2008 MERCEDES BENZ C 300

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    airbag system

    112 unsafe, 3 annoyance

    115
    incidents
    Typical range: 65,000–121,000 mi

    Median 79,500 mi, based on 78 reports (58% had no usable mileage)

    • "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…"~20,000 mi, complaint #764145
    • "'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…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1424452
    • "TAKATA RECALL: I HAVE AIR BAG RECALL 3 TIMES: FEB 11, 2016, MAY 25, 2016, JAN 10, 2017 BUT WHEN I CONTACTED MY MERCEDES BENZ DEALER 5 TIMES, THEY SAID THE AIRBAG REPLACEMENT HASN'T ARRIVED ON ALL THE TIMES I CALLED. FEB 11, 2016: IT'S DRIVER-SIDE FRONT AIRBAGS…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1424424
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS TEE-BONED BY A SECOND VEHICLE. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED…"~102,000 mi, complaint #1261890
    • "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 TH…"~1,005,000 mi, complaint #1385748
  2. #2

    wiring harness

    52 unsafe, 1 broken, 2 annoyance

    55
    incidents
    Typical range: 54,000–90,000 mi

    Median 72,500 mi, based on 98 reports (9% had no usable mileage)

    • "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…"~28,000 mi, complaint #855155
    • "TAIL LIGHT MESSAGE. FOUND HARNESS MELTED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT. NOW I GET A MESSAGE FROM BOTH SIDES. *JB"~54,000 mi, complaint #1007016
    • "DASH PANEL READ AN ERROR OF TAIL LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS OUT ON RIGHT SIDE. DROVE HOME FROM WORK , APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES, SMELLED WIRES BURNING. WAITED TOOK CAR TO AUTOZONE TO GET BULBS REPLACED. BY THE TIME I ARRIVED, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING…"~72,000 mi, complaint #1049952
    • "WARNING MESSAGE DISPLAYED IN INSTRUMENT PANEL ADVISING TO CHECK REAR RIGHT HAND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS, ON INITIAL INSPECTION IN THE TRUCK THEIR WAS A SMELL OF BURNING PLASTIC EMIGRATING FROM THE RIGHT HAND SIDE REAR LIGHT CLUSTER ON REMOVAL OF THE FUSE PANEL COV…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1030686
    • "REAR LIGHT HOUSING ASSEMBLY WIRING SMELLING LIKE SMOKE, OPEN THE TRUCK AND PLASTICS HOUSING WAS MELTING AND VERY HOT. *TR"~3,000,000 mi, complaint #1035955
  3. #3

    key fob and immobilizer

    19 stranded, 21 unsafe

    40
    incidents
    Typical range: 60,000–100,000 mi

    Median 86,500 mi, based on 59 reports (2% had no usable mileage)

    • "SAME AS MANY OTHERS, STEERING LOCK, WOULDN'T ID KEY, WOULDN'T START. EIS PROBLEM I BELIEVE. $980 TO FIX WITH ONLY 35K MILES! THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM ACCORDING TO THE FORUMS I HAVE VISITED."~35,000 mi, complaint #1196608
    • "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…"~60,000 mi, complaint #987859
    • "MERCEDES ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK (ESL) FAILED. CAR WOULD NOT START DUE TO THE KEY NOT BEING RECOGNIZED. EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE CAR WORKS ELECTRONICALLY, RADIO, WINDOWS, LIGHTS, ETC. BATTERY WAS TESTED WAS IS FINE. STARTER WAS FINE. ALL FUSES WERE FINE. TOWED…"~85,056 mi, complaint #1106683
    • "MY WIFE WAS GOING TO TAKE MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL WENT TO START THE CAR AND CAR WON'T START. THE KEY WOULD TURN LIGHT S WORK BUT ENGINE WOULDN'T TURN OVER HAD IT TOWED TO GAINESVILLE MERCEDES WHERE THEY SAID THE STEERING INTERLOCK SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A…"~107,000 mi, complaint #1170477
    • "CAR WAS PARKED AND WENT TO DRIVE CAR. IT WILL NOT START. BOTH KEYS WILL NOT WORK. PROBLEM IS WITH ELECTRONIC IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. NO INSTRUMENTATION DISPLAY. CAN NOT SHIFT CAR OUT OF PARK. TRIED JUMPING CAR AND IT WILL NOT START. REPLACED BATTERY AND IT WI…"~167,000 mi, complaint #1334432
  4. #4

    lighting exterior

    31 unsafe, 3 broken, 6 annoyance

    40
    incidents
    Typical range: 48,000–92,000 mi

    Median 58,000 mi, based on 57 reports (19% had no usable mileage)

