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.
Power train, Jan 16, 2015
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, BEGAN HEARING A HUMMING UNDERNEATH THE CAR THINKING IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE TIRES. THE SOUND GOT LOUDER AS THE DAYS WENT ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE TRANSFER CASE AND THAT THE SOLUTION WAS A NEW TRANSMISSION APPROXIMATELY $8000-$10000. WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM YET MB REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE CURRENTLY. *TR
Steering, Jan 13, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ C300. WHILE REVERSING AT A LOW SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V459000 (STEERING) BUT THE RECALL REMEDY FAILED TO PREVENT THE FAILURE FROM OCCURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,500. UPDATED 3/12/15*CN UPDATED 9/15/2017*CN
Structure, Jan 12, 2015
THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR LATCH WAS BROKEN AND WENT LOOSE. THE PASSENGER CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. IMAGINE IF THERE IS A FIRE OR CRASH AND THE PERSON CANNOT GET OUT OF THE CAR WHAT WILL HAPPEN. THIS PROBLEM IS QUITE USUAL ACCORDING TO A WEB SEARCH SO I DECIDED TO REPORT. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 14, 2014
WENT INTO WORK AND CAME BACK OUT TO MY CAR NOT STARTING. BATTERY JUST RECENTLY REPLACED WITHIN THE PAST 6 MONTHS. HAD THE BATTERY CHARGED AND TRIED TO DO A JUMP AND STILL NOTHING. HAD TO GET MY CAR TOWED TO THE AUTO SHOP ONLY TO FIND OUT I HAVE A FAILED EIS, MEANING MY ELECTRONICALLY IGNITION SYSTEM HAS FAILED AND ITS GOING TO COST ME 1000 TO FIX. MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT I FIND THIS A MAJOR INCONVENIENCE. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A RELIABLE CAR THE REASON I CHOSE TO GET THIS CAR AND SOMETHING LIKE THE IGNITION HAS FAILED. I WISH THERE WAS SOMETHING THAT MBUSA COULD DO TO PAY FOR A MAJORITY OF THE ISSUE OR EVEN DO A REIMBURSEMENT. THIS CAN BE A SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL, I ALWAYS THINK WHAT IF I WAS OUT OF TOWN OR WHAT IF I HAD A EMERGENCY AND BECAUSE OF THIS GLITCH I SIMPLY HAVE NO CAR AND NOW I'M DEPENDENT ON A RIDE UNTIL I CAN GET THIS FIXED! *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 12, 2014
I RECEIVED NOTICE OF A SAFETY RECALL INVOLVING THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS FOR MY 2010 MERCEDES C300. THIS CAR HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. HOWEVER, IT WAS REBUILT, INSPECTED, AND CERTIFIED AS ROAD WORTHY. THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO PERFORM THE RECALL WORK ON MY CAR, STATING THAT THE FACT THAT THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS INVALIDATES ANY WARRANTY AND A SAFETY RECALL IS CONSIDERED WARRANTY WORK. I FEEL THAT A SAFETY RECALL IS NOT OPTIONAL, AND THAT MERCEDES NEEDS TO PERFORM THIS WORK, REGARDLESS OF WARRANTY ELIGIBILITY. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 6, 2014
I WENT TO OPEN MY DOOR AFTER I HAD PARKED AND THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LATCH BROKE. SO, I HAD TO CUT MY CAR BACK ON, ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN AND PULL THE LATCH FROM OUTSIDE THE DOOR. IF YOU LOOK ONLINE THIS APPEARS T BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2010 C300. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Dec 2, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SEAT BELTS WERE EXTREMELY TIGHT TO THE SEATS. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE SEAT BELTS IN THE FRONT WERE LOOSE AND THE SEAT BELTS IN THE REAR WERE TIGHT. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT AND THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT MALFUNCTIONED AND DID NOT WORK. WHILE TRAVELING AT A HIGHWAY RATE OF SPEED, ANOTHER DRIVER TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE OTHER VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND STRUCK THE FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS IN THE PROCESS OF EXITING THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE DRUNK DRIVER IMPACTED THE VEHICLE FROM THE REAR. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. NEITHER OF THE SEAT BELTS SECURED THE DRIVER NOR THE PASSENGER, WHICH CAUSED SEVERE IMPACT TO THE HEAD, NECK, AND BACK. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MAJOR BACK AND HEAD INJURIES, BUT DID NOT RECEIVE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES TO THE HEAD, NECK, A CERVICAL STRAIN, A CAT SCAN, AND BACK PAINS. THE FRONT PASSENGER RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE CONTACT ASKED THAT THE VEHICLE BE HELD UNTIL THE MANUFACTURER AