U.S. public vehicle records

Mercedes Benz C300 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

1,248 owner complaints analyzed

8 distinct recall campaigns

74,200 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2008 to 2009 model years. Data updated: 2026-09-30 (September 30, 2026). 763 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 452 of 1,248 complaints (36.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Steering behavior	297	23.8%
Electrical and battery issues	207	16.6%
Braking behavior	129	10.3%
Transmission and shifting	18	1.4%
Engine operation	12	1.0%
Fuel system concerns	10	0.8%

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.

Air Bags

452

Electrical System

417

Steering

268

Exterior Lighting

215

Unknown Or Other

Engine

Suspension

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)

Air Bags: 452; Electrical System: 417; Steering: 268; Exterior Lighting: 215; Unknown Or Other: 69; Engine: 47; Suspension: 47; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 37

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

253

75,000 to 99,999

206

100,000 to 149,999

136

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 41; 25,000 to 49,999: 92; 50,000 to 74,999: 253; 75,000 to 99,999: 206; 100,000 to 149,999: 136; 150,000 and above: 35

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (253). 485 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.

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

102

2014

165

2015

163

2016

200

2017

253

2018

135

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

2008: 4; 2009: 4; 2010: 15; 2011: 10; 2012: 11; 2013: 102; 2014: 165; 2015: 163; 2016: 200; 2017: 253; 2018: 135; 2019: 37; 2020: 26; 2021: 30; 2022: 40; 2023: 21; 2024: 16; 2025: 14; 2026: 2

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 297 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 207 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 129 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 10311679 · 2010-02-18 (February 18, 2010)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH BUT HIS AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SINCE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, HIS BODY HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING COLUMN TO BREAK. THE CONTACT WAS SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS HEAD AND CHEST. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. HE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER SENT A REPRESENTATIVE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE; THE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICL…

Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10311679 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10459294 · 2012-05-22 (May 22, 2012)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE, THE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT THERE WAS A STEERING WHEEL LOCK FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED LATER AFTER THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7500.

Owner-reported narrative. 7,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10459294 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10333976 · 2010-05-31 (May 31, 2010)

TWO SEPARATE INSTANCES OF COMMANDED ACCELERATION WITH 2008 MERCEDES C300. PURCHASED THE CAR FROM A PRIVATE USED CAR DEALER IN SEPTEMBER 2009 WITH 10,500 MILES. ON NOVEMBER 1, 2009 I EXPERIENCED FIRST INSTANCE OF UNCOMMANDED ACCELERATION WHILE SLOWING TO A STOP IN A DRIVEWAY. ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO A HIGH RATE AND STRUCK A PARKED TRUCK IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF CAR. SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND CAR SPED AT MAXIMUM RPM ACROSS LAWNS AND STREET UNTIL FINALLY RETURNING TO NORMAL. AT NO TIME WERE THE BRAKES ABLE TO HAVE ANY EFFECT ON SLOWING MY …

Owner-reported narrative. 17,330 miles reported. Look up ODI 10333976 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10511033 · 2013-05-07 (May 7, 2013)

I RECEIVED MESSAGES ON MY DASH STATING TO CHECK REAR LEFT TURN SIGNAL AND REAR LEFT TAIL/BRAKE LAMPS. UPON PULLING OUT THE REAR LEFT (DRIVER'S SIDE) TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY, WHICH HOLDS ALL THE BULBS, I NOTICED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS WOULD FLASH WHEN I JIGGLED THE WIRES BUT NOT STAY ON. I PULLED THE HARNESS PLUG FROM THE SOCKET ON THE ASSEMBLY HOLDING THE BULBS AND NOTICED A BLACKENED BURNT SPOT AND MELTED PLASTIC ON THE PLUG ITSELF, AND ALSO A BURNT SPOT INSIDE THE PLUG SOCKET WHICH ALMOST BURNED THROUGH THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY U…

Owner-reported narrative. 86,949 miles reported. Look up ODI 10511033 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10266871 · 2009-04-20 (April 20, 2009)

SERIOUS DEFECT OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION IN MERCEDES MODEL C300 YEAR 2008. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED AS HE WAS ABOUT TO PARK THE VEHICLE, HE RELEASED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, WENT OVER A CONCRETE BARRIER AND HIT THE WALL OF THE BUILDING FINALLY COMING TO REST. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS A RENTAL. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10266871 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10304846 · 2010-02-03 (February 3, 2010)

THE TAXI CAB STOPPED UNEXPECTEDLY AND WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND AND THE MOTOR DID NOT DIE, IT JUST KEPT GOING UNTIL I HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE AT 20 OR 25 MILES AN HOUR. I BELIEVE THERE WAS A STRANGE SOUND WITH THE BRAKES THAT I HAD SEVERAL TIMES REPORTED TO THE DEALER SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10304846 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10537629 · 2013-08-28 (August 28, 2013)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A LOCAL DEALER AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH HAVING A SHORT IN THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE VEHICLE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10537629 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10547177 · 2013-10-08 (October 8, 2013)

AS REPORTED MULTIPLE TIMES BY OTHERS, TAIL LIGHT CONNECTOR IS INSUFFICIENT TO HANDLE THE HEAT EMANATING FROM THE GROUND (BROWN) WIRE. CONNECTOR BURNS. CABLE COVERING MELTS. ALL TAIL LIGHTS (INCLUDING BRAKES, TURNING AND REVERSE) STOP FUNCTIONING. - SAFETY ISSUE- (NOT TO MENTION GAS TANK SITTING NOT TOO FAR FROM SOURCE OF FIRE) PRELIMINARY SYMPTOMS: RANDOM WARNING MESSAGES IN DASHBOARD ABOUT LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONING. ONE TAIL LIGHT DIMMER THAN THE OTHER. REPAIRS REQUIRED: NEW CONNECTOR/NEW PINS PLUS REGROUNDING TO AVOID CERTAIN RECURRE…

Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10547177 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11139396 · 2018-10-10 (October 10, 2018)

MY 2008 MERCEDES BENZ 300C STARTED THEN SHUT OFF IN MY DRIVEWAY. I HAD THE CAR LESS THAN 30 DAYS FROM PURCHASE. I CALLED THE DEALER AND HE CAME AND DID SOMETHING TO THE FUSE BAND IT START ED. NEXT DAY SAME THING, STARTED THEN SHUT OFF. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC, IT TOOK HIM TWO WEEKS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. HE NARROWED IT DOWN TO THE IGNITION SWITCH. HOWEVER, HE WANT AUTHORIZED TO ACCESS THE IGNITION, SO IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CAME BACK AFTER 2 WEEKS AND SAID IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. FINE, I PAID A LITTLE…

Owner-reported narrative. 67,574 miles reported. Look up ODI 11139396 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

From yearThrough year

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

2008

2009

2008: 7; 2009: 8

First model yearSecond model year

Year-by-year records

Mercedes Benz C300 model-year comparison
Model year	Complaints	Recalls	Change in recalls
2008	672	7	Not available
2009	576	8	+1

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

1,248 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

61.1%Usable mileage763 / 1,248 records

100.0%Valid incident date1,248 / 1,248 records

100.0%Valid filing date1,248 / 1,248 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates1,248 / 1,248 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.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2008	2009
Air Bags	27040.2% ODI 10267849 · 30,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT STRUCK A PARKED VEHICLE. HER VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. SHE SUSTAINED MODERATE INJURIES AND PICTURES WERE TAKEN OF THE FAILURE. AN INSPECTOR FROM THE MANUFACTURER CONCLUDED THAT THE CRASH DID NOT WARRANT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT; HOWEVER, A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 30,000. Look up ODI 10267849 at NHTSA ↗	18231.6% ODI 10330370 · 22,000 mi I WAS DRIVING ON THE PARKWAY AT ~40 MPH AND ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN BY STEPPING ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN BUT ACCELERATED. AND STRUCK THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. EVERY TIME I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR ACCELERATED SO THAT THE CAR STRUCK THE CAR IN FRONT TWICE. I TRIED TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND WAS UNABLE TO. FINALLY, I PUSHED HARD ON THE BRAKE ENOUGH TO SLOW IT DOWN AND I WAS TEN ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE RACED BUT I WAS THEN ABLE TO TURN IT OFF. DESPITE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT … Look up ODI 10330370 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	22233.0% ODI 10466181 · 39,000 mi BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. FIRST, I NOTICED THAT ONE OR THE OTHER OF THE RIGHT SIDE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO FUNCTION BECAUSE I HEARD A RAPID CLICKING AS I MADE A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING LOT. ONCE STOPPED, I NOTICED THAT THE MERCEDES COMMAND SYSTEM SAID TO CHECK THE LEFT REAR TAIL AND BRAKE LIGHT BULBS. I SAW NO MENTION OF THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL. WHEN I LEFT THE PARKING LOT AN HOUR LATER, THERE WAS NO INDICATION ON THE COMMAND SYSTEM AS TO ANYTHING BEING WRONG. AT HOME, I REMOVED THE LEFT PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD AND S… Look up ODI 10466181 at NHTSA ↗	19533.9% ODI 10331807 · 9,010 mi AT 5:00PM, I WAS DRIVING THE MERCEDES BENZ C300, YEAR 2009, 9010 MILES IN THE PARKING LOT OF YMCA IN LA CANADA, CA AT 3 MILES/HR. I PREPARED TO STOP THE CAR AND STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, SUDDENLY, THE ENGINE REV UP AND ACCELERATED. THE CAR JUMPED OVER THE STOP BUMPER BUT I PRESSED VERY HARD ON THE BRAKE AND FINALLY THE CAR STOPPED AND THE ENGINE WAS OFF. THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS ABOUT 2 FEET FROM THE WALL AT THE PARKING LOT. I WAS SO SCARED BECAUSE IT WAS THE FIRST TIME I EXPERIENCED THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. I WENT TO THE GYM AND AT 6:30PM I … Look up ODI 10331807 at NHTSA ↗
Steering	13319.8% ODI 10459294 · 7,500 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE, THE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT THERE WAS A STEERING WHEEL LOCK FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED LATER AFTER THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7500. Look up ODI 10459294 at NHTSA ↗	13523.4% ODI 10515103 · 40,011 mi I PARKED VEHICLE IN A PUBLIC PARKING LATE AT NIGHT. I WAS WITH MY SON, I TRIED TO TURN ON VEHICLE AND IT DID NOT START. I WAS STRANDED LATE AT NIGHT WITH MY SON WITH NO RIDE. I HAD TWO MECHANICS LOOK AT IT, ONE OF WHICH WAS A MECHANIC FOR THE MERCEDES DEALER. BOTH STATING IT WAS THE STEERING LOCK MODULE, THEY BOTH TOLD ME THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE MERCEDES C300. THIS PROBLEM COSTS $1300 TO FIX WITH THE DEALER, THE PART ALONE IS OVER $550. READING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ONLINE, IT IS VERY COMMON IN THE 2008-2009 MODELS, NORMALLY OCCURRING A… Look up ODI 10515103 at NHTSA ↗
Exterior Lighting	10215.2% ODI 10399422 · 28,000 mi TURN SIGNALS AND WIPERS / WINDSHIELD WASHERS CEASE TO OPERATE UNTIL CAR IS RESTARTED. WIPERS CONTINUE TO OPERATE IN RAIN SENSING MODE BUT NOT VIA THE WIPER CONTROL LEVEL. DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND ANY DIAGNOSTIC CODES AFTERWARD. FAILURE RECURRED A FEW DAYS AFTER DEALER INSPECTION, AND OCCURS SPORADICALLY BOTH IN URBAN AND HIGHWAY DRIVING. TIME BETWEEN FAILURE RANGES FROM HOURS TO MULTIPLE MONTHS. *TR Look up ODI 10399422 at NHTSA ↗	11319.6% ODI 10399332 · 18,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED THERE WAS WATER INSIDE OF THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS TURN SIGNALS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT SHE HAD TO PAY THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 23,000. Look up ODI 10399332 at NHTSA ↗
Unknown Or Other	385.7% ODI 10519714 · 56,000 mi AFTER TAKING MY CARE TO THE DEALER, I HAD A ERROR MESSAGE ON MY DISPLAY STATING THAT MY RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT IS OUT. THEN A MESSAGE STATING MY RIGHT LOW BEAM IS OUT. I REPLACED ALL THE BULBS..... FIVE DAYS LATER I GET ANOTHER RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT IS OUT. TWO WEEKS LATER MY RIGHT LOW BEAM IS OUT AGAIN. SEEMS THERE IS A WIRING SHORT THAT KEEPS BURNING OUT THE LOW BEAM AND TAIL LIGHT. OH BY THE WAY TAIL LIGHT/BRAKE LIGHTS WORK. STILL HAVE ERROR MESSAGE. *TR Look up ODI 10519714 at NHTSA ↗	315.4% ODI 10534352 · 52,000 mi THE INFORMATION SYSTEM IN MY CAR GAVE ME THE SYMBOLS FOR THE RIGHT BACK LIGHTS. I STOPPED TO CHECK AND REALIZED MY LIGHTS WERE OUT. I OPENED THE WIRING IN THE TRUNK AND REALIZED THAT THE BROWN WIRE ON THE OUTER SIDE BURNED THROUGH THE CONNECTOR AND THE LAMP CARRIER. *TR Look up ODI 10534352 at NHTSA ↗
Engine	314.6% ODI 10597522 · 80,000 mi SHAME ON YOU MERCEDES BENZ! IT APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE THAT THE STEERING LOCK GOES OUT LEAVING YOUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS STRANDED WITH NO ABILITY TO START THE CAR. OK! NOW, I AM TOLD THE COST TO REPAIR IS $1450 FOR THE PART AND THE LABOR. LOOKS LIKE MY NEXT CAR WILL BE A BMW! (STEERING LOCK WENT OUT AT 80K- LEAVING THE CAR UNABLE TO START). *TR Look up ODI 10597522 at NHTSA ↗	162.8% ODI 10592230 · 51,000 mi MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF ITS STARTING AND STEERING LOCK FUNCTIONS. THE UNDERLINE PROBLEM AND AREAS OF CONCERN IS THE FREQUENCY OF THIS FAILURE AND THE DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH HAVING THE VEHICLE IMMOBILIZED WHEN THE ASSOCIATED PARTS FAIL. MERCEDES BENZ HAS NOT TAKEN ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE YET IT CAN'T BE FIXED WITHOUT DEALERSHIP INTERVENTION. THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE BESIDES HAVING YOUR CAR TOWED IS IN THE EXCESS OF $1,000.00. IN MY CASE I HAVE BEEN QUOTED &1700.00! ALTHOUGH MY PARTICULAR INSTANC… Look up ODI 10592230 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension	121.8% ODI 11039345 · 102,678 mi WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT A CERTAIN SPEED THE REAR END STARTS FISHTAILING MAKING IT HARD TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE Look up ODI 11039345 at NHTSA ↗	356.1% ODI 10898249 · 72,000 mi TARAKA RECALL. SMART KEY NOT BEING RECOGNIZED , VEHICLE DEAD NEED TOW TRUCK TO DEALER VERY EXPENSIVE ,HAD BATTERY BUT ALL DEAD COST $1600.00 PLUS ON A 72000 MILE VEHICLE.ALSO FRONT SWAY STABILIZER BAR NEED TOTAL REPLACING (DEALER PART ONLY) SINCE ITS MAKING NOISE. BUSHINGS CANNOT BE CHANGED LIKE OTHERS THE WHOLE BAR NEEDS TO BE PURCHASE AT DEALER WITH BUSHING VULCANIZED TO IT. ON THE SMART KEY THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY THANK GOD Look up ODI 10898249 at NHTSA ↗
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	172.5% ODI 10662448 APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO MY C300 LOCKED UP ON ME WOULD NOT START. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP AND WHEN THEY CHECK IT THEY STATED THAT EIS WAS OUT ON IT. THE COST OF THE REPAIR WAS OVER $2000.00. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, AS I STARTED THE CAR IN THE MORNING FOR WORK I NOTICED THAT THE START WAS A LITTLE HESITANT, SO I REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THINGS GOT BACK TO NORMAL. TODAY LEAVING FOR LUNCH I PLACED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND TURNED IT TO GET THE "SLIENT CLICK" AGAIN. IT IS DOING THE SAME THING IT DID ABOUT A YEAR AGO AFTER MERC… Look up ODI 10662448 at NHTSA ↗	203.5% ODI 10705432 · 63,033 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO TURN ON AND THE STEERING LOCK ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE STEERING LOCK AND THE CONTROL UNIT. THERE WAS NO FURTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE. AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE AND DRIVING, THE BRAKE EBR, ABS, ESP AND POWER STEERING FAILURE MESSAGES APPEARED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,033. Look up ODI 10705432 at NHTSA ↗