    • "MY MESSAGE CTR ON MY MERCEDES C 300 (2008) STEERING WHEEL SAID TO CHECK RIGHT, REAR TAIL AND BRAKE LIGHT. I HAVE CHECKED THE LIGHTS AND HAD A MECHANIC CHECK LIGHTS, AND ALL SEEM FINE. I HEARD THE REPORT ON WBZ RADIO ON 7-15-2013 ABOUT REAR LIGHTS ON MERCEDES…"~24,450 mi, complaint #994115
    • "I TOOK MY C300 MERCEDES BENZ (WITH ONLY 52,000 MILES), TO THE MERCEDES BENZ OF MIAMI DEALERSHIP TO CHECK THE WIRING IN BOTH HEAD LAMPS, SINCE THE HEADLIGHTS WERE INTERMITTENTLY FLICKERING ON AND OFF, WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THIS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WAS OF SERI…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1305068
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE FOG LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE BECAUSE THE SOCKETS HAD MELTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMAT…"~58,000 mi, complaint #1029951
    • "WHILE ON HIGHWAY I NOTICED BURNING PLASTIC SMELL COMING FROM REAR OF CAR. WHEN I PULLED OVER AND OPENED MY TRUNK, I NOTICED THAT THE TAIL LIGHT WAS SMOKING. WHEN I DETACHED THE LIGHTING PLATE I NOTICED THAT THE BROWN WIRE CONNECTOR HAD MELTED THROUGH THE LIGHT…"~92,250 mi, complaint #1078022
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, WHEN "THE REAR PASSENGER BRAKE AND SIGNAL WAS FAILURE" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND HAD THE REAR PASSENGER LIGHT PLUGS R…"~212,000 mi, complaint #1723918
  5. #5

    steering electric assist

    12 stranded, 28 unsafe

    40
    incidents
    Typical range: 66,000–101,000 mi

    Median 88,000 mi, based on 80 reports (11% had no usable mileage)

    • "I DROVE TO THE STORE AND WHEN I GOT IN MY CAR TO LEAVE THE IGNITION WOULD NOT START WHEN I PUT THE KEY IN AND TRIED TO TURN IT ON. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND I COULD NOT CHANGE THE GEARS OF THE CAR TO NEUTRAL OR ANY OTHER GEAR. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE…"~30,000 mi, complaint #1125620
    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES C CLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SYSTEM SEIZED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1155752
    • "TAKATA RECALL CAR IS COMPLETELY LOCKED UP SAYS REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION, LEFT ME STRANDED SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE FAILURE WITH STEERING LOCK AND ESL"~88,000 mi, complaint #1486943
    • "THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FAILED, LOCKING THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH PREVENTED IGNITION AND THE ABILITY TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO MANUAL FOR TOWING. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED ON A PUBLIC ROADWAY IN ORDER TO ASSIST A LOST CHILD. AFTER THE POLICE ARRIV…"~106,000 mi, complaint #1484448
    • "I TOOK MY CAR TO THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP FOR AN ALIGNMENT. IT IS A 2008 C300 SERIES. AFTER THEY CALLED AND SAID IT WAS DONE THEY SAID THAT THE ESL MECHANISM LOCKED UP IN THE CAR AND COMPLETELY FAILED. TO THIS POINT I HAVE NEVER HAD AN ISSUE WITH THIS CAR, AN…"~165,000 mi, complaint #1736671
  6. #6

