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: steering
73 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 1, 2019
ESL MODULE FAILURE(BRUSHES OF THE SUBSTANDARD ELECTRICAL MOTOR GO BAD) LEAVES THE CAR INOPERABLE. ALMOST ALL C300 AND SIMILAR MODELS WILL EXPERIENCE THIS FAILURE BEFORE THEY REACH 80,000 MILES. THE MODULE IS BURIED DEEPLY INTO THE CAR YET IT WOULD FAIL WITH CERTAINTY. THE MASS FAILURE OF THE MODULE WOULD SUGGEST THAT THERE WOULD BE A RECALL, NEVERTHELESS MERCEDES-BENZ(MB) IS PRETENDING THE PROBLEM DOESN'T EXIST AND OWNERS ARE OFTEN LEFT STRANDED ON PARKING LOTS WITH AN USELESS CAR AND STUCK WITH A BILL OF $2000 FOR SOMETHING THAT IS CLEARLY A MB DESIGN AND ENGINEERING FAULT.
Steering, Electrical system, Feb 28, 2019
STEERING WHEEL LOCKED IN GARAGE. "REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION" IS MESSAGE ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. CAR WILL NOT START. THIS CAR HAS LESS THAN 64K MILES. CAR WAS STATIONARY IN MY GARAGE. NOW I HAVE TO PAY A TOW COMPANY TO SOMEHOW GET IT OUT OF GARAGE, AS IT IS FRONT END IN ORIENTED (PULLED IN INSTEAD OF BACKED IN), AND TOW TO DEALERSHIP, AND PREPARE FOR AN OVERLY INFLATED REPAIR COST.
Steering, Wheels, Dec 12, 2018
ON TWO OCCASIONS, WITH THE LATEST BEING ON 12/11/2018, THE VEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL LOCKED COMPLETELY AFTER I PARKED IT. EVEN THOUGH IT'S BEEN SUBJECT TO A RECALL (2010100002), MERCEDES BENZ CHARGED ME $1255 JUST TO UNLOCK IT WITHOUT REPAIRING THE UNDERLYING CAUSE. I WANT MY MONEY BACK BECAUSE THE PROBLEM THEY REPAIRED IS PART OF THE RECALL.
Steering, Air bags, Wheels, Dec 12, 2018
ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH TAKATA AIR BAG HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED.
Steering, Dec 7, 2018
DOES NOT START, STEERING NOT LOCKED, EIS/ESL ISSUES
Steering, Oct 23, 2018
JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE TWO WEEKS AGO, WAS AT A CAR WASH CLEANING THE VEHICLE 4 DAYS AGO, TWO HOURS LATER READY TO LEAVE AND WENT TO START THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START, ONLY ABLE TO LOCK/UNLOCK VEHICLE WITH FAB AND RADIO AND DASH LIGHT STILL WORKED BUT CAR WAS JUST DEAD. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TWICE BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP IS GATED AND NO WHERE TO LEAVE IT ON A SUNDAY THAT WAS SAFE SO TOWED IT ON MONDAY MORNING TO PARK CITY OF DALLAS (MERCEDES) AND THEY ARE WORKING ON THE VEHICLE AND I HAVE BEEN INFORMED IT IS THE STEERING PROBLEM THAT IS COMMON APPARENTLY WITH THIS MODEL. I HAVE READ SO MANY MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS EXACT ISSUE. SO WHY ARE WE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR WHEN ITS OBVIOUS THAT MERCEDES BENZ MESSED UP THEY NEED TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM AT THEIR COST NOT OURS. VERY FRUSTRATING AND DISAPPOINTING. I DROVE MY BMW FOR 22 YEARS AND IT NEVER LEFT ME STRANDED. I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT WHERE DUE TO SOMEONES NEGLIGENCE MY BMW WAS TOTALED SO THOUGHT I WOULD TRY A MERCEDES BUT TWO WEEKS INTO THIS DEAL I AM NOT HAPPY AND VERY CONCERNED THAT I MADE A TERRIBLE PURCHASE....
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 7, 2018
ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK PROBLEM. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START MY VEHICLE FROM A PARKED STATE. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO START THE VEHICLE AND MY STEERING WHEEL IS STUCK. DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME $1800 FOR A PROBLEM THAT MANY OTHER MERCEDES BENZ OWNERS ARE HAVING. IF YOU GOOGLE MY MERCEDES BENZ C300 WONT TURN OVER. THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON. I HAVE POWER TO RADIO, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND LIGHTS. UNABLE TO UNLOCK MY STEERING WHEEL AND START THE VEHICLE.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 31, 2018
MY VEHICLE WAS RUNNING SUPERIOR, NO WARNING SIGNALS OR STRAINING WHEN POWERING ON. PARKED CAR THEN AN HOUR LATER TRIED TURNING VEHICLE ON AND WILL NOT TURN ON FOR ANY REASON JUST RADIO WORKED. FOUND OUT IT WAS STEERING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR A HEFTY $1100. HAD THE CAR FOR ONLY 3 MONTHS AND BARELY USED IT. I BELIEVE IT'S A RECALL ON THESE ISSUES.
