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
476 reports, newest first.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 7, 2016
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON DEALING WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER/FUEL SYSTEM. THE SENSORS ARE OFF CAUSING THE EMISSION OF TOO MUCH GAS. THE CAR RUNS OUT OF GAS FAST AND DOES NOT DRIVE WELL TO GET GOOD GAS MILES PER TANK. THE CAR'S EXTERIOR LIGHTS ALSO GO OUT FAST. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN WITH A TOP OF THE LINE MERCEDES CAR.
Structure, Oct 11, 2016
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME OF THE OCCURENCE. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. IF THERE HAD BEEN SMOKE OR FIRE IN THE CABIN RELATED TO AN ATTEMPT TO QUICKLY EXIT THE VEHICLE AND THE DOOR HANDLE BRAKES, IT COULD CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC EVENT LEADING TO POSSIBLE DEATH. IT IS MADE OF CHEAP PLASTIC.
Air bags, Oct 6, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (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. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 20, 2016
ENGINE IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE WHICH HAD ME STRANDED ON A BUSY FREEWAY WITH MY YOUNG CHILD. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH MERCEDES BENZ AND WAS EXTREMELY COSTLY
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.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 8, 2016
TOOK CAR FOR ROUTINE SERVICE AT LOCAL MB DEALERSHIP ON 9/3/16 AND WAS TOLD BOTH FRONT PARKING LAMPS/LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING, FURTHER INFORMED THAT IT IS NOT SIMPLE LIGHT BULB BLOW OUT BUT SOMETHING HAS CAUSED THE WHOLE MOLDING/CASING HOLDING THE LIGHT HAS MELTED AND THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE ADVISER STATED THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM BEFORE WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. I AM NOT A TECHNICAL PERSON AND CAN FORWARD EMAIL AND THE DETAILS OF ISSUE AS PROVIDED BY DEALERSHIP. I CONSIDER THIS SERIOUS SAFETY AND FIRE HAZARD AND WANTED TO KNOW IF THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO YOU BEFORE BY CONSUMERS OR BY THE MANUFACTURER MERCEDES BENZ. MILEAGE ON FORM IS APPROXIMATE
Steering, Sep 8, 2016
MY CAR JUST LEFT ME STRANDED (AT HOME OF ALL PLACES). I HAD BEEN HAVING ISSUES THAT DAY WITH THE WHINING NOISE MANY HAVE DEALT WITH. I GOT HOME FROM WORK, AND WENT TO TAKE THE CAR OUT LATER WITH MY HUSBAND, AND SHE'S DEAD. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TOWED HER TO THE DEALERSHIP. SO FAR, $1450 JUST TO REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK, THEN THEY CAN START TO INVESTIGATE THE WHINING SOUND. SERVICE ADVISOR SAYS THE 2 AREN'T CONNECTED AND ITS A COINCIDENCE BOTH THE WHINING AND STEERING LOCK FAILURE ARE HAPPENING SIMULTANEOUSLY???? PLEASE FORCE A RECALL, SO WE CAN RECOUP THIS MONEY. MB IS MAKING A TON OFF OF THE PROBLEM. WHAT IF I HAD BEEN STRANDED IN TRAFFIC, OR WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR? THIS IS A TERRIBLE SAFETY ISSUE, AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY MBUSA.
Air bags, Aug 12, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (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 REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Aug 11, 2016
"TAKATA RECALL" I FEEL THAT THIS RECALL SHOULD BE RESOLVED BY NOW. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE IF I HAVE MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND GOD FORBID THERE IS AN ACCIDENT THEN I WOULD BE IN DANGER DUE TO SOMETHING THAT WAS DESIGNED TO MAKE TRAVEL SAFER. THE IS UNACCEPTABLE AND I PURCHASED MERCEDES FOR SAFETY AND RELIABILITY. MY FAMILY HAS PURCHASED MERCEDES FOR YEARS DUE TO THE QUALITY IT MEANT TO OWN A MERCEDES AND QUICK ISSUE RESOLUTION. IF I WAS GOING TO RUN INTO A AIRBAG ISSUE THAT WOULD TAKE THIS LONG TO BE RESOLVED I COULD HAVE PURCHASED A HYUNDAI.
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 10, 2016
VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY ON THE SIDE OF A HIGHWAY DUE TO A LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING. VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. MINUTES LATER, ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO TURN VEHICLE BACK ON. VEHICLE DID NOT TURN ON (ENGINE DID NOT TURN). VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HOME WHERE SAME PHENOMENON OCCURRED, VEHICLE DID NOT TURN ON ALTHOUGH KEY WAS INSERTED AND IGNITION SWITCH ROTATED, ENGINE WOULD NOT START. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED: FAULTY ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK (ESL) AND ELECTRONIC IGNITION SWITCH (EIS), SUM WAS ABOUT $1,600. ALL WEB INFORMATION POINTS TO A COMMON PROBLEM AND MAY POSE SAFETY HAZARD, ESPECIALLY WHEN TRYING TO AVOID UNSAFE SITUATIONS, SUCH AS PARKED ALONGSIDE A HIGHWAY WHERE CARS SPEED BY AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. ISSUE IS KNOWN AND MERCEDES BENZ FAILS TO ACKNOWLEDGE PREMATURE FAILURE OF IGNITION COMPONENTS.
Air bags, Aug 9, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V363000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 4, 2016
OUR 2010 MERCEDES C300 WITH 24,500 MILES CAR STARTED TO SELL GASOLINE APPX A WEEK AGO. WE FOUND OUT THAT MERCEDES HAS SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR OTHER CARS AND I BELIEVE THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM SINCE IT INVOLVES GASOLINE. THE MERCEDES DEALER STATED THAT OUR CAR DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE OTHER RECALLED MODELS. THE SMELL IS CONSTANT AND WE CANNOT EVEN PARK OUR CAR IN OUR GARAGE DUE TO THE FUMES AND STRONG SMELL. MERCEDES OF PALM SPRING LIKE TO CHARGE US $256 JUST TO LOOK AT THE CAR SO WE TOOK OUR CAR TO ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK HAS A PROBLEM AS THE OTHER MODELS AND OUR CAR IS THE 3RD MERDECES THAT THEY INSPECTED WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THAT WEEK. AT THIS TIME MERCEDES IS REFUSING TO REPAIR THIS ON A WARRANTY AND AS I STATED THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Jul 20, 2016
CAR WONT START, REPLACED BATTERY, COMMON ISSUE WITH C300 TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP IT WOULD COST $1332 FOR STEERING LOCK TO START 5.0 INCLUDES IF NEEDED TO CUT OUT LOCK PIN
Steering, Jul 20, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE STATIONARY, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EPS MALFUNCTIONED, WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO SEIZE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
Engine, Jul 20, 2016
I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR HAS A RECALL FOR THE CAMSHAFT ADJUSTMENT SOLENOID. I TOOK MY CAR INTO MERCEDES TO BE REPAIRED AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE RECALL WAS CLOSED AND THEY COULD NOT REPAIR MY VEHICLE. I AM WORRIED ABOUT THIS ISSUE CAUSING MORE DAMAGE TO MY ENGINE AND I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY WHILE OPERATING MY VEHICLE. I ENCOUNTER PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING.
Electrical system, Jul 13, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTING FAILED. UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE INTERIOR LIGHTING REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND DRAINED THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSE BOX FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering, Jun 27, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000.
Steering, Jun 27, 2016
ELECTRIC STEERING.
Structure, Jun 27, 2016
I ONLY HAVE 30,000 MILES ON MY 2010 C300. THE DRIVER INTERIOR DOOR LATCH BROKE LEAVING ME UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. I TOOK TO DEALER AND I EVEN HAD AN EXTENDED BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY TILL 60,000 MILES... THE DEALER OR THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER MY DOOR LATCH, STATING IT IS WEAR AND TEAR... THIS PART IS CHEAP PLASTIC, THAT IS PULLED ON NUMEROUS TIMES A DAY. PLASTIC IS NOT DURABLE, ESPECIALLY IN STATES WITH MULTIPLE EXTREMES IN TEMPERATURES. IT WAS $150 JUST TO REMOVE THE DOOR PANEL BY THE MERCEDES DEALER TO TELL ME THAT IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PART IS $618 PLUS LABOR, MAKING THE TOTAL CLOSE TO $1000. I HAVE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, LUPUS AND POLYMYOSITIS, MAKING IT PAINFUL TO TRY AND REACH OUT AN OPEN WINDOW TO OPEN DOOR BY USING EXTERIOR HANDLE. I RECENTLY HAD A DEAD BATTERY AND NEEDED TO BE INSIDE MY CAR FOR SAFETY, BUT WAS UNABLE THEN TO OPEN CAR UNTIL HELP CAME. I COULD NOT PHYSICALLY CLIMB OVER CENTER CONSOLE TO GO OUT PASSENGER SIDE. LIVING IN A STATE WITH EXTREME TEMPERATURES, THIS COULD BE FATAL. AFTER RESEARCHING MY PROBLEM, MANY HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. 17 ON THIS SITE ALONE. THIS IS NOT WEAR AND TEAR! THE HANDLE IS CHEAP PLASTIC, THAT BRAKES VERY EASILY. PLEASE HELP, THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE SAFETY REPAIR! I HAVE EVEN HEARD OF SOME PEOPLE HAVING MULTIPLE DOOR HANDLES ON THEIR CAR BREAK.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 22, 2016
AFTER I TURN THE CAR OFF, THE FRONT LEFT LIGHT ON THE TOP CONTINUES TO STAY ON. IF I MOVE THE KNOB BACK AND FORTH SLIGHTLY, THEN SHUTS OFF, AT LEAST FOR A WHILE. I JUST HAD TO DEAL WITH A DEAD BATTERY YESTERDAY WHEN I WAS GETTING READY TO LEAVE WORK. FROM WHAT I HAVE RECENTLY RESEARCHED, THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AMONG THIS MODEL. HAS A RECALL BEEN MADE FOR THIS? WILL THIS CAUSE ANY OTHER ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE? IF IT IS A SHORTAGE IN THE ELECTRICAL, AM I IN DANGER OF THE VEHICLE NOT REACTING APPROPRIATELY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT OR AT A HIGHER SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY? IS THERE ANY RISK OF IT CATCHING FIRE? THERE IS ALSO A SENSOR THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I AM NOT THAT CAR SAVVY, BUT I BELIEVE IT MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH FUEL INJECTION OR SOMETHING FILTERING PROPERLY. IS THAT ANOTHER COMMON ISSUE?
Air bags, Jun 21, 2016
TAKATA RECALL- MY SON IS ABOUT TO GET HIS LICENSE ON JULY 11TH, HE WILL BE 16 ON JULY 6TH. WE BOUGHT HIM THIS MERCEDES BACK IN MARCH 2016. I AM AFRAID FOR HIM TO DRIVE IT WITH THE DEATH AND INJURIES TAKATA AIRBAGS HAVE CAUSE PEOPLE. HOWEVER, WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTICE TO GET IT REPAIRED/REPLACED. I CALLED MERCEDES WITH NO ANSWER FOR ME. I AM SCARED FOR HIS LIFE, HE IS A NEW DRIVER AND IF HE HITS SOMETHING AND THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS HE COULD DIE. THIS IS THE MOST INSANE THING I HAVE EVER HAD TO DEAL WITH. I NEED AN ANSWER BETTER THAN I WILL GET A RECALL NOTICE FOR REPAIR/REPLACEMENT IN THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO. THIS IS URGENT. THIS IS MY SON'S LIFE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT AND I CAN NOT AFFORD TO GET RID OF THE CAR NOW!! I FEEL THIS CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SOLD WITHOUT IT BEING FIXED FIRST.
Other or unspecified, May 22, 2016
I WAS DRIVING OFF THE GIANT FOOD LOT TODAY SUNDAY MAY 22 WHEN A MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD STATING THAT THE EBR, ESP, AND ABS COLLISION PREVENTION IS INOPERATIVE. THE CAR DOWNSHIFTED TO BELOW 10 MILES. I LIVE NEARBY SO I DROVE THE CAR SLOWLY HOME AND WILL TAKE IT TO THE DEALER ON MONDAY MAY 23, 3016.
Structure, May 14, 2016
PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE CREATING A SAFETY ISSUE AS PASSENGER COULD NOT OPEN DOOR FROM INSIDE IN AN EMERGENCY. FOR EXAMPLE, IF THE CAR STALLS IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION REQUIRING IMMEDIATE EVACUATION FROM THE CAR OR RISK MAJOR INJURY OR DEATH (E.G, CAR FIRE, STUCK ON A RAILROAD TRACK, ETC.) THE PASSENGER WOULD BE STUCK IN THE CAR. LOWERING THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS DOES NOT OFFER ENOUGH CLEARANCE TO REACH OVER THE DOOR TO OPEN THE OUTSIDE HANDLE FROM THE INSIDE. MERCEDES REQUIRES THE PURCHASE OF AN ENTIRE DOOR PANEL TO REPAIR THE CHEAP PLASTIC HANDLE ON THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR DOOR (SET. $800 FOR THE PANEL PUS LABOR FOR A TOTAL OF $1100). THE DEALERSHIP, AND MERCEDES BENZ, WAS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THE COST TO REPAIR IT, BUT, HASN'T REPORTED IT TO THE AUTHORITIES AS A RISK.
Electrical system, May 14, 2016
MY PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT (UPPER EYELID) COMES ON AFTER I HAVE TURNED OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH. ALSO REAR BRAKE LIGHT.I GO IN SIDE TO WORK AND SOME TELLS ME MY LIGHTS ARE ON .FINALLY ONE SATURDAY I WAKE UP TO A DEAD BATTERY. I DON'T WANT TO GET STRANDED ANYPLACE,
Power train, May 11, 2016
TARTING MAKING FAINT NOISE AT 60,000 MILES. BY 63,000 MILES, IT WAS A LITTLE LOUDER SO I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE. TRANSFER CASE AND TRANSMISSION NEED REPLACING. THIS IS A MERCEDES?? NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY BY 10,000 MILES, COME ON! SUCH A DISAPPOINTMENT FOR MY A MERCEDES. THIS IS MY SECOND MERCEDES, WILL NEVER BUY AGAIN!!!