2011 Mercedes-Benz C204.9: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
2 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
110,463 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data updated: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 2 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 50.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Suspension: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 |
2020: 2
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11350400 · 2020-08-20 (August 20, 2020)
VEHICLE FAILED STATE SAFETY INSPECTION DUE TO CORROSION PERFORATION OF REAR SUSPENSION CROSS MEMBER, A MAJOR REAR SUSPENSION STRUCTURAL COMPONENT. ALSO REFERRED TO AS REAR SUBFRAME (PART NUMBER 207-350-97-02). THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN DEALER SERVICE BAY WHEN DISCOVERED.
Owner-reported narrative. 110,463 miles reported. Look up ODI 11350400 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11361914 · 2020-09-29 (September 29, 2020)
STOPPED AT GAS STATION TO GET GAS FOR CAR AS SOON I WAS PUMPING GAS I CAN SMELL & SEE GAS FALLING ON THE FLOOR RIGHT BY THE BACK PASSENGER REAR TIRE. WAITED FOR DRY UP. THEN WENT HOME PARKED CAR CAME BACK OUT SAW A PUDDLE OF GAS WAITED FOR DRY UP. WENT UNDERNEATH AND SAW THE RESIDUE THAT IT HAD LEFT BEHIND AND IT LOOK LIKE IT WAS CRACK FROM THE GAS TANK.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11361914 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
2 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 11351943MY VEHICLE AND MANY OTHER MERCEDES BENZ MODELS SUFFER A FAILED ELECTRONIC IGNITION SWITCH AND ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT AMONGST MANY MODELS/YEARS OF MERCEDES BENZ VEHICLES AND ONLY A DEALER CAN REPAIR. THE COST OF REPAIR IS $1,900. THE CAUSES THE VEHICLES TO BE UNABLE TO START, AND VERY CLEARLY, A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. | 120.0%ODI 11319960 · 32,659 miVEHICLE WAS STOLEN IN FLORIDA I PURCHASED IT AFTER BEING FIXED AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WHERE ELECTRICAL ISSUES AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AND LIGHTS PERTAINING TO AIRBAGS WOULD FLASH. AFRAID BAGS WOULD GO OFF WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE ACCIDENT. | 337.5%ODI 11322976ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK SYSTEM FAILS IN EVERY MERCEDES BENZ ITS A DEFECTIVE PART. |
| Engine | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 11306909 · 69,000 miTIMING CHAIN TENSIONER ALL OIL CHANGES WERE DONE PERFECTLY WITH THE CORRECT OIL AND ORIGINAL FILTER. | 240.0%ODI 11338014 · 76,000 miNUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT SPUTTERING OR SHUDDERING WHEN STARTING MY CAR ALONG WITH GRAYISH BLUE/BLACK SMOKE FROM EXHAUST. I ALSO HAVE HAD CASES OF DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THEN IT HESITATES, WHICH PUTS MY FAMILY AND I IN DANGER . DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THEY COULD NOT FIND ROOT CAUSE AND THEY STATED IT WAS WORKING TO MB SPECIFICATION. EVENTUALLY I GOT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT JUST WHEN IT GOT OUT OF EXTENDED WARRANT AND THEN THE STATED I HAD GOTTEN OIL THROUGH MY CAMSHAFT SENSORS AND THEN THROUGH MY HARNESS. COST OF REPAIR WAS OVER 10K. SUBSEQUENTLY AB… | 112.5%ODI 11326629 · 104,000 mi2 CAMSHAFT ADJUSTERS REPLACED AT 104,000 MILES. SOME FAIL EVERY 50-60,000 MILES. WORK DONE AT HOEHN MERCEDES. BEFORE REPAIR - SLOW CRANK AT START, SOME SMOKE WHEN ENGINE STARTING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. *TR |
| Steering | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 11351943MY VEHICLE AND MANY OTHER MERCEDES BENZ MODELS SUFFER A FAILED ELECTRONIC IGNITION SWITCH AND ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT AMONGST MANY MODELS/YEARS OF MERCEDES BENZ VEHICLES AND ONLY A DEALER CAN REPAIR. THE COST OF REPAIR IS $1,900. THE CAUSES THE VEHICLES TO BE UNABLE TO START, AND VERY CLEARLY, A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 337.5%ODI 11322976ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK SYSTEM FAILS IN EVERY MERCEDES BENZ ITS A DEFECTIVE PART. |
