2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 476 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 23 C-Class model years with reports.
Of the 2010 reports, 20 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 20 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints: air bags
213 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Air bags, May 10, 2026
After having the airbag recall for my Mercedes done, the Electronic Steering Lock failed and my car would not start and the steering wheel is locked. They said my car was ready to pick up and when I arrived the car was completely inoperable. The MB Dealership in Lynnfield, MA wants $2700 to fix it. If you google Mercedes W204 ESLfailure you will see thousand of owners on facebook, message boards and forums that have this part fail, leaving people stranded in sometime dangerous situations. There should be a recall to permanently fix this issue as owners are getting stranded. Its really an issue of "when" the ESL will fail on older models and not "if". The kicker is, the dealership said only they can fix the problem as it is an anti-theft issue. This seems very wrong, owners shouldn't be forced to pay Mercedes to fix their defective, cheap electric motors in the ESL that fail on almost every model that its in. These defective motors are what causes the steering lock failure in almost every instance. MB acts like its normal to be driving properly one day and then next your steering is completely locked and your car will not start because a $15 electronic motor in the ESL failed. Furthermore, these are All wheel drive or rear wheel drive, in addition to the locked steering wheel which makes towing very, very difficult and unsafe. Thank you
Electrical system, Air bags, Engine, Feb 12, 2026
The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the battery and alternator were being drained. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the front air bag sensor message and a fog light message were displayed. The vehicle was towed to an unknown local dealer; however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact then reached out to Mercedes-Benz of Tysons Corner Service and Parts, located at 8545 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182, and was informed about a diagnostic test to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000. The VIN was not available.
Suspension, Air bags, Wheels, Sep 10, 2025
Due to the corrosion in the rear subframe both side of lower control arms snapped the tires to the car are wearing out due to the corrosion in rear subframe and it’s was also hitting my gas tank if I was to go over any holes which can cause a bigger issue
Suspension, Electrical system, Air bags, Sep 10, 2025
Got a car from the dealer soon weeks after the rear subframe was so corroded alignment was able to get done and was snapped on both sides airbag light came on doesn’t go away and the rear right brake like started using the fog light as a turn signal
Steering, Air bags, Structure, Aug 7, 2025
While i have a few recalls i plan on needing service from Mercedes for, I just found out that Mercedes has a Class action lawsuit involving my C class mercedes C300 from 2010-2022 years. I was driving and ran into a pothole. My car rear started making noise and sounds. I went to the auto shop amd was told my rear subframe was damaged and would cost over 2,000. I and putting in a complaint to make sure Mercedes honor this recall/ extended warranty for my vehicle.
Air bags, Apr 9, 2025
Passenger side front airbag reports as inoperable.
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Oct 11, 2022
I purchased the vehicle in 2010 & immediately had to have the electrical system for all lights replaced. The lights on the vehicle goes out every 2 mos as if theres an electrical issue. Air bags had a recall & have been replaced now the system states there is a malfunction. This started 09/08/22.
Air bags, May 21, 2021, crash
Airbags did not deploy after rear-ending another car. Airbags had been recalled and repaired at the Mercedes dealership. There weren't any lights on the dashboard at the time.
Air bags, May 18, 2021, crash
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAD AN UNKNOWN RECALL ON THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS COMPLETED. THE CONTACT STATED 6 MONTHS LATER, HE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND WAS REAR-ENDED BY A MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM STOPPED ABRUPTLY CAUSING HIM TO REAR END INTO THE VEHICLE. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT STATED HE HIT HIS HEAD WITH THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH CAUSED A CONCUSSION AND HIS LEFT EYE DOES NOT OPEN FULLING. THE CONTACT WAS SEEN BY AN AMBULANCE AND SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION FROM HIS PRIMARY DOCTOR AND WAS REFERRED TO A NEUROLOGIST. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 20, 2021
AUG 12, 2020 TOOK C300 TO FLETCHER JONES MOTORCARS OF FREMONT. I PAID FOR THEM TO DO AN OIL & FILTER CHANGE AFTER THEY DID PERFORM RECALL 2018120017 ~ 18P9193104 CAUSE: RECALL 2019120027. PAID $204.65 THAT DAY. 01/21/21- AFTER DRIVING, W MY SIGNIFICANT OTHER, AT CITY SPEED LIMIT TO FEDEX WHICH IS 1 MILE FROM MY HOUSE ON SAME STREET, AND BACK, MY SIG OTHER COULDN'T PUT BACK THE SEAT AND THE AIRBAG LIGHTS WERE ON. I HAD TO DRIVE TO WORK NEXT DAY, UNSAFE...PRESSED UP AGAINST STEERING WHEEL BECAUSE I'M 6 FEET. SOMEHOW THAT WENT AWAY. 03/09/21- I TOOK IN THE CAR, BY TOW TRUCK, BACK SAME PLACE FLETCHER JONES AND HAD A BEE SERVICE PER MANUFACTURERS SPECIFICATIONS SERVICE DEALT ON MY CAR THEY PERFORMED BE SERVICE WITH BRAKE FLUID FLUSH NUMEROUS OTHER STUFF I'M ALSO REPORTED TO THEM A MISFIRING BECAUSE I DID HOOK UP AN OBD2 BUT DURING THEIR ROAD TEST THEY JUST NOTED A STRONG VIBRATION FROM THE DRIVELINE THEY RAN A QUICK TEST FOUND NO FAULT BUT NOTED COLLAPSED BACKSLASH WORN MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS AND RECOMMEND REPLACEMENT THEY ALSO NOTED VOLTAGE RELATED FAULTS HOWEVER THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY WOULD PASS THEIR TESTS AND THEY RELEASED MY CAR TO ME AFTER CHARGING ME $576.97. TODAY, 03/19/21- HAD TO TOW MY CAR AGAIN FROM APPROXIMATELY THREE BLOCKS AWAY BECAUSE IT JUST TURNED OFF ON ME WITH A MESSAGE BRAKE SRS EDT, AND SOMETHING ABOUT IT FAILING. NOW...IM STUCK BECAUSE MERCEDES SCREWED ME!
