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, Feb 11, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. 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 FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. VIN TOOL CONFIRM PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Feb 9, 2016
TL* 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 MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Feb 9, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. 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 NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 41,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Feb 5, 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 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.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 5, 2016, crash
I HAD THE CAR WAS STARTING TO SHIFT GEARS ODDLY AND THAT IT WOULD SEEM LIKE THE CAR WOULD REV HIG RPM WHILE MY FOOT WAS OFF THE GAS PEDAL . I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A MERCEDES DEALER AND HE SAID THE TRANSMISSION WAS FINE . A FEW WEEKS LATER UPON LEAVING A PARKING LOT I HAD ACCELERATED TO LEAVE THE PARKING LOT AND THE CAR SUDDENLY SPED FORWARD COUSING MY TO HIT A POLE .I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A SHOP AND IT SAID ACCELERATOR PEDAL SHORT. I CALLED MERCEDEDS USA AND THEY HAVENT DONE ANYTHING
Air bags, Feb 4, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. 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 97,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 03/16/16*JB
Air bags, Feb 4, 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 RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Feb 3, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V711000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT 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. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PART NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine, Feb 1, 2016
MY INTAKE MANIFOLD KEEPS BRAKING PART#272-150-24-01. THE FRONT PLASTIC PIECE THAT OPENS THE BAFFLES KEEPS SNAPING THIS IS THE SECOND ONE I BUY IN THE PAST 2 YEARS EACH TIME I PAID $1281.00+LABOR THEY NEED TO MAKE SOMETHING MORE STRONGER THANT THIS, IS A WASTE OF MONEY TO KEEP BUYING THIS.
Air bags, Jan 29, 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 OR REMEDY WAS NOT AVAILABLE. 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. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Jan 29, 2016
CARS STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP WHILE CAR WAS PARKED SEVERAL TIMES AND AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS WITH THE KEYS IT EVENTUALLY STARTED UP. BUT ONE DAY I PARKED IT AND IT WOULD NOT START UP AT ALL. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO MERCEDES SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS THE EIS AND THAT IT WOULD COST 1300 DOLLARS TO REPAIR. DID RESEARCH ONLINE AND NOTICED THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR THIS VEHICLE YEARS 2008-2009 AND THAT THIS IS MORE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A MERCEDES BENZ RECALL RATHER THAN PASSING THIS COST OFF TO THE CONSUMER. I TALKED THIS OVER WITH THE SERVICE TECH AND HE STATED THAT HE GETS NUMEROUS VEHICLES IN FOR THIS SERVICE AND THAT HE ANTICIPATES THAT THIS WILL EVENTUALLY BE A RECALL IN THE FUTURE BUT PRESENTLY I WOULD NEED TO PAY UP FRONT AND WAIT FOR THE RECALL TO BE GENERATED BY MERCEDES. THIS IS UNFAIR THAT A DEFECTIVE PART IS BEING PASSED ON TO THE CUSTOMER, MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 50,000 AND IT IS APPARENT THAT THIS PART GOES BAD ON THE VEHICLE JUST ABOUT THE TIME THE WARRANTY EXPIRES. MERCEDES NEEDS TO STAND BEHIND IT'S VEHICLE AND SATISFY ITS CUSTOMERS WITH A RECALL OF THIS PART.
Air bags, Jan 29, 2016
CALLED THREE TIMES TO FORT WASHINTON, THEN CALLED 1-800-MERCEDES AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE A FIX, YET , FOR THIS ISSUE AND THAT I WOULD BE NOTIFIED WITH A SIMILAR LETTER DATED DECEMBER 2015. I JUST WANT SOMETHING ON THE RECORD IF SOMETHING HAPPENS AND MYSELF, PASSAGERS OR ANYONE ELSE IS INJURED BECAUSE OF THIS CAR DEFECT AND RECALL.
Steering, Power train, Service brakes, Jan 27, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REMOTE KEY FAILED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE PEDAL LOCKED UP, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED, AND THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO COME OUT OF PARK. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATED TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
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.
Air bags, Seat belts, Jan 26, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE SRS LIGHT TURNED OFF AND ON. AFTER TWO MONTHS, THE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS REFERRED TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WARNED THE CONTACT THAT THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE MAY NOT STOP THE SRS LIGHT FROM ILLUMINATING. THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V711000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.
