My car suddenly turned off at a stop sign. After I restarted it, it turned back on and my engine light turned on. I called the dealership and after inspection I was told that the valve for my crankcase was malfunctioning. The total cost, including both parts and labor are $1775. I have seen many complaints regarding this issue with the same vehicle. It is apparent that a recall should’ve been…
2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class engine problems
moderate 60 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
60
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What stands out
Owners have filed 60 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 16 model years of Mercedes-Benz C-Class in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: 2017 C-Class owners report a persistent crankcase ventilation valve failure (code P052E) hitting between 40–65k miles with $2,000–$3,900 repair costs shortly after warranty expires, plus scattered accounts of piston failure in cylinder 1 requiring complete engine replacement; no recall exists despite hundreds of complaints across owner forums.
The 2017 C-Class engine complaints cluster around two main issues. First, the crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve fails consistently around 40,000–65,000 miles, throwing code P052E and forcing the check engine light on. Owners describe engine stalling at intersections and stop signs—a clear safety hazard—plus strong gasoline or burnt oil smell inside the cabin. The repair runs $1,700 to $3,900 depending on the dealer, and multiple owners hit this bill right after factory warranty expires. Mercedes initially denied coverage, calling it non-emissions-related despite its role in emissions control. An August 2023 extended warranty program appeared, but qualification by VIN is inconsistent; some owners report dealers claiming parts don't exist or their car doesn't qualify despite identical symptoms. The code often returns even after replacement.
Second, owners report piston failure in cylinder 1, particularly in the M274 engine. Some cite cracked pistons; others mention Mercedes using incorrect wrist pins. These failures occur before 70,000 miles and force complete engine replacement—a five or six-figure bill. One owner was told it's a known failure but denied coverage anyway. Separately, one recall (NHTSA 17V114000) was issued but parts sit unavailable with no restocking timeline. Service technicians dismissed excessive engine vibration and jerking as normal behavior rather than investigating the cause.
Same Mercedes-Benz C-Class engine reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) Valve Malfunction
The positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) regulator valve, also called the crankcase ventilation valve or solenoid actuator, fails or becomes blocked. This prevents proper venting of crankcase blow-by gases and causes the check engine light to illuminate with code P052E or P052E71.
When: Typically between 40,000 and 65,000 miles, though some owners report it as early as 29,650 miles or as late as 222,000 miles. Multiple owners note the failure occurs soon after the factory warranty expires.
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light on with code P052E or P052E71; Engine stalling at stop signs and intersections; Engine sputtering and jerking; Strong gasoline or burning oil smell in cabin during startup or idling; Vehicle unable to pass emissions testing; Code comes back repeatedly even after clearing
Codes mentioned: P052E, P052E71, P06DA00
Repairs/costs cited: Requires replacement of crankcase ventilation assembly or valve. Part number cited: 274090560084, 274-090-17-29-80. Labor-intensive repair; several owners report costs of $1,700–$3,900 with parts ranging $600–$850 and labor $1,500–$2,500. Some dealers attempted software update and sensor plug cap for $850. One owner reports warranty covered replacement in 2019, then same part failed again by 2023.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mercedes initially denied coverage as not an emissions control part despite crankcase ventilation being integral to emissions. Some owners received recall notification NHTSA 17V114000 but parts were unavailable. An extended warranty program emerged in August 2023 for crankcase replacement, but qualification by VIN appears inconsistent. Multiple owners report dealers claiming no recall exists or parts are out of stock with no ETA.
Piston Failure (Cylinder 1)
Piston in cylinder 1 cracks, breaks, or loses compression. Owners report Mercedes used incorrect wrist pins on M274 engines, leading to premature piston failure. One owner found a broken piston piece never located by mechanic during repair.
When: Reported at mileage ranging from 28,000 to under 70,000 miles. One owner purchased vehicle from auction already showing prior piston failure and low compression.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine vibrating, jerking, shaking, or ticking at idle and during acceleration; Loss of acceleration power and stuck feeling; Engine stall during driving; Misfire in cylinder 1
Codes mentioned: Misfire cylinder 1
Repairs/costs cited: Requires complete engine replacement or piston replacement. One owner was told engine needed replacement due to blown piston rings at 29,650 miles; manufacturer acknowledged it as a known failure but declined to cover repair cost. Another owner reports repair cost exceeds $10,000; diesel engine work may reach six figures.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer acknowledged piston issue as a known failure in at least one case but did not cover repair under warranty. No recall issued despite widespread reports across forums and multiple owners citing the M274 engine as 'riddled' with this issue.
Engine Vibration, Jerking, and Shaking
Engine vibrates, jerks, shakes, or ticks excessively at idle and during acceleration. One owner brought vehicle to dealer 10 times for these symptoms and was told by service technician this is 'the nature of the beast' for that engine.
When: Reported at 49,000 miles; likely present earlier but not diagnosed until higher mileage or multiple service visits.
Symptoms owners cite: Vibrating, jerking, and shaking engine; Engine ticking sounds; Symptoms occur at idle and during acceleration; Symptoms worsened after piston repair in one case
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle underwent piston replacement; owner states issue worsened after repair and dealer only replaced piston 1 instead of full engine as originally promised.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer service technician dismissed vibration and jerking as normal engine behavior rather than investigating root cause.
Recall Parts Availability Issue
NHTSA recall campaign 17V114000 (Electrical System, Engine and Engine Cooling) was issued but repair parts became unavailable. Mercedes dealers reported no timeline for parts restocking, leaving owners unable to complete mandatory recalls.
When: Reported in 2023 and later; recall was issued earlier but parts distribution problem emerged.
Symptoms owners cite: Owner received recall notification but could not schedule repair
Repairs/costs cited: Parts unavailable; manufacturers unable to provide ETA for restocking.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA campaign 17V114000 issued but Mercedes confirmed parts unavailable and could not commit to repair timeline.
Synthesized from 60 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Crankcase ventilation valve failure.
P052E PCV Regulator Valve Performance
Most M274 engines have P06DA00 fault code internally. Harness for oil pressure regulating solenoid valve is short/open inside the engine oil pan. It can cause excessive oil pressure and premature oil pump failure. As the broken wire is sunken in the engine oil, I worry if it can cause fire. If the oil pump fair during driving prematurely, engine can be stalled. Mercedes-Benz knew the issue but…
My vehicle started shaking and the check engine light came on. It's a PCV valve
Had engine trouble with your 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 60 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 60 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 37,160 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/Mercedes-Benz/C-Class.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.