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 failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Air Bags	58,750–99,250 mi	75,000 mi	124	ODI 10267849 · 30,000 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT STRUCK A PARKED VEHICLE. HER VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. SHE SUSTAINED MODERATE INJURIES AND PICTURES WERE TAKEN OF THE FAILURE. AN INSPECTOR FROM THE MANUFACTURER CONCLUDED THAT THE CRASH DID NOT WARRANT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT; HOWEVER, A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 30,000. Look up ODI 10267849 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10283007 · 31,000 mi GOOD EVENING, I DRIVE A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300 SPORT WHICH I FINANCED FROM A VW DEALER, WHICH SOLD IT AS A PRE OWNED/USED VEHICLE STILL UNDER WARRANTY, REGARDLESS, I OPTED TO ENSURE I HAD THE MAXIMUM WARRANTY AVAILABLE. ON THURSDAY, SEPT 03 I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHILE OPERATING THIS VEHICLE. INSIDE THE VEHICLE WAS A FRONT PASSENGER AND A REAR PASSENGER AS WELL, NEITHER OF WHOM I THINK WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN WET CONDITIONS AROUND A CAR, CONTROL WAS LOST, WENT OVER MIDDLE MEDIUM, AND HEAD ON WITH A TREE. THE PO… Look up ODI 10283007 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10311679 · 20,000 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH BUT HIS AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SINCE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, HIS BODY HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING COLUMN TO BREAK. THE CONTACT WAS SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS HEAD AND CHEST. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. HE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER SENT A REPRESENTATIVE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE; THE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICL… Look up ODI 10311679 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	55,000–93,000 mi	73,937 mi	355	ODI 10466181 · 39,000 mi BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. FIRST, I NOTICED THAT ONE OR THE OTHER OF THE RIGHT SIDE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO FUNCTION BECAUSE I HEARD A RAPID CLICKING AS I MADE A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING LOT. ONCE STOPPED, I NOTICED THAT THE MERCEDES COMMAND SYSTEM SAID TO CHECK THE LEFT REAR TAIL AND BRAKE LIGHT BULBS. I SAW NO MENTION OF THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL. WHEN I LEFT THE PARKING LOT AN HOUR LATER, THERE WAS NO INDICATION ON THE COMMAND SYSTEM AS TO ANYTHING BEING WRONG. AT HOME, I REMOVED THE LEFT PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD AND S… Look up ODI 10466181 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10487174 · 43,000 mi C300 FAILED TO START. THE IGNITION SEEM TO WORK CORRECTLY.THE ENGINE WOULD START AND CUT OFF IMMEDIATELY. AFTER SEVERAL TRIES, FINALLY THE CAR STARTED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID IT WAS PROBABLY COMPUTER AND A FULL RESET WILL FIX THE ISSUE. I GOT THE CAR BACK A WEEK LATER. WHILE DRIVING BACK HOME, I STOPPED TO GET GAS. I TURNED OF THE CAR AND AFTER PUMPING THE GAS, IT REFUSED TO START AGAIN. I HAD TO CALL THE ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE. THE CAR IS BACK AT THE DEALER NO… Look up ODI 10487174 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10511017 · 60,000 mi THE TAIL LIGHTS OF MY MERCEDES BENZ C300 2008 STOPPED WORKING. WHEN I WENT TO MY LOCAL MERCEDES DEALER TO SEE WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR, THE SERVICE PERSON AT THE DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE FULLY AWARE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING AT IT. THEY SAID THAT THE PLASTIC COVERS OF BOTH REAL TAIL LIGHTS ALONG WITH THE WIRE HARNESS HAD MELTED. IN FACT, THE SERVICE PERSON PUT HIS HAND BACK THERE AND HE GOT BURNED BECAUSE THE ENTIRE WIRE ASSEMBLY WAS MELTED AND WAS SHORT. I ASKED THEM TO REPAIR THE CAR FOR FREE … Look up ODI 10511017 at NHTSA ↗
Steering	60,750–101,250 mi	80,000 mi	228	ODI 10459294 · 7,500 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE, THE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT THERE WAS A STEERING WHEEL LOCK FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED LATER AFTER THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7500. Look up ODI 10459294 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10520871 · 60,000 mi MORE PROBLEMS WITH MODEL 204. THERE IS A NO EXPIRE RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 200802003 FOR THE ISSUE I HAVE HOWEVER MY VIN IS NOT PART OF IT EVEN THOUGH I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. PLACED MY KEY AND CAR WON'T START, NO CRANK. GOT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT MY STEERING LOCK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR ANYMORE. IMAGING DRIVING HUNDREDS OF MILES AWAY FROM HOME AND SUDDENLY YOUR "STEERING LOCK" MALFUNCTIONS! SCARY. *TR Look up ODI 10520871 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10551930 · 85,000 mi I DROVE MY CAR HOME FROM WORK. EVERYTHING WAS WORKING FINE AND TEN MINUTES LATER WHEN I WENT TO GO BACK TO WORK, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I COULD GET ALL THE ELECTRICAL WORKING , BUT THE CAR WOULD JUST NOT START UP. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE STEERING LOCK, AND IT NEEDS REPLACED.I GOT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT MY STEERING LOCK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR ANYMORE. IMAGING DRIVING IN A BAD PART OF TOWN SUDDENLY YOUR "STEERING LOCK" MALFUNCTIONS OR MY WIFE IS DRIVING AND IS STUCK IN A BAD PART OF NEW ORLEANS… Look up ODI 10551930 at NHTSA ↗
Exterior Lighting	50,400–80,000 mi	62,000 mi	181	ODI 10399422 · 28,000 mi TURN SIGNALS AND WIPERS / WINDSHIELD WASHERS CEASE TO OPERATE UNTIL CAR IS RESTARTED. WIPERS CONTINUE TO OPERATE IN RAIN SENSING MODE BUT NOT VIA THE WIPER CONTROL LEVEL. DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND ANY DIAGNOSTIC CODES AFTERWARD. FAILURE RECURRED A FEW DAYS AFTER DEALER INSPECTION, AND OCCURS SPORADICALLY BOTH IN URBAN AND HIGHWAY DRIVING. TIME BETWEEN FAILURE RANGES FROM HOURS TO MULTIPLE MONTHS. *TR Look up ODI 10399422 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10466181 · 39,000 mi BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. FIRST, I NOTICED THAT ONE OR THE OTHER OF THE RIGHT SIDE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO FUNCTION BECAUSE I HEARD A RAPID CLICKING AS I MADE A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING LOT. ONCE STOPPED, I NOTICED THAT THE MERCEDES COMMAND SYSTEM SAID TO CHECK THE LEFT REAR TAIL AND BRAKE LIGHT BULBS. I SAW NO MENTION OF THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL. WHEN I LEFT THE PARKING LOT AN HOUR LATER, THERE WAS NO INDICATION ON THE COMMAND SYSTEM AS TO ANYTHING BEING WRONG. AT HOME, I REMOVED THE LEFT PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD AND S… Look up ODI 10466181 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10475771 · 52,800 mi ON OR AROUND 8/30/12 I NOTICED I HAD NO REAR BRAKE LIGHTS. THINKING A BAD BULB I CHECKED THE REAR TAILLIGHT BULBS. I NOTICED AN OVERHEAT CONDITION ON THE BULB HOLDER AND CONNECTOR. IT IS MELTED SHOWING EXTREME HEAT AND CURRENT DRAW. I CONTACTED THE DEALER EXPECTING IT TO BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AS IT IS A DEFECT AND UNSAFE. THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY AND GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF OVER $400.00 OR MORE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A DESIGN FLAW AND SHOULD BE MERCEDES' RESPONSIBILITY. WHO IS LIABLE IF I GET REAR ENDED OR IF THE VEHICLE C… Look up ODI 10475771 at NHTSA ↗
Unknown Or Other	69,244–90,500 mi	78,504 mi	38	ODI 10519714 · 56,000 mi AFTER TAKING MY CARE TO THE DEALER, I HAD A ERROR MESSAGE ON MY DISPLAY STATING THAT MY RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT IS OUT. THEN A MESSAGE STATING MY RIGHT LOW BEAM IS OUT. I REPLACED ALL THE BULBS..... FIVE DAYS LATER I GET ANOTHER RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT IS OUT. TWO WEEKS LATER MY RIGHT LOW BEAM IS OUT AGAIN. SEEMS THERE IS A WIRING SHORT THAT KEEPS BURNING OUT THE LOW BEAM AND TAIL LIGHT. OH BY THE WAY TAIL LIGHT/BRAKE LIGHTS WORK. STILL HAVE ERROR MESSAGE. *TR Look up ODI 10519714 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10717587 · 21,000 mi MYSELF, AS WELL AS PASSENGERS HAVE BEEN CUT BY THE SHARP EDGE OF THE PEELING CHROME ALONG THE TOP RIM OF FRONT CUP HOLDER. I TOLD MY DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANTED CHARGE ME OVER $500 TO REPLACE IT. WHEN GRABBING CHANGE, DRINKS, OR ANYTHING FROM CUP HOLDER THE FRONT OF ONES HAND IS CONSTANTLY EXPOSED TO THIS SHARP EDGE. NOT A SAFETY ISSUE BUT SIMILAR TO THE PEELING CHROME, THE PAINTED TEXT ON SEVERAL CONTROL BUTTONS ON DASH HAVE BEEN PEELING OFF FOR SEVERAL YEARS. A CLEAR SIGN OF POOR QUALITY/CRAFTSMANSHIP. THIS IS MY FIRST MERCEDES AND I A… Look up ODI 10717587 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10732007 · 41,000 mi THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK JUST SHUTOFF. THE CAR CAME OUT OF COMFORT WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THE C-IN THE BOX-JUST DISAPPEARED OFF THE CLUSTER AND I KNEW THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED BECAUSE IT HAPPENED THREE TIMES THEM STARTED UP TWO DAYS LATER. THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MERCEDES C300 AS I READ SO MANY COMPLAINTS AND POSTS. Look up ODI 10732007 at NHTSA ↗
Engine	61,639–90,330 mi	76,950 mi	40	ODI 10597522 · 80,000 mi SHAME ON YOU MERCEDES BENZ! IT APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE THAT THE STEERING LOCK GOES OUT LEAVING YOUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS STRANDED WITH NO ABILITY TO START THE CAR. OK! NOW, I AM TOLD THE COST TO REPAIR IS $1450 FOR THE PART AND THE LABOR. LOOKS LIKE MY NEXT CAR WILL BE A BMW! (STEERING LOCK WENT OUT AT 80K- LEAVING THE CAR UNABLE TO START). TR Look up ODI 10597522 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10598084 · 90,000 mi AM CONCERNED WITH THIS 2008 MERCEDES I OWN WITH SIMILAR ISSUES AS GMC CARS WITH THE IGNITION/KEY/ENGINE JUST STOPPING...CAR LOST ALL POWER AND WHEELS LOCKED. THE CAR WAS DRIVING WELL ONE MOMENT THEN STOPPED. WAS NOT INJURED BUT WAS LEFT STRANDED AT NIGHT GETTING OFF WORK WITH NO CAR....HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED OUT OF PARKING LOT WHICH WAS QUITE DIFFICULTY WITH WHEELS LOCKED....AND TAKEN TO MERCEDES DEALERSHIP. IT WAS REPAIRED FOR 800.00$...AND I ASKED IF THIS WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN AND WAS TOLD "PROBABLY"....HAVE NOTICED ONLINE THIS HAS BEEN A KNOW I… Look up ODI 10598084 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10610124 · 84,756 mi IT APPEARS THAT THE EIS MODULE HAS FAILED, I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND HAVE FOUND SEVERAL OTHER CONSUMERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH THIS PARTICULAR YEAR AND MODEL VEHICLE. THIS CONCERNS ME. WHY HASN'T ANY RECALLS BEEN DONE TO FIX THIS ISSUE. IT SEEM LIKE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. WHAT IF I WERE DRIVING MY CAR AND THE EIS HAD MALFUNCTIONED. I WOULD HAVE LOST POWER TO MY VEHICLE AS WELL AS ALL STEERING ABILITIES. COULD YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE? TR Look up ODI 10610124 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension	83,000–120,000 mi	102,678 mi	21	ODI 11039345 · 102,678 mi WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT A CERTAIN SPEED THE REAR END STARTS FISHTAILING MAKING IT HARD TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE Look up ODI 11039345 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11081967 · 91,000 mi FRONT SUSPENSION DROPPED TO LOW AND HITS THE TIRES WHILE DRIVING CAR CAUSING FLAT TO TIRE AND LOSE CONTROL OF CAR VERY DANGEROUS. Look up ODI 11081967 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11193529 · 80 mi I WORK AT A MERCEDES DEALERSHIP AND WE ARE STARTING TO SEE THE REAR CRADLES RUSTING COMPLETELY OUT, CAUSE STRUT LINKS TO COME LOOSE FROM THE CRADLE CAUSING BRAKE AND DRIVABILITY PROBLEMS, THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY MBUSA , TO THIS DATE WE HAVE HAD 5 CARS WITH THIS CONDITION IN THE LAST 6 MONTH OR SO Look up ODI 11193529 at NHTSA ↗
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	60,758–118,750 mi	92,006 mi	30	ODI 10671652 · 71,370 mi ON JANUARY 2,2015 WENT FROM HOME TO A RETAIL STORE WITH NO ISSUES. AFTER A FEW MINUTES AT HE STORE WENT BACK TO THE CAR, OPEN DE DOOR, LIGHTS ON, CONTROL PANEL ON, CAR WILL NOT START. PUT KEY ON IGNITION SWITCH, DEAD, WILL NOT MAKE ANY SOUND. USED DIFFERENT SET OF KEYS, NOTHING, CAR DEAD. CALL THE DEALER FOR ADVICE, WAS TOLD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY OR JUMP START THE BATTERY. CALLED MY TOW, DID JUMP START AND NOTHING, CALL DEALER WAS ADVISE TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. GOT NEW BATTERY $200 AND THE CAR STILL NEED IT TO BE TOWED HOME. CAR DOES NOT START… Look up ODI 10671652 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10795122 · 42,000 mi A FEW MONTHS BACK, MY WIFE WAS STRANDED IN HER OFFICE PARKING LOT AS THE CAR WON'T START. WHEN SHE PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION IT WOULD SIMPLY MAKE CLICKING SOUNDS BUT WILL NOT START. SHE WAS ABLE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE CAR. WE CALLED AAA WHO CHECKED THE BATTERY AND SAID IT WAS WORKING FINE. THE AAA REP SAID THAT HE HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM QUITE A FEW TIMES BEFORE IN THE MB CARS AND WE WOULD HAVE TO CALL MB OR THEY CAN TOW IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. WE THEN CALLED MERCEDES BENZ (MB) ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE WHO CAME AND CHECKED THE CAR. THE MB REP SAID TH… Look up ODI 10795122 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10851085 · 118,000 mi COULD NOT START MY CAR WHILE STATIONARY. PUT KEY IN THE IGNITION AND GOT A MESSAGE ON THE DASH TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION. NO DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. THERE WAS NO CLICKING OR NOISE...IT WAS JUST DEAD. THE ALARM SYSTEM AND HEADLIGHT AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE ALL WORKING SO IT WAS NOT THE BATTERY. I CALLED ROADSIDE AND THE GAVE ME A JUMP, BUT CONFIRMED THAT MY BATTERY WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON SATURDAY NIGHT AFTER WAITING FOR 5 HOURS. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT EVEN CONDUCT THE DIAGNOSTICS ON THE CAR UNTIL TUESDAY … Look up ODI 10851085 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

