Mercedes-Benz is one of the only car brands that I consistently recommend people to lease rather than buy. When it comes to owning a Mercedes-Benz car, you will get a beautifully designed vehicle that offers a great driving experience paired with luxury. The brand is backed by years of racing heritage and notability that have established the Mercedes-Benz brand as a go-to if you want a vehicle that balances performance and luxury. Like many other luxury brands, some entry-level models make the brand more accessible to the general consumer basis, and for Mercedes-Benz, those are the C-Class cars. They’re sporty, they’re striking, and unfortunately, they might be a little bit unreliable.

The C-Class isn’t the lowest model, but…

The C-Class for Mercedes-Benz is the more entry-level priced vehicle range, but that doesn’t sacrifice style. There are a handful of cars that fall into the C-Class category, but they share some beautiful features that bring them together. The front ends of the C-Class cars blend aggressive styling with modern elements like intricately designed headlights and day running lights and the iconic chrome Mercedes-Benz badge nestled in the grille.

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class cars aren’t the brand’s most entry-level options. They are still more expensive than the A-Class and CLA-Class options, but these options stand out for having the standard features you’re expecting from Mercedes-Benz without making sacrifices for the price. You can buy the lowest trim model C-Class for as low as $41,400, and they depreciate so quickly that you can buy them only a few years old for even less.

Some concerning recalls

The C-Class is rated well for customer satisfaction and drive quality, so what exactly makes it so sketchy? While the C-Class isn’t a bad car, there are a few concerning recalls for the new 2020 models that have us feeling more than a little concerned. The first recall is in regards to the Electronic Stability Control unit in the car’s computer system, and the C-Class cars aren’t the only modes being affected. Programming issues can cause the computer to inappropriately react while driving, potentially causing a crash.

The recalls don’t stop there. Problems with the car’s turbocharger can cause it to leak oil, which can increase the car’s risk of fire and therefore risk the safety of the driver and passengers. If the oil leak is left unchecked, it can cause more problems for the car’s mechanical system as well. One of the other benefits of having a new Mercedes-Benz is the car’s emergency communication system, which can help in case of an accident or breakdown. Location accuracy has been a problem for the emergency system. It has been known to send responders to the wrong location, and for situations where time is critical, or drivers are left on the side of the road with their kids this can be less than desirable.

For many people, the experience they have with the C-Class is well worth the hassle. Once the recalls have been handled, the C-Class is an overall great car that does well to balance performance and luxury, with options for as many features as you can think of — within reason. Older years of these vehicles are also great options, and you can get them for a much lower price.