    other

    8 unsafe, 30 annoyance

    38
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=15, median 80,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C 300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V177000 (LIGHTING). HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT SURE WHEN THEY WOULD RECEIVE THE PARTS NEEDED. THE FA…"~43,936 mi, complaint #1100079
    • "TAKATA RECALL. THIS TAKATA RECALL MIGHT BE MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO RESELL MY VEHICLE."~55,100 mi, complaint #1421788
    • "TAKATA RECALL , EXTERIOR LIGHTING RECALL"~80,000 mi, complaint #1473788
    • "MY COMPLAINT IS THAT IS DOESN'T TAKE THAT [XXX] LONG TO GET NO PARTS IN. THIS [XXX] LIGHT IS VERY AGGRAVATING. THE SELL YOU THESE [XXX] EXPENSIVE AS CARS AND YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT THEY CAN'T GET THE PARTS IN TO FIX THEM? I BET IF THE COST WAS COMING OUT OF…"~111,000 mi, complaint #1361062
    • "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 mile…"~128,917 mi, complaint #2094574
  7. #7

    control module

    14 stranded, 14 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    29
    incidents
    Typical range: 59,000–112,000 mi

    Median 90,500 mi, based on 49 reports (4% had no usable mileage)

    • "CAR YEAR: 2008 MODEL: C300 4MATIC SPORT MILEAGE AT TIME OF FAILURE: 30,893 WARRANTY: EXPIRE ON DUE TO AGE OF CAR, NOT MILEAGE ESTIMATE CAUSE: MANUFACTURING DEFECT PART EFFECTED: EIS (ELECTRONIC IGNITION SWITCH), ESL (ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK), ECU EST…"~30,896 mi, complaint #1133180
    • "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…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1005433
    • "FROM A PARKED VEHICLE, I UNLOCKED CAR AND INSERTED KEY AND TURNED TO START POSITION 2. NO STEERING UNLOCK, SHIFT LEVER STUCK IN PARK AND NO ENGINE START. MESSAGE "TAKE YOUR KEY FROM IGNITION" APPEARED AS WELL WHEN I OPENED DOOR. VOLTAGE FROM BATTERY WAS 12.7…"~81,000 mi, complaint #1314688
    • "WHEN I LEFT THE GYM MY CAR WOULDN'T NOT START. I HAD TO WALK HOME AND HAVE MY CAR TOWED. BATTERY IS FINE BUT THE IGNITION WON'T TURNOVER. BAD EIS JUST LIKE THE OTHER HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT. "~104,000 mi, complaint #1205176
    • "EIS FAILURE. VEHICLE HAS 136,000 MILES. INSERTED KEY INTO IGNITION AND TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE. NOTHING HAPPENED, NO START. TRANSMISSION STUCK IN PARK. TRIED JUMP STARTING, REPLACED BATTERY EVEN THOUGH IT TESTED O.K. BUT WAS OLD ENOUGH TO MAKE ME QUESTION I…"~136,000 mi, complaint #1352145
  8. #8

    engine stall or no start

    20 stranded, 8 unsafe

    28
    incidents
    Typical range: 65,500–82,500 mi

    Median 66,000 mi, based on 41 reports (15% had no usable mileage)

    • "I WAS LEFT STRANDED LAST WEEK,IT WAS VERY LATE , STOP TO GET GAS AT A NEAR BY GAS STATION . WHEN I WENT TO TRY TO START MY CAR AFTER PUTTING GAS . THE CAR WOULD NOT START . I HAD TO CALL A FAMILY MEMBER AND A TOW TRUCK.IT WAS VERY LATE AND I WAS NOT IN A NICE…"~11,865 mi, complaint #1277725
    • "CAR WILL NOT START - DID A SEARCH COMMON FAULT STEERING WHEEL LOCK FAIL - MERCEDES NEEDS TO RECALL FIX FOR FREE"~65,000 mi, complaint #1201601
    • "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 VULNER…"~66,000 mi, complaint #1097734
    • "THE ENGINE WONT TURN ON, IT HAS NOTHING TOBDO WITH THE BATTERY, THE BATTERY IS NEW AND TESTED AS A GOOD BATTERY. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE IN C300 AND SHOULD BE FREE OF CHARGE TO MB CUSTOMERS AND DRIVERS."~85,000 mi, complaint #1261100
    • "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 aw…"~110,000 mi, complaint #2105276
  9. #9

    steering column

    12 stranded, 14 unsafe

    26
    incidents
    Typical range: 85,000–130,000 mi

    Median 100,000 mi, based on 27 reports (31% had no usable mileage)