Steering, Jul 27, 2018
THE STEERING WHEEL GOT LOCKED WHILE PARKING THE CAR AND THE CAR NEVER STARTS AGAIN.
Steering, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Jun 29, 2018
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS LEAKING FLUID. IN ADDITION, THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT CALLED JACKIE COOPER IMPORTS MERCEDES-BENZ AT (918) 420-9156 (LOCATED AT 9393 S MEMORIAL DRIVE A, TULSA, OK 74133) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, 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 DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 9, 2018
I DROVE MY CAR TO A RESTAURANT. AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES, I RETURNED AND TRIED TO CRANK THE VEHICLE. THE KEY FOB DID NOT UNLOCK THE STIRRING WHEEL AND TIRES. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A STEERING COLUMN ISSUE. ENOUGH OF AN ISSUE THAT IT COST ME $1000.00 TO REPAIR. I STARTED RESEARCHING AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE. THERE ARE REFERENCES TO BOTH THE ESI AND/OR ESL FAILURES. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MERCEDES BENZ AND I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS MOTORIST ARE LEFT STRANDED UNLESS TOWED.
Steering, Air bags, Seat belts, Dec 8, 2017
SRS LIGHT CAME ON OCTOBER 2017. I TOOK MY CAR TO MERCEDES OF SACRAMENTO . THE REPAIR TECH STATED THAT IT WASN'T THE AIRBAG. THE REPAIR TECH SAID THAT ITS IN THE STEERING COLUMN. I BELIEVE IT IS THE AIRBAG. I NEED THIS FIXED.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 27, 2017
STEERING WHEEL LOCK KEEPING CAR FROM STARTING HAS HAPPEN NUMEROUS TIMES TO ME ANY MANY PEOPLE WITH BENZ
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Nov 14, 2017, crash
THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE I FIRST RECEIVED MY CAR. I CAME TO FIND OUT ONCE IN ACCIDENT 4/30/17 THAT THERE WERE ZERO AIRBAGS IN THE CAR AT ALL! THIS IS VERY UNACCEPTABLE
Steering, Nov 7, 2017
THE STEERING WHEEL OF THE CAR SUDDENLY LOCKED. ALL ELECTRICAL SHUT SUDDENLY. LUCKILY WE WERE CLOSE TO HOME NOT IN THE MIDDLE OF A FREEWAY. MECHANICS IN GENERAL ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS ISSUE IN THE MERCEDES C300 CLASS. THE REPAIRS WERE ASTRONOMICAL. I CHECKED ONLINE AND SEVERAL PEOPLE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. MERCEDES BENZ DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY!! IF IT SHOULD HAPPEN IN A FREEWAY COULD BE CATASTROPHIC. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AND SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED WITH THIS AND HAVE MERCEDES BENZ ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY. I ALSO HAVE THE TAKATA RECALL AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE!!!!
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 15, 2017
MY CAR WAS BROKEN DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK WAS LOCKED MY CAR AND SHUT DOWN THE ELECTRIC. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I'M VERY LUCKY. THE ROAD WAS EMPTY AND I ABLED TO PULLOVER TO THE SIDE. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND SEE THAT MANY PEOPLE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR C CLASS FROM YEAR 2008 TO 2010.
Steering, Oct 5, 2017
ANTI-THEFT STEERING WHEEL LOCK
Steering, Jul 29, 2017
THERE IS A RECALL ON MY MERCEDES BENZ 2010 WITH THE POWERING STEERING HOSE. I HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS FOR REPAIRS OUT OF POCKET, BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING FLUID KEPT LEAKING. I RECEIVED A LETTER AFTER THE REPAIRS THAT THERE WAS A RECALL OUTSTANDING REGARDING THE POWER STEERING HOSE. I WENT TO A MERCEDES DEALERSHIP TO GET REIMBURSEMENT AND THEY ARE REFUSING.
Steering, Jul 28, 2017
THE ESL (ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK) & THE EIS (ELECTRONIC IGNITION SWITCH) WENT OUT AT EXACTLY 7 YEARS. MY CAR WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE AND I TIRED TO TURN IT ON AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. I CAN HERE THE CAR TRYING TO CRANK OVER BUT IT DOES NOT WORK. THERE ARE NUMEROUS MERCEDES BENZ C300 OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM (STEERING LOCK/COLUMN). PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL. THANK YOU.
