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: electrical system
291 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Oct 15, 2016
CAR WILL NOT START WHILE PARKED. BATTERY CHECKED AND TESTED GOOD BY AAA. STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. CAR WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. TOWED TO CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AUTOMOTIVE AND PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS EIS FAILURE. WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS CAR. HOWEVER, IT IS A 'DEALER ONLY' REPAIR DUE TO MERCEDES REFUSAL TO EITHER SELL PARTS OR RELEASE CODES TO INDEPENDENT DEALERS. WAS ALSO TOLD THERE IS A LAWSUIT ATTEMPTING TO FORCE MERCEDES TO CEASE WITH THE PROPRIETARY BALONEY. THE REPAIRS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE AND THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL OR, AT THE VERY LEAST, ALL THE NECESSARY PARTS AND CODES NEED TO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITIES.
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 3, 2016
CAR WONT START ,LOCAL MECHANIC REFER TO COMMON PROBLEM (IGNITION MODUEL),I WAS COMING OUT OF THE CVS PHATMACY AND THE CAR JUST WONT START ,CALLED MB THE Y ASKED ME TO JUMP START BUT NOTHING ,DIFFERENT KEY NOTHING SO I TOWED TO THE DEALER .
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 6, 2016
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 VDC. HAD CAR TOWED TO MERCEDES BENZ DEALER AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH EIS FAILURE (ELECTRONIC IGNITION SYSTEM). COST FOR REPAIR: $1,350.
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 19, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C350. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT THE IGNITION FAILED TO TURN OVER AND START. A WARNING INDICATOR TO REMOVE THE KEY APPEARED. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED AND WOULD NOT TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL STEERING LOCK MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DECLINED TO FILE A COMPLAINT UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 77,000. UPDATED 10/04/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE OLD PARTS AND REPAIR RECEIPT ARE AVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/13/16.*JB
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 9, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C350. WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH, A CLICKING SOUND WAS HEARD AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC STEERING WHEEL LOCK FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 9, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING LOCK AND IGNITION MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 4, 2016
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 SERIOUS CONCERN FOR ME AS A 72 YEARS' OLD SENIOR, COULD BE A DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE, CREATING A LIFE AND DEATH SITUATION. MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER, JUAN OBANDO, TOLD ME THAT THE WIRING TO THE HEADLAMPS WAS CORRODED AND COULD NOT BE REPLACED. I WOULD HAVE TO BUY TWO (2) COMPLETE NEW HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY UNITS COSTING $1,890.- PLUS TAX AND LABOR INSTALLATION. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHTS AND UNPREDICTABLY AND INTERMITTENTLY LOSING HEAD AND LOW BEAM LIGHTS, IS OF GRAVE SAFETY CONCERN TO ME AND CREATES A HAZARD TO PEDESTRIANS AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROADWAY AND HIGHWAYS. UPDATED 03/29/2017 *JS
Electrical system, Jul 27, 2016
KEY IS NOT RECOGNIZED WHEN INSERTED IN THE IGNITION. THEREFORE, CAR WILL NOT START. DEALERSHIP STATES THAT THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION SWITCH (EIS)IS FAULTY. THIS PROBLEM IS WELL DOCUMENTED THROUGH OUT THE USA. THE REPAIR COSTS IS ESTIMATED AT $800-2,000 DOLLARS. ON JULY 19TH, 2016, I RAN SEVERAL ERRANDS. ONCE AT HOME, I TRIED TO START MY CAR. THE IGNITION DID NOT TURN BUT BATTERY LIFE WAS STRONG. DASHBOARD READ " REMOVE KEY CAR WILL NOT START..."