    • "DRIVING AT NIGHT AND CAR WAS PARKED. TRIED TO START THE CAR BUT IT WON'T START AT ALL. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS DIAGNOSED AS A STEERING LOCK MECHANISM MALFUNCTION. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN SUBMITTED BY OTHER C300 OWNERS AND HAS BEEN A COMMON CO…"~62,200 mi, complaint #1319423
    • "STEERING REFUSED TO UNLOCK AND THUS THE CAR WOULD NOT START. CAR WAS STATIONARY SITTING IN THE GARAGE."~80,000 mi, complaint #1368819
    • "STEERING LOCK FAILED. 10 CENT MOTOR WILL NOT LOCK STEERING WHEEL. CAUSES CAR TO THINK IT IS STOLEN, DISABLES THE ENTIRE CAR. LEFT ME STRANDED IN FREEZING TEMPERATURE WITH NO WARNING. I GOT GAS, GOT IN THE CAR TO LEAVE TO WORK, AND NOTHING WORKED. THIS IS VERY…"~93,000 mi, complaint #1244746
    • "TRIED TO START THE CAR TOTALLY DEAD, STEERING COLUMN LOCKED, TOWED IT TO THE MECHANIC THE MECHANIC STATES THAT HE IS TRYING TO PURCHASE THE PART FROM MERCEDES. MERCEDES STATES THAT THE CAR MIGHT HAVE TO TOWED THERE BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THEY HAVE TO…"~122,115 mi, complaint #1303262
    • "C300 2008 WITH 217,000 MILES. WENT TO START CAR AND IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. POWER EVERYWHERE BUT THE ENGINE. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS. STEERING LOCKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. SAME COMPLAINT AS HUNDREDS OF OTHERS ON THIS SITE AND MANY MORE READ ONL…"~217,000 mi, complaint #1133468
  10. #10

    starter

    19 stranded, 2 unsafe

    21
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=24, median 77,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "2008 MERCEDES C300 WITH BAD ESL. COST TO FIX IS $1200. SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUES WITH MERCEDES AS AN INTERNET SEARCH LEADS TO MANY OTHER WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I PARKED THE CAR AT WORK, THEN WENT OUT SEVERAL HOURS LATER TO GO TO LUNCH AND IT WOU…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1338867
    • "MY 2008 C300 WAS PARKED. I CAME OUTSIDE TO HEAD OUT AND MY IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN OVER BUT ALL LIGHTS, RADIO, SEAT, ETC WERE WORKING JUST FINE. WINDOWS AND SUNROOF DON'T WORK. MY CAR IS STOPPED AT 68,018 MILES."~68,018 mi, complaint #1230457
    • "ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK MOTOR FAILURE - CAR DID NOT START AND ENGINE NON-RESPONSIVE. ONLY THE DEALER AND MERCEDES BENZ AUTHORIZED REPAIR SHOPS CAN FIX THIS ISSUE. UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY."~75,250 mi, complaint #1313134
    • "WOKE UP TO GO TO MY CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. I WAS HEADED INTO WORK AND WAS LATE BECAUSE OF IT. I TRIED RELAXING EVERYTHING THING FROM FUSES TO NEW KEY TO NEW BATTERY. NOTHING WORKED. IT KEPT MAKING A TICKING NOISE WHEN I WOULD TURN THE CAR ON. THE LIGHTS W…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1246414
    • "I DROVE CAR TO WORK IN THE A.M. WHEN I GOT READY TO LEAVE FOR THE DAY THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE LIGHTS AND LOCKS AND RADIO WORKED, BUT THE ENGINE WOULDN'T TURN OVER. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAS BEEN THERE FOR A FEW DAYS. JUST GOT A CALL THAT THEY…"~160,000 mi, complaint #1150116
  11. #11

    corrosion and rust

    7 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the vehicle was to a State Inspection Station to be State Inspected however while inspecting the vehicle the mechanic found severe corrosion and rust holes in the rear subframe of the vehicle.…"~72,000 mi, complaint #1790664
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SWERVED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE DRIVER NEARLY LOST CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME FAILE…"~99,000 mi, complaint #1408066
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT UNDISCLOSED SPEEDS, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE RATTLED AND VIBRATED ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF FORT MITCHELL ([REDACTED ADDRESS], FORT MITCHELL, KY…"~250,000 mi, complaint #1677732
  12. #12