Air bags, Dec 22, 2020, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ C350. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, AFTER MOVING OFF FROM A FOUR-WAY TRAFFIC STOP, A PEDESTRIAN RAN IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP IN TIME AND SWERVED, ATTEMPTING TO AVOID STRIKING THE PEDESTRIAN. THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE PEDESTRIAN AND THE CONTACT LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK A POLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED HOWEVER, THE CONTACT HAD NOT YET BEEN PROVIDED A COPY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION, RETRO ORBITAL HEMATOMA, FACIAL TRAUMA, MULTIPLE FACIAL CONTUSIONS, AND NECK STRAIN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AT THE SCENE OF THE CRASH, AND WAS THEN TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL TO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PEDESTRIAN WAS INJURED HOWEVER, SHE WAS UNSURE OF HIS INJURY OR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY'S LOT AND WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. ## VIN PASSED ## MERCEDES-BENZ 2010 ##
Air bags, Oct 3, 2020
THE PASSENGER HEAD REST MALFUNCTIONED WHILE VEHICLE WAS OFF NO KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IN A SAFE LOCATION.
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Mar 1, 2020
REALLY CANT SAY MUCH CAUSE THATS HOW I BOUGHT THE CAR.
Air bags, Feb 24, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOLS CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Feb 12, 2020
DEALER DOES NOT HAVE PARTS AVAILABLE TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS.
Air bags, Sep 16, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED AN UNKNOWN RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE AIR BAGS. SMAIL MERCEDES-BENZ (5053 US-30, GREENSBURG, PA) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Sep 13, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 18V043000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V081000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. NAPLETON AUTO WERKS (6600 E RIVERSIDE BLVD, LOVES PARK, IL 61111, (815) 636-6600) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Aug 19, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V043000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF FT. LAUDERDALE (LOCATED AT 2411 FEDERAL HWY, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33316, (954) 949-0623) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT ALSO CALLED CROWN EUROCARS (LOCATED AT 6500 PERIMETER LOOP RD, BUBLIN, OH 43017, (888) 854-8278) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS ON BACKORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Aug 13, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) AND 18V043000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF FORT MITCHELL (LOCATED AT 2100 DIXIE HWY, FORT MITCHELL, KY 41011, (859) 331-1500) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Aug 9, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 18V043000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V081000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF WICHITA AT 316-221-3482 (LOCATED AT 1545 N GREENWICH RD, WICHITA, KS 67206) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF CONSUMER STATED HAVE RECEIVED SEVERAL RECALL NOTICES OVER LAST SEVERAL YEARS. ALWAYS CALL DEALER ONLY TO BE TOLD THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS BUT WILL IN THE NEAR FUTURE. *JB
Air bags, Aug 7, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 AND 16V363000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF PLANO (6455 DALLAS PKWY, PLANO, TX 75024) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Jul 30, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ C350. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RAPIDLY DEPRESSED. THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE AND AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SLID SEVERAL FEET. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THERE WAS NO ONE ELSE IN THE VEHICLE WITH THE CONTACT. THE PERSON THAT THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO WAS NOT INJURED. NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED BY THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THEY STATED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER OF THE TIRES. THE CRASH WAS NOT IN REFERENCE TO ANY OPEN RECALL. HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V043000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. *DT 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB
Air bags, Jul 16, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A SECOND VEHICLE CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. DURING THE CRASH, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD, NECK AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Steering, Air bags, Structure, Jul 5, 2019, crash
ON JUNE 9,2019 I WAS DRIVING GOING TO GIANT GROCERY STORE IN WEST-BARD SHOPPING CENTER IN BETHESDA. .IN THE PARKING LOT I LOST CONTROL OF STEERING COLUMN.HIT A CONCRETE POLE AND PASSED OUT.ALL OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, TIME WAS AROUND I WAS DRIVING ON CITY ROAD.FROM RIVER ROAD TO WESTBARD. I SUFFERED BRAIN,NECK,CHEST AND KNEE INJURIES. SUFFERRED TRANSIENT GLOBAL AMNESIAF OR NEARLY 4 HOURS OR MORE. STILL RECUPERATING. LAST TWO YEARS GETTING LETTERS FOR TAKATA AIRBAG RECALLS BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE, DID NOT KNOW THAT STEERING COLUMN HAD ISSUES. I DID MANUFACTURE RECOMMENDED SERVICE.CAR HAS ABOUT 48,000 MILE ON IT. IT HAS MULTIPLE OPTIONS UPGRADES.
Air bags, Jul 1, 2019
TAKATA RECALL, OTHER CARS FROM SAME RECALL AT SAME DEALERSHIP ARE BEING REPAIRED, AND MINE HAS NOT. I NEED TO KNOW WHY I NEED TO DRIVE AROUND WITH A SHRAPNEL BOMB POINTED AT MY CHEST WHILE OTHERS FROM THE SAME RECALL ARE GETTING THEIR VEHICLES REPAIRED.