Air bags, Jan 25, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SRS WARNING LIGHT FLASHED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V711000 (AIR BAGS) AND WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Jan 15, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROGRESSIVE FAILURE IN WHICH THE SRS AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V711000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SUPPLY THE PART TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
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.
Other or unspecified, Jan 14, 2016
ON 12/15/15 MY CAR DID NOT START DUE TO "SRS" WARNING ON THE DISPLAY. I HAD TO TOW MY CAR TO MERCEDES DEALER. THEY HAVE FIXED THE ISSUE BLAMING ON BATTERY BUT MY BATTERY WAS FINE ALL THE LIGHTS WERE COMING UP. LATER SAME WEEK I HAVE RECEIVED MAIL FROM MERCEDES REGARDING TO A RECALL DUE TO SRS MALFUNCTION. EVEN THOUGH DEALER NEW THE SRS PROBLEM THEY HAVE CHARGED ME $300+ LABOR FOR IT. I WOULD LIKE TO GET MY TOWING AND LABOR FEE WHICH THEY FRAUDULENTLY CHARGED FOR.
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.
Steering, Jan 6, 2016
ONLY 45,000 MILES ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK FAILED NEED TO TOW THE CAR.
Other or unspecified, Jan 5, 2016
TODAY, I TOOK MY 2008 MERCEDES C300 TO THE CAR WASH. THEY TURNED OFF THE CAR TO WASH IT, AND ONCE THEY WERE DONE, IT WOULD NOT START. THE KEY LOCKS AND UNLOCKS THE DOORS, THE LIGHTS COME ON, AND THE DASH LIGHTS UP. YOU CAN INSERT AND TURN THE KEY BUT THE CAR WILL NOT START. THE DRIVE IS LOCKED IN PARK SO I WAS UNABLE TO SWITCH GEARS TO NEUTRAL. THEY TRIED JUMPING IT AND IT DID NOTHING I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS THE BATTERY BUT HAD IT CHECKED ANYWAYS. WHEN I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE DISPLAY MESSAGE SAID 'PLEASE REMOVE KEY'. AT ANY RATE, THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED ON A FLAT BED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND OTHER OWNERS HAVE STATED THAT IT WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT I AM AWAITING CONFIRMATION FROM THE DEALERSHIP. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS EXACT THING HAS HAPPENED TO MANY OTHER OWNERS.
Steering, Jan 5, 2016
THIS IS THE 2ND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME SAME ISSUE WITH THE EIS STEERING MECHANISM. FIRST TIME I PAID OVER $800 TO HAVE THE PART REPLACED THEN SECOND TIME I AM BEING CHARGED OVER $900 & THAT'S WITH A DISCOUNT! I COMPLAINED & MERCEDES DOES NOT CARE! VERY FRUSTRATING WHEN YOU THINK YOU PURCHASED A CAR FOR RELIABILITY & QUALITY BUT IT IS ALWAYS BREAKING DOWN. MERCEDES KNOWS THE PROBLEM & IS WELL AWARE OF IT BUT WILL NOT FIX IT BECAUSE THEY ARE MAKING A LOT OF MONEY FROM IT! I WAS AT THE GAS STATION READY TO LEAVE & CAR WOULD NOT START. THE LIGHTS WERE ON & RADIO BUT NO LUCK GETTING THE KEY TO TURN AT ALL. HAD TO GET A TOW TRUCK & PAY MORE BECAUSE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO NEUTRAL. I WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN & THEY COULD NOT HELP WITH ANY DISCOUNTS EITHER! JUST NOT RIGHT! SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!!!
Electrical system, Dec 27, 2015
MY 2008 C300 WITH ONLY 68,000 DECIDED TO DIE WITH NO WARNING. I DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP HAD A TAILLIGHT FIXED THEN PARKED THE CAR. THE NEXT DAY THE CAR WOULDN'T TURN ON. ALL THE LIGHTING IN THE DASH TURNS ON BUT I'M GETTING A NOTIFICATION SAYING REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION. THIS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING! I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND AM GETTING AN IDEA THAT IS IS THE EIS. THIS SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO BE OPERATED MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY, IT SHOULDN'T BE FAILING.
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 27, 2015
CAR WILL NOT START, FAILURE IN THE ELECTRICAL STEERING SYSTEM