Steering, Power train, Other or unspecified, May 23, 2017
I GOT MERCEDES BENZ C300 2010 IN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS, THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED POWER STEERING LOCK ISSUE; THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START AND GOT ME STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT OF A GROCERY STORE. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ONLINE AND REALIZED SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUE. I BROUGHT THE ISSUE TO MBUSA, THEY DID NOT DENY ITS A COMMON ISSUE BUT SAID BASED ON THE HISTORY OF THE VEHICLE I AM NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ANY RELIEVE ON THE COST OF REPAIR. I FEEL IT IS UNFAIR THAT I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING I BELIEVE ITS A MANUFACTURER DEFAULT. NOW I AM COMPELLED TO PAY $1,700 FOR THE REPAIRS.
Steering, Electrical system, Feb 1, 2017
THE ESL (ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK) & THE EIS (ELECTRONIC IGNITION SWITCH) WENT OUT AT EXACTLY 7 YEARS. THE COMMAND CONTROL KNOB ALSO WENT OUT AROUND THE SAME TIME. ALL THESE PROBLEMS ARE VERY COMMON IN THESE MODELS. MERCEDES BENZ USA IS FULLY AWARE OF THESE ISSUES AND DOES NOTHING ABOUT IT! IT COST U.S. CONSUMERS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS. ALL THESE PROBLEMS COME UP WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY (SHOCKER).YOU'LL HAVE TO PAY EVERYTHING OUT OF POCKET.
Steering, Dec 29, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, A HIGH-PITCHED NOISE WAS HEARD FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A LOT OF POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE TURN, THE NOISE BECAME LOUDER AND THE STEERING LOST POWER. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Dec 15, 2016
MY 2010 MERCEDES C300 HAS A FAULTY ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK FAIL-WHICH LEFT ME STRANDED SITTING IN THE PARK LOT ABOUT 30 MINUTES FROM HOME. CAR WOULD NOT START I TRIED TO START MY CAR AND NOTHING HAPPENS. WHEN I TURN THE KEY TO ON NOTHING LIGHTS UP, NO CRANK, NO CLICKS, NO WINDOWS AND NO RADIO. I WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK WITH THE REMOTE BUT THAT WAS ABOUT IT. I TRIED JUMPING AND I TRIED BOTH KEYS STILL NOTHING HAPPENS WHEN I TURNED THE KEY. STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND GEAR STUCK IN PARK. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE MB DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE STEERING LOCK AND KEY REPLACED AND ENDING COSTING $1,124.00. I HAVE READ THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO A WHOLE OF MB'S AND SHOULD BE A RECALL. I MEAN REALLY WE PAY TO HAVE A QUALITY CAR AND SO FAR MY MB HAS HAD A STINKY AC THAT MB COULD NEVER FIGURE OUT HOW FIX, TAILLIGHT RECALL, FOUND OIL LEAKING FROM OIL CENTERFUGE COVER THAT COST $199.62 BUT YET IT STILL LEAKS OIL., CURRENTLY WAITING FOR THE TAKATA AIRBAG INFLATOR RECALL FROM APRIL 2016 AND TODAY IS DEC. 2016. VERY DISAPPOINTED IN MERCEDES AND WILL NOT BE PURCHASE AGAIN NOR WILL I RECOMMEND TO ANYONE. EVEN THE SERVICE AT THE DEALERSHIP HAS GONE DOWN. QUALITY AND CUSTOMER SERVICE IS NOT WHAT IT USE TO BE.
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 17, 2016
CAME HOME PARKED THE CAR AND AFTER 5 MINS. HAD TO GO SOMEWHERE TRY TO START THE CAR , NO POWER AT ALL , IGNITION WONT START . RADIO WORKS , LIGHTS WORK REMOTE KEY WORKS OPENS AND LOCKS THE DOORS . BUT WILL NOT START . AND STEERING IS LOCKED ALSO , I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY RECALL .
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 18, 2016
CAR WAS OPERATING FINE WHEN I GOT HOME AROUND NOON PARKED ON THE STREET OUTSIDE MY HOUSE, AT 2PM I WAS TRYING TO LEAVE. WHILE STARTING THE CAR THE WARNING SHOWED UP ON MY DASH STATING "REMOVE KEY FROM THE IGNITION". CALLED AAA TO ENSURE THAT THE BATTERY WAS OK. AAA SHOWED UP AND INSPECTED THE CAR. BATTERY WAS UP TO STANDARDS. MECHANIC SAID TO USE A SPARE KEY TO TEST OUT THE ISSUE. GRABBED A SPARE KEY AND THE SAME WARNING SHOWED UP ON THE DASH. MECHANIC SAID THAT I NEED TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND GET MY EIS SYSTEM REPLACED AND A STEERING COLUMN. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING. HERE YOU GO, FINAL BILL $1,600 OUT THE DOOR. MAKE THIS A RECALL ITEM IF EVERYONE IS HAVING THIS ISSUE.