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
836 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Jan 10, 2017
NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 716V081 RECALL DATE: FEBRUARY 11, 2016 MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: 2016020003 CERTAIN MERCEDES-BENZ VEHICLES AND ONE FCA MODEL ARE EQUIPPED WITH DRIVER-SIDE FRONT AIRBAGS PROVIDED BY THE SUPPLIER TK HOLDINGS INC. ("TAKATA"). ON JANUARY 25, 2016 TAKATA FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT WITH NHTSA ANNOUNCING A POTENTIAL DEFECT IN SOME OF THE SUBJECT INFLATORS. BASED UPON TAKATA'S INFORMATION TO DATE, TAKATA IS AWARE OF FOUR TEST RUPTURES IN BALLISTIC TESTS OF NON-DESICCATED PSDI-5 INFLATORS. TAKATA IS NOT AWARE OF ANY FIELD INCIDENTS IN WHICH A PSDI-5 INFLATOR HAS RUPTURED, EITHER DESICCATED OR NON-DESICCATED. TAKATA IS TAKING THIS ACTION IN AN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION, TO ADDRESS ALL OF THE SUBJECT NON-DESICCATED PSDI-5 AIR BAG INFLATORS, DUE TO THE SIMILARITIES OF DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING CHARACTERISTICS FOR THIS TYPE OF INFLATOR USED IN THE U.S. MARKET. DAG IS NOT AWARE OF ANY FIELD INCIDENTS WITH THE SUBJECT TAKATA PSDI-5 INFLATORS. HOWEVER, BASED ON THE INFORMATION ABOVE AND IN AN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION, DAG WILL CONDUCT A VOLUNTARY RECALL OF THE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SUBJECT TAKATA PSDI-5 INFLATORS IN THE UNITED STATES AS IDENTIFIED BY TAKATA IN THE DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT.
Air bags, Jan 5, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V363000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
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
Steering, Dec 23, 2016
THE STEERING WHEEL ELECTRONIC LOCK, SHUT DOWN MY CAR. I DROVE TO THE DOCTORS OFFICE AND IT STOP WORKING. IT WOULD NOT START. I FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE 1000 OF COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.. BUT SINCE THERE ISN'T A RECALL WE WOULD BE SUBJECTED TO PAYING OUT OF OUR POCKET. ABOUT $950.
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 20, 2016
ORDINARY DAY AT MY JOB, GOT OFF AND WENT TO MY CAR AND PUT THE KEY IN LIGHTS IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CAME ON AND MESSAGE WAS " REMOVE THE KEY" TURN THE KEY TO ACCESSORY NOTHING HAPPENS, TURN IT ALL THE WAY TO START THE IGNITION NOTHING HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE IS STUCK IN PARK AND THERE IS NO WAY TO MOVE THE SHIFTER. AFTER A RESEARCH ONLINE AND FEW PHONE CALLS I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AMONG MERCEDES VEHICLES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY DID DIAGNOSE IT FOR STEERING WHEEL LOCK AND QUOTED ME $1,300 FOR REPAIRS. I DO BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL OR AT LEASE MERCEDES-BENZ OF USA TAKE IT'S PART AND REIMBURSE THE PARTS SINCE IT'S A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. I'M NOT HAPPY AT ALL OF THE WAY THEY DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM.
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.
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 7, 2016
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 WOULD NOT START. THERE WAS NO SOUND OF THE STARTER OR ANY OTHER NOISES WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY, BUT ALL THE LIGHTS AND EVERYTHING ELSE ELECTRICAL WORKED ON THE CAR. JUST TO BE SAFE, TRIED TO JUMP THE CAR, BUT IT STILL DID NOT START. CAR WAS STUCK AND COULD NOT SHIFT IT INTO NEUTRAL. HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO GET IT TOWED MY LOCAL MBZ DEALER. TURNS OUT IT HAS A BAD ESL.
Other or unspecified, Dec 6, 2016
BELT HAS TORN TO SHREDS HAS HAD IT REPLACED 2 TIMES THE PULLIES ARE BAD
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 5, 2016
AN HOUR AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, I WAS UNABLE TO START IT BACK UP. HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AND DIAGNOSED WITH EIS/ESL FAILURE, AT A COST OF $1700 TO REPLACE. MERCEDES DISAVOWED ALL KNOWLEDGE OF THIS BEING A COMMON ISSUE, DESPITE HUNDREDS OF ONLINE COMPLAINTS TO THE CONTRARY. ALL SIGNS POINT TO THIS BEING DUE TO A CHEAP/FAULTY PART AT MANUFACTURE, WHICH CAN FAIL AT ANY TIME, LEAVING DRIVERS STRANDED IN POTENTIALLY UNSAFE AREAS OR ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. CAR HAS 75000 MILES AND EXEMPLARY SERVICE RECORD. *TR
Air bags, Nov 26, 2016
TAKATA RECALL I HAVE BEEN WAITING MORE THAN 1 YEAR FOR PARTS TO BECOME AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION. I THINK MERCEDES IS STALLING TO AVOID THESE REPAIRS.
