Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
22 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
12,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 to 2010 model years. Data updated: . 18 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Owner-reported patterns
Most common problems
Exterior Lighting is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 22 complaints (31.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic
Matching reports
Share of complaints
Transmission and shifting
4
18.2%
Braking behavior
4
18.2%
Electrical and battery issues
3
13.6%
Steering behavior
3
13.6%
Fuel system concerns
2
9.1%
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.
Exterior Lighting
7
Electrical System
6
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
3
Power Train
2
Steering
2
Air Bags:Side/Window
1
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
1
Engine
1
Component breakdown data
Category
Count
Exterior Lighting
7
Electrical System
6
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
3
Power Train
2
Steering
2
Air Bags:Side/Window
1
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
1
Engine
1
Exterior Lighting: 7; Electrical System: 6; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Power Train: 2; Steering: 2; Air Bags:Side/Window: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Engine: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
Under 25,000
11
25,000 to 49,999
2
50,000 to 74,999
2
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
1
150,000 and above
2
Reported problems by failure mileage data
Category
Count
Under 25,000
11
25,000 to 49,999
2
50,000 to 74,999
2
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
1
150,000 and above
2
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 4 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.
Exterior Lighting leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 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.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. WHENEVER THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE I WOULD VIOLENTLY SWITCH INTO GEAR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLIGHTLY SURGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON THIRTEEN DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHERE SEVERAL DIFFERENT PARTS HAVE BEEN SERVICED ON THE TRANSMISSION;HOWEVER THE CONTACT IS STILL EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAS NOTICED THE FAILURE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 14000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES C350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED, THE TRANSMISSION SURGED FORWARD AT A HIGH RATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32000.
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, A WARNING MSG CAME UP FOR ME TO CHECK THE LEFT TAIL AND BRAKE LIGHTS. I GOT HOME AND CHECKED THE LIGHTS ON THE LEFT SIDE AND NONE OF THEM WERE WORKING. I HAD THESE CHECKED AND WAS GOING TO REPLACE THE BULBS. WAS TOLD REPLACING THE BULBS WAS NOT GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE WIRE HARNESS HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE AND MELTED THE WIRING AND THE BOARD!!! THIS IS THE 3RD MERCEDES I HAVE HAD AND I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. MY PROBLEM IS I LIVE 1 1/2 HOURS AWAY FROM DEALERSHIP AND I DON'T HAVE THE EXTRA TIME TO…
I WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHERE I WAS RUN OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A CENTER MEDIAN STEEL BARRIER. MY MERCEDES C300 IS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP) AND ACTIVE SEATBELT RESTRAINTS (BOTH OF WHICH FAILED IN THE CRASH). THE ROADS WERE SLICK, HOWEVER, WHEN A CAR SWERVED OVER ON ME AND I ATTEMPTED TO HIT THE BRAKES TO AVOID BEING HIT, MY CAR BEGAN TO FISH-TAIL AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AT THE TIME, A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING (POST-CRASH) THAT MY ESP MALFUNCTIONED. IN ADDITION, UPON IMPACT, MY SEAT RESTRAINED ME, HOWEV…
THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS INSULATION HAS DETERIORATED TO BARE WIRES AND CRACKS ALL ALONG THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FURTHER DOWN YOU REMOVE THE TAPE HOLDING BUNDLES OF WIRE TOGETHER, THE MORE INSULATION CRUMBLES. ABOUT 1K AGO THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ERATICALLY AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO ACCELARATE, AND MAINTAIN SPEED. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE WITH ABOUT 172K ON IT. AFTER TRYING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE WITH A TUNE-UP AND COILS. THAT SEEMED TO WORK FOR ABOUT FIVE MINUTES. AFTER FURTHER EXAMINATION AND PURE LUCK A, FRIEND WITH ME, FOUND SOME BARE W…
I BOUGHT A NEW 2009 MB C300 FOR MY WIFE LAST NOVEMBER, LESS THAN THREE MONTH LATER, ITS POWER STEERING QUITTED TO WORK WITHOUT ANY MALFUNCTION SIGN. IT WILL TAKE A PROFESSIONAL WRESTLER TO GET IN AND OUT ITS PARKING PLACE. THIS IS NOT THE WORST PART YET. AFTER NUMEROUS FAILED ATTEMPTS TRYING TO CONTACT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF MY DEALER, I DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALER THAT IS 40 MILES AWAY FROM MY HOUSE. ONLY THING THEY DID TO THE CAR WAS THAT A SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE OPENED THE HOOD AND ADDED SOME FLUID, WHICH LATE TURNED OUT TO BE USELESS.…
MY DAUGHTER WAS IN A CRASH TODAY ON MAY 16, 2009 SHE WAS DRIVING MERCEDES 2009 C300 AND SHE SAID THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK SUDDENLY BEFORE SHE CRASH, SHE WAS DRIVING ONLY AT 15MPH THAT WHY THE IMPACT WAS NOT SO SEVERE, WE ARE VERY LUCKY THAT SHE JUST HAS MINOR INJURIES. *TR
EVERY TIME I FILL THE CAR UP WITH GAS I GET A VERY STRONG GAS SMELL COMING FROM THE CAR. I'VE ONLY OWNED THE CAR ONE MONTH, IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE? *TR
VERY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT EVERY TIME GAS TANK IS REFILLED. SMELL GRADUALLY ABATES AS THE LEVEL OF GAS IN THE TANK DROPS. CONCERN REGARDING FIRE HAZARD DUE TO LEAKING GAS. APPEARS TO BE A LONG-STANDING PROBLEM. I HAVE CONTACTED MERCEDES-BENZ AND THERE HAS BEEN A TECHNICAL BULLETIN ISSUED ON THE PROBLEM, BUT NO FIX WAS SUGGESTED AND I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY RECALL BEING ISSUED. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED BY NHTSA, AS IT MAY BE RELATED TO OTHER REPORTS OF SPONTANEOUS FIRES OCCURRING IN THESE VEHICLES AND THIS…
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
22 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
81.8%Usable mileage18 / 22 records
100.0%Valid incident date22 / 22 records
100.0%Valid filing date22 / 22 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates22 / 22 records
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 complaint heatmap
Component
2007
2008
2009
2010
Exterior Lighting
133.3%ODI 10552730 · 182,578 mi
I REAR ENDED ANOTHER A 2012 NISSAN SENTRA AND MY CAR WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOST. THE OTHER VEHICLE HAD VERY MINIMAL DAMAGE. *TR
I HAVE RECEIVED MULTIPLE WARNING SIGNALS INDICATING THAT MY TAIL LIGHTS AND TURNING LIGHTS HAVE FAILED. I INITIALLY THOUGHT MY BULBS WERE BLOWN BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS STRANGE THAT ALL OF THEM WOULD BLOW AT ONE TIME. UPON CHECKING THE PANEL IN THE TRUNK I NOTICED THAT THE WIRES LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE BURNING. I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER AND THE SAID THEY HAVE NOTICED THE ISSUE BUT DO NOT KNOW THE CAUSE. I ASKED IF THIS WAS RECALLED AND THEY STATED NO, AND THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. AFTER DOING FURTHER RESEARCH I NOTICED …
THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS ON MY MB C350 SHOWS SIGNS OF A BURNING/MELTING ON THE CONNECTOR. I INITIALLY RECEIVED A NOTICE ON MY DASH THAT THE RIGHT REAR BULB WAS BAD AND NOT WORKING. I CHECKED THE CONNECTORS AND IT SHOWED SIGNS OF MELTING/BURNING. AFTER ADJUSTING THE WIRES, THE LIGHTS WOULD WORK UNTIL THE CAR WOULD HIT A BUMP AND I WOULD HAVE TO AGAIN RESET THE WIRES. *TR