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
2024-10	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-11	2	None	ODI 11626490 I honestly don’t know how Mercedes could have used such a cheap metal mix in their brake lines. Every single c300 made before 2012 is at extreme risk of brake failure every winter, the lines rust very easily and cause ruptures to happen as soon as you need to use your brakes in emergency. If you slam your foot on the brakes for a 2008-2009 Mercedes, you are putting your life at risk. Look up ODI 11626490 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11624806 · 201,000 mi The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the rear end of the vehicle would fishtail and become extremely unstable while driving over a bump in the road or while turning. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the subframe was severely rusted. The cause of the failure was not determined, and the vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 201,000. Look up ODI 11624806 at NHTSA ↗
2024-12	3	None	ODI 11629937 ESL failed suddenly. This appears to be a common problem with C300 MB. As such it should be part and f a recall as the expense to replace is over $2000. Look up ODI 11629937 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11633268 Camshaft adjuster solenoid leaked oil into wiring harness, caused vehicle to go into limp mode and not accelerate/shift gears. This is a known problem with the m272 engine, this vin did not show up on the recall list. Look up ODI 11633268 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11631965 Went to the Mercedes dealership service department to replace the rear subframe that suddenly broke while I was driving due to extreme rust/corrosion. The dealership stated that it was being covered under the extended warranty due to the recall related to the rust/corrosion issue with the subframe. I was advised by the mechanic that the brake lines will need to be replaced due to extreme rust/corrosion in the rear at the same exact location of the rear subframe, making the vehicle very dangerous to drive because the brake lines could break at … Look up ODI 11631965 at NHTSA ↗
2025-01	2	None	ODI 11633880 · 152,151 mi The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with an intake manifold failure. The contact was informed that the intake manifold needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,151. Look up ODI 11633880 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11634323 Check Right Tail and Brake Lamps warning light will not go off for months. They are working fine but the light won't go off. Googling on MB World, it shows Mercedes is aware of this problem and a recall is needed to get it corrected being safety issue with warning lights not working properly. See all info. below from owners, conversations and work done by dealers, etc. People note it is a middle school education problem. Please alert me when the recall is confirmed to get this important problem fixed. [XXX] Thank you, [XXX] [XXX] INFOR… Look up ODI 11634323 at NHTSA ↗
2025-02	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	1	None	ODI 11646756 While driving the car on [XXX] at 9pm on sunday, [XXX] in lane two during a heavy rain a audible clicking noise came from the drivers side front of the dash instrument cluster area and all of the lights on the car simultaneously turned off without ever touching the light switch i was unable to see the road in front of the vehicle also the windshield wipers quit working and the radio and navigation display went off and closed and opened and closed( turned off and then on and off again) the instrument cluster went dark as well, luckily i was ab… Look up ODI 11646756 at NHTSA ↗
2025-04	2	None	ODI 11653742 · 90,000 mi The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The contact stated that a message to remove the ignition key was displayed. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact stated that later, while starting the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start as intended. In addition, the contact stated the steering wheel had seized. The contact inspected the battery and determined there was no failure with the battery. The vehicle w… Look up ODI 11653742 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11653985 The vehicle has been loosing power during driving. Acceleration will die, then power will return. In addition exterior lighting will also malfunction or not work. As well ans other items associate with power or the unit that controls the power of those items After taking the vehicle in multiple times we had been told and looked up about the recall. Multiple are in place but the recall regarding the electrical/ power train / lighting r/t units in place and this recall sounds spot on with issues the vehicle is having . Look up ODI 11653985 at NHTSA ↗
2025-05	2	None	ODI 11661643 On [XXX] the car refused to start due to the electronic steering lock failure. The car was towed to the nearest Mercedes Benz Dealer at Stevens Creek Blvd, San Jose CA 95129. An inspection was done and Mercedes Benz wanted $3457.66 to replace the Steering Lock. This item is a recall item in other years of the C300 Mercedes Benz. Google shows: Mercedes-Benz has issued a recall for the Mercedes- Benz C-Class models, including the C300, due to potential steering lock issues. The recall specifically affects 2015- 2016 C300 models, as well as other … Look up ODI 11661643 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11662794 · 128,917 mi Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2008 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 125,985, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 128,917. Look up ODI 11662794 at NHTSA ↗
2025-06	2	None	ODI 11670203 · 110,000 mi The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle slowed down independently and lost automotive power. The contact stated that the vehicle remained in the intersection while awaiting tow services. The contact stated that her boyfriend and son helped to push the vehicle to the right side of the roadway. The contact smelled a burning odor but was unsure where the odor was coming from. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that an independent mechani… Look up ODI 11670203 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11667436 The problem is that the steering wheel locking mechanism has failed. The vehicle could not be started or driven. It required a flatbed tow to an authorized Mercedes repair facility. It was diagnosed as the steering mechanism, requiring replacement. The cost for this repair is $1400.00. I researched this problem on the MB website and it stated that this issue was common. I feel that this is a safety issue and should be repaired free of charge or at a significant discount. The car is currently being repaired, and I can forward any relevant doc… Look up ODI 11667436 at NHTSA ↗
2025-07	2	None	ODI 11675548 · 200,000 mi The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that upon turning off the vehicle, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the following day, the vehicle failed to start after several attempts and required a jumpstart. The contact replaced the battery; however, the failure persisted. The contact disconnected the battery to prevent the battery from draining. The dealer and the manufacturer were not yet notified of the failure. The vehicle was not… Look up ODI 11675548 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11676494 Certified Mercedes dealership confirmed that the subframe of my 2008 C300 is rusted and needs to be replaced which is under warranty. However, they are unwilling and do not acknowledge that the brake lines are also rusted and need to be replaced which is CAUSED by the rusted subframe. I first consulted my local mechanic shop who specializes in Mercedes repairs, and he told me about the issues of the corroding subframe and the rested brake lines. He also mentioned that he has helped and directed many Mercedes owners to call Mercedes customer ser… Look up ODI 11676494 at NHTSA ↗
2025-08	2	None	ODI 11677862 · 180,000 mi The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while at the car wash and attempting to wash the vehicle, there was popping sound coming from the vehicle, and the contact saw smoke coming from the speakers and called the Fire Department however, no damages were found. The vehicle was taken to the residence and an independent mechanic inspected the vehicle but found no issues with the vehicle. The trunk was opened, and the contact became aware of water inside the taillight housings. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle wa… Look up ODI 11677862 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11681698 · 164,000 mi The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, attempting to stop, the vehicle failed to respond as intended and causing the contact to drive through a stop sign, then merge onto the interstate independently. The driver's side rear tire was leaking brake fluid. The check brake system warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the brake line was corroded. The vehicle was repaired under warranty for the subframe prior to the failure; however, the… Look up ODI 11681698 at NHTSA ↗
2025-09	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	1	None	ODI 11692899 Vehicle inspection by independent service center indicated that a new rear frame was necessary. This was the second communication to nhtsa on this issue. This automobile (2009 c300) is inoperable due to this Mercedes rear frame defect . Look up ODI 11692899 at NHTSA ↗
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	1	None	ODI 11723958 · 217,000 mi The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the check engine, seat belt, and air bag warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the headlights and navigation lights failed to activate for a while. There was burning odor inside the vehicle with the heat activated or turned off. The contact also stated the vehicle failed to start for three days before eventually being able to start. The contact attempted to charge the battery, which resulted in a visible spark. The vehicle was taken to a dealer w… Look up ODI 11723958 at NHTSA ↗
2026-04	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	1	None	ODI 11736621 I have messages on my instrument panel stating I have airbag malfunction going on I also have tail lights that are not working and after trying to replace the bulbs it still don't work so obviously it's the light bulb panel so I went and looked at recalls and says that these are all recalls on my car but that they were fixed. so I don't know why I have them all bad again so I need to know what to do Look up ODI 11736621 at NHTSA ↗
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 (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.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2008: 21 complaints · 2009: 24 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2008	10	19	21
2009	5	16	24

