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.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Sep 19, 2015
I DROVE MY CAR TO A STORE, TURNED IT OFF AND LEFT IT FOR 10 MINUTES. WHEN I RETURNED THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I HAD A FRIEND TRY TO JUMP MY 1 YEAR OLD BATTERY AMD STILL NO START. MY DISPLAY SAYS TO REMOVE KEY WHEN MY KEY IS IN. LIGHTS, RADIO, AND LOCKS WORK BUT NO WINDOWS. DEALER SAYS I NEED A NEW STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. THIS PROBLEM IS POSTED EVERYONE ONLINE. SEEMS LIKE A COMMON THING. DEALERSHIP SAYS IT'LL COST ME $1575 AND TAKE 5 DAYS TO FIX.
Electrical system, Sep 13, 2015
PASSENGER WAS ATTEMPTING TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. TRIED TO OPEN THE DOOR HANDLE AND THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE. LEAVING DOOR HANDLE TENSION LESS. FORCING ME TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW TO LET PASSENGER OUT OF THE CAR.
Other or unspecified, Aug 31, 2015
I HAD JUST STOPPED IN DRIVEWAY IN MY HOUSE AFTER A 15 MILE DRIVE FROM MY OFFICE WHEN I TRIED TO OPEN THE DOOR, THE HANDLE FLAPPED ABOUT BUT DID NOT ENGAGE THE LOCK TO OPEN THE DOOR. I HAD TO START THE CAR AGAIN, ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOW (GLASS) BEFORE I COULD OPEN THE DOOR USING THE OUT SIDE HANDLE. THE LOCAL MERCEDES BENZ DEALER AND THE MERCEDES BENZ USA REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED THAT I HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AT A COST OF $708 AFTER THE LOCAL DEALER DISCOUNT. MERCEDES BENZ HAS INSTALLED A PLASTIC HANDLE AS A DOOR HANDLE BUT REQUIRING BUYERS TO PURCHASE A WHOLE DOOR WHEN THE PLASTIC HANDLE BREAKS. IS THIS ALLOWED? EVEN IF THIS IS ALLOWED IS IT GOOD FOR THE CUSTOMERS? WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT THIS? AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED THEY HAVE LOST A FOUR-TIME MERCEDES BENZ CUSTOMER. BUT I WANT OTHERS NOT TO GET CAUGHT IN THIS MONEY-PIT. PLEASE HELP.
Other or unspecified, Aug 27, 2015
WHEN TRYING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, USING THE DRIVER INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE, THE HANDLE NO LONGER ENGAGES TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE DRIVER MUST ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW TO RELEASE THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY WHERE THE VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING, THE DRIVER WOULD BE UNABLE TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 19, 2015
I HAVE 2010 MERCEDES BENZ C300, MY CAR WOULD NOT START WITH MY KEY EVEN THOUGH THE BATTERY CHECKED OKAY. THIS IS A VERY COMMON FAILURE AMONG C300 MODELS (2008 TO 2013). SO MEANING CARS ARE VULNERABLE TO THIS FAILURE AROUND 5 YEAR MARK. MANUFACTURER SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL ON THESE PARTS, AS THEY HAVE A VERY BAD RELIABILITY.
Electrical system, Aug 12, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING MECHANISM WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
Steering, Jul 22, 2015
I HAVE 2010 MERCEDES BENZ C300, MY STEERING LOCK FAILED RECENTLY. THIS IS A VERY COMMON FAILURE AMONG C300 MODELS (2008 TO 2013). QUITE A FEW CARS ARE VULNERABLE TO THIS FAILURE AROUND 5 YEAR MARK. MANUFACTURER SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL ON THESE PARTS, AS THEY HAVE A VERY BAD RELIABILITY.