I HAVE RECEIVED MULTIPLE WARNING SIGNALS INDICATING THAT MY TAIL LIGHTS AND TURNING LIGHTS HAVE FAILED. I INITIALLY THOUGHT MY BULBS WERE BLOWN BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS STRANGE THAT ALL OF THEM WOULD BLOW AT ONE TIME. UPON CHECKING THE PANEL IN THE TRUNK I NOTICED THAT THE WIRES LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE BURNING. I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER AND THE SAID THEY HAVE NOTICED THE ISSUE BUT DO NOT KNOW THE CAUSE. I ASKED IF THIS WAS RECALLED AND THEY STATED NO, AND THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. AFTER DOING FURTHER RESEARCH I NOTICED …
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING SEVERAL COMPUTER DEFECTS. WHILE PARKED ON A HILL AND ATTEMPTING TO PLACE THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL FORWARD INSTEAD OF BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL FORWARD APPROXIMATELY ONE FOOT AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. DURING THIS TIME, THE STEERING WOULD LOCK AND THE BRAKES WOULD LOSE POWER. IT WOULD TAKE TREMENDOUS FORCE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER COULD NOT ASSIST WITH TH…
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING SEVERAL COMPUTER DEFECTS. WHILE PARKED ON A HILL AND ATTEMPTING TO PLACE THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL FORWARD INSTEAD OF BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL FORWARD APPROXIMATELY ONE FOOT AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. DURING THIS TIME, THE STEERING WOULD LOCK AND THE BRAKES WOULD LOSE POWER. IT WOULD TAKE TREMENDOUS FORCE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER COULD NOT ASSIST WITH TH…
AT 43,500 AND 54 MONTHS THE TRANSMISSION IN THE CAR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN PROPERLY SERVICED AT THE MERCEDES DEALER. I BELIEVE THIS MODEL/MAKE HAS DEFECTS AS I HAVE BROUGHT IT BACK FOR SERVICE MANY TIMES. *TR
2010 MERCEDES BENZ C LASS. LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN WOLF ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT REGARDING PROBLEMS WITH HER 2010 MERCEDES BROUGHT FRM SPECLL OUT HBL OF TYSONS CORNER ON JULY 2010; RESPOND TO HERNDON OFFICE, ATTN: JUDY MCCARY *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE FINAL DIAGNOSIS FROM THE DEALER WAS A COMPUTER GLITCH AND SOFTWARE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER WAS REASSURED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, ON NOVEMBER 15, 2010, THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN …
I BOUGHT A NEW 2009 MB C300 FOR MY WIFE LAST NOVEMBER, LESS THAN THREE MONTH LATER, ITS POWER STEERING QUITTED TO WORK WITHOUT ANY MALFUNCTION SIGN. IT WILL TAKE A PROFESSIONAL WRESTLER TO GET IN AND OUT ITS PARKING PLACE. THIS IS NOT THE WORST PART YET. AFTER NUMEROUS FAILED ATTEMPTS TRYING TO CONTACT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF MY DEALER, I DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALER THAT IS 40 MILES AWAY FROM MY HOUSE. ONLY THING THEY DID TO THE CAR WAS THAT A SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE OPENED THE HOOD AND ADDED SOME FLUID, WHICH LATE TURNED OUT TO BE USELESS.…
MY DAUGHTER WAS IN A CRASH TODAY ON MAY 16, 2009 SHE WAS DRIVING MERCEDES 2009 C300 AND SHE SAID THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK SUDDENLY BEFORE SHE CRASH, SHE WAS DRIVING ONLY AT 15MPH THAT WHY THE IMPACT WAS NOT SO SEVERE, WE ARE VERY LUCKY THAT SHE JUST HAS MINOR INJURIES. *TR
I WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHERE I WAS RUN OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A CENTER MEDIAN STEEL BARRIER. MY MERCEDES C300 IS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP) AND ACTIVE SEATBELT RESTRAINTS (BOTH OF WHICH FAILED IN THE CRASH). THE ROADS WERE SLICK, HOWEVER, WHEN A CAR SWERVED OVER ON ME AND I ATTEMPTED TO HIT THE BRAKES TO AVOID BEING HIT, MY CAR BEGAN TO FISH-TAIL AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AT THE TIME, A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING (POST-CRASH) THAT MY ESP MALFUNCTIONED. IN ADDITION, UPON IMPACT, MY SEAT RESTRAINED ME, HOWEV…
