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: exterior lighting
149 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 1, 2025
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 was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 10, 2025
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 .
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Mar 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated after the vehicle was taken to the dealer for an unknown recall repair, the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The contact also became aware that the driver’s side headlight was inoperable. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a detached headlamp wiring harness. The dealer recommended that driver’s and passenger’s side headlamps be replaced. Additionally, the taillights remained illuminated after turning off the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jun 23, 2022
The tail left bulb mount carrier part Number 204-820-15-00-64, one of the terminal in the back, is corroded. Also, one of the cable is burnt. In short, the tail lamp doesn’t work. It is a hazard problem since it affects the brake signaling, turning signaling and all other tail lamps signaling. For many years, I have read many incidents like this reported from owners like me and Mercedes has done nothing. I cannot use the vehicle in this condition because it is is a safety hazard.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 8, 2022
Both headlights wiring harnesses (right and left ) wiring has melted and all wiring is now exposed and touching and causing all light bulbs ( headlights-tail lights-turn signals-brake lights-ect) to be shortage out due to the original wiring not being constructed to resist the heat from the engine and environment.We had MB of Maidland,fl and Elite motors of Ococee,fl to view this issue with the only fix is out-of-pocket repair in the thousands of dollars.i have a neighbor with a MB experiencing similar problems
Exterior lighting, Jan 6, 2022
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the exterior headlights and taillights would independently illuminate while idle without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where a camera was placed on the vehicle for four days; however, the failure did not occur while in the mechanic's possession. While the contact stated that the failure was intermittent, the failure had become more frequent recently. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Exterior lighting, Feb 1, 2021, fire
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 REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED A WEEK LATER THE REAR PASSENGER LIGHT PLUGS WERE MELTED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V177000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING), HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 212,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Feb 1, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, SEVERAL ELECTRICAL FAILURES HAD OCCURRED AND ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. IT WAS LATER DISCOVERED THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY FUSE. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAD STOPPED WORKING AND THE SRS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER PLAZA MERCEDES BENZ LOCATED AT 11910 OLIVE BLVD, CREVE COEUR, MO 63141 AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 15, 2020
MY 2008 C300 HAD THE RIGHT TAIL BREAK LIGHT + REAR RIGHT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT ERROR MESSAGE THESE FEW DAYS, I REPLACE THE LIGHT BULBS WHICH DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM THEN I FOUND THE BROWN WIRE AT CONNECTOR MELT BADLY, I GOOGLE THIS ISSUE ON THE WEB AND FOUND ALL 2008/2009 MERCEDEZ C CLASS HAS THE SAME ISSUE, CAN WE GET A RECALL TO FIX IT ON THIS ?
Exterior lighting, Jan 4, 2020
THE TAIL LIGHTS ARE SHORTING OUT. A BURNING SMELL IS EMINATING FROM THE WIRES. THE DASHBOARD MESSAGES ARE FLASHING VARIOUS PROBLEMS I.E. REAR TAIL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, ETC. FIRST IT INDICATES LEFT SIDE THEN IT INDICATES THE RIGHT SIDE HAS THE PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR ROLLING. THE ENGINE IS ON.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Equipment, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 26, 2019
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 AND HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED AND PAY $380 JUST TO LOOK AT IT EVEN THOUGH I TOLD THEM THEY CAUSED DAMAGE THERE IS NO WAY A PERFECTLY RUNNING CAR COINCIDENTALLY HAS MAJOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES POST RECALL (THEY REPLACED ENTIRE STASH BOARD AND STEERING WHEEL COVER)
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Mar 26, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE DRIVING, THE SRS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE HORN, HEADLIGHTS, CRUISE CONTROL, AND TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 AND 16V363000 (AIR BAGS) AND CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF AUGUSTA (3061 WASHINGTON RD, AUGUSTA, GA 30907, (706) 860-1111). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT SHE WOULD BE PLACED ON A WAITING LIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTICED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 9, 2018
TAKATA RECALL HEADLIGHTS FLICKERING WHEN CAR IS OFF ALSO HEADLIGHT RANDOMLY GO OFF WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ETC AND WHEN LIGHTS STAY ON IT DRAINS THE CAR BATTERY
Exterior lighting, Sep 5, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARKING LAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BAKER MOTOR COMPANY (1513 SAVANNAH HWY, CHARLESTON, SC) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LAMPS OVERHEATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. ** UPDATED 11/1/18*JB
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Jun 6, 2018
TAKATA RECALL , EXTERIOR LIGHTING RECALL
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, May 14, 2018
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.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 16, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C350. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, A FAMILY MEMBER NOTIFIED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE TRUNK. THE CONTACT OPENED THE TRUNK AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS IN FLAMES AROUND THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS PRESENT, BUT NO REPORT WAS FILED. THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACED APPROXIMATELY FOUR YEARS AGO PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL BY MERCEDES-BENZ OF SOUTH ORLANDO IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA. HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED FOR THE RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 13, 2017
DRIVERS SIDE REAR TAILLIGHT ISSUES; BROWN GROUND WIRE SHORTED OUT AND MELTED CONNECTOR PLUG AND SHORTED OUT LAMP ASSEMBLY .
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Nov 13, 2017
'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.
Exterior lighting, Jan 3, 2017
THE HEADLIGHTS (LOW BEAM) FLICKER OR TURN OFF COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE THE LIGHT SWITCH IS IN THE "ON" POSITION (NOT "AUTO"). THIS HAPPENS DURING THE DAY OR AT NIGHT TIME, WHICH CONSTITUTES A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 16, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO OPERATE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE CABLE WIRE CONNECTED TO THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHT BULBS WERE DAMAGED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE PARKING INDICATOR ALSO FAILED AND THE CABLE CONNECTED TO THE PARKING INDICATOR WAS DAMAGED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS NEEDED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 25, 2016
FRONT LAMPS AND HEADLIGHT KEEP RANDOMLY NOT FUNCTIONING AT START OR WHEN DRIVING. WARNING LIGHT THAT BULB IS OUT COMES ON BUT THEN GOES AWAY AND THE LIGHTS COME BACK ON AFTER A LITTLE OF TIME AND A RESTART OF ENGINE.
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Oct 21, 2016
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 THE NECESSARY PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *LN VIN UNAVAILABLE 6/26/18*JB
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
Exterior lighting, Aug 28, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,800.