    suspension arms and bushings

    7 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "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 T…"~105,000 mi, complaint #1730634
    • "Failure of rear subframe at passenger side connection to the lower thrust arm/trailing link that transmits force from wheel carrier to car frame. The bracket portion of the rear subframe for this connection tore loose at the weld to the carrier, possibly duri…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1763688
    • "ON JULY 2, 2020 HAD A BRAKE JOB DONE. WHILE DOING BRAKE JOB IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE REAR SUB FRAME WAS COMPLETELY BROKEN FREE FROM THE FRONT MOUNTING BOLTS ON BOTH SIDES ( LEAVING ONLY THE 2 REAR MOUNT BOLTS TO HOLD THE ENTIRE SUBFRAME, DIFFERENTIAL, AXLES, R…"~179,000 mi, complaint #1677651
  13. #13

    brake hydraulics

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "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 SEVER…"~24,000 mi, complaint #757101
    • "THIS ISSUE SURFACED WHILE DRIVING AND BRAKES WHERE APPLIED. LOST BREAKING DUE TO CORROSION PERFORATING REAR BRAKE LINES CAUSING BREAK FLUID TO LEAK AND TOTAL LOSS OF BREAKING. THIS IS A 2008 C CLASS 4MATIC SPORT WHERE BOTH REAR BRAKE LINES FEEDING FROM THE A…"~94,597 mi, complaint #1450438
    • "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 independent…"~164,000 mi, complaint #2122086
  14. #14

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    5 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • " SRS MALFUNCTION FOR FRONT LEFT SEAT MESSAGE POPPED UP RECENTLY. ON FURTHER INVESTIGATION BY A MECHANIC IS WAS FOUND THAT THE ERROR CODE WAS 9B51 WHICH MEAN THAT THE FRONT LEFT SEAT BELT BUCKLE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM WITH THIS ISSUE IS(AS EXPLAIN…"~49,000 mi, complaint #1084991
    • "SEATBELT BUCKLE OF THE DRIVER SEAT TRIGGERS THE SENSOR THAT DISPLAYS SRS MALFUNCTION. THE DEALER SAID THAT AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY WHEN THIS SENSOR IS TRIGGERED."~50,000 mi, complaint #1281280
    • "AFTER RECALL # 2015110002-NHTSA#15V711 WAS DONE MY SRS LAMP CAME ON AND NOW MB WANTS $663.79 TO REPLACE MY DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE.COULD THIS RECALL CAUSE THIS TO HAPPEN."~66,750 mi, complaint #1282715
    • "SRS MALFUNCTION DRIVERS SIDE WARNING CAME ON. ONLY COMES ON WHEN MY HUSBAND DRIVES, NEVER HAS WITH ME AND I AM THE PRIMARY DRIVER DAILY. DEALERSHIP WANTS TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WHICH IS $500 - $1000. WHY DOES IT ONLY DO THIS WHEN MY HUSBAND DRIVES? TH…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1197768
    • "REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT RESTRAINT BUCKLE WILL NO LONGER MAKE CONTACT WITH METAL SEAT BELT LATCH. DOES NOT INSERT COMPLETELY AND DOES NOT CLICK. MECHANISM APPEARS TO SUDDENLY NOT ALLOW FOR CONNECTION TO LOCK AND SECURE SAFETY BELT FOR A PASSENGER TO BE SECURED…"~117,512 mi, complaint #1266425
  15. #15

    battery and charging

    5 stranded

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START AND DOESN'T RECOGNIZE THE KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DEAD AND HAD TO JUMP START IT. I DROVE THE CAR TO HAVE THE BATTERY REPLACED THINKING THAT WAS IT. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE GARAGE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND HAD TO BE TOW…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1491535
    • "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 GEAR…"~69,069 mi, complaint #1096073
    • "TOOK CAR IN FOR AIRBAG RECALL, WEEK LATER THE CAR WONT UNLOCK, HAD TO PAY $50 TO GET IN, WAS TOLD BATTERY HAD 12.4 AMPS, CAR WONT TURN OVER, ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS NOT ENGAGING, ALARM GOES OFF, REPLACED BATTERY $160CHECKED FUSES AND BOUGHT $25, NOTHING NOW HAVING…"~124,000 mi, complaint #1657127
    • "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 faile…"~200,000 mi, complaint #2113057
  16. #16