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2008	670	0	2
2009	574	0	2

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	Air Bags	Electrical System	Steering	Exterior Lighting	Unknown Or Other	Engine	Suspension	Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
Air Bags	—	24 ODI 10615566 · 66,000 mi CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN. NOTHING WORKED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THIS HAS OCCURRED TO MANY OTHER CARS AND THE MANUFACTURER IS WELL AWARE OF THIS CONDITION. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE INJURED OR KILLED (IF THIS HAS NOT ALREADY HAPPENED) BEFORE THIS DEFECT IS ADDRESSED ? TR Look up ODI 10615566 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10680144 · 34,000 mi FOR UNKNOWN REASON, A WARNING ABOUT SRS RESTRAINT SYSTEM DRIVER SIDE FAILURE. UNSURE IF THIS IS AIR BAG, OR SEAT BELT RELATED. DEALER WANTED $2200. TO FIX. OUTRAGEOUS SAFETY ISSUE. FROM ONLINE SEARCH THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN REGULARLY TO MB PRODUCTS. WHY HAS DOT NOT TAKEN ACTION. THANK YOU FOR A RESPONSE. TR Look up ODI 10680144 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10747076 · 64,890 mi THESE PARTS POSE A RISK VEHICLE SAFETY AND MAY EXIST ON OTHER VEHICLES OF THIS DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE. PLEASE REVIEW AIR BAGS, STEERING LOCK. ELECTRICAL MAIN SYSTEM. AND TIRES USED ON THIS CAR.....UPDATED 03/15/16 BF UPDATED 03/17/16.JB Look up ODI 10747076 at NHTSA ↗	8 ODI 10747076 · 64,890 mi THESE PARTS POSE A RISK VEHICLE SAFETY AND MAY EXIST ON OTHER VEHICLES OF THIS DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE. PLEASE REVIEW AIR BAGS, STEERING LOCK. ELECTRICAL MAIN SYSTEM. AND TIRES USED ON THIS CAR.....UPDATED 03/15/16 BF UPDATED 03/17/16.JB Look up ODI 10747076 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10924165 · 107,000 mi C300 NOT STARTING DUE TO BAD ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK MECHANISM, SEEMS TO BE COMMON. Look up ODI 10924165 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11489746 After repair done on the confirmed recall airbag computer/module my vehicle became immobile, malfuctioned. The vehicle warning lamps alerted the airbag malfunctioned, srs malfunction. I seeked service for repair of this recall by experts. This safety issue is still ongoing and urgency is needed for this to be resolved. Look up ODI 11489746 at NHTSA ↗	12 ODI 10917879 · 140,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ SPORTS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FAIL SPORADICALLY. THE CONTACT WOULD SHUT OFF THE HEADLIGHTS BUT THEY WOULD RE-ILLUMINATE INDEPENDENTLY WITHIN 1-2 HOURS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS 16V363000 (AIR BAGS) AND 14V177000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED BUT ADVISED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR BOTH RECALL REPAIRS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED BUT COULD NOT ADVISE THE CONTACT WHEN T… Look up ODI 10917879 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11045558 · 65,000 mi 'TAKATA RECALL' I OWN THREE MERCEDES BENZ AND ALL THREE OF THEM HAVE THE AIRBAG LIGHTS ON. THEY ALSO ALL HAVE RECALLS FOR THE SAME AIRBAG ISSUE. ALSO, THE PASSENGER SIDE IN MY LATEST MODEL, MY C300, SHOWS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT GO ON AND OFF EVEN WHEN NO ONE IS SEATING IN THE SEAT. AND OFTEN WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT, THE AIRBAG DOESN'T EVEN COME ON AT ALL. Look up ODI 11045558 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11093590 TAKATA RECALL MY AIRBAG IS NOT WORKING, AND MY LIGHTING HAS A PROBLEM . MY BACK LIGHT STAY ON ALL OF THE TIME EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS OFF .I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR 3 WEEKS AGO AND I JUST REALIZED THAT. Look up ODI 11093590 at NHTSA ↗	9 ODI 10838891 I RVCD A RECALL LETTER NHTSA RECALL # 15V711 IN MID DEC AND STILL NO REQUEST TO BRING MY VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS Look up ODI 10838891 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10947711 TAKATA RECALL DRIVER SIDE AND PASSANGER SIDE FRON AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. Look up ODI 10947711 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11001010 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPLACEMENT PARTS NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS. LD THE UPDATED 08/23/2017JS Look up ODI 11001010 at NHTSA ↗	4 ODI 10615566 · 66,000 mi CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN. NOTHING WORKED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THIS HAS OCCURRED TO MANY OTHER CARS AND THE MANUFACTURER IS WELL AWARE OF THIS CONDITION. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE INJURED OR KILLED (IF THIS HAS NOT ALREADY HAPPENED) BEFORE THIS DEFECT IS ADDRESSED ? TR Look up ODI 10615566 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10999999 TAKATA INFLATORS RECALL SRS CONTROLS MANUFACTURING ERROR THIS AUTO SHOULD HAVE NEVER LEFT THE FACTORY FLOOR IT HAS COST ME CONSIDERABLE MENTAL UPSET AND MONEY WHICH I CAN NOT AFFORD IT PARKED UNSAFE TO DRIVE ENGINE LITE ON MERCEDES SHOULD REPAIR OR REBUILT THIS AUTO I AM A DISABLE VETERAN AND NEED MY TRANSPORTATION. MERCEDES SHOULD TAKE THE AIR BAGS OUT BETTER THERE OUT THAN GO OFF ACCIDENTLY Look up ODI 10999999 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10919073 · 54,000 mi TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. UPDATED 02/21/17LJ UPDATED 9/5/18JB Look up ODI 10919073 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 10898249 · 72,000 mi TARAKA RECALL. SMART KEY NOT BEING RECOGNIZED , VEHICLE DEAD NEED TOW TRUCK TO DEALER VERY EXPENSIVE ,HAD BATTERY BUT ALL DEAD COST $1600.00 PLUS ON A 72000 MILE VEHICLE.ALSO FRONT SWAY STABILIZER BAR NEED TOTAL REPLACING (DEALER PART ONLY) SINCE ITS MAKING NOISE. BUSHINGS CANNOT BE CHANGED LIKE OTHERS THE WHOLE BAR NEEDS TO BE PURCHASE AT DEALER WITH BUSHING VULCANIZED TO IT. ON THE SMART KEY THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY THANK GOD Look up ODI 10898249 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11511806 i was driving in the highway 50 mph and i was braking and my car slipped in the other line of the highway and almost had and accident !!!! and cars switched off when driving almost had incident!!!! i saw that many people have the say problem like me about rusted component please do something because people are losing their lifes. Look up ODI 11511806 at NHTSA ↗	7 ODI 10873987 AIR BAG NOT WORKING03. Look up ODI 10873987 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10893042 · 68,000 mi STILL NOT FIXED ----2 YEARS LATER THEY SAY (M/B) "THE BEST OR NOTHING " AND I HAVE NOTHING BUT UN- SAFETY AND DANGER,AND PLENTY OF LETTERS THAT DO NOTHING AGAIN, BUT THEY SAID THAT . LETS PUT A DATE TO IT.!!!!!!!! Look up ODI 10893042 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10980987 · 76,000 mi ESP CONTROL MODULE AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, SPECIFICALLY GETTING OFF THE INTERSTATE ON A CURVED ROAD, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE/CODE ILLUMINATED ACROSS MY DASHBOARD, "BRAKE" EBR ABS ESP INOPERATIVE. I WASN'T SURE WHAT THIS MEANT AND I WAS EXTREMELY ALARMED AND NERVOUS. AS SOON AS I COULD I BROUGHT IT INTO THE SHOP AND THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME IT WASN'T A BRAKE ISSUE, IT WAS A FAULTY ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL PANEL THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THAT HE HAD JUST REPLACED THESE IN ABOUT 4 OTHER VEHICLE… Look up ODI 10980987 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	24 ODI 10615566 · 66,000 mi CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN. NOTHING WORKED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THIS HAS OCCURRED TO MANY OTHER CARS AND THE MANUFACTURER IS WELL AWARE OF THIS CONDITION. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE INJURED OR KILLED (IF THIS HAS NOT ALREADY HAPPENED) BEFORE THIS DEFECT IS ADDRESSED ? TR Look up ODI 10615566 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10680144 · 34,000 mi FOR UNKNOWN REASON, A WARNING ABOUT SRS RESTRAINT SYSTEM DRIVER SIDE FAILURE. UNSURE IF THIS IS AIR BAG, OR SEAT BELT RELATED. DEALER WANTED $2200. TO FIX. OUTRAGEOUS SAFETY ISSUE. FROM ONLINE SEARCH THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN REGULARLY TO MB PRODUCTS. WHY HAS DOT NOT TAKEN ACTION. THANK YOU FOR A RESPONSE. TR Look up ODI 10680144 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10747076 · 64,890 mi THESE PARTS POSE A RISK VEHICLE SAFETY AND MAY EXIST ON OTHER VEHICLES OF THIS DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE. PLEASE REVIEW AIR BAGS, STEERING LOCK. ELECTRICAL MAIN SYSTEM. AND TIRES USED ON THIS CAR.....UPDATED 03/15/16 BF UPDATED 03/17/16.JB Look up ODI 10747076 at NHTSA ↗	—	127 ODI 10520871 · 60,000 mi MORE PROBLEMS WITH MODEL 204. THERE IS A NO EXPIRE RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 200802003 FOR THE ISSUE I HAVE HOWEVER MY VIN IS NOT PART OF IT EVEN THOUGH I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. PLACED MY KEY AND CAR WON'T START, NO CRANK. GOT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT MY STEERING LOCK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR ANYMORE. IMAGING DRIVING HUNDREDS OF MILES AWAY FROM HOME AND SUDDENLY YOUR "STEERING LOCK" MALFUNCTIONS! SCARY. *TR Look up ODI 10520871 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10551930 · 85,000 mi I DROVE MY CAR HOME FROM WORK. EVERYTHING WAS WORKING FINE AND TEN MINUTES LATER WHEN I WENT TO GO BACK TO WORK, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I COULD GET ALL THE ELECTRICAL WORKING , BUT THE CAR WOULD JUST NOT START UP. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE STEERING LOCK, AND IT NEEDS REPLACED.I GOT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT MY STEERING LOCK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR ANYMORE. IMAGING DRIVING IN A BAD PART OF TOWN SUDDENLY YOUR "STEERING LOCK" MALFUNCTIONS OR MY WIFE IS DRIVING AND IS STUCK IN A BAD PART OF NEW ORLEANS… Look up ODI 10551930 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10597538 GOOD MORNING, I AM EMAILING YOU REGARDING AN INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED ON MAY 13, 2014 ON THE LIE 495. MY VEHICLE, A 208 MERCEDES C300 STALLED IN THE EMERGENCY LANE AND THE WHEEL LOCKED SOON AFTERWARD. I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE MY CAR, CAUSING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ME. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS SITUATION GOES NOTICED. THIS ISSUE CONSISTS IN THESE VEHICLES AND I URGE FOR IT TO GET RECALLED. THE ISSUE IS THE "STEERING LOCK COLUMN". THIS CAUSES THE WHEEL TO LOCK AND BECOME IMMOVABLE. I AM AWARE THAT AN INCIDENT SUCH AS MINE HAPPENED TO A FR… Look up ODI 10597538 at NHTSA ↗	131 ODI 10466181 · 39,000 mi BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. FIRST, I NOTICED THAT ONE OR THE OTHER OF THE RIGHT SIDE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO FUNCTION BECAUSE I HEARD A RAPID CLICKING AS I MADE A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING LOT. ONCE STOPPED, I NOTICED THAT THE MERCEDES COMMAND SYSTEM SAID TO CHECK THE LEFT REAR TAIL AND BRAKE LIGHT BULBS. I SAW NO MENTION OF THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL. WHEN I LEFT THE PARKING LOT AN HOUR LATER, THERE WAS NO INDICATION ON THE COMMAND SYSTEM AS TO ANYTHING BEING WRONG. AT HOME, I REMOVED THE LEFT PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD AND S… Look up ODI 10466181 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10511017 · 60,000 mi THE TAIL LIGHTS OF MY MERCEDES BENZ C300 2008 STOPPED WORKING. WHEN I WENT TO MY LOCAL MERCEDES DEALER TO SEE WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR, THE SERVICE PERSON AT THE DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE FULLY AWARE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING AT IT. THEY SAID THAT THE PLASTIC COVERS OF BOTH REAL TAIL LIGHTS ALONG WITH THE WIRE HARNESS HAD MELTED. IN FACT, THE SERVICE PERSON PUT HIS HAND BACK THERE AND HE GOT BURNED BECAUSE THE ENTIRE WIRE ASSEMBLY WAS MELTED AND WAS SHORT. I ASKED THEM TO REPAIR THE CAR FOR FREE … Look up ODI 10511017 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10511033 · 86,949 mi I RECEIVED MESSAGES ON MY DASH STATING TO CHECK REAR LEFT TURN SIGNAL AND REAR LEFT TAIL/BRAKE LAMPS. UPON PULLING OUT THE REAR LEFT (DRIVER'S SIDE) TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY, WHICH HOLDS ALL THE BULBS, I NOTICED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS WOULD FLASH WHEN I JIGGLED THE WIRES BUT NOT STAY ON. I PULLED THE HARNESS PLUG FROM THE SOCKET ON THE ASSEMBLY HOLDING THE BULBS AND NOTICED A BLACKENED BURNT SPOT AND MELTED PLASTIC ON THE PLUG ITSELF, AND ALSO A BURNT SPOT INSIDE THE PLUG SOCKET WHICH ALMOST BURNED THROUGH THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY U… Look up ODI 10511033 at NHTSA ↗	15 ODI 10519714 · 56,000 mi AFTER TAKING MY CARE TO THE DEALER, I HAD A ERROR MESSAGE ON MY DISPLAY STATING THAT MY RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT IS OUT. THEN A MESSAGE STATING MY RIGHT LOW BEAM IS OUT. I REPLACED ALL THE BULBS..... FIVE DAYS LATER I GET ANOTHER RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT IS OUT. TWO WEEKS LATER MY RIGHT LOW BEAM IS OUT AGAIN. SEEMS THERE IS A WIRING SHORT THAT KEEPS BURNING OUT THE LOW BEAM AND TAIL LIGHT. OH BY THE WAY TAIL LIGHT/BRAKE LIGHTS WORK. STILL HAVE ERROR MESSAGE. *TR Look up ODI 10519714 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10732007 · 41,000 mi THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK JUST SHUTOFF. THE CAR CAME OUT OF COMFORT WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THE C-IN THE BOX-JUST DISAPPEARED OFF THE CLUSTER AND I KNEW THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED BECAUSE IT HAPPENED THREE TIMES THEM STARTED UP TWO DAYS LATER. THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MERCEDES C300 AS I READ SO MANY COMPLAINTS AND POSTS. Look up ODI 10732007 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10749255 CAR HAS FAULTY STEERING LOCK AND HAS TO BE REPLACED AT A HIGH EXPENSE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AS I LEARNED VISITING VARIOUS WEBSITES AND FORUMS. Look up ODI 10749255 at NHTSA ↗	27 ODI 10610124 · 84,756 mi IT APPEARS THAT THE EIS MODULE HAS FAILED, I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND HAVE FOUND SEVERAL OTHER CONSUMERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH THIS PARTICULAR YEAR AND MODEL VEHICLE. THIS CONCERNS ME. WHY HASN'T ANY RECALLS BEEN DONE TO FIX THIS ISSUE. IT SEEM LIKE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. WHAT IF I WERE DRIVING MY CAR AND THE EIS HAD MALFUNCTIONED. I WOULD HAVE LOST POWER TO MY VEHICLE AS WELL AS ALL STEERING ABILITIES. COULD YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE? TR Look up ODI 10610124 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10615566 · 66,000 mi CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN. NOTHING WORKED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THIS HAS OCCURRED TO MANY OTHER CARS AND THE MANUFACTURER IS WELL AWARE OF THIS CONDITION. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE INJURED OR KILLED (IF THIS HAS NOT ALREADY HAPPENED) BEFORE THIS DEFECT IS ADDRESSED ? TR Look up ODI 10615566 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10621123 · 69,069 mi CAR WOULD NOT START OR SHIFT GEARS. BATTERY WAS FOUND TO BE FULLY CHARGED. GEARS AND STEERING COMPLETELY LOCKED OUT. NO DASH BOARD LIGHTING. MERCEDES BENZ DISPATCHED BUT COULD NOT JUMP START. TOWING ONLY AFTER FORCING COVER OFF GEAR SHIFTER AND OVERRIDING GEARS TO PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL. 69K MILES. *TR Look up ODI 10621123 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 10898249 · 72,000 mi TARAKA RECALL. SMART KEY NOT BEING RECOGNIZED , VEHICLE DEAD NEED TOW TRUCK TO DEALER VERY EXPENSIVE ,HAD BATTERY BUT ALL DEAD COST $1600.00 PLUS ON A 72000 MILE VEHICLE.ALSO FRONT SWAY STABILIZER BAR NEED TOTAL REPLACING (DEALER PART ONLY) SINCE ITS MAKING NOISE. BUSHINGS CANNOT BE CHANGED LIKE OTHERS THE WHOLE BAR NEEDS TO BE PURCHASE AT DEALER WITH BUSHING VULCANIZED TO IT. ON THE SMART KEY THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY THANK GOD Look up ODI 10898249 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11511806 i was driving in the highway 50 mph and i was braking and my car slipped in the other line of the highway and almost had and accident !!!! and cars switched off when driving almost had incident!!!! i saw that many people have the say problem like me about rusted component please do something because people are losing their lifes. Look up ODI 11511806 at NHTSA ↗	18 ODI 10795122 · 42,000 mi A FEW MONTHS BACK, MY WIFE WAS STRANDED IN HER OFFICE PARKING LOT AS THE CAR WON'T START. WHEN SHE PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION IT WOULD SIMPLY MAKE CLICKING SOUNDS BUT WILL NOT START. SHE WAS ABLE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE CAR. WE CALLED AAA WHO CHECKED THE BATTERY AND SAID IT WAS WORKING FINE. THE AAA REP SAID THAT HE HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM QUITE A FEW TIMES BEFORE IN THE MB CARS AND WE WOULD HAVE TO CALL MB OR THEY CAN TOW IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. WE THEN CALLED MERCEDES BENZ (MB) ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE WHO CAME AND CHECKED THE CAR. THE MB REP SAID TH… Look up ODI 10795122 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10965995 · 122,000 mi LAST WEEK I DROVE MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL. THEN I WENT TO THE GAS STATION AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR TO LEAVE, IT WOULD NOT START. IT DID NOT DO ANYTHING. I COULD NOT EVEN ROLL THE WINDOWS UP. THE CAR DID NOTHING OTHER THAN SAY "REMOVE IGNITION KEY." THE BATTERY WAS TESTED AND FINE. IT HAD JUST BEEN REPLACED 1 MONTH AGO. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO THEN SAID IT HAD TO BE BROUGHT TO THE DEALER. THE MERCEDES DEALER SAID IT WAS THE EIS/STEERING SWITCH. THE COST WILL BE $1900. I'VE CALLED OT… Look up ODI 10965995 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10978818 · 104,000 mi ESL/EIS FAILURE. WHEN THE KEY IS INSERTED THE CAR WILL NOT START. LIGHTS WORK BUT WINDOWS AND DASH MESSAGE ARE NOT WORKING. Look up ODI 10978818 at NHTSA ↗