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.
Electrical system, Nov 22, 2016
WHEN REPLACING A HEADLIGHT BULB I NOTICED THE H7 WIRE WAS COMPLETELY EXPOSED WITH NO INSULATION, AS I TRIED TO WRAPPED THEM IN ELECTRICAL TAPE TO GET A TEMPORARY FIX, THE LITTLE INSULATION STILL LEFT ON THE CABLE CRUMBLED. I ENCOURAGE TO CHECK THE CABLE INSULATION ON YOUR VEHICLE AS THIS CAN CAUSE A SHORTAGE AND FAIL HEADLIGHTS.
Other or unspecified, Nov 17, 2016
SO FAR NOTHING IS AFFECTED BUT I USE THIS CAR TO GO TO WORK EVERY DAY, TO TAKE MY CHILDREN TO THEIR SPORTS AND DO ALL THE ERRANDS OF MY HOUSEHOLD.. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR ANYMORE ALWAYS THINKING THAT I CAN HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND CAN BE INJURED FOR WHAT IT SUPPOSE TO PROTECT US OR EVEN DIE. I NEED A SOLUTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, I CANT WAIT FOR SOMETHING TO GET WRONG. I FEEL THE NEED TO PROTECT MY CHILDREN AND MYSELF TO A POSSIBLE DANGER.
Electrical system, Nov 16, 2016
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 WILL NOT START.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 10, 2016
EIS ISSUE/STEERING WHEEL LOCK MODULE. VEHICLE WAS DISABLED AND WOULD NOT START DUE TO EIS/STEERING WHEEL LOCK MODULE COMPLICATION. VERY COMMON IN C300 MBZ
Air bags, Nov 9, 2016
TAKATA RECALL. THIS RECALL STARTED IN FEBRUARY 2016, AND NOW, NINE MONTHS LATER, THERE IS NO INDICATION WHEN THE AIRBAGS WILL BE REPLACED. I WILL NOT LET MY CHILD RIDE IN THE VEHICLE, AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY TAKATA ADMITS THERE IS A DEFECT, BUT THE REPAIR HAS NOT BEEN MADE. AT A MINIMUM, I SHOULD BE GIVEN A FREE REPLACEMENT CAR TO DRIVE WHILE MINE IS UNDER A RECALL THAT COULD BE LIFE THREATENING.
Steering, Nov 6, 2016
CAR SUDDENLY WOULD NOT START. STEERING LOCKED, IGNITION WOULD TURN, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. IN A LOANER CAR NOW. SAID IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $1200.00 TO FIX THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK PROBLEM. TECHNICIAN SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG C300. THIS IS AN OUTRAGE, AND MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE.
Air bags, Nov 4, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Nov 3, 2016
C300 NOT STARTING DUE TO BAD ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK MECHANISM, SEEMS TO BE COMMON.
Power train, Engine, Nov 1, 2016
ISSUE WITH CAM GEARS. MERCEDES HAS KNOW ABOUT THIS ISSUE FOR MANY MANY YEARS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. CAR IS UNSAFE WITH THIS PROBLEM AND COSTS ABOUT $8000 TO FIX. FROM THE ONLINE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FROM 2013 "THE ENGINES ARE EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE GEARS IN THEIR BALANCE SHAFTS OR WITH DEFECTIVE IDLE GEARS. THESE DEFECTIVE GEARS WEAR OUT PREMATURELY, EXCESSIVELY, AND WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MALFUNCTION, THE 'CHECK ENGINE LIGHT' TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE TO MISFIRE AND/OR STOP DRIVING." *TR
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
Air bags, Oct 20, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V363000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 11/23/16.*JB...UPDATED 01/05/17 *BF UPDATED 12/04/2017*JS
Steering, Oct 18, 2016
ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK FAIL CAR WON'T TURN ON
Air bags, Oct 17, 2016
TAKATA RECALL IS EFFECTING MY ABILITY TO FEEL SAFE , AND CONFIDENT ABOUT DRIVING THIS VEHICLE PLUS NO DEALER REALLY WANTS THIS VEHICLE ON TRADE UNTIL THE RECALL IS PERFORMED. WHY AREN'T PARTS BEING RELEASED FOR THIS VEHICLE BUT OTHER CAR MANUFACTURES HAVE SEEMED TO BE REPLACING THEIRS?? I WOULD LOVE TO BE INFORMED A LITTLE MORE OR THERE SHOULD BE SOME SORT OF ACTION US CONSUMERS CAN TAKE AGAINST THE MANUFACTURE OF THESE AIRBAGS!!!! *TR
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.