2008 Mercedes Benz C-CLASS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
13 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
40,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data updated: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 13 complaints (53.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 38.5% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 23.1% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 15.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Exterior Lighting | 6 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 1 |
| Tires:Sidewall | 1 |
Electrical System: 7; Exterior Lighting: 6; Tires: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 1; Tires:Sidewall: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 2 |
2007: 1; 2008: 3; 2013: 7; 2014: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10508108 · 2013-04-13 (April 13, 2013)
RIGHT REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY. LIGHTS APPEARED DIM FOR A COUPLE MONTHS AND FIGURED LIGHTS WERE ABOUT IT GO OUT. WENT TO BUY NEW LIGHT BULBS TO REPLACE THE DIMMING BULBS AND WHEN I OPENED THE RIGHT SIDE TO INSTALL THE LIGHT I NOTICED THE ELECTRICAL CORD ATTACHED TO THE ASSEMBLY HAD MELTED. LIGHTS WERE STILL DIM AND CHECKED TO SEE WHAT IT SOUNDED LIKE WHEN I TURNED THE LIGHTS ON AND IT MAKES A CRACKLING ELECTRICAL SOUND. I ASSUME THAT'S WHY IT SMELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING AND WHY THE 8 PRONG PIECE MELTED. 1-6 ON THE ELECTRICAL PIECE LOOK GOOD…
Owner-reported narrative. 48,763 miles reported. Look up ODI 10508108 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10509272 · 2013-04-23 (April 23, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES C- CLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE LIGHT BULBS CHANGED AND THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10509272 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10525416 · 2013-07-17 (July 17, 2013)
EXPERIENCE REAR LIGHTING FAILURE (REAR PASSENGER TAIL/BRAKE LIGHT OUT). HOWEVER, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY/CONNECTORS/ WIRING WERE IN A BURNT/ MELTED CONDITION. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 49,250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10525416 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10556248 · 2013-12-16 (December 16, 2013)
STARTED TO GET THE MESSAGE TO CHECK MY REAR, RIGHT TURNINF SIGNA, FOG LAMPS, BRAKE LIGHTS. CHECKED ALL THE BULBS AND THEY ARE FINE. PUT THE HARNESS BACK AND REALIZED IT WAS A LITTLE HOT AND WHEN I LOOKED THE WIRE TO THE FAR RIGHT I THINK IS EXPOSE AND ON THE OTHER SIDE IT IS BURNT THROUGH THE PLASTIC. MESSAGE COMES OFF AND ON DURING DRIVING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10556248 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10206950 · 2007-10-26 (October 26, 2007)
ACCIDENT. 2008 MERCEDES C-350 REAR ENDED A DELIVERY TRUCK. MERCEDES BEGAN SMOKING IMMEDIATELY AND CAUGHT FIRE WITHIN ONE MINUTE. WITHIN 3-5 MINUTES ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WERE FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAME. DRIVER ESCAPED BEFORE CAR BURNED. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN THIS FRONT END CRASH. DRIVER HAD CONCUSSION AND FACIAL INJURIES FROM HITTING, POSSIBLY STEERING WHEEL. DRIVER SUSTAINED OTHER INJURIES AS WELL. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10206950 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10511637 · 2013-05-13 (May 13, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES C CLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S FRONT END. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT ONE MONTH LATER, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH AND STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V303000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10511637 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