Steering	8 ODI 10747076 · 64,890 mi THESE PARTS POSE A RISK VEHICLE SAFETY AND MAY EXIST ON OTHER VEHICLES OF THIS DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE. PLEASE REVIEW AIR BAGS, STEERING LOCK. ELECTRICAL MAIN SYSTEM. AND TIRES USED ON THIS CAR.....UPDATED 03/15/16 BF UPDATED 03/17/16.JB Look up ODI 10747076 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10924165 · 107,000 mi C300 NOT STARTING DUE TO BAD ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK MECHANISM, SEEMS TO BE COMMON. Look up ODI 10924165 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11489746 After repair done on the confirmed recall airbag computer/module my vehicle became immobile, malfuctioned. The vehicle warning lamps alerted the airbag malfunctioned, srs malfunction. I seeked service for repair of this recall by experts. This safety issue is still ongoing and urgency is needed for this to be resolved. Look up ODI 11489746 at NHTSA ↗	127 ODI 10520871 · 60,000 mi MORE PROBLEMS WITH MODEL 204. THERE IS A NO EXPIRE RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 200802003 FOR THE ISSUE I HAVE HOWEVER MY VIN IS NOT PART OF IT EVEN THOUGH I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. PLACED MY KEY AND CAR WON'T START, NO CRANK. GOT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT MY STEERING LOCK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR ANYMORE. IMAGING DRIVING HUNDREDS OF MILES AWAY FROM HOME AND SUDDENLY YOUR "STEERING LOCK" MALFUNCTIONS! SCARY. *TR Look up ODI 10520871 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10551930 · 85,000 mi I DROVE MY CAR HOME FROM WORK. EVERYTHING WAS WORKING FINE AND TEN MINUTES LATER WHEN I WENT TO GO BACK TO WORK, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I COULD GET ALL THE ELECTRICAL WORKING , BUT THE CAR WOULD JUST NOT START UP. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE STEERING LOCK, AND IT NEEDS REPLACED.I GOT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT MY STEERING LOCK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR ANYMORE. IMAGING DRIVING IN A BAD PART OF TOWN SUDDENLY YOUR "STEERING LOCK" MALFUNCTIONS OR MY WIFE IS DRIVING AND IS STUCK IN A BAD PART OF NEW ORLEANS… Look up ODI 10551930 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10597538 GOOD MORNING, I AM EMAILING YOU REGARDING AN INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED ON MAY 13, 2014 ON THE LIE 495. MY VEHICLE, A 208 MERCEDES C300 STALLED IN THE EMERGENCY LANE AND THE WHEEL LOCKED SOON AFTERWARD. I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE MY CAR, CAUSING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ME. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS SITUATION GOES NOTICED. THIS ISSUE CONSISTS IN THESE VEHICLES AND I URGE FOR IT TO GET RECALLED. THE ISSUE IS THE "STEERING LOCK COLUMN". THIS CAUSES THE WHEEL TO LOCK AND BECOME IMMOVABLE. I AM AWARE THAT AN INCIDENT SUCH AS MINE HAPPENED TO A FR… Look up ODI 10597538 at NHTSA ↗	—	2 ODI 10538533 · 48,000 mi BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR A REPAIR OF THE STEERING COLUMN ON 3/9/2013 TO THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR, WHICH THEY TOOK CARE OF. BUT, THEN ABOUT A MONTH LATER STARTED TO GET WARNINGS FROM THE DASHBOARD TO CHECK MY RIGHT REAR TAILLIGHT AND DIRECTIONAL. THEN IT WAS THE RIGHT REAR SIDE LAMPS, TAILLIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, REVERSE LIGHTS AND DIRECTIONAL, EVERY TIME I START THE CAR AND/ OR WHENEVER ONE OF THOSE LIGHTS IS ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING. WAITING FOR A RECALL AND SAW THAT MBUSA REQUIRES EXACT INFORMATION FOR THE COMPLAINTS. *JB Look up ODI 10538533 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11414467 · 95,000 mi MY VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY GIVES ME WARNING/ALERT MESSAGES OF HEADLIGHT/SIGNAL/PARKING LAMP ISSUES. UPON INSPECTION AND TAKEN TO CERTIFIED, RELIABLE MERCEDES REPAIR SHOPS, LIGHTS ARE FULLY FUNCTIONING, YET ALERTS CONTINUE ON MY DISPLAY/DASH. MORE IMPORTANTLY THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK (ESL) HAS FAILED ON MORE THAN ONCE COSTING VERY CONSIDRABLE AMOUNTS OF REPAIR BILLS, AND IT HAS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING, I PARKED THE CAR WHICH HAS BEEN PERFECTLY MAINTAINED AND WITH LOW MILEAGE, AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS, MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO EVEN H… Look up ODI 11414467 at NHTSA ↗	15 ODI 10732007 · 41,000 mi THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK JUST SHUTOFF. THE CAR CAME OUT OF COMFORT WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THE C-IN THE BOX-JUST DISAPPEARED OFF THE CLUSTER AND I KNEW THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED BECAUSE IT HAPPENED THREE TIMES THEM STARTED UP TWO DAYS LATER. THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MERCEDES C300 AS I READ SO MANY COMPLAINTS AND POSTS. Look up ODI 10732007 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10750381 · 78,000 mi I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY C300 FOR THE LAST 3-4 YEARS AND HAVE MULTIPLE ISSUES RANGING FROM STEERING PUMP FAILURE TO CONDENSOR ISSUES AND LIGHTING ISSUES INCLUDING A RECALL FOR THE TAIL LIGHTS. YESTERDAY AFTER HAVING PARKED MY CAR FOR ALMOST 4 DAYS SINCE I COMMUTE FOR WORK AND TAKE TRAIN, UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS NO IGNITION. I COULD SEE THE LIGHTS INSIDE THE CAR INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER WAS VISIBLE AND I CAN ACTIVATE THE LOCKS WITH KEY, BUT ENGINE WOULD NOT START. CAR IS STANDING IN PARK POSITION SO I CANNOT EVEN MOVE IT TO NEUTRA… Look up ODI 10750381 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10764581 · 86,400 mi SAME ISSUE AS LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF OTHERS ARE COMPLAINING OF...CAR FAILS TO START DUE TO EITHER A FAULTY STEERING WHEEL IGNITION LOCK OR EIS NOT RECOGNIZING THE KEY AND THEREFORE NOT STARTING. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE TO ME, DEALER SERVICE ADVISOR KNEW IMMEDIATELY AND EVEN GUESSED AT THE MODEL AND YEAR OF MY VEHICLE, WHICH TELLS ME THAT THIS IS A PREVALENT ISSUE, SUPPORTED BY THE THOUSANDS OF POSTS I HAVE READ ON VARIOUS FORUMS. THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY NIGHTMARE WAITING TO HAPPEN, SIMILAR IN NATURE, IF NOT SCOPE, TO THE GM IGNITION SWITCH R… Look up ODI 10764581 at NHTSA ↗	18 ODI 10597522 · 80,000 mi SHAME ON YOU MERCEDES BENZ! IT APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE THAT THE STEERING LOCK GOES OUT LEAVING YOUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS STRANDED WITH NO ABILITY TO START THE CAR. OK! NOW, I AM TOLD THE COST TO REPAIR IS $1450 FOR THE PART AND THE LABOR. LOOKS LIKE MY NEXT CAR WILL BE A BMW! (STEERING LOCK WENT OUT AT 80K- LEAVING THE CAR UNABLE TO START). TR Look up ODI 10597522 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10621123 · 69,069 mi CAR WOULD NOT START OR SHIFT GEARS. BATTERY WAS FOUND TO BE FULLY CHARGED. GEARS AND STEERING COMPLETELY LOCKED OUT. NO DASH BOARD LIGHTING. MERCEDES BENZ DISPATCHED BUT COULD NOT JUMP START. TOWING ONLY AFTER FORCING COVER OFF GEAR SHIFTER AND OVERRIDING GEARS TO PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL. 69K MILES. TR Look up ODI 10621123 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10622218 · 66,000 mi MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE IN MANY FORUMS. I WONDER IF SOMEONE HAS TO BE INJURED OR KILLED (IF NOT ALREADY) BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE. THE CAR ARBITRARILY AND WITHOUT NOTICE DIES AND WILL NOT RESTART. IT LEAVES THE DRIVER COMPLETELY VULNERABLE, WHEREVER IT OCCURS. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED IN MY SITUATION. NOTHING WORKED, I HAD TO CALL, TO BE TOLD THAT THIS IS A BATTERY ISSUE. IT WAS NOT, AS DETERMINED BY THE TOW TRUCK COMPANY AND THE DEALERSHIP, AFTER THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THEM. IS THIS EVER GOING TO BE INVESTIGATED AND RECALLE… Look up ODI 10622218 at NHTSA ↗	6 ODI 11039345 · 102,678 mi WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT A CERTAIN SPEED THE REAR END STARTS FISHTAILING MAKING IT HARD TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE Look up ODI 11039345 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11398791 · 105,000 mi STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AND THE CAR VEERED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT. VEHICLE FELT VERY UNSTABLE. WOULD OF BEEN HORRIBLE IF THE SURFACE WAS SNOW COVERED OR ICY. TOOK INTO A REPAIR FACILITY AND FOUND OUT THE REAR SUBFRAME HAS RUSTED TO THE POINT OF FAILURE. THE REAR TIRE COULD MOVE SEVERAL INCHES. SOMEBODY COULD BE KILLED OR SEVERELY INJURED. Look up ODI 11398791 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11232023 · 89,000 mi SAFETY ISSUE REGARDING FAILURE OF REAR SUBFRAME. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2009 C300 4MATIC SPORT. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT ITS ENTIRE LIFE AND IS NOT IN A HIGH SALT OR SNOW ENVIRONMENT. MY WIFE WAS EXTREMELY LUCKY TO HAVE AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT IN THIS CAR DUE TO THE REAR SUBFRAME RUSTING THROUGH AND SEPARATING. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW AND PAID A PREMIUM FOR MERCEDES QUALITY BECAUSE WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE SAFEST VEHICLE MADE. I AM EXTREMELY DISMAYED TO LEARN THAT WHEN MY WIFE CAME HOME AND SAID THE CAR WAS DRIVING WEIRD, THAT… Look up ODI 11232023 at NHTSA ↗	19 ODI 10795122 · 42,000 mi A FEW MONTHS BACK, MY WIFE WAS STRANDED IN HER OFFICE PARKING LOT AS THE CAR WON'T START. WHEN SHE PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION IT WOULD SIMPLY MAKE CLICKING SOUNDS BUT WILL NOT START. SHE WAS ABLE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE CAR. WE CALLED AAA WHO CHECKED THE BATTERY AND SAID IT WAS WORKING FINE. THE AAA REP SAID THAT HE HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM QUITE A FEW TIMES BEFORE IN THE MB CARS AND WE WOULD HAVE TO CALL MB OR THEY CAN TOW IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. WE THEN CALLED MERCEDES BENZ (MB) ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE WHO CAME AND CHECKED THE CAR. THE MB REP SAID TH… Look up ODI 10795122 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10851085 · 118,000 mi COULD NOT START MY CAR WHILE STATIONARY. PUT KEY IN THE IGNITION AND GOT A MESSAGE ON THE DASH TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION. NO DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. THERE WAS NO CLICKING OR NOISE...IT WAS JUST DEAD. THE ALARM SYSTEM AND HEADLIGHT AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE ALL WORKING SO IT WAS NOT THE BATTERY. I CALLED ROADSIDE AND THE GAVE ME A JUMP, BUT CONFIRMED THAT MY BATTERY WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON SATURDAY NIGHT AFTER WAITING FOR 5 HOURS. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT EVEN CONDUCT THE DIAGNOSTICS ON THE CAR UNTIL TUESDAY … Look up ODI 10851085 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10925284 · 130,000 mi EIS ISSUE/STEERING WHEEL LOCK MODULE. VEHICLE WAS DISABLED AND WOULD NOT START DUE TO EIS/STEERING WHEEL LOCK MODULE COMPLICATION. VERY COMMON IN C300 MBZ Look up ODI 10925284 at NHTSA ↗
Exterior Lighting	12 ODI 10917879 · 140,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ SPORTS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FAIL SPORADICALLY. THE CONTACT WOULD SHUT OFF THE HEADLIGHTS BUT THEY WOULD RE-ILLUMINATE INDEPENDENTLY WITHIN 1-2 HOURS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS 16V363000 (AIR BAGS) AND 14V177000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED BUT ADVISED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR BOTH RECALL REPAIRS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED BUT COULD NOT ADVISE THE CONTACT WHEN T… Look up ODI 10917879 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11045558 · 65,000 mi 'TAKATA RECALL' I OWN THREE MERCEDES BENZ AND ALL THREE OF THEM HAVE THE AIRBAG LIGHTS ON. THEY ALSO ALL HAVE RECALLS FOR THE SAME AIRBAG ISSUE. ALSO, THE PASSENGER SIDE IN MY LATEST MODEL, MY C300, SHOWS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT GO ON AND OFF EVEN WHEN NO ONE IS SEATING IN THE SEAT. AND OFTEN WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT, THE AIRBAG DOESN'T EVEN COME ON AT ALL. Look up ODI 11045558 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11093590 TAKATA RECALL MY AIRBAG IS NOT WORKING, AND MY LIGHTING HAS A PROBLEM . MY BACK LIGHT STAY ON ALL OF THE TIME EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS OFF .I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR 3 WEEKS AGO AND I JUST REALIZED THAT. Look up ODI 11093590 at NHTSA ↗	131 ODI 10466181 · 39,000 mi BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. FIRST, I NOTICED THAT ONE OR THE OTHER OF THE RIGHT SIDE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO FUNCTION BECAUSE I HEARD A RAPID CLICKING AS I MADE A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING LOT. ONCE STOPPED, I NOTICED THAT THE MERCEDES COMMAND SYSTEM SAID TO CHECK THE LEFT REAR TAIL AND BRAKE LIGHT BULBS. I SAW NO MENTION OF THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL. WHEN I LEFT THE PARKING LOT AN HOUR LATER, THERE WAS NO INDICATION ON THE COMMAND SYSTEM AS TO ANYTHING BEING WRONG. AT HOME, I REMOVED THE LEFT PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD AND S… Look up ODI 10466181 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10511017 · 60,000 mi THE TAIL LIGHTS OF MY MERCEDES BENZ C300 2008 STOPPED WORKING. WHEN I WENT TO MY LOCAL MERCEDES DEALER TO SEE WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR, THE SERVICE PERSON AT THE DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE FULLY AWARE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING AT IT. THEY SAID THAT THE PLASTIC COVERS OF BOTH REAL TAIL LIGHTS ALONG WITH THE WIRE HARNESS HAD MELTED. IN FACT, THE SERVICE PERSON PUT HIS HAND BACK THERE AND HE GOT BURNED BECAUSE THE ENTIRE WIRE ASSEMBLY WAS MELTED AND WAS SHORT. I ASKED THEM TO REPAIR THE CAR FOR FREE … Look up ODI 10511017 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10511033 · 86,949 mi I RECEIVED MESSAGES ON MY DASH STATING TO CHECK REAR LEFT TURN SIGNAL AND REAR LEFT TAIL/BRAKE LAMPS. UPON PULLING OUT THE REAR LEFT (DRIVER'S SIDE) TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY, WHICH HOLDS ALL THE BULBS, I NOTICED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS WOULD FLASH WHEN I JIGGLED THE WIRES BUT NOT STAY ON. I PULLED THE HARNESS PLUG FROM THE SOCKET ON THE ASSEMBLY HOLDING THE BULBS AND NOTICED A BLACKENED BURNT SPOT AND MELTED PLASTIC ON THE PLUG ITSELF, AND ALSO A BURNT SPOT INSIDE THE PLUG SOCKET WHICH ALMOST BURNED THROUGH THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY U… Look up ODI 10511033 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 10538533 · 48,000 mi BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR A REPAIR OF THE STEERING COLUMN ON 3/9/2013 TO THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR, WHICH THEY TOOK CARE OF. BUT, THEN ABOUT A MONTH LATER STARTED TO GET WARNINGS FROM THE DASHBOARD TO CHECK MY RIGHT REAR TAILLIGHT AND DIRECTIONAL. THEN IT WAS THE RIGHT REAR SIDE LAMPS, TAILLIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, REVERSE LIGHTS AND DIRECTIONAL, EVERY TIME I START THE CAR AND/ OR WHENEVER ONE OF THOSE LIGHTS IS ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING. WAITING FOR A RECALL AND SAW THAT MBUSA REQUIRES EXACT INFORMATION FOR THE COMPLAINTS. *JB Look up ODI 10538533 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11414467 · 95,000 mi MY VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY GIVES ME WARNING/ALERT MESSAGES OF HEADLIGHT/SIGNAL/PARKING LAMP ISSUES. UPON INSPECTION AND TAKEN TO CERTIFIED, RELIABLE MERCEDES REPAIR SHOPS, LIGHTS ARE FULLY FUNCTIONING, YET ALERTS CONTINUE ON MY DISPLAY/DASH. MORE IMPORTANTLY THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK (ESL) HAS FAILED ON MORE THAN ONCE COSTING VERY CONSIDRABLE AMOUNTS OF REPAIR BILLS, AND IT HAS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING, I PARKED THE CAR WHICH HAS BEEN PERFECTLY MAINTAINED AND WITH LOW MILEAGE, AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS, MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO EVEN H… Look up ODI 11414467 at NHTSA ↗	—	4 ODI 10519714 · 56,000 mi AFTER TAKING MY CARE TO THE DEALER, I HAD A ERROR MESSAGE ON MY DISPLAY STATING THAT MY RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT IS OUT. THEN A MESSAGE STATING MY RIGHT LOW BEAM IS OUT. I REPLACED ALL THE BULBS..... FIVE DAYS LATER I GET ANOTHER RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT IS OUT. TWO WEEKS LATER MY RIGHT LOW BEAM IS OUT AGAIN. SEEMS THERE IS A WIRING SHORT THAT KEEPS BURNING OUT THE LOW BEAM AND TAIL LIGHT. OH BY THE WAY TAIL LIGHT/BRAKE LIGHTS WORK. STILL HAVE ERROR MESSAGE. TR Look up ODI 10519714 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10534352 · 52,000 mi THE INFORMATION SYSTEM IN MY CAR GAVE ME THE SYMBOLS FOR THE RIGHT BACK LIGHTS. I STOPPED TO CHECK AND REALIZED MY LIGHTS WERE OUT. I OPENED THE WIRING IN THE TRUNK AND REALIZED THAT THE BROWN WIRE ON THE OUTER SIDE BURNED THROUGH THE CONNECTOR AND THE LAMP CARRIER. TR Look up ODI 10534352 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10578111 THERE SEEMS TO BE A LIGHT SHORTAGE ON THE RIGHT SIDE, THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY. THE LIGHTS WORK , THE ISSUE IS THE PANEL AND THE WIRE IS NOW MELTED AT THE TIP. THE WIRE MELTED INTO THE LIGHT PANEL. *TR Look up ODI 10578111 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	4 ODI 11291300 · 112,000 mi I HAVE A MB C300 2008 THE CAR NEVER HAD AN ISSUE UNTIL I BROUGHT IT IN FOR A AIRBAG RECALL 2 WEEKS LATER I GET AN SRS MALFUNCTION, ESP AND ABS FAILURE CAR DOESNT TURN ON NEXT DAY THE CAR TURNS ON AND ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON, THEN LIGHTS STAYED ON EVEN AFTER CAR WAS OFF NEXT DAY LIGHTS WENT OFF WHILE DRIVING IN DARK MAKING FOR HAZARDOUS AND QUITE SCARY SITUATION MB IS DOING THESE RECALLS BUT JEOPARDIZING THE OVERALL INTEGRITY OF CAR I EVEN REPLACED BATTERY BUT THIS STILL OCCURRED CAR WAS RENDERED UNDRIVABLE AND STUCK IN MY DRIVEWAY … Look up ODI 11291300 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11473420 · 120,000 mi The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that she had experienced several electrical failures with the vehicle including the power seat and power windows, the parking brake, the exterior lighting, and the air bag warning lights. The contact also stated that the vehicle would lose motive power and stall while driving at various speeds with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. Upon investigation, the contact linked that failure to NHTSA Campaign Number:… Look up ODI 11473420 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11519341 · 119,000 mi The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the instrument cluster started flickering and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the power steering and brakes were operable. The contact pulled off the highway and shifted the vehicle into park(P). The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V16… Look up ODI 11519341 at NHTSA ↗
Unknown Or Other	9 ODI 10838891 I RVCD A RECALL LETTER NHTSA RECALL # 15V711 IN MID DEC AND STILL NO REQUEST TO BRING MY VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS Look up ODI 10838891 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10947711 TAKATA RECALL DRIVER SIDE AND PASSANGER SIDE FRON AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. Look up ODI 10947711 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11001010 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPLACEMENT PARTS NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS. LD THE UPDATED 08/23/2017JS Look up ODI 11001010 at NHTSA ↗	15 ODI 10519714 · 56,000 mi AFTER TAKING MY CARE TO THE DEALER, I HAD A ERROR MESSAGE ON MY DISPLAY STATING THAT MY RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT IS OUT. THEN A MESSAGE STATING MY RIGHT LOW BEAM IS OUT. I REPLACED ALL THE BULBS..... FIVE DAYS LATER I GET ANOTHER RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT IS OUT. TWO WEEKS LATER MY RIGHT LOW BEAM IS OUT AGAIN. SEEMS THERE IS A WIRING SHORT THAT KEEPS BURNING OUT THE LOW BEAM AND TAIL LIGHT. OH BY THE WAY TAIL LIGHT/BRAKE LIGHTS WORK. STILL HAVE ERROR MESSAGE. *TR Look up ODI 10519714 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10732007 · 41,000 mi THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK JUST SHUTOFF. THE CAR CAME OUT OF COMFORT WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THE C-IN THE BOX-JUST DISAPPEARED OFF THE CLUSTER AND I KNEW THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED BECAUSE IT HAPPENED THREE TIMES THEM STARTED UP TWO DAYS LATER. THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MERCEDES C300 AS I READ SO MANY COMPLAINTS AND POSTS. Look up ODI 10732007 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10749255 CAR HAS FAULTY STEERING LOCK AND HAS TO BE REPLACED AT A HIGH EXPENSE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AS I LEARNED VISITING VARIOUS WEBSITES AND FORUMS. Look up ODI 10749255 at NHTSA ↗	15 ODI 10732007 · 41,000 mi THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK JUST SHUTOFF. THE CAR CAME OUT OF COMFORT WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THE C-IN THE BOX-JUST DISAPPEARED OFF THE CLUSTER AND I KNEW THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED BECAUSE IT HAPPENED THREE TIMES THEM STARTED UP TWO DAYS LATER. THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MERCEDES C300 AS I READ SO MANY COMPLAINTS AND POSTS. Look up ODI 10732007 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10750381 · 78,000 mi I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY C300 FOR THE LAST 3-4 YEARS AND HAVE MULTIPLE ISSUES RANGING FROM STEERING PUMP FAILURE TO CONDENSOR ISSUES AND LIGHTING ISSUES INCLUDING A RECALL FOR THE TAIL LIGHTS. YESTERDAY AFTER HAVING PARKED MY CAR FOR ALMOST 4 DAYS SINCE I COMMUTE FOR WORK AND TAKE TRAIN, UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS NO IGNITION. I COULD SEE THE LIGHTS INSIDE THE CAR INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER WAS VISIBLE AND I CAN ACTIVATE THE LOCKS WITH KEY, BUT ENGINE WOULD NOT START. CAR IS STANDING IN PARK POSITION SO I CANNOT EVEN MOVE IT TO NEUTRA… Look up ODI 10750381 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10764581 · 86,400 mi SAME ISSUE AS LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF OTHERS ARE COMPLAINING OF...CAR FAILS TO START DUE TO EITHER A FAULTY STEERING WHEEL IGNITION LOCK OR EIS NOT RECOGNIZING THE KEY AND THEREFORE NOT STARTING. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE TO ME, DEALER SERVICE ADVISOR KNEW IMMEDIATELY AND EVEN GUESSED AT THE MODEL AND YEAR OF MY VEHICLE, WHICH TELLS ME THAT THIS IS A PREVALENT ISSUE, SUPPORTED BY THE THOUSANDS OF POSTS I HAVE READ ON VARIOUS FORUMS. THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY NIGHTMARE WAITING TO HAPPEN, SIMILAR IN NATURE, IF NOT SCOPE, TO THE GM IGNITION SWITCH R… Look up ODI 10764581 at NHTSA ↗	4 ODI 10519714 · 56,000 mi AFTER TAKING MY CARE TO THE DEALER, I HAD A ERROR MESSAGE ON MY DISPLAY STATING THAT MY RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT IS OUT. THEN A MESSAGE STATING MY RIGHT LOW BEAM IS OUT. I REPLACED ALL THE BULBS..... FIVE DAYS LATER I GET ANOTHER RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT IS OUT. TWO WEEKS LATER MY RIGHT LOW BEAM IS OUT AGAIN. SEEMS THERE IS A WIRING SHORT THAT KEEPS BURNING OUT THE LOW BEAM AND TAIL LIGHT. OH BY THE WAY TAIL LIGHT/BRAKE LIGHTS WORK. STILL HAVE ERROR MESSAGE. TR Look up ODI 10519714 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10534352 · 52,000 mi THE INFORMATION SYSTEM IN MY CAR GAVE ME THE SYMBOLS FOR THE RIGHT BACK LIGHTS. I STOPPED TO CHECK AND REALIZED MY LIGHTS WERE OUT. I OPENED THE WIRING IN THE TRUNK AND REALIZED THAT THE BROWN WIRE ON THE OUTER SIDE BURNED THROUGH THE CONNECTOR AND THE LAMP CARRIER. TR Look up ODI 10534352 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10578111 THERE SEEMS TO BE A LIGHT SHORTAGE ON THE RIGHT SIDE, THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY. THE LIGHTS WORK , THE ISSUE IS THE PANEL AND THE WIRE IS NOW MELTED AT THE TIP. THE WIRE MELTED INTO THE LIGHT PANEL. *TR Look up ODI 10578111 at NHTSA ↗	—	3 ODI 10717587 · 21,000 mi MYSELF, AS WELL AS PASSENGERS HAVE BEEN CUT BY THE SHARP EDGE OF THE PEELING CHROME ALONG THE TOP RIM OF FRONT CUP HOLDER. I TOLD MY DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANTED CHARGE ME OVER $500 TO REPLACE IT. WHEN GRABBING CHANGE, DRINKS, OR ANYTHING FROM CUP HOLDER THE FRONT OF ONES HAND IS CONSTANTLY EXPOSED TO THIS SHARP EDGE. NOT A SAFETY ISSUE BUT SIMILAR TO THE PEELING CHROME, THE PAINTED TEXT ON SEVERAL CONTROL BUTTONS ON DASH HAVE BEEN PEELING OFF FOR SEVERAL YEARS. A CLEAR SIGN OF POOR QUALITY/CRAFTSMANSHIP. THIS IS MY FIRST MERCEDES AND I A… Look up ODI 10717587 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10749255 CAR HAS FAULTY STEERING LOCK AND HAS TO BE REPLACED AT A HIGH EXPENSE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AS I LEARNED VISITING VARIOUS WEBSITES AND FORUMS. Look up ODI 10749255 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10608907 · 70,000 mi WITHOUT ANY WARNING, MY CAR WILL NOT START. THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY, BUT NO LUCK. THE KEY OPEN THE DOOR, THE LIGHTS INSIDE OF THE CARE COME ON, AND THE SCREEN STILL POPS UP ON THE DASHBOARD. THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND YOU CAN NOT CHANGE THE GEAR. I HAD TO GET MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. CAR HAS ALMOST 70 K MILES ON IT. VERY DISSAPOINTED TO READ THE OTHER COMPLAINTS AND THE PROJECTED COST TO FIX. ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO I ALSO PAID OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REAR LIGHT PANEL DUE TO IT NOT WORKING. I RECENTLY LEARNED THAT THE REAR LI… Look up ODI 10608907 at NHTSA ↗	6 ODI 11377524 · 60,422 mi I'M THE OWNER OF A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 4MATIC SPORT, WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN 2012 FROM A MERCEDES DEALER. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT 60,400 MILES. IT WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND AFTER HEARING SOME CLUNKING NOISES, ESPECIALLY WHEN BRAKING OR TURNING, THEY DISCOVERED RUST, CORROSION, AND CRACKING TO THE REAR SUBFRAME. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, IT HAS BEEN DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS YEAR AND MODEL OF MERCEDES. THERE ARE MANY OTHER OWNERS POSTING COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. T… Look up ODI 11377524 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11414872 · 115,000 mi REAR SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY RUSTING, CREATING SAFETY ISSUE. DISCOVERED 04-22=2021 Look up ODI 11414872 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11447306 I am 80 years old, and disabled. Gave this car to my son, (age 53). Within a month, he experienced a potential LIFE THREATENING incident with the car. While driving, the car became very unstable and steering was almost impossible. The car was towed to A-1 Auto Repair in Pitman, New Jersey for analysis. This establishment has an excellent reputation for Mercedes-Benz repairs. Upon extensive review the shop advised "customer vehicle is very unsafe to operate and should not be driven"The Invoice states " ...During road test vehicle is unstable a… Look up ODI 11447306 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10891677 · 80,300 mi I EXPERIENCED THE INFAMOUS STEERING LOCK PROBLEM 5 DAYS AGO IN MY (NOW FORMER) 2009 MERCEDES C300. PRIOR TO THIS PROBLEM OCCURRING MY CAR SEEMED TO BE WORKING FINE. I'VE ALWAYS HAD ALL OF THE RECOMMENDED SERVICES PERFORMED ON TIME BY THE DEALER. THEN LAST SATURDAY I WAS RUNNING ERRANDS AND AFTER MY THIRD STOP MY CAR WOULDN'T START. I ASSUMED IT WAS THE BATTERY (EVEN THOUGH IT HAD BEEN REPLACED LESS THAN 2 YEARS AGO) AND I CALLED MERCEDES ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THE ROADSIDE TECHNICIAN TESTED THE BATTERY AND SAID IT WAS FINE AND HE IMMEDIATELY SUS… Look up ODI 10891677 at NHTSA ↗
Engine	4 ODI 10615566 · 66,000 mi CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN. NOTHING WORKED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THIS HAS OCCURRED TO MANY OTHER CARS AND THE MANUFACTURER IS WELL AWARE OF THIS CONDITION. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE INJURED OR KILLED (IF THIS HAS NOT ALREADY HAPPENED) BEFORE THIS DEFECT IS ADDRESSED ? TR Look up ODI 10615566 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10999999 TAKATA INFLATORS RECALL SRS CONTROLS MANUFACTURING ERROR THIS AUTO SHOULD HAVE NEVER LEFT THE FACTORY FLOOR IT HAS COST ME CONSIDERABLE MENTAL UPSET AND MONEY WHICH I CAN NOT AFFORD IT PARKED UNSAFE TO DRIVE ENGINE LITE ON MERCEDES SHOULD REPAIR OR REBUILT THIS AUTO I AM A DISABLE VETERAN AND NEED MY TRANSPORTATION. MERCEDES SHOULD TAKE THE AIR BAGS OUT BETTER THERE OUT THAN GO OFF ACCIDENTLY Look up ODI 10999999 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10919073 · 54,000 mi TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. UPDATED 02/21/17LJ UPDATED 9/5/18JB Look up ODI 10919073 at NHTSA ↗	27 ODI 10610124 · 84,756 mi IT APPEARS THAT THE EIS MODULE HAS FAILED, I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND HAVE FOUND SEVERAL OTHER CONSUMERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH THIS PARTICULAR YEAR AND MODEL VEHICLE. THIS CONCERNS ME. WHY HASN'T ANY RECALLS BEEN DONE TO FIX THIS ISSUE. IT SEEM LIKE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. WHAT IF I WERE DRIVING MY CAR AND THE EIS HAD MALFUNCTIONED. I WOULD HAVE LOST POWER TO MY VEHICLE AS WELL AS ALL STEERING ABILITIES. COULD YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE? TR Look up ODI 10610124 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10615566 · 66,000 mi CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN. NOTHING WORKED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THIS HAS OCCURRED TO MANY OTHER CARS AND THE MANUFACTURER IS WELL AWARE OF THIS CONDITION. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE INJURED OR KILLED (IF THIS HAS NOT ALREADY HAPPENED) BEFORE THIS DEFECT IS ADDRESSED ? TR Look up ODI 10615566 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10621123 · 69,069 mi CAR WOULD NOT START OR SHIFT GEARS. BATTERY WAS FOUND TO BE FULLY CHARGED. GEARS AND STEERING COMPLETELY LOCKED OUT. NO DASH BOARD LIGHTING. MERCEDES BENZ DISPATCHED BUT COULD NOT JUMP START. TOWING ONLY AFTER FORCING COVER OFF GEAR SHIFTER AND OVERRIDING GEARS TO PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL. 69K MILES. *TR Look up ODI 10621123 at NHTSA ↗	18 ODI 10597522 · 80,000 mi SHAME ON YOU MERCEDES BENZ! IT APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE THAT THE STEERING LOCK GOES OUT LEAVING YOUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS STRANDED WITH NO ABILITY TO START THE CAR. OK! NOW, I AM TOLD THE COST TO REPAIR IS $1450 FOR THE PART AND THE LABOR. LOOKS LIKE MY NEXT CAR WILL BE A BMW! (STEERING LOCK WENT OUT AT 80K- LEAVING THE CAR UNABLE TO START). TR Look up ODI 10597522 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10621123 · 69,069 mi CAR WOULD NOT START OR SHIFT GEARS. BATTERY WAS FOUND TO BE FULLY CHARGED. GEARS AND STEERING COMPLETELY LOCKED OUT. NO DASH BOARD LIGHTING. MERCEDES BENZ DISPATCHED BUT COULD NOT JUMP START. TOWING ONLY AFTER FORCING COVER OFF GEAR SHIFTER AND OVERRIDING GEARS TO PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL. 69K MILES. TR Look up ODI 10621123 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10622218 · 66,000 mi MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE IN MANY FORUMS. I WONDER IF SOMEONE HAS TO BE INJURED OR KILLED (IF NOT ALREADY) BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE. THE CAR ARBITRARILY AND WITHOUT NOTICE DIES AND WILL NOT RESTART. IT LEAVES THE DRIVER COMPLETELY VULNERABLE, WHEREVER IT OCCURS. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED IN MY SITUATION. NOTHING WORKED, I HAD TO CALL, TO BE TOLD THAT THIS IS A BATTERY ISSUE. IT WAS NOT, AS DETERMINED BY THE TOW TRUCK COMPANY AND THE DEALERSHIP, AFTER THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THEM. IS THIS EVER GOING TO BE INVESTIGATED AND RECALLE… Look up ODI 10622218 at NHTSA ↗	0	3 ODI 10717587 · 21,000 mi MYSELF, AS WELL AS PASSENGERS HAVE BEEN CUT BY THE SHARP EDGE OF THE PEELING CHROME ALONG THE TOP RIM OF FRONT CUP HOLDER. I TOLD MY DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANTED CHARGE ME OVER $500 TO REPLACE IT. WHEN GRABBING CHANGE, DRINKS, OR ANYTHING FROM CUP HOLDER THE FRONT OF ONES HAND IS CONSTANTLY EXPOSED TO THIS SHARP EDGE. NOT A SAFETY ISSUE BUT SIMILAR TO THE PEELING CHROME, THE PAINTED TEXT ON SEVERAL CONTROL BUTTONS ON DASH HAVE BEEN PEELING OFF FOR SEVERAL YEARS. A CLEAR SIGN OF POOR QUALITY/CRAFTSMANSHIP. THIS IS MY FIRST MERCEDES AND I A… Look up ODI 10717587 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10749255 CAR HAS FAULTY STEERING LOCK AND HAS TO BE REPLACED AT A HIGH EXPENSE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AS I LEARNED VISITING VARIOUS WEBSITES AND FORUMS. Look up ODI 10749255 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10608907 · 70,000 mi WITHOUT ANY WARNING, MY CAR WILL NOT START. THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY, BUT NO LUCK. THE KEY OPEN THE DOOR, THE LIGHTS INSIDE OF THE CARE COME ON, AND THE SCREEN STILL POPS UP ON THE DASHBOARD. THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND YOU CAN NOT CHANGE THE GEAR. I HAD TO GET MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. CAR HAS ALMOST 70 K MILES ON IT. VERY DISSAPOINTED TO READ THE OTHER COMPLAINTS AND THE PROJECTED COST TO FIX. ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO I ALSO PAID OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REAR LIGHT PANEL DUE TO IT NOT WORKING. I RECENTLY LEARNED THAT THE REAR LI… Look up ODI 10608907 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	2 ODI 11006444 · 80,000 mi CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER VEHICLE INSPECTION I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP. MERCEDES BENZ HOUSTON-GREENWAY PLAZA DID CAM SHAFT SOLENOID WORK COST $500. ROUGHLY A WEEK LATER I GOT STRANDED AT WORK. I WAS ABLE TO TAKE TO GET IT TO START AGAIN AND TOOK IT TO REPAIR SHOP NOW ITS $1,346.29 FOR ENGINE COMPUTER WORK. Look up ODI 11006444 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10790524 · 90,000 mi I WENT TO CLASS ON THE DATE OF 11/13/2015 AND WHEN I CAME OUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS ADVISED IT WOULD BE $952.56 FOR AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE DUE TO NO FAULT OF MY OWN AND CAN HAPPEN AT ANYTIME. SO I INQUIRED ON HOW LONG THIS WOULD BE COVERED FOR? I WAS TOLD ITS ELECTRICAL AND CAN HAPPEN AT ANYTIME, IT'S LIKE A CELLPHONE OR A COMPUTER. YET THOSE HAVE WARRANTIES AGAINST ISSUES LIKE THAT WHEREAS SOMETHING I PAID THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS DOES NOT. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ONLINE A… Look up ODI 10790524 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension	2 ODI 10898249 · 72,000 mi TARAKA RECALL. SMART KEY NOT BEING RECOGNIZED , VEHICLE DEAD NEED TOW TRUCK TO DEALER VERY EXPENSIVE ,HAD BATTERY BUT ALL DEAD COST $1600.00 PLUS ON A 72000 MILE VEHICLE.ALSO FRONT SWAY STABILIZER BAR NEED TOTAL REPLACING (DEALER PART ONLY) SINCE ITS MAKING NOISE. BUSHINGS CANNOT BE CHANGED LIKE OTHERS THE WHOLE BAR NEEDS TO BE PURCHASE AT DEALER WITH BUSHING VULCANIZED TO IT. ON THE SMART KEY THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY THANK GOD Look up ODI 10898249 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11511806 i was driving in the highway 50 mph and i was braking and my car slipped in the other line of the highway and almost had and accident !!!! and cars switched off when driving almost had incident!!!! i saw that many people have the say problem like me about rusted component please do something because people are losing their lifes. Look up ODI 11511806 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 10898249 · 72,000 mi TARAKA RECALL. SMART KEY NOT BEING RECOGNIZED , VEHICLE DEAD NEED TOW TRUCK TO DEALER VERY EXPENSIVE ,HAD BATTERY BUT ALL DEAD COST $1600.00 PLUS ON A 72000 MILE VEHICLE.ALSO FRONT SWAY STABILIZER BAR NEED TOTAL REPLACING (DEALER PART ONLY) SINCE ITS MAKING NOISE. BUSHINGS CANNOT BE CHANGED LIKE OTHERS THE WHOLE BAR NEEDS TO BE PURCHASE AT DEALER WITH BUSHING VULCANIZED TO IT. ON THE SMART KEY THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY THANK GOD Look up ODI 10898249 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11511806 i was driving in the highway 50 mph and i was braking and my car slipped in the other line of the highway and almost had and accident !!!! and cars switched off when driving almost had incident!!!! i saw that many people have the say problem like me about rusted component please do something because people are losing their lifes. Look up ODI 11511806 at NHTSA ↗	6 ODI 11039345 · 102,678 mi WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT A CERTAIN SPEED THE REAR END STARTS FISHTAILING MAKING IT HARD TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE Look up ODI 11039345 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11398791 · 105,000 mi STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AND THE CAR VEERED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT. VEHICLE FELT VERY UNSTABLE. WOULD OF BEEN HORRIBLE IF THE SURFACE WAS SNOW COVERED OR ICY. TOOK INTO A REPAIR FACILITY AND FOUND OUT THE REAR SUBFRAME HAS RUSTED TO THE POINT OF FAILURE. THE REAR TIRE COULD MOVE SEVERAL INCHES. SOMEBODY COULD BE KILLED OR SEVERELY INJURED. Look up ODI 11398791 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11232023 · 89,000 mi SAFETY ISSUE REGARDING FAILURE OF REAR SUBFRAME. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2009 C300 4MATIC SPORT. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT ITS ENTIRE LIFE AND IS NOT IN A HIGH SALT OR SNOW ENVIRONMENT. MY WIFE WAS EXTREMELY LUCKY TO HAVE AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT IN THIS CAR DUE TO THE REAR SUBFRAME RUSTING THROUGH AND SEPARATING. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW AND PAID A PREMIUM FOR MERCEDES QUALITY BECAUSE WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE SAFEST VEHICLE MADE. I AM EXTREMELY DISMAYED TO LEARN THAT WHEN MY WIFE CAME HOME AND SAID THE CAR WAS DRIVING WEIRD, THAT… Look up ODI 11232023 at NHTSA ↗	0	6 ODI 11377524 · 60,422 mi I'M THE OWNER OF A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 4MATIC SPORT, WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN 2012 FROM A MERCEDES DEALER. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT 60,400 MILES. IT WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND AFTER HEARING SOME CLUNKING NOISES, ESPECIALLY WHEN BRAKING OR TURNING, THEY DISCOVERED RUST, CORROSION, AND CRACKING TO THE REAR SUBFRAME. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, IT HAS BEEN DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS YEAR AND MODEL OF MERCEDES. THERE ARE MANY OTHER OWNERS POSTING COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. T… Look up ODI 11377524 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11414872 · 115,000 mi REAR SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY RUSTING, CREATING SAFETY ISSUE. DISCOVERED 04-22=2021 Look up ODI 11414872 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11447306 I am 80 years old, and disabled. Gave this car to my son, (age 53). Within a month, he experienced a potential LIFE THREATENING incident with the car. While driving, the car became very unstable and steering was almost impossible. The car was towed to A-1 Auto Repair in Pitman, New Jersey for analysis. This establishment has an excellent reputation for Mercedes-Benz repairs. Upon extensive review the shop advised "customer vehicle is very unsafe to operate and should not be driven"The Invoice states " ...During road test vehicle is unstable a… Look up ODI 11447306 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	7 ODI 10873987 AIR BAG NOT WORKING03. Look up ODI 10873987 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10893042 · 68,000 mi STILL NOT FIXED ----2 YEARS LATER THEY SAY (M/B) "THE BEST OR NOTHING " AND I HAVE NOTHING BUT UN- SAFETY AND DANGER,AND PLENTY OF LETTERS THAT DO NOTHING AGAIN, BUT THEY SAID THAT . LETS PUT A DATE TO IT.!!!!!!!! Look up ODI 10893042 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10980987 · 76,000 mi ESP CONTROL MODULE AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, SPECIFICALLY GETTING OFF THE INTERSTATE ON A CURVED ROAD, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE/CODE ILLUMINATED ACROSS MY DASHBOARD, "BRAKE" EBR ABS ESP INOPERATIVE. I WASN'T SURE WHAT THIS MEANT AND I WAS EXTREMELY ALARMED AND NERVOUS. AS SOON AS I COULD I BROUGHT IT INTO THE SHOP AND THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME IT WASN'T A BRAKE ISSUE, IT WAS A FAULTY ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL PANEL THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THAT HE HAD JUST REPLACED THESE IN ABOUT 4 OTHER VEHICLE… Look up ODI 10980987 at NHTSA ↗	18 ODI 10795122 · 42,000 mi A FEW MONTHS BACK, MY WIFE WAS STRANDED IN HER OFFICE PARKING LOT AS THE CAR WON'T START. WHEN SHE PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION IT WOULD SIMPLY MAKE CLICKING SOUNDS BUT WILL NOT START. SHE WAS ABLE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE CAR. WE CALLED AAA WHO CHECKED THE BATTERY AND SAID IT WAS WORKING FINE. THE AAA REP SAID THAT HE HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM QUITE A FEW TIMES BEFORE IN THE MB CARS AND WE WOULD HAVE TO CALL MB OR THEY CAN TOW IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. WE THEN CALLED MERCEDES BENZ (MB) ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE WHO CAME AND CHECKED THE CAR. THE MB REP SAID TH… Look up ODI 10795122 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10965995 · 122,000 mi LAST WEEK I DROVE MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL. THEN I WENT TO THE GAS STATION AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR TO LEAVE, IT WOULD NOT START. IT DID NOT DO ANYTHING. I COULD NOT EVEN ROLL THE WINDOWS UP. THE CAR DID NOTHING OTHER THAN SAY "REMOVE IGNITION KEY." THE BATTERY WAS TESTED AND FINE. IT HAD JUST BEEN REPLACED 1 MONTH AGO. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO THEN SAID IT HAD TO BE BROUGHT TO THE DEALER. THE MERCEDES DEALER SAID IT WAS THE EIS/STEERING SWITCH. THE COST WILL BE $1900. I'VE CALLED OT… Look up ODI 10965995 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10978818 · 104,000 mi ESL/EIS FAILURE. WHEN THE KEY IS INSERTED THE CAR WILL NOT START. LIGHTS WORK BUT WINDOWS AND DASH MESSAGE ARE NOT WORKING. Look up ODI 10978818 at NHTSA ↗	19 ODI 10795122 · 42,000 mi A FEW MONTHS BACK, MY WIFE WAS STRANDED IN HER OFFICE PARKING LOT AS THE CAR WON'T START. WHEN SHE PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION IT WOULD SIMPLY MAKE CLICKING SOUNDS BUT WILL NOT START. SHE WAS ABLE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE CAR. WE CALLED AAA WHO CHECKED THE BATTERY AND SAID IT WAS WORKING FINE. THE AAA REP SAID THAT HE HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM QUITE A FEW TIMES BEFORE IN THE MB CARS AND WE WOULD HAVE TO CALL MB OR THEY CAN TOW IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. WE THEN CALLED MERCEDES BENZ (MB) ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE WHO CAME AND CHECKED THE CAR. THE MB REP SAID TH… Look up ODI 10795122 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10851085 · 118,000 mi COULD NOT START MY CAR WHILE STATIONARY. PUT KEY IN THE IGNITION AND GOT A MESSAGE ON THE DASH TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION. NO DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. THERE WAS NO CLICKING OR NOISE...IT WAS JUST DEAD. THE ALARM SYSTEM AND HEADLIGHT AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE ALL WORKING SO IT WAS NOT THE BATTERY. I CALLED ROADSIDE AND THE GAVE ME A JUMP, BUT CONFIRMED THAT MY BATTERY WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON SATURDAY NIGHT AFTER WAITING FOR 5 HOURS. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT EVEN CONDUCT THE DIAGNOSTICS ON THE CAR UNTIL TUESDAY … Look up ODI 10851085 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10925284 · 130,000 mi EIS ISSUE/STEERING WHEEL LOCK MODULE. VEHICLE WAS DISABLED AND WOULD NOT START DUE TO EIS/STEERING WHEEL LOCK MODULE COMPLICATION. VERY COMMON IN C300 MBZ Look up ODI 10925284 at NHTSA ↗	4 ODI 11291300 · 112,000 mi I HAVE A MB C300 2008 THE CAR NEVER HAD AN ISSUE UNTIL I BROUGHT IT IN FOR A AIRBAG RECALL 2 WEEKS LATER I GET AN SRS MALFUNCTION, ESP AND ABS FAILURE CAR DOESNT TURN ON NEXT DAY THE CAR TURNS ON AND ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON, THEN LIGHTS STAYED ON EVEN AFTER CAR WAS OFF NEXT DAY LIGHTS WENT OFF WHILE DRIVING IN DARK MAKING FOR HAZARDOUS AND QUITE SCARY SITUATION MB IS DOING THESE RECALLS BUT JEOPARDIZING THE OVERALL INTEGRITY OF CAR I EVEN REPLACED BATTERY BUT THIS STILL OCCURRED CAR WAS RENDERED UNDRIVABLE AND STUCK IN MY DRIVEWAY … Look up ODI 11291300 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11473420 · 120,000 mi The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that she had experienced several electrical failures with the vehicle including the power seat and power windows, the parking brake, the exterior lighting, and the air bag warning lights. The contact also stated that the vehicle would lose motive power and stall while driving at various speeds with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. Upon investigation, the contact linked that failure to NHTSA Campaign Number:… Look up ODI 11473420 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11519341 · 119,000 mi The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the instrument cluster started flickering and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the power steering and brakes were operable. The contact pulled off the highway and shifted the vehicle into park(P). The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V16… Look up ODI 11519341 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10891677 · 80,300 mi I EXPERIENCED THE INFAMOUS STEERING LOCK PROBLEM 5 DAYS AGO IN MY (NOW FORMER) 2009 MERCEDES C300. PRIOR TO THIS PROBLEM OCCURRING MY CAR SEEMED TO BE WORKING FINE. I'VE ALWAYS HAD ALL OF THE RECOMMENDED SERVICES PERFORMED ON TIME BY THE DEALER. THEN LAST SATURDAY I WAS RUNNING ERRANDS AND AFTER MY THIRD STOP MY CAR WOULDN'T START. I ASSUMED IT WAS THE BATTERY (EVEN THOUGH IT HAD BEEN REPLACED LESS THAN 2 YEARS AGO) AND I CALLED MERCEDES ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THE ROADSIDE TECHNICIAN TESTED THE BATTERY AND SAID IT WAS FINE AND HE IMMEDIATELY SUS… Look up ODI 10891677 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 11006444 · 80,000 mi CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER VEHICLE INSPECTION I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP. MERCEDES BENZ HOUSTON-GREENWAY PLAZA DID CAM SHAFT SOLENOID WORK COST $500. ROUGHLY A WEEK LATER I GOT STRANDED AT WORK. I WAS ABLE TO TAKE TO GET IT TO START AGAIN AND TOOK IT TO REPAIR SHOP NOW ITS $1,346.29 FOR ENGINE COMPUTER WORK. Look up ODI 11006444 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10790524 · 90,000 mi I WENT TO CLASS ON THE DATE OF 11/13/2015 AND WHEN I CAME OUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS ADVISED IT WOULD BE $952.56 FOR AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE DUE TO NO FAULT OF MY OWN AND CAN HAPPEN AT ANYTIME. SO I INQUIRED ON HOW LONG THIS WOULD BE COVERED FOR? I WAS TOLD ITS ELECTRICAL AND CAN HAPPEN AT ANYTIME, IT'S LIKE A CELLPHONE OR A COMPUTER. YET THOSE HAVE WARRANTIES AGAINST ISSUES LIKE THAT WHEREAS SOMETHING I PAID THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS DOES NOT. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ONLINE A… Look up ODI 10790524 at NHTSA ↗	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.