| Air Bags | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 240.0%ODI 11319960 · 32,659 miVEHICLE WAS STOLEN IN FLORIDA I PURCHASED IT AFTER BEING FIXED AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WHERE ELECTRICAL ISSUES AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AND LIGHTS PERTAINING TO AIRBAGS WOULD FLASH. AFRAID BAGS WOULD GO OFF WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE ACCIDENT. | 112.5%ODI 11351084 · 55,000 miTHE COMPANY HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE AIRBAGS OF MY CAR BECAUSE OF THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE IN THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THIS IS MY SECOND COMPLAIN TO THE NHTSA. MY FIRST WAS IN 2018. IT IS SAD THAT A SAFETY ISSUE BY THE COMPANY IS NOT BEEN TAKEN CARE BY THE COMPANY EVEN AFTER 2 YEARS. |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 150.0%ODI 11361914STOPPED AT GAS STATION TO GET GAS FOR CAR AS SOON I WAS PUMPING GAS I CAN SMELL & SEE GAS FALLING ON THE FLOOR RIGHT BY THE BACK PASSENGER REAR TIRE. WAITED FOR DRY UP. THEN WENT HOME PARKED CAR CAME BACK OUT SAW A PUDDLE OF GAS WAITED FOR DRY UP. WENT UNDERNEATH AND SAW THE RESIDUE THAT IT HAD LEFT BEHIND AND IT LOOK LIKE IT WAS CRACK FROM THE GAS TANK. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0%ODI 11321521 · 60,000 miCHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODE P0002. ACCELERATING IN ANY FORM FROM THE STREET OR ESPECIALLY THE HIGHWAY MERGING ON, THERE IS A SUPERIOR LOSS OF POWER/ACCELERATION. VERY DANGEROUS AS YOU ARE A HAZARD COMING INTO THE HIGHWAY AND DO NOT HAVE ADEQUATE ACCELERATION WHEN ON RAMPS ARE A VERY SHORT DISTANCE. I BELIEVE IT'S THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AS COUNTLESS OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR VEHICLE. | 112.5%ODI 11360324 · 44,450 miSUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE,ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND CAR GOES INTO LIMP MODE. CODE P002. CAR HAS 44450 MILES. |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 225.0%ODI 11344258I CAN'T BELIEVE I EXPERIENCED THAT .. MY CAR ALL OF THE SUDDEN JERKED ON THE FREEWAY AND STARTED SHAKING . I SERIOUSLY THOUGHT WE HAD AN EARTHQUAKE .. THEN IT ACCELERATED AND THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW I'M GOING 25 MILES AND HOUR .. SO GLAD I WAS NEAR AN EXIT I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL ROLLED DOWN THE HILL , MADE A TURN AND SHUT IT OFF .TOOK ME A MINUTE TO GATHER MYSELF .. WHAT IF I WAS IN A MIDDLE LANE ? WHAT IF SOMEONE COULDN'T PRESS THE BREAKS IN TIME🤦🏻‍♀️🤯😡... |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0%ODI 11319960 · 32,659 miVEHICLE WAS STOLEN IN FLORIDA I PURCHASED IT AFTER BEING FIXED AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WHERE ELECTRICAL ISSUES AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AND LIGHTS PERTAINING TO AIRBAGS WOULD FLASH. AFRAID BAGS WOULD GO OFF WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE ACCIDENT. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Structure:Body | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 112.5%ODI 11319938 · 54,000 miTHERE IS A GLASS ROOF PANEL BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE SUNROOF. THIS GLASS PANEL IS EXTREMELY BRITTLE AND SHATTERS EASILY. THIS IS MY SECOND TIME HAVING TO REPLACE THIS GLASS PANEL. IT IS A DEALER ONLY PART AND COSTS $960 PLUS $300 FOR INSTALLATION. THE COST OF THIS GLASS PANEL IS EXTREMELY HIGH. BOTH TIMES THIS GLASS PANEL SHATTERED, NOTHING HIT IT. IT APPEARS AS SMALL CRACKS AT FIRST AND THEN SPREADS. BECAUSE IT IS SO BRITTLE, IT EVENTUALLY SHATTERS. THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS SPECIFIC PART WITH OTHER MERCEDES MODELS BUT NOT THE C2… |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | Too few reports for a range | 110,463 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 11350400 · 110,463 miVEHICLE FAILED STATE SAFETY INSPECTION DUE TO CORROSION PERFORATION OF REAR SUSPENSION CROSS MEMBER, A MAJOR REAR SUSPENSION STRUCTURAL COMPONENT. ALSO REFERRED TO AS REAR SUBFRAME (PART NUMBER 207-350-97-02). THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN DEALER SERVICE BAY WHEN DISCOVERED. |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2013: 0 complaints · 2014: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Fuel/Propulsion System | Suspension |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | — | 0 |
| Suspension | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.