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Jul 27, 2016
ON JULY 21,2016 AT 9AM AND I PARKED MY CAR AND WENT TO WORK, 2 HOURS LATER CAME BACK AND TRY TO START THE CAR, DID NOT START. CAR DOOR LOCKS AND TRUNK LOCKS OPEN AND CLOSE BUT WHEN I TURN THE IGNITION ON , NO RESPONSE, NO DISPLAY ON INSTRUMENT PANEL AROUND SPEEDOMETER GAUGES. NO HISSING OR CRANKING OR BEEPING NOISE ALSO. STEERING COLUMN WAS ALSO LOCKED UP AND INOPERABLE.ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO COMMAND SCREEN WITH LCD DISPLAY THAT CONTROLS ALL FUNCTIONS SMOKED A LITTLE AND WAS SHUT DOWN DISPLAY. GOING TO THE LAST WEEKS PROBLEM STEERING COLUMN HAS LOCKED ME OUT AND ALSO EIS THAT IS THE COMMUNICATOR FROM IGNITION SWITCH AND ALTERNATOR OR STARTED DO NOT FUNCTION ALSO. I HAPPENED TO SEE MORE THAN HUNDREDS OF CAR WITH THE SAME YEAR GROUP AND MODEL HAS SMILIAR PROBLEMS .MY CAR MILEAGE WAS 93121. I WOULD LIKE MAKE THIS AS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM OF UNRELIABILITY OF THE PARTS AND THE MANUFACTURER LET IT ROLL OFF ASSEMBLY LINE WITH OUT DOING DILIGENT TESTING OF THE PARTS INVOLVED FROM THE SUPPLIERS FOR RELIABLITY AND DURABILITY AND IN TURN COST THE CONSUMERS $2000-3000 OF UNNECESSARY EXPENSE/TROUBLESHOOT AND FIX/ THAN YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR HELP.
Electrical system, Jul 26, 2016
ELECTRONIC IGNITION SWITCH (EIS) HAS FAILED TWICE! IN 6 WEEKS AND NOW THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK MUST ALSO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A CONCERN THAT THE ESL MAY MALFUNCTION AND LOCK STEERING WHILE DRIVING. THIS ISSUE APPEARS TO BE WIDE SPREAD IN 2008 AND 2009 MERCEDES C300 VEHICLES. NO SUPPORT FROM MERCEDES AFTER CALLS TO NJ HEADQUARTERS.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 15, 2016
THE ELECTRONIC STEERING CONTROL LOCK MODULE WENT OUT ON MY CAR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A REOCCURRING ISSUE WITH ANY "W204" 2008/2009 MERCEDES BENZ MODEL CAR. I'VE DOCUMENTED OVER A FEW HUNDRED CASES ALONE ON THE FORUMS ONLINE. THIS IS A DEALERSHIP ONLY FIX AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. BASICALLY, SECURITY SYSTEM IN THE CAR THAT LETS THE KEY COMMUNICATE WITH THE IGNITION SYSTEM GOES OUT AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. IT'S A $1200 FIX MINIMUM..
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Jul 2, 2016
PARKED VECHILE TO MAKE A QUICK STOP WHEN I RETURNED VECHILE WILL NOT START. GOT A JUMP AND IT WAS CONFIRMED IT WAS NOT THE BATTERY CAR WAS ONLY AT 75000 MILES
Electrical system, Jun 27, 2016
FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. HUNDREDS OF FORUMS ONLINE PROVE THAT WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM IN C - CLASS CARS AND OTHERS FROM MERCEDES BENZ THEIR IGNITION SWITCHES PROVE TO BE FAULTY. CAR BECAUSE AUTOMATICALLY STUCK IN PARK AND REQUIRES THOUSANDS TO FIX THE ISSUE. CAR RAN FINE TO WORK AND LEAVING WORK I WAS LEFT IN THE DARK AND LATE HOURS HAVING TO GET IT TOWED. WHICH COULD NOT BE TOWED DUE TO IT BEING STUCK IN PARK. I'VE BEEN QUOTED $1500 TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND IT APPEARS THIS IS COMMON FOR THESE VEHICLES. COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. THE NEAREST DEALER TO FIX THE ISSUE WAS OVER 20 MILES AWAY.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, Jun 26, 2016
FRONT DRIVER SEAT BELT MAKE THE AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON AND OFF WHEN DRIVING ON THE DASH. CAR WILL NOT START SHORTAGE THAT KILL THE BATTIER THIS IS MY SECOND BATTIER IN A WEEK.