Search patterns

8 patterns with matching reports.

Steering assistance concerns

191 mentions · 15.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 81,100 mi (162 usable records).

ODI 10459294 · 7,500 mi

Look up ODI 10459294 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10520871 · 60,000 mi

MORE PROBLEMS WITH MODEL 204. THERE IS A NO EXPIRE RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 200802003 FOR THE ISSUE I HAVE HOWEVER MY VIN IS NOT PART OF IT EVEN THOUGH I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. PLACED MY KEY AND CAR WON'T START, NO CRANK. GOT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT MY STEERING LOCK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR ANYMORE. IMAGING DRIVING HUNDREDS OF MILES AWAY FROM HOME AND SUDDENLY YOUR "STEERING LOCK" MALFUNCTIONS! SCARY. *TR

Look up ODI 10520871 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10551930 · 85,000 mi

I DROVE MY CAR HOME FROM WORK. EVERYTHING WAS WORKING FINE AND TEN MINUTES LATER WHEN I WENT TO GO BACK TO WORK, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I COULD GET ALL THE ELECTRICAL WORKING , BUT THE CAR WOULD JUST NOT START UP. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE STEERING LOCK, AND IT NEEDS REPLACED.I GOT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT MY STEERING LOCK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR ANYMORE. IMAGING DRIVING IN A BAD PART OF TOWN SUDDENLY YOUR "STEERING LOCK" MALFUNCTIONS OR MY WIFE IS DRIVING AND IS STUCK IN A BAD PART OF NEW ORLEANS…

Look up ODI 10551930 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b

Battery drain and no-start mentions

122 mentions · 9.8% of complaints

Median mileage: 80,684 mi (107 usable records).

ODI 10520871 · 60,000 mi

Look up ODI 10520871 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10551930 · 85,000 mi

Look up ODI 10551930 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10605347 · 83,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING LOCK/IGNITION COMPONENT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

Look up ODI 10605347 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

65 mentions · 5.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 77,500 mi (49 usable records).

ODI 10499843 · 69,000 mi

THE SRS WARNING LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. I CAN NOT LOCATE ANY RECALLS OR WARNINGS FROM THE MERCEDES DEALER WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW FROM. WHAT SHOULD WE DO BEFORE THE AIRBAG MISTAKENLY DEPLOYS? *TR

Look up ODI 10499843 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10577637 · 86,766 mi

REAR PASSENGER TAIL LIGHTS IN MY 2008 C300 WERE DIM AND GOT DASH WARNING LIGHT TO CHECK REAR LIGHTS. A COUPLE BULBS WERE OUT SO WHEN I LOOKED AT THE ASSEMBLY AND PUSHED ON IT THE LIGHTS THAT WERE OUT LIT UP TEMPORARILY AND I NOTICED THE CABLE HARNESS THAT PLUGS IN IT WAS CORRODED ON THE END AND THE BROWN WIRE AT THE END WAS EXPOSED (MELTED?) AND THE BLACK PLUG LOOKS WARPED (MELTED?), LOOKS LIKE A COMMON PROBLEM BASED ON FORUM REPORTS. *TR

Look up ODI 10577637 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10621453 · 142,000 mi

NEAR THE END OF A 388 MILE DRIVE, THE WARNING LIGHT FOR SRS MALFUNCTION CAME ON ALTHOUGH IT SEEMED THAT NO CONDITION CHANGED. MY CAR ALREADY HAD THE TAIL LIGHT FAILURE NOTIFICATION LIGHT ENGAGED FOR A FEW MONTHS ALREADY. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS MAY BE MORE THAN AN ELECTRICAL NOTIFICATION ISSUE AND THAT THE SRS (SECONDARY RESTRAINING SYSTEM) IS NOT GOING TO WORK SHOULD I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Look up ODI 10621453 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Stalling or loss of power

14 mentions · 1.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 74,500 mi (12 usable records).

ODI 10459294 · 7,500 mi

Look up ODI 10459294 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10537629 · 50,000 mi

Look up ODI 10537629 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10597288 · 66,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C-300. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE PROBLEM RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

Look up ODI 10597288 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Brake response concerns

12 mentions · 1.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 82,000 mi (6 usable records).

ODI 10266871

Look up ODI 10266871 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10365367 · 15,000 mi

I WAS EDGING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE IN A SUPERMARKET PARKING LOT. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO ALLOW ANOTHER CAR TO PASS. MY CAR SUDDENLY SURGED AHEAD, HITTING FIVE OTHER VEHICLES AND A PEDESTRIAN, BEFORE SMASHING INTO A BARRIER THAT STOPPED IT. I WAS PUSHING HARD ON THE BRAKE PETAL THROUGHOUT, BUT IT HAD NO EFFECT ON STOPPING THE CAR. IT IS OF COURSE POSSIBLE THAT I STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL AND NOT THE BRAKE PEDAL. EXAMINING THE IDENTICAL MODEL OF THE CAR SUBSEQUENT TO THE ACCIDENT, I FOUND THAT, BECAUSE OF THE CLOSENESS OF THE GAS PEDAL TO…

Look up ODI 10365367 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10822668 · 90,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REMOTE KEY FAILED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE PEDAL LOCKED UP, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED, AND THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO COME OUT OF PARK. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATED TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Look up ODI 10822668 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Fuel smell or leak mentions

1 mentions · 0.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 40,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 11075429 · 40,000 mi

I BOUGHT MY CAR USED AT CAR MAX WITH ABOUT 24000 MILES. I NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE OUTSIDE THE CAR WHEN CAR IS ON. FREQUENT CLICKS ON THE PUMP WHEN FILLING UP FUEL. I NOTICED THIS AROUND 40,000 MILES BUT I KEEP FORGETTING TO HAVE IT CHECK BY THE DEALER. I PASS THE LAST SMOG CHECK THAT IS WHY IT DID NOT BOTHER ME. THE FREQUENT CLICKS ON THE PUMP WHEN FILLING UP IS WORSE AND IRRITATES MY WIFE WHEN SHE FILLS UP GASOLINE. SHE AND I HAD TO PUT A LOT OF PRESSURE TO SEAL NOZZLE TO FILL UP GASOLINE. THE FREQUENT CLICKS HAPPENS EVEN AT THE BEG…

Look up ODI 11075429 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b

Hard or delayed shifting

1 mentions · 0.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 77,749 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 11203645 · 77,749 mi

TRANSMISSION LEAKS SO CAR STARTS SHIFTING HARD JERKING LEARCHING. MECHANIC SAYS IT IS A TORQUE CONVERTER SEAL THAT LEAKS SO NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. BUT HAVE TO PULL THE ENGINE & TRANSMISSION OUT TO SPLIT SO THE LABOR IS 22-23 HOURS LABOR WHEN THE PART IS ONLY LIKE $23 SO THE REPAIR BECAUSE OF THE LABOR WOULD BE ABOUT $2200 WHICH WE CAN'T AFFORD. THE MECHANIC FOUND SO MANY SAME VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. BUT OF COURSE THE DEALER WON'T REPORT BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO MAKE THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR TO SO MANY VEH…

Look up ODI 11203645 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Oil consumption or dilution

1 mentions · 0.1% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 11161080

THERE IS A SMELL OF EXAUST FUMES OR PERHAPS BURNED OIL IN THE CABIN. AFTER ACCELERATING THE SMELL IS STRONGER. OPENING ROOF OR WINDOWS DOESN'T HELP.CAN ONLY SMELL WHEN DRIVING.

Look up ODI 11161080 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(oil consumption|burn\w* oil|consum\w* oil|oil dilution|gas(?:oline)? in (?:the )?oil)\b

Recall campaigns data
Category	Count
2008	7
2009	8