    infotainment head unit

    3 unsafe, 1 broken, 1 annoyance

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE RADIO WHEN IT WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000. "~76,000 mi, complaint #1238731
    • "COMAND UNIT WENT OUT ALONG WITH STEREO FUNCTIONS DRIVER SEAT CONTROL WENT OUT "~86,420 mi, complaint #1467654
    • "I TURNED ON THE COMMAND VIDEO SCREEN AND HEAVY SMOKE STATED COMING OUT OF IT. *TR"~102,000 mi, complaint #1116851
    • "I WAS DRIVING LISTENING TO MY MUSIC AND ALL OF A SUDDEN SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM MY MONITOR I THEN QUICKLY TURNED MY MUSIC OFF AND PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. I NOW HAVE A BLACK SCREEN AND MERCEDES SAID THE WHOLE UNIT WILL COST 2,000 DOLLARS I SAID YO…"~123,002 mi, complaint #1133817
    • "MY LCD NAVIGATION SCREEN DOES NOT TURN ON ANYMORE. IT RANDOMLY FLASHES WHEN I'M DRIVING AND CAUSES A DISTRACTION. AFTER SOME RESEARCH, IT SEEMS LIKE AN EXTREMELY COMMON ISSUE WITH MANY C300 MODELS OF THE 2008 YEAR. SOME OWNERS HAVE REPORTED SMOKE COMING OUT OF…"~140,000 mi, complaint #1183287
  17. #17

    unintended acceleration

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE IN A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE WALL. THE VEHICLE THEN REVERSED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL. A…"~16,500 mi, complaint #869140
    • "I PURCHASED A NEW 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300, ON 8/16/2009, UPON STATING THE CAR ENGINE STARTED TO RACE SO FAST REACHED 7000 RPM WITHIN LESS THAN 5 SECONDS. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF WAITED 2,TO 3 MINUTES I STARTED THE ENGINE AGAIN SAME THING HAPPENED . I WAITED 4…"~17,000 mi, complaint #731779
    • "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 STO…"~17,330 mi, complaint #790519
    • "UPON COMMENCING MY EXIT FROM THE PARKING LOT ADJACENT TO MY CHURCH, I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE BOLTED FORWARD AT FULL SPEED CRASHING THROUGH THE PARKING LOTS FENCE AND INTO A MAJOR AVENUE (WHERE, FORTUNATELY NO TRAFFIC WAS TRANSITING AT THE MOM…"~54,000 mi, complaint #1159217
  18. #18

    engine internal

    1 stranded, 3 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "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 I…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1393465
    • "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…"~152,151 mi, complaint #2052900
  19. #19

    tire failure

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS AGO I RECEIVED A MESSAGE ON MY DASH BOARD TO CORRECT THE TIRE PRESSURE IN MY NEW 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300 WITH LESS THAN 4000 MILES. I INSPECTED THE TIRES AND NOTICED A BULGE IN THE SIDEWALL OF THE REAR TIRE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CA…"~3,800 mi, complaint #690154
    • "RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS REPLACED AT 20K FOR BUBBLE THAT FORMED ON THE SIDE WALL AFTER HITTING SMALL POT HOLE; RIGHT FRONT TIRE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED NOW FOR THE SAME REASON. *TR"~20,000 mi, complaint #847115
    • "SINCE 2012, FIVE GOODYEAR ASSURANCE FUEL MAX TIRES, SIZE 225/45R17 HAVE FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. GOODYEAR REIMBURSED US FOR SOME OF THE COST. ALL TIRES HAD A FAILURE NOT RELATED TO TREAD LIFE. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT WAS A TIRE WITH LESS THAN 10,000…"~59,000 mi, complaint #1432722
  20. #20

