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.
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.
Air bags, Mar 29, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V711000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTERWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
Air bags, Mar 29, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V7110000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE RECALL WAS COMPLETED ON THE VEHICLE, THE SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
Air bags, Mar 25, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED 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 FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Air bags, Mar 24, 2016
2008 MERCEDES BENZ C-300. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SRS CONTROL UNIT CORROSION RECALL NOTICE REPAIR ISSUES. *SMD
Air bags, Mar 23, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V711000 AND 16V081000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT 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. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Mar 23, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V711000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 22, 2016
COULD NOT START MY CAR WHILE STATIONARY. PUT KEY IN THE IGNITION AND GOT A MESSAGE ON THE DASH TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION. NO DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. THERE WAS NO CLICKING OR NOISE...IT WAS JUST DEAD. THE ALARM SYSTEM AND HEADLIGHT AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE ALL WORKING SO IT WAS NOT THE BATTERY. I CALLED ROADSIDE AND THE GAVE ME A JUMP, BUT CONFIRMED THAT MY BATTERY WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON SATURDAY NIGHT AFTER WAITING FOR 5 HOURS. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT EVEN CONDUCT THE DIAGNOSTICS ON THE CAR UNTIL TUESDAY AFTERNOON. THEY DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING LOCK WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $1000. THEY DID NOT EVEN OFFER TO LOAN ME A CAR, OR ASK IF I NEEDED TRANSPORTATION. SO ESSENTIALLY THEY LEFT THEIR CUSTOMER STRANDED! THIS IS NOT THE SERVICE THAT IS EXPECTED FROM MERCEDES! I HAVE HAD CARS (ACURA AND BMW) LONGER THAN MY 2008 C300 WITH MORE MILES WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE A REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING LOCK. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG ALL MERCEDES AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER.
Air bags, Mar 21, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V711000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Mar 21, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V711000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Engine, Mar 17, 2016
MANIFOLD INTAKE CONTROL ARM BROKE AT AROUND 67,000 MILES CAUSING MAJOR ACCELERATION PROBLEMS PRIMARILY IN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR AT LOW RPMS. IT WAS A SAFETY CONCERN DUE TO RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. AFTER INSPECTING DESIGN OF INTAKE MANIFOLD, THERE ARE MANY PLASTIC PARTS THAT CAN BREAK OFF AND ENTER THE ENGINE CAUSING IRREPAIRABLE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS HAPPENING ON THE FREEWAY AT HIGH SPEED ARE UNIMAGINABLE.
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.
Air bags, Mar 16, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V711000 AND 16V081000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT 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. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Mar 16, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED 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 VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Mar 15, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V711000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Mar 10, 2016
TAKATA RECALL. PURSUANT TO MY NOTIFICATION LETTER FROM MERCEDES-BENZ DATED DECEMBER 2015, AN AUTHORIZED MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER OR MSUSA HAS FAILED OR IS UNABLE TO PERFORM CORRECTIVE ACTION TO RECTIFY THE FAULTY AIRBAG. THIS COMPLAINT IS PER THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THEIR LETTER.
Air bags, Mar 10, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V711000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V08100 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIRS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PART DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Mar 10, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED 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. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) BUT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT YET AVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/11/16*LJ *TR
Air bags, Mar 9, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V711000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WERE 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. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Mar 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN FEBUARY OF 2016. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE GIVEN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Seat belts, Mar 8, 2016
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. NOT SAFE AND SECURE FOR USE AT THIS TIME. RESISTANCE HAS APPEARED WITH OTHER REAR SEAT BELTS AS WELL. THERE IS NO BLOCKAGE OR DISRUPTION OTHER THAN THE MECHANISM WITHIN THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ITSELF THAT DOES NOT CLICK OR STAY IN PLACE WHEN ATTACHED WITH THE METAL SEAT BELT LATCH. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN SEAT LATCH BECAME UNATTACHED AS MY CHILD WAS SECURED IN A SAFETY SEAT AND IT WAS NOTICES THAT THE LATCH BECAME UNFASTENED INVOLUNTARILY
Air bags, Mar 7, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED 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 MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Seat belts, Mar 7, 2016
RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN DECEMBER 2015. HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION AFTER THIS NOTICE. MORE THAN 60 DAYS.
Air bags, Mar 5, 2016
TAKATA RECALL. RECEIVED AN NHTSA RECALL LETTER IN DECEMBER, 2015 (#15V711). MY LOCAL MERCEDES BENZ DEALER FAILED/WAS UNABLE TO PERFORMANCE THE REQUIRED RECALL SERVICE WITHIN 60 DAYS OF THIS LETTER PURSUANT TO LAW 49 U.S.C. CHAPTER 301. THEY COULD NOT TELL ME WHEN MY VEHICLE WOULD BE FIXED, BUT WARNED ME THAT IF I WERE IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, I COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. IN MY VIEW, THIS IS UNSATISFACTORY. IF THESE AIRBAGS ARE THAT MUCH OF A RISK, THEN WHY ISN'T SOMETHING BEING DONE TO DISABLE THEM UNTIL THEY CAN BE FIXED? I GET THEY CAN PREVENT INJURY, BUT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THEY CAN CAUSE MORE INJURY/DEATH IN MINOR ACCIDENTS IF NOT REPAIRED. WHAT IS NHTSA DOING TO GET THE MANUFACTURER TO FIX THIS ISSUE AND PROVIDE THE INVENTORY NECESSARY TO GET THESE POTENTIALLY DEADLY AIRBAGS OUT OF PEOPLE'S CARS? THANK YOU.