I HAVE RECEIVED MULTIPLE WARNING SIGNALS INDICATING THAT MY TAIL LIGHTS AND TURNING LIGHTS HAVE FAILED. I INITIALLY THOUGHT MY BULBS WERE BLOWN BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS STRANGE THAT ALL OF THEM WOULD BLOW AT ONE TIME. UPON CHECKING THE PANEL IN THE TRUNK I NOTICED THAT THE WIRES LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE BURNING. I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER AND THE SAID THEY HAVE NOTICED THE ISSUE BUT DO NOT KNOW THE CAUSE. I ASKED IF THIS WAS RECALLED AND THEY STATED NO, AND THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. AFTER DOING FURTHER RESEARCH I NOTICED …
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, A WARNING MSG CAME UP FOR ME TO CHECK THE LEFT TAIL AND BRAKE LIGHTS. I GOT HOME AND CHECKED THE LIGHTS ON THE LEFT SIDE AND NONE OF THEM WERE WORKING. I HAD THESE CHECKED AND WAS GOING TO REPLACE THE BULBS. WAS TOLD REPLACING THE BULBS WAS NOT GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE WIRE HARNESS HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE AND MELTED THE WIRING AND THE BOARD!!! THIS IS THE 3RD MERCEDES I HAVE HAD AND I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. MY PROBLEM IS I LIVE 1 1/2 HOURS AWAY FROM DEALERSHIP AND I DON'T HAVE THE EXTRA TIME TO…
THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS INSULATION HAS DETERIORATED TO BARE WIRES AND CRACKS ALL ALONG THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FURTHER DOWN YOU REMOVE THE TAPE HOLDING BUNDLES OF WIRE TOGETHER, THE MORE INSULATION CRUMBLES. ABOUT 1K AGO THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ERATICALLY AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO ACCELARATE, AND MAINTAIN SPEED. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE WITH ABOUT 172K ON IT. AFTER TRYING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE WITH A TUNE-UP AND COILS. THAT SEEMED TO WORK FOR ABOUT FIVE MINUTES. AFTER FURTHER EXAMINATION AND PURE LUCK A, FRIEND WITH ME, FOUND SOME BARE W…
I HAVE RECEIVED MULTIPLE WARNING SIGNALS INDICATING THAT MY TAIL LIGHTS AND TURNING LIGHTS HAVE FAILED. I INITIALLY THOUGHT MY BULBS WERE BLOWN BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS STRANGE THAT ALL OF THEM WOULD BLOW AT ONE TIME. UPON CHECKING THE PANEL IN THE TRUNK I NOTICED THAT THE WIRES LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE BURNING. I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER AND THE SAID THEY HAVE NOTICED THE ISSUE BUT DO NOT KNOW THE CAUSE. I ASKED IF THIS WAS RECALLED AND THEY STATED NO, AND THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. AFTER DOING FURTHER RESEARCH I NOTICED …
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING SEVERAL COMPUTER DEFECTS. WHILE PARKED ON A HILL AND ATTEMPTING TO PLACE THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL FORWARD INSTEAD OF BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL FORWARD APPROXIMATELY ONE FOOT AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. DURING THIS TIME, THE STEERING WOULD LOCK AND THE BRAKES WOULD LOSE POWER. IT WOULD TAKE TREMENDOUS FORCE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER COULD NOT ASSIST WITH TH…
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING SEVERAL COMPUTER DEFECTS. WHILE PARKED ON A HILL AND ATTEMPTING TO PLACE THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL FORWARD INSTEAD OF BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL FORWARD APPROXIMATELY ONE FOOT AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. DURING THIS TIME, THE STEERING WOULD LOCK AND THE BRAKES WOULD LOSE POWER. IT WOULD TAKE TREMENDOUS FORCE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER COULD NOT ASSIST WITH TH…
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. WHENEVER THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE I WOULD VIOLENTLY SWITCH INTO GEAR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLIGHTLY SURGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON THIRTEEN DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHERE SEVERAL DIFFERENT PARTS HAVE BEEN SERVICED ON THE TRANSMISSION;HOWEVER THE CONTACT IS STILL EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAS NOTICED THE FAILURE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 14000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES C350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED, THE TRANSMISSION SURGED FORWARD AT A HIGH RATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32000.