    sunroof

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "I HAVE BEEN TAKING MY VEHICLE REGULARLY TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. I HAVE NOT ONCE HAD AN ISSUE UNTIL THIS TIME. DURING THE RAINSTORMS MY VEHICLE LEAKED THROUGH THE SUNROOF AND THE PASSENGER FRONT AND BACK SIDE GOT FLOODED. FILED AN INSURANCE CLAIM AND THE…"~95,000 mi, complaint #1660487
    • "I WAS DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH WHEN, ALL OF A SUDDEN, I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION. A FEW SECONDS LATER, I FELT THE CAR PULLING SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT. A FEW GLASS FRAGMENTS THEN STARTED TO COME THROUGH THE SUNROOF COVER AND THIS IS WH…"~108,000 mi, complaint #1302456
    • "MY MERCEDES C300 2008 WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY. I WALKED OUTSIDE AND WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THAT THE SUNROOF GLASS HAD INEXPLICABLY EXPLODED OUTWARD. PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED PHOTOS. OUR SLIDING SUNROOF SHADE WAS OPEN. WE FOUND GLASS ALL OVER THE ROOF OF THE CAR,…"~164,000 mi, complaint #1274602
  21. #21

    timing belt or chain

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "BELT TENSIONER MAKES LOUD METALLIC NOISE AROUND THE ENGINE AREA. CAR WOULDN'T START. CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER MAGNETS REPLACED. WATER LEAK FROM SUN ROOF DRAIN SIDE MIRROR CRACKED UNDER COLD WEATHER. *TR"~60,000 mi, complaint #1179521
    • "BELT HAS TORN TO SHREDS HAS HAD IT REPLACED 2 TIMES THE PULLIES ARE BAD"~103,000 mi, complaint #1338560
  22. #22

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "EL CARRO NO TIENE BUEN ACELERACION Y CUANDO ACELERAS EL PEDAR DE ACELERACION TIENDE A AUEDARCE ACELERADO Y POR VARIAS OCACIONES ETENIDO QUE EVITAR ACCIDETE ESTE PROBLEMA VIENE DESDE EL 07 Y 2011 Y NADIE LO A REPORTADO Y EL SISTEMA ES COSTOSO ESPERO QUE SE TOME…"complaint #1264723
    • "WHILE DRIVING MY CAR WASN'T PICKING UP SPEED AS IT SHOULD . ONE SPEEDOMETER ( ON THE RIGHT ) MOVING UP FASTER THAN THE ONE ON THE LEFT . ALSO WHEN I TRY TO DRIVE 40MPH OR OVER ON A HIGHWAY MY CAR ISN'T PICKING UP HOW IT'S SUPPOSED TO ."complaint #1583745
  23. #23

    driveshaft axle cv

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR STRANGE NOISES. DEALER STATED THAT FRONT AXLES ARE COMING APART. THAT LARGE AMOUNTS OF METAL ARE MISSING FROM THE FRONT AXLES."~44,000 mi, complaint #1357424
  24. #24

    power windows and locks

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS FAILED TO LOCK MANUALLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE POWER DOOR LOCK SWITCH HAD TO BE USED IN ORDER FOR THE DOORS TO LOCK. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS OPEN AND…"~48,000 mi, complaint #1107500
  25. #25

    seat mechanism

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "When I was driving, the passenger active headrest suddenly deployed and pop out. I’m glad on one was on the passenger seat, and the airbags did not deployed. I’m concerned about the safety of airbags accidentally deploy in the future with the broken headrest."complaint #1766456
    • "What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The front passenger seat is not able to make adjustments. Seat has moved out of the rails, one side moves and the others does not move. How was your safety or…"complaint #1804872
  26. #26

    steering rack mechanical

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND I FELT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HAVING WEIRD PROBLEM WHEN I WAS TRYING TO TURN, AFTER I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND IT DIDN'T TURN BACK TO ITS OWN POSITION, SO I HAD TO TURN IT BY MYSELF. AT FIRST, I THOUGHT IT WA…"~39,654 mi, complaint #1082064
    • "MY CAR DID NOT RESPOND WHEN I TRIED TO START AND THE STEERING WAS LOCKED AND I COULD NOT FIRE THE IGNITION. I TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST MERCEDES SHOWROOM AND THEY SAID THAT THE STEERING WAS LOCKED AND SHOULD BE REPLACED WHICH WILL COST ME $1100. I HAVE…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1211687
  27. #27

    throttle and pedal

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "I HAD THE CAR WAS STARTING TO SHIFT GEARS ODDLY AND THAT IT WOULD SEEM LIKE THE CAR WOULD REV HIG RPM WHILE MY FOOT WAS OFF THE GAS PEDAL . I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A MERCEDES DEALER AND HE SAID THE TRANSMISSION WAS FINE . A FEW WEEKS LATER UPON LEAVING A PARKING…"~6,990 mi, complaint #1258813
    • "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 PUSHI…"~15,000 mi, complaint #825166
  28. #28