Steering, Electrical system, Jun 5, 2016
MY CAR WON'T START, READ ONLINE HUNDREDS OF OTHERS CARS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM FOR 2008 4MATIC C300. WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, May 17, 2016
STATIONARY VEHICLE NO START, NO CRANK WITHOUT WARNING WHILE PARKED ON A CITY STREET. FAILURE WITHIN THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK. VEHICLE WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THE DRIVERS KEY. DRIVER AND PASSENGERS LEFT DANGEROUSLY STRANDED WHERE EVER THE VEHICLE IS PARKED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS. THIS FAILURE MAKES IT UNABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL POSITION FOR TOWING.
Electrical system, May 17, 2016
NAVIGATION SCREEN STARTED FLICKERING ON AND OFF AND THEN SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM IT. THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH THE RADIO/ NAVIGATION. IF THERE IS SMOKE THEN THERE IS WIRES BURNING WHICH CAN CAUSE A FIRE.
Electrical system, May 12, 2016
STEERING COLUMN LOCK FAILURE. THIS DISABLED THE IGNITION NOT ALLOWING THE CAR TO START. FROM A LITTLE REASEARCH ON THE INTERNET I FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON MANY OF THEIR VEHICLES. THIS LEFT ME COMPLETELY STRANDED AND MERCEDES DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THE ISSUE ALTHOUGH IT IS EASY TO FIND AND DIAGNOSE WITH A FEW MINUTES ON THE INTERNET. THERE IS ALSO A EIS ISSUE BUT MINE IS THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK MOTOR CAUSING THE PROBLEM. MERCEDES NEEDS TO RECALL THESE AND MAKE IT RIGHT. THAY COULD STRAND PEOPLE IN A BAD SITUATION. MY CAR RAN FINE BIT WOULD NOT RESTART. ALL LOCK AND UNLOCK FUNCTIONS WORKED. I HAD A MESSAGE ON THE DASH TO REMOVE KEY. IT HAD NO ACCESSORY TURN ON OR CRANK FUNCTION.
Electrical system, May 9, 2016
ESL FAILURE. APPARENTLY THIS IS A VERY COMMON 1200$ ISSUE WITH C-CLASS. THE KEY WOULD TURN BUT THE CAR WON'T START. HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO INSTANTLY KNEW IT WAS THE ESL. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE ISSUES. SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM!
Electrical system, Apr 9, 2016
ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK - KNOWN DEFECT - CAR DOESN'T START NO RECALL ISSUED.
Electrical system, Apr 5, 2016
VEHICLE WILL NOT START. IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND IT HAS LEFT ME STRANDED FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. I GET "REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION" WHEN EITHER KEY IS PLACED IN THE IGNITION. THIS PROBLEM IS CONSISTENT WITH OTHER C300 OWNERS AROUND THE COUNTRY. WHEN I TOLD MY SERVICE ADVISOR AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, J WAS TOLD IT COULD RANGE FROM $475 TO OVER $2000. THE KEYS AND THE IGNITION SYSTEM ARE THE CULPRIT AND MERCEDES HAS YET TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS.
Electrical system, Mar 17, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE DRIVER DRIVING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS POWERED OFF BUT FAILED TO RESTART WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION SWITCH AND THE IGNITION STARTER SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,747. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Air bags, Mar 3, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AS THE SRS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,050.
Electrical system, Feb 22, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 27, 2016
THE C-CLASS HAS A SURMOUNTABLE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS PERTAINING TO THE IGNITION SWITCH AND STEERING LOCK. BOTH OF WHICH CAN GO OUT AT ANYTIME, INCLUDING WHILE DRIVING AND BEING STRANDED IN DESOLATE LOCATIONS WITHOUT WARNING. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH PARTS AND THE COST IS UNFAIR TO THE CONSUMER BECAUSE THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT THAT IS NOT BEING ACKNOWLEDGED. BOTH INSTANCES, I PARKED MY VEHICLE, WENT INTO A BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT, RETURNED TO MY VEHICLE TO LEAVE AND FOUND MYSELF STRANDED. THANK GOD, I WAS IN SAFE LOCATIONS BUT WHAT IF I WASN'T. THESE CARS ARE NOT RELIABLE AND THESE PROBLEMS NEED TO BE FIXED IMMEDIATELY. ALSO, MERCEDES IS NOT SURE IF THIS CAN GO OUT WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION WHICH IS EVEN MOR SCARIER.