13 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 2008 | 2012 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 753.8%ODI 10508108 · 48,763 miRIGHT REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY. LIGHTS APPEARED DIM FOR A COUPLE MONTHS AND FIGURED LIGHTS WERE ABOUT IT GO OUT. WENT TO BUY NEW LIGHT BULBS TO REPLACE THE DIMMING BULBS AND WHEN I OPENED THE RIGHT SIDE TO INSTALL THE LIGHT I NOTICED THE ELECTRICAL CORD ATTACHED TO THE ASSEMBLY HAD MELTED. LIGHTS WERE STILL DIM AND CHECKED TO SEE WHAT IT SOUNDED LIKE WHEN I TURNED THE LIGHTS ON AND IT MAKES A CRACKLING ELECTRICAL SOUND. I ASSUME THAT'S WHY IT SMELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING AND WHY THE 8 PRONG PIECE MELTED. 1-6 ON THE ELECTRICAL PIECE LOOK GOOD… | 1100.0%ODI 11697258The taillights in my 2012 c300 was starting to go out intermittently. At first the notification came on for the brake light but the brake light kept working. Afterwards the rest of the taillights and the sidemarker light went out as well. I went to go take a look and the grounding wire was oxidated and corroded. A known issue in which there was a recall made for the 2008-2011 version of the w204 but this did not apply to the 2012 w204. As of last week my entire rear drivers side light is out which is a safety hazard especially at night. The h… |
| Exterior Lighting | 646.2%ODI 10508108 · 48,763 miRIGHT REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY. LIGHTS APPEARED DIM FOR A COUPLE MONTHS AND FIGURED LIGHTS WERE ABOUT IT GO OUT. WENT TO BUY NEW LIGHT BULBS TO REPLACE THE DIMMING BULBS AND WHEN I OPENED THE RIGHT SIDE TO INSTALL THE LIGHT I NOTICED THE ELECTRICAL CORD ATTACHED TO THE ASSEMBLY HAD MELTED. LIGHTS WERE STILL DIM AND CHECKED TO SEE WHAT IT SOUNDED LIKE WHEN I TURNED THE LIGHTS ON AND IT MAKES A CRACKLING ELECTRICAL SOUND. I ASSUME THAT'S WHY IT SMELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING AND WHY THE 8 PRONG PIECE MELTED. 1-6 ON THE ELECTRICAL PIECE LOOK GOOD… | 1100.0%ODI 11697258The taillights in my 2012 c300 was starting to go out intermittently. At first the notification came on for the brake light but the brake light kept working. Afterwards the rest of the taillights and the sidemarker light went out as well. I went to go take a look and the grounding wire was oxidated and corroded. A known issue in which there was a recall made for the 2008-2011 version of the w204 but this did not apply to the 2012 w204. As of last week my entire rear drivers side light is out which is a safety hazard especially at night. The h… |
| Tires | 215.4%ODI 10235787 · 3,000 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE VEHICLE HAS MICHELIN PILOT SPORT TIRES, SIZE 232/35/19 (NA) IN THE FRONT AND SIZE 265/30/19 (NA) IN THE REAR. THE TIRES WERE UNDERINFLATED BY THE DEALER, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE ROUGHLY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 17.7%ODI 10206950 · 900 miACCIDENT. 2008 MERCEDES C-350 REAR ENDED A DELIVERY TRUCK. MERCEDES BEGAN SMOKING IMMEDIATELY AND CAUGHT FIRE WITHIN ONE MINUTE. WITHIN 3-5 MINUTES ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WERE FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAME. DRIVER ESCAPED BEFORE CAR BURNED. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN THIS FRONT END CRASH. DRIVER HAD CONCUSSION AND FACIAL INJURIES FROM HITTING, POSSIBLY STEERING WHEEL. DRIVER SUSTAINED OTHER INJURIES AS WELL. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 17.7%ODI 10216385 · 600 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C350. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE LIGHT; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVEN DAYS LATER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,000. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Tires:Sidewall | 17.7%ODI 10224491 · 2,100 miTHE TIRES OF THE CAR STARTED GROWING BUMPS ON THE FACE OF THE TIRE. INITIALLY ONE IN ONE TIRE, THEN THE SECOND ONE ON THE SAME TIRE, THEN ONE ON A SECOND TIRE AND FINALLY A THIRD ONE ON THE FIRST TIRE. I CALLED THE DISTRIBUTOR AND WAS TOLD TO BUY NEW TIRES OR GO TO THE TIRE MANUFACTURER FOR WARRANTY. THIS IN MY OPINION IS A SERIOUS SECURITY RISK THAT THE MANUFACTURERS ARE NOT TAKING SERIOUSLY. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | Too few reports for a range | 49,382 mi | 4 (sparse) | ODI 10508108 · 48,763 miRIGHT REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY. LIGHTS APPEARED DIM FOR A COUPLE MONTHS AND FIGURED LIGHTS WERE ABOUT IT GO OUT. WENT TO BUY NEW LIGHT BULBS TO REPLACE THE DIMMING BULBS AND WHEN I OPENED THE RIGHT SIDE TO INSTALL THE LIGHT I NOTICED THE ELECTRICAL CORD ATTACHED TO THE ASSEMBLY HAD MELTED. LIGHTS WERE STILL DIM AND CHECKED TO SEE WHAT IT SOUNDED LIKE WHEN I TURNED THE LIGHTS ON AND IT MAKES A CRACKLING ELECTRICAL SOUND. I ASSUME THAT'S WHY IT SMELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING AND WHY THE 8 PRONG PIECE MELTED. 1-6 ON THE ELECTRICAL PIECE LOOK GOOD… ODI 10511637 · 48,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES C CLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S FRONT END. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT ONE MONTH LATER, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH AND STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V303000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. ODI 10558301 · 50,000 miFAULT INDICATOR FOR LEFT SIDED REAR LIGHTS SPORADICALLY SHOW DEFECT LAMPS, BUT THEY ARE NOT. FINALLY A PARTLY BROKEN/CORRODED GROUND RETURN WAS DETECTED. THE SAME HAPPENED TO THE RIGHT SIDED REAR LIGHTS ABOUT 6 MONTHS LATER. DEFECT WAS FINALLY REPAIRED, EXPENSES COVERED BY MERCEDES INTERNATIONAL ADRESS COTTONWOOD ARIZONA IS INCORRECT BUT COUNTRY IS AUSTRIA, CITY VIENNA [XXX] IS INCORRECT BUT ERROR CHECKER DID NOT ACCEPT CORRECT AUSTRIAN PHONE NUMBERS PHONE NUMBER [XXX] AND [XXX] ARE CORRECT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO… |
| Exterior Lighting | Too few reports for a range | 49,250 mi | 3 (sparse) | ODI 10508108 · 48,763 miRIGHT REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY. LIGHTS APPEARED DIM FOR A COUPLE MONTHS AND FIGURED LIGHTS WERE ABOUT IT GO OUT. WENT TO BUY NEW LIGHT BULBS TO REPLACE THE DIMMING BULBS AND WHEN I OPENED THE RIGHT SIDE TO INSTALL THE LIGHT I NOTICED THE ELECTRICAL CORD ATTACHED TO THE ASSEMBLY HAD MELTED. LIGHTS WERE STILL DIM AND CHECKED TO SEE WHAT IT SOUNDED LIKE WHEN I TURNED THE LIGHTS ON AND IT MAKES A CRACKLING ELECTRICAL SOUND. I ASSUME THAT'S WHY IT SMELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING AND WHY THE 8 PRONG PIECE MELTED. 1-6 ON THE ELECTRICAL PIECE LOOK GOOD… ODI 10525416 · 49,250 miEXPERIENCE REAR LIGHTING FAILURE (REAR PASSENGER TAIL/BRAKE LIGHT OUT). HOWEVER, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY/CONNECTORS/ WIRING WERE IN A BURNT/ MELTED CONDITION. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. *TR ODI 10574668 · 63,000 miMY REAR BACK TAIL LIGHT WIRING PANEL FRIED . THE LIGHT IS NOT WORKING AT ALL AND WHEN I CALLED MANHATTAN MERCEDES DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NOT AN APPOINTMENT AVAILABLE TWO WEEKS FROM 3/7/2014 THEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP IN BROOKLYN AND THEY TOLD ME THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY APPOINTMENTS EITHER SO I JUST SHOWED UP THERE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT DUE TO MY TAIL LIGHT BEING FULLY OUT I AM NOT ALOUD TO DRIVE MY CAR SINCE ITS A SAFETY ISSUES BUT THEY DID NOTHING TO HELP ME OUT AND TOLD ME THAT THEY WILL HAVE TO ORDER THE PART EVEN THOUGH IT IS A RE… |
| Tires | Too few reports for a range | 18,000 mi | 2 (sparse) | ODI 10235787 · 3,000 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE VEHICLE HAS MICHELIN PILOT SPORT TIRES, SIZE 232/35/19 (NA) IN THE FRONT AND SIZE 265/30/19 (NA) IN THE REAR. THE TIRES WERE UNDERINFLATED BY THE DEALER, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE ROUGHLY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000. ODI 10551151 · 33,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C CLASS. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL SPORT TIRES, TIRES SIZE 255/35/ZR18. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY DEFLATED. THE DEFECTIVE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE A NEW TIRE WAS INSTALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE … |
| Air Bags:Frontal | Too few reports for a range | 900 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10206950 · 900 miACCIDENT. 2008 MERCEDES C-350 REAR ENDED A DELIVERY TRUCK. MERCEDES BEGAN SMOKING IMMEDIATELY AND CAUGHT FIRE WITHIN ONE MINUTE. WITHIN 3-5 MINUTES ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WERE FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAME. DRIVER ESCAPED BEFORE CAR BURNED. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN THIS FRONT END CRASH. DRIVER HAD CONCUSSION AND FACIAL INJURIES FROM HITTING, POSSIBLY STEERING WHEEL. DRIVER SUSTAINED OTHER INJURIES AS WELL. *TR |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | Too few reports for a range | 600 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10216385 · 600 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C350. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE LIGHT; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVEN DAYS LATER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,000. |
| Tires:Sidewall | Too few reports for a range | 2,100 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10224491 · 2,100 miTHE TIRES OF THE CAR STARTED GROWING BUMPS ON THE FACE OF THE TIRE. INITIALLY ONE IN ONE TIRE, THEN THE SECOND ONE ON THE SAME TIRE, THEN ONE ON A SECOND TIRE AND FINALLY A THIRD ONE ON THE FIRST TIRE. I CALLED THE DISTRIBUTOR AND WAS TOLD TO BUY NEW TIRES OR GO TO THE TIRE MANUFACTURER FOR WARRANTY. THIS IN MY OPINION IS A SERIOUS SECURITY RISK THAT THE MANUFACTURERS ARE NOT TAKING SERIOUSLY. *TR |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2008: 3 complaints · 2012: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 2012 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 12 | 0 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Electrical System | Exterior Lighting | Tires | Air Bags:Frontal | Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | Tires:Sidewall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | — | 5ODI 10508108 · 48,763 miRIGHT REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY. LIGHTS APPEARED DIM FOR A COUPLE MONTHS AND FIGURED LIGHTS WERE ABOUT IT GO OUT. WENT TO BUY NEW LIGHT BULBS TO REPLACE THE DIMMING BULBS AND WHEN I OPENED THE RIGHT SIDE TO INSTALL THE LIGHT I NOTICED THE ELECTRICAL CORD ATTACHED TO THE ASSEMBLY HAD MELTED. LIGHTS WERE STILL DIM AND CHECKED TO SEE WHAT IT SOUNDED LIKE WHEN I TURNED THE LIGHTS ON AND IT MAKES A CRACKLING ELECTRICAL SOUND. I ASSUME THAT'S WHY IT SMELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING AND WHY THE 8 PRONG PIECE MELTED. 1-6 ON THE ELECTRICAL PIECE LOOK GOOD… ODI 10509272TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES C- CLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE LIGHT BULBS CHANGED AND THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *TR ODI 10556248STARTED TO GET THE MESSAGE TO CHECK MY REAR, RIGHT TURNINF SIGNA, FOG LAMPS, BRAKE LIGHTS. CHECKED ALL THE BULBS AND THEY ARE FINE. PUT THE HARNESS BACK AND REALIZED IT WAS A LITTLE HOT AND WHEN I LOOKED THE WIRE TO THE FAR RIGHT I THINK IS EXPOSE AND ON THE OTHER SIDE IT IS BURNT THROUGH THE PLASTIC. MESSAGE COMES OFF AND ON DURING DRIVING. *TR | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 5ODI 10508108 · 48,763 miRIGHT REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY. LIGHTS APPEARED DIM FOR A COUPLE MONTHS AND FIGURED LIGHTS WERE ABOUT IT GO OUT. WENT TO BUY NEW LIGHT BULBS TO REPLACE THE DIMMING BULBS AND WHEN I OPENED THE RIGHT SIDE TO INSTALL THE LIGHT I NOTICED THE ELECTRICAL CORD ATTACHED TO THE ASSEMBLY HAD MELTED. LIGHTS WERE STILL DIM AND CHECKED TO SEE WHAT IT SOUNDED LIKE WHEN I TURNED THE LIGHTS ON AND IT MAKES A CRACKLING ELECTRICAL SOUND. I ASSUME THAT'S WHY IT SMELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING AND WHY THE 8 PRONG PIECE MELTED. 1-6 ON THE ELECTRICAL PIECE LOOK GOOD… ODI 10509272TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES C- CLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE LIGHT BULBS CHANGED AND THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *TR ODI 10556248STARTED TO GET THE MESSAGE TO CHECK MY REAR, RIGHT TURNINF SIGNA, FOG LAMPS, BRAKE LIGHTS. CHECKED ALL THE BULBS AND THEY ARE FINE. PUT THE HARNESS BACK AND REALIZED IT WAS A LITTLE HOT AND WHEN I LOOKED THE WIRE TO THE FAR RIGHT I THINK IS EXPOSE AND ON THE OTHER SIDE IT IS BURNT THROUGH THE PLASTIC. MESSAGE COMES OFF AND ON DURING DRIVING. *TR | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Tires:Sidewall | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.