    ac compressor and refrigerant

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "AIR CONDITIONER SMELLS CORROSION WHILE DRIVING TO WORK AND CAUSED SEVERE HEADACHE REACTION WHILE DRIVING CAR AND WENT TO CAR REPAIR SHOP AND WAS DIAGNOSED TO HAVE A/C COIL LEAKING INSIDE VEHICLE."~91,000 mi, complaint #1457802
  29. #29

    alignment and pull

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT A CERTAIN SPEED THE REAR END STARTS FISHTAILING MAKING IT HARD TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE"~102,678 mi, complaint #1417327
  30. #30

    brake booster

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Brake Booster vacuum leak causing it to not brake properly. Requires more pedal pressure to come to a stop. Extremely dangerous "complaint #1924856
  31. #31

    fuel pump

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "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 M…"~67,574 mi, complaint #1505377
  32. #32

    instrument cluster

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "GETTING INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MESSAGES ABOUT TAIL AND BRAKE LIGHTS TO BE CHECKED. I REPLACED BULBS AND HAVE THE SAME MESSAGES. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE SENSOR MONITORS RESISTANCE AND THE BULBS MAY BE FINE. GETTING MESSAGE FOR BOTH SIDES NOW AND I AM VERY CONCERNED R…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1040208
  33. #33

    interior trim

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "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 F…"~21,000 mi, complaint #1184237
  34. #34

    power steering hydraulic

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY STOP WORKING WHILE I AM DRIVING."~128,908 mi, complaint #1433384
  35. #35

    software or update

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "MY 2008 C300 MOONROOF HAS A DEFECT. THE OPERATION CONTROL PANEL WILL NOT AUTO OPEN OR AUTO CLOSE. MY CAR HAS 338 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE HAD IT FOR 8 DAYS. 4 OF THESE 8 DAYS IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP. MERECEDES ENGINEERING IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THEIR WILL B…"complaint #665986
  36. #36

    stability and traction control

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "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…"~76,000 mi, complaint #1373881
  37. #37

    suspension struts shocks

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "FRONT SUSPENSION DROPPED TO LOW AND HITS THE TIRES WHILE DRIVING CAR CAUSING FLAT TO TIRE AND LOSE CONTROL OF CAR VERY DANGEROUS."~91,000 mi, complaint #1457797
  38. #38

    torque converter

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "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 LI…"~77,749 mi, complaint #1560965
  39. #39

    tpms

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. WHENEVER THE CONTACT DRIVES THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TIRE INFLATION WARNING INDICATOR APPEARS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, EVEN THOUGH THE TIRES HAVE THE CORRECT TIRE PRESSURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE…"~3,800 mi, complaint #690314
  40. #40

    transfer case awd

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TRANSFER CASE RESEAL. I HAVE A 2008 C300 I BOUGHT WITH 56K MILES ON IT, I HAD TO HAVE THE WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. WHEN THIS SERVICE TOOK PLACE, I WAS INFORMED THAT I NEED TO HAVE MY TRANSFER CASE RESEALED AND THE CAM SHAFT MAGNETS REPLACED. THIS…"~56,800 mi, complaint #1500231
  41. #41

    transmission automatic

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "STARTED REVERSING CAR WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR CONTINUED MOVING. CAR WAS IN PARK. CAN START CAR BUT IT APPEARS TO BE STUCK IN NEUTRAL, WILL ROLL BACK OR FORWARD - NO GEARS ENGAGE."~49,004 mi, complaint #1197169
  42. #42

    trunk or liftgate

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "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,…"~180,000 mi, complaint #2116425

Recall-sized clusters

These are large batches of near-identical complaints (recall notifications, service campaigns), kept separate from the ranking above so they don't drown out individually-reported problems.

Not matched to any cluster below: every campaign NHTSA has on file for this exact make/model/year is 14V177000, 15V711000, 16V081000, 16V363000, 17V017000, 17V177000, 22V168000. This is a vehicle-wide list, not an attribution - see below for which clusters have a real, complainant-cited match.

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for MERCEDES BENZ C 300 directly.