2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 836 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 23 C-Class model years with reports.
Of the 2008 reports, 25 involved a crash and 21 involved a fire. 30 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints: air bags
324 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Seat belts, Jan 15, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE AIR BAG SRS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT SENSOR. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE SEAT BELT SENSOR SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V711000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Air bags, Jan 12, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V711000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Seat belts, Nov 17, 2015
CAR WAS WORKING FINE THEN THE FOLLOWING MORNING, I CANNOT GET MY CAR TO START. ON THE DASHBOARD IT READS SRS MALFUNCTION.
Electrical system, Air bags, Nov 6, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C350. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SRS MALFUNCTION LIGHT BECAME ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Air bags, Sep 26, 2015
DRIVER AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON DASH AND OFF.
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Aug 7, 2015
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
Air bags, Jul 30, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300W. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 TO 70 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED "FRONT LEFT SRS MALFUNCTIONED; SERVICE REQUIRED". THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,150.
Air bags, Jul 30, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A THIRD VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 22,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Seat belts, May 20, 2015
PASSENGER SEATBELT IS CLICKED ON, BUT IT KEPT ON BEEPING SHOWING THAT ITS NOT CLICK ON WHILE DRIVING. IT DOES THAT VERY OFTEN SINCE I GOT THE CAR BACK IN 2011. THE SAME AS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG, THE LIGHT SENSOR KEEPS ON POPPING ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING TOO. I DONT KNOW IF THIS A PROBLEM I SHOULD TAKE CARE OF MYSELF BECAUSE OF MY DAILY DRIVING.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, Jan 31, 2015
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
Air bags, Aug 20, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE THAT THE DRIVING PATTERN ON THE ROAD CHANGED AND CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 11/05/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HER SON RECEIVED SEVERE FACIAL, HEAD INJURIES. SURGERY WAS REQUIRED IN ORDER TO RECONSTRUCT FACIAL FRACTURES AND LACERATIONS. UPDATED 7/15/2015*JS
Air bags, Seat belts, Aug 11, 2014
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
Electrical system, Air bags, Engine, Jul 23, 2014
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
Air bags, Seat belts, Jul 10, 2014
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 EXPLAINED BY THE MECHANIC) THAT IN AN EVENT OF A CRASH THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY, WHICH IS PRETTY SERIOUS. ALTHOUGH I WAS STILL UNDER THE FACTORY WARRANTY FOR MILES (50,000) MY YEARS WITH THE CAR WAS ABOVE THEIR YEAR LIMIT(4 YEARS). I HAVE SEEN EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE BEING REPORTED BY MANY BENZ C300 YEAR 2008+ OWNERS REPORTING THIS ISSUE IN MANY FORUMS ONLINE AND THERE'S A MENTION OF THIS ISSUE TO NHTSA AS WELL. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Oct 20, 2013
ALL EXTERIOR LIGHT BULBS KEEP BURNING . -SEAT BELT STAYS ON EVEN IS USED. AIR BAGS COMES ON AND OFF. THE ENGINE MAKES LIKE HIGH IDOL NOISE LIKE THE CAR WANTS TO MOVE EVEN ITS BRAKE. *TR
Air bags, Feb 24, 2013
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
Air bags, Apr 2, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD REST AIR BAG WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SENSOR WAS MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
Air bags, Aug 21, 2011, crash
IN MY 2008 MERCEDES C350 MY AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN A HEAD ON CRASH AT 50 MILES PER HOUR, THE CAR HAD 18,000 IN DAMAGE AND NO AIRBAGS WENT OFF. *TR
Air bags, Mar 2, 2010, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 30 MPH, A VEHICLE MADE AND IMPROPER TURN TO GET IN FRONT OF THE CONTACTS VEHICLE WHICH THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACTS FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MODERATE INJURIES TO HIS CHEST, HEAD, HANDS, KNEES AND LOWER BACK. THE POLICE ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS MADE. AFTERWARD, THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND AN INVESTIGATOR WAS SENT TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE FOR DEFECTS IN THE AIR BAG. THE INVESTIGATOR DID NOT FIND ANY FAILURES TO THE AIR BAGS. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT TAKE ANY LIABILITY FOR THE FAILURE STATING THAT THE THRESHOLD FOR THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WAS "NOT REACHED." REPAIRS WERE MADE BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,250. UPDATED 4/7/2010 *CN 09/23/10
Air bags, Feb 18, 2010, crash
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 VEHICLE AND IT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 20,000.
Air bags, Sep 6, 2009, crash
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 POINT OF IMPACT WAS THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, SEEMED VERY DEAD CENTER IN BETWEEN THE TWO HEADLIGHTS. THE TRUNK OF THE TREE MUST HAVE BEEN OVER 5 FEET IN CIRCUMFERENCE, IT WAS VERY BIG AND STABLE. THE GRAVITATIONAL PULL AND ANGLE OF IMPACT CAUSED FOR WAY MORE DAMAGE THAN NORMALLY AT THE SPEED OF IMPACT. THE TREE WAS MOVED BACK. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS IN THE CAR WERE DEPLOYED, AND ALL THREE OF THE OCCUPANTS WERE HURT. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT A TOWING LOT AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT ANY OF THE DAMAGE. *TR
Air bags, May 6, 2009, crash
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.
Air bags, Jan 29, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C350. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE LIGHT; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVEN DAYS LATER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,000.
Air bags, Oct 26, 2007, crash, fire
ACCIDENT. 2008 MERCEDES C-350 REAR ENDED A DELIVERY TRUCK. MERCEDES BEGAN SMOKING IMMEDIATELY AND CAUGHT FIRE WITHIN ONE MINUTE. WITHIN 3-5 MINUTES ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WERE FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAME. DRIVER ESCAPED BEFORE CAR BURNED. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN THIS FRONT END CRASH. DRIVER HAD CONCUSSION AND FACIAL INJURIES FROM HITTING, POSSIBLY STEERING WHEEL. DRIVER SUSTAINED OTHER INJURIES AS WELL. *TR