AT 43,500 AND 54 MONTHS THE TRANSMISSION IN THE CAR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN PROPERLY SERVICED AT THE MERCEDES DEALER. I BELIEVE THIS MODEL/MAKE HAS DEFECTS AS I HAVE BROUGHT IT BACK FOR SERVICE MANY TIMES. *TR
2010 MERCEDES BENZ C LASS. LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN WOLF ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT REGARDING PROBLEMS WITH HER 2010 MERCEDES BROUGHT FRM SPECLL OUT HBL OF TYSONS CORNER ON JULY 2010; RESPOND TO HERNDON OFFICE, ATTN: JUDY MCCARY *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE FINAL DIAGNOSIS FROM THE DEALER WAS A COMPUTER GLITCH AND SOFTWARE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER WAS REASSURED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, ON NOVEMBER 15, 2010, THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN …
I BOUGHT A NEW 2009 MB C300 FOR MY WIFE LAST NOVEMBER, LESS THAN THREE MONTH LATER, ITS POWER STEERING QUITTED TO WORK WITHOUT ANY MALFUNCTION SIGN. IT WILL TAKE A PROFESSIONAL WRESTLER TO GET IN AND OUT ITS PARKING PLACE. THIS IS NOT THE WORST PART YET. AFTER NUMEROUS FAILED ATTEMPTS TRYING TO CONTACT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF MY DEALER, I DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALER THAT IS 40 MILES AWAY FROM MY HOUSE. ONLY THING THEY DID TO THE CAR WAS THAT A SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE OPENED THE HOOD AND ADDED SOME FLUID, WHICH LATE TURNED OUT TO BE USELESS.…
MY DAUGHTER WAS IN A CRASH TODAY ON MAY 16, 2009 SHE WAS DRIVING MERCEDES 2009 C300 AND SHE SAID THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK SUDDENLY BEFORE SHE CRASH, SHE WAS DRIVING ONLY AT 15MPH THAT WHY THE IMPACT WAS NOT SO SEVERE, WE ARE VERY LUCKY THAT SHE JUST HAS MINOR INJURIES. *TR
MY DAUGHTER WAS IN A CRASH TODAY ON MAY 16, 2009 SHE WAS DRIVING MERCEDES 2009 C300 AND SHE SAID THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK SUDDENLY BEFORE SHE CRASH, SHE WAS DRIVING ONLY AT 15MPH THAT WHY THE IMPACT WAS NOT SO SEVERE, WE ARE VERY LUCKY THAT SHE JUST HAS MINOR INJURIES. *TR
I WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHERE I WAS RUN OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A CENTER MEDIAN STEEL BARRIER. MY MERCEDES C300 IS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP) AND ACTIVE SEATBELT RESTRAINTS (BOTH OF WHICH FAILED IN THE CRASH). THE ROADS WERE SLICK, HOWEVER, WHEN A CAR SWERVED OVER ON ME AND I ATTEMPTED TO HIT THE BRAKES TO AVOID BEING HIT, MY CAR BEGAN TO FISH-TAIL AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AT THE TIME, A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING (POST-CRASH) THAT MY ESP MALFUNCTIONED. IN ADDITION, UPON IMPACT, MY SEAT RESTRAINED ME, HOWEV…
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
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
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.