Other or unspecified, Jun 7, 2015
DRIVER'S SIDE INNER DOOR HANDLE CABLE CONNECTOR BROKE. CANNOT EXIT CAR FROM INSIDE AND MUST ROLL DOWN WINDOW AND OPEN DOOR FROM OUTSIDE. COULD BE A PROBLEM IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MERCEDES BENZ ON MULTIPLE DISCUSSION FORUMS.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 27, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ C300. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEAD LAMP CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. AS A RESULT, THE BATTERY DRAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO REPAIRED THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V177000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Engine, May 7, 2015
LUCKILY I TOOK CAR IN FOR A SAFETY CHECK AND BELT TENSIONER WAS FOUND TO BE SHREDDING. IT SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN THIS AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD. THIS EXTRA VISIT TO THE DEALER MAY HAVE SAVE ME FROM HAVING AN INCIDENT. I OTHERWISE NEVER WOULD'VE KNOW THE BELT WAS SHREDDING. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, May 5, 2015
THE MERCEDES BENZ C 300W4 2010 HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE INSIDE DOOR LATCH.THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT AS A CERTIFIED PREOWNED FROM THE DEALER IN 2013. IT HAS LESS THAN 15000 MILES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TODAY THEY KNEW WHAT WAS WRONG IMMEDIATELY. COST TO REPAIR APPROX. $1000. LOOKING ON LINE I FOUND NUMEROUS PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW THAT MERCEDES IS NOT WILLING TO ACCEPT. WHAT HAPPENS IN AN EMERGENCY IF YOU NEED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND THE HANDLE BREAKS? IN MY HUMBLE OPINION THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. *TR
Engine, Apr 28, 2015
I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND JUST STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET, I ALMOST HAD AND ACCIDENT. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC, HE CAN'T FIXED, THE DEALER NEED TO DO THE JOB FOR TREE TIMES MORE. THAN MY MECHANIC. THIS IS UNFAIR! I BUY MY CAR IN 2012 ORIGINAL MILEAGE 10000MILES. TO MY KNOWLEDGE IS TO LOW VERY MILEAGE FOR HAVING THIS TYPE A PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 5, 2015
I BOUGHT MY MERCEDES BRAND NEW, AND THERE SEEMS TO BE MULTIPLE PEOPLE WITH SAME ISSUE. I HAVE A LITTLE OVER 40000 MILES, AND MY CAR IS HAVING STARTING ISSUES. I TURN THE KEY, AND EVERYTHING COMES ON BUT THE CAR WON'T START, AND GOES INTO AN EMERGENCY COOL DOWN MODE WITH THE ENGINE FANS TURNING ON FULL BLAST. IT MAY BE THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION SYSTEM (EIS) THAT A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE MENTION. MERCEDES NEEDS TO DO A RECALL, AS THIS SEEMS TO BE A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 19, 2015
I DROVE 500 MILES FROM CHICAGO TO MISSISSAUGA, ONT. CANADA. TRIP WAS UNEVENTFUL. THE DAY AFTER I DROVE THE CAR TO A HONDA CAR DEALERSHIP , IRONICALLY, TO LOOK FOR A CAR FOR A RELATIVE AND PARKED. RETURNING ONE HOUR LATER I WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS WITH THE REMOTE BUT WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR EVERYTHING EXCEPT FOR THE RADIO WENT DEAD. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP 7 KILOMETERS AWAY. THE PROGRAMMED PART HAD TO BE ORDERED SO IT TOOK TWO BUSINESS DAYS TO GET MY CAR BACK AT A COST OF $1071US. IT WAS TROUBLING TO REFLECT ON THE POSSIBILITY THAT THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED ON ONE OF THE REST AREAS I STOPPED AT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE ALONG THE ROUTE. I CAN'T DECIDE WHETHER I WOULD RATHER NOT HAVE THIS SYSTEM AND HAVE MY CAR STOLEN OR LEFT STRANDED WITH THE NEAREST TOWN MILES AWAY. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE SYSTEM JUST MALFUNCTIONED JUST LIKE A LIGHT WOULD BLOW OUT. NOT GOOD ENOUGH SYSTEM FOR AN EXPENSIVE CAR. THANKS FOR YOUR INVOLVEMENT. *TR
Structure, Mar 2, 2015
DOOR RELEASE HANDLE DRIVERS DOOR BROKE OFF. UNABLE TO ESCAPE FROM VEHICLE WITHOUT ROLLING DOWN DRIVERS WINDOW AND CLIMBING OUT. DEALER WELL AWARE OF PROBLEM, BUT STATES IT IS A WEAR AND TEAR ITEM AND NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. WILL ONLY REPAIR UNDER NEW CAR WARRANTY. UTR
Steering, Mar 2, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE EMITTING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, A LEAK WAS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FRACTURED, WHICH CAUSED A LEAK AND DAMAGED THE BELT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND THE BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V598000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
Steering, Feb 27, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START UPON TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. ALSO, THE GEARS WOULD NOT CHANGE FROM PARK INTO ANOTHER GEAR FROM THE GEAR BOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE ELECTRIC FUNCTIONS OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN NEUTRAL AND TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 27, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ C300. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN AND CRASHED INTO A CURB. AS A RESULT, THE TWO REAR SEAT PASSENGERS SUSTAINED MINOR LACERATIONS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FRONT END BODY DAMAGES WERE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,935. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Electrical system, Feb 20, 2015
I RECENTLY HAD AN ISSUE WITH MY EIS ON MY 2010 C300, THE CAR HAD ROUGHLY 60000 MILES WHEN THE ISSUE OCCURRED. I PARKED MY CAR IN A PARKING GARAGE, AND WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE WORK, THE CAR WOULDN'T START. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOCKED, AND I WAS UNABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. THE ISSUE SEEMS TO BE ONE THAT OCCURS IN A LARGE NUMBER OF MERCEDES CARS WITH SIMILAR MAKE/MODEL/MILEAGE, WHICH IS GENERALLY RIGHT OUTSIDE OF THE MILEAGE FOR THE STANDARD WARRANTY. MERCEDES DOESN'T ALLOW THE ISSUE TO BE FIXED BY LICENSED DEALERS, AND CAN ONLY BE FIXED BY A DEALERSHIP. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND SOMEWHAT OF AN ETHICAL DILEMMA. I AM NOT SURE IF THE EIS WOULD EVER GO OUT WHILE DRIVING, BUT IF SO, THAT COULD RESULT IN SAFETY ISSUES FOR THE DRIVER. *TR
Structure, Feb 14, 2015
ON APPROXIMATELY 10/06.2014 THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE ON MY 2010 MERCEDES BENZ C 300 4 MATIC FAILED TO ALLOW THE DOOR TO BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. ON 02/14/2015 THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE FAILED TO ALLOW THE DOOR TO BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT SUCH AS FIRE OR SUBMERGED IN WATER NEITHER THE DRIVER NOR THE PASSENGER WOULD BE ABLE TO ESCAPE THE VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING OVER 50 YEARS AND HAVE OWNED 50+ VEHICLES. I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE TO FAIL TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE ON ANY VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED. TO HAVE BOTH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR TO BECOME INOPERABLE WITHIN A 6 MONTH PERIOD ON A MERCEDES BENZ SEEMS INCREDIBLE. *TR
Seat belts, Feb 9, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
Exterior lighting, Feb 5, 2015
MY CAR IS ALWAYS PARK IN THE BACK OF MY YARD.. AND I ALWAYS CHECK AROUND MY CAR REGARDLESS OF WHERE I AM... DROVE TO WORK WHICH TOOK ABOUT 15 MINUTES AND NOTICE WHEN I GOT IN MY CAR TO GO TO LUNCH THE FOG LIGHT WAS OUT ON THE LEFT DRIVING SIDE AND THE RIGHT FOG LOG IS CRACK ALSO.. NO OTHER VEHICLES PARKS IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE I PARK FACING THE BUILDING OF MY WORKPLACE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER SHIP SHE ADVISE THAT SOMEONE BURST THE FOG LIGHT OUT ON THE LEFT DRIVE SIDE AND GAVE ME A QUOTE OF $350 TO FIX FOR EACH FOG LIGHT... ADVISE COULDN'T BE POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF HOW PECULIAR I AM WITH HOW AND WHERE I PARK AND BECAUSE I CHECK MY VEHICLE BEFORE ENTERING TO DRIVE... I USE TO DRIVE WITH MY FOG LIGHTS ON COMMUTING BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. THE ONLY THING I CAN SEE IS THAT IT GOT OVERHEATED BUT HOW BECAUSE OF THE SHORT COMMUTE TIME... TRYING TO UNDERSTAND. *TR
Structure, Feb 3, 2015
THE PIECE OF PLASTIC THAT SERVES AS AN ATTACHMENT FOR THE PULL CORD FROM THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE. THIS MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD SINCE THE PASSENGER IS TRAPPED INSIDE THE CAR AND CANNOT EXIT EASILY. IN AN ACCIDENT SITUATION, THIS WOULD BE A REAL HAZARD. I DISCUSSED WITH LOCAL DEALER, WHO ADVISED THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. *TR
Engine, Jan 21, 2015
BELT TENSIONER IS FAILING WHICH IS CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE SERPENTINE BELT. *TR
Engine, Jan 16, 2015
THE BELT TENSIONER FOR THE SERPENTINE BELT SEIZED UP CAUSING THE SERPENTINE BELT TO SHRED AND CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE UPPER AND LOWER PULLEYS. THE CAR BECAME IMMOBILE IMMEDIATELY AS ALL THE ACCESSORIES WERE RENDERED USELESS, LIKE THE POWER STEERING, ALTERNATOR, ETC. AS A RESULT, THE FOLLOWING HAD TO REPLACED: SERPENTINE BELT, TENSIONER, UPPER PULLEY, AND LOWER PULLEY. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE THAT THIS OCCURRED WHEN I WAS PARKING IN A PARKING LOT AFTER DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT, AS YOU WOULD HAVE NO STEERING ON THE HIGHWAY. WHILE RESEARCHING THIS SAFETY CONCERN ONLINE, IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A RELATIVELY COMMON ISSUE WITH 2008-2011 C-CLASS VEHICLES. SOME WERE REPORTED TO BE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANT WHILE MOST OTHERS HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR COSTS OUT OF POCKET. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN THAT CAN POSSIBLY LEAD INJURY OR DEATH. I SPOKE WITH MERCEDES BENZ CORPORATE REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS NOT AN ISSUE AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO ABOUT IT. I EMPHASIZED HOW DANGEROUS THIS CAN BE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND THEY DID NOT SEEM TO BE CONCERNED. MY RECOMMENDATION TO MERCEDES BENZ IS TO RECALL THE 2008-2011 C-CLASS FOR THIS ISSUE BEFORE IT CAUSES A SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. *TR