7Unknown Or Other 7Electrical System 4Fuel/Propulsion System 4Back Over Prevention 4

Other C-Class years

Rivals in Sedan (2020)

Last verified 2026-07-03. Sources: NHTSA SafetyRatings (VehicleId 15079), recallsByVehicle, complaintsByVehicle for Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2020. Class rank 93 of 105 in Sedan 2020. Methodology · Disclosure