2009: 6 complaints · 2010: 1 complaints
Equal observation windows
Model year
Through age 0
Through age 1
Through age 2
2009
6
6
6
2010
1
1
1
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year
Incident dates used
Filing date fallbacks
Excluded dates
2009
11
0
3
2010
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 co-occurrence matrix
Component
Exterior Lighting
Electrical System
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Power Train
Steering
Air Bags:Side/Window
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
Engine
Exterior Lighting
—
3ODI 10525335 · 63,000 mi
I HAVE RECEIVED MULTIPLE WARNING SIGNALS INDICATING THAT MY TAIL LIGHTS AND TURNING LIGHTS HAVE FAILED. I INITIALLY THOUGHT MY BULBS WERE BLOWN BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS STRANGE THAT ALL OF THEM WOULD BLOW AT ONE TIME. UPON CHECKING THE PANEL IN THE TRUNK I NOTICED THAT THE WIRES LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE BURNING. I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER AND THE SAID THEY HAVE NOTICED THE ISSUE BUT DO NOT KNOW THE CAUSE. I ASKED IF THIS WAS RECALLED AND THEY STATED NO, AND THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. AFTER DOING FURTHER RESEARCH I NOTICED …
THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS ON MY MB C350 SHOWS SIGNS OF A BURNING/MELTING ON THE CONNECTOR. I INITIALLY RECEIVED A NOTICE ON MY DASH THAT THE RIGHT REAR BULB WAS BAD AND NOT WORKING. I CHECKED THE CONNECTORS AND IT SHOWED SIGNS OF MELTING/BURNING. AFTER ADJUSTING THE WIRES, THE LIGHTS WOULD WORK UNTIL THE CAR WOULD HIT A BUMP AND I WOULD HAVE TO AGAIN RESET THE WIRES. *TR
LIGHTS IN THE BACK RIGHT PANEL ARE NOT WORKING.... GOT MESSAGE STATING THEY WERE OUT....CHECKED THEM AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTION IS BURNED AND LOOKS LIKE WIRES ARE FRIED. *TR
I HAVE RECEIVED MULTIPLE WARNING SIGNALS INDICATING THAT MY TAIL LIGHTS AND TURNING LIGHTS HAVE FAILED. I INITIALLY THOUGHT MY BULBS WERE BLOWN BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS STRANGE THAT ALL OF THEM WOULD BLOW AT ONE TIME. UPON CHECKING THE PANEL IN THE TRUNK I NOTICED THAT THE WIRES LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE BURNING. I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER AND THE SAID THEY HAVE NOTICED THE ISSUE BUT DO NOT KNOW THE CAUSE. I ASKED IF THIS WAS RECALLED AND THEY STATED NO, AND THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. AFTER DOING FURTHER RESEARCH I NOTICED …
THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS ON MY MB C350 SHOWS SIGNS OF A BURNING/MELTING ON THE CONNECTOR. I INITIALLY RECEIVED A NOTICE ON MY DASH THAT THE RIGHT REAR BULB WAS BAD AND NOT WORKING. I CHECKED THE CONNECTORS AND IT SHOWED SIGNS OF MELTING/BURNING. AFTER ADJUSTING THE WIRES, THE LIGHTS WOULD WORK UNTIL THE CAR WOULD HIT A BUMP AND I WOULD HAVE TO AGAIN RESET THE WIRES. *TR
LIGHTS IN THE BACK RIGHT PANEL ARE NOT WORKING.... GOT MESSAGE STATING THEY WERE OUT....CHECKED THEM AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTION IS BURNED AND LOOKS LIKE WIRES ARE FRIED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING SEVERAL COMPUTER DEFECTS. WHILE PARKED ON A HILL AND ATTEMPTING TO PLACE THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL FORWARD INSTEAD OF BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL FORWARD APPROXIMATELY ONE FOOT AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. DURING THIS TIME, THE STEERING WOULD LOCK AND THE BRAKES WOULD LOSE POWER. IT WOULD TAKE TREMENDOUS FORCE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER COULD NOT ASSIST WITH TH…
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING SEVERAL COMPUTER DEFECTS. WHILE PARKED ON A HILL AND ATTEMPTING TO PLACE THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL FORWARD INSTEAD OF BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL FORWARD APPROXIMATELY ONE FOOT AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. DURING THIS TIME, THE STEERING WOULD LOCK AND THE BRAKES WOULD LOSE POWER. IT WOULD TAKE TREMENDOUS FORCE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER COULD NOT ASSIST WITH TH…
MY DAUGHTER WAS IN A CRASH TODAY ON MAY 16, 2009 SHE WAS DRIVING MERCEDES 2009 C300 AND SHE SAID THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK SUDDENLY BEFORE SHE CRASH, SHE WAS DRIVING ONLY AT 15MPH THAT WHY THE IMPACT WAS NOT SO SEVERE, WE ARE VERY LUCKY THAT SHE JUST HAS MINOR INJURIES. *TR
MY DAUGHTER WAS IN A CRASH TODAY ON MAY 16, 2009 SHE WAS DRIVING MERCEDES 2009 C300 AND SHE SAID THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK SUDDENLY BEFORE SHE CRASH, SHE WAS DRIVING ONLY AT 15MPH THAT WHY THE IMPACT WAS NOT SO SEVERE, WE ARE VERY LUCKY THAT SHE JUST HAS MINOR INJURIES. *TR
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.
4 patterns with matching reports.
Steering assistance concerns
2 mentions · 9.1% of complaints
Median mileage: 5,700 mi (2 usable records).
ODI 10258305 · 1,400 mi
I BOUGHT A NEW 2009 MB C300 FOR MY WIFE LAST NOVEMBER, LESS THAN THREE MONTH LATER, ITS POWER STEERING QUITTED TO WORK WITHOUT ANY MALFUNCTION SIGN. IT WILL TAKE A PROFESSIONAL WRESTLER TO GET IN AND OUT ITS PARKING PLACE. THIS IS NOT THE WORST PART YET. AFTER NUMEROUS FAILED ATTEMPTS TRYING TO CONTACT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF MY DEALER, I DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALER THAT IS 40 MILES AWAY FROM MY HOUSE. ONLY THING THEY DID TO THE CAR WAS THAT A SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE OPENED THE HOOD AND ADDED SOME FLUID, WHICH LATE TURNED OUT TO BE USELESS.…
MY DAUGHTER WAS IN A CRASH TODAY ON MAY 16, 2009 SHE WAS DRIVING MERCEDES 2009 C300 AND SHE SAID THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK SUDDENLY BEFORE SHE CRASH, SHE WAS DRIVING ONLY AT 15MPH THAT WHY THE IMPACT WAS NOT SO SEVERE, WE ARE VERY LUCKY THAT SHE JUST HAS MINOR INJURIES. *TR
MERCEDES BENZ C280 1995 IT HAS LOW MILES ENGINE LOOKS VERY WELL TAKING CARE OF LOOKS LIKE ITS NEVER BEEN IN DIRT ALL THE HOSES ARE CLEAN NO CRACKS OR WEAR BUT RECENT MY CAR CHECK ENGINE CAME ON SO I TOOK IT TO MY CERTIFIED MECHANIC THE NEXT DAY HE CALLS ME UP SAYING TO GO TO HIS SHOP TO SHOW THAT WHOLE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS IS WORN AN THAT IS RIPS SO EASY HE SAID MERCEDES SHOULD OF PUT MORE LAYERS TO PROTECT THE WIRES HARNESS. I THINK MERCEDES DOESN'T WANT TO DO A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE BECAUSE THE PRICE FOR THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS COMES OUT TO ATL…
I WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHERE I WAS RUN OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A CENTER MEDIAN STEEL BARRIER. MY MERCEDES C300 IS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP) AND ACTIVE SEATBELT RESTRAINTS (BOTH OF WHICH FAILED IN THE CRASH). THE ROADS WERE SLICK, HOWEVER, WHEN A CAR SWERVED OVER ON ME AND I ATTEMPTED TO HIT THE BRAKES TO AVOID BEING HIT, MY CAR BEGAN TO FISH-TAIL AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AT THE TIME, A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING (POST-CRASH) THAT MY ESP MALFUNCTIONED. IN ADDITION, UPON IMPACT, MY SEAT RESTRAINED ME, HOWEV…
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING SEVERAL COMPUTER DEFECTS. WHILE PARKED ON A HILL AND ATTEMPTING TO PLACE THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL FORWARD INSTEAD OF BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL FORWARD APPROXIMATELY ONE FOOT AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. DURING THIS TIME, THE STEERING WOULD LOCK AND THE BRAKES WOULD LOSE POWER. IT WOULD TAKE TREMENDOUS FORCE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER COULD NOT ASSIST WITH TH…
EVERY TIME I FILL THE CAR UP WITH GAS I GET A VERY STRONG GAS SMELL COMING FROM THE CAR. I'VE ONLY OWNED THE CAR ONE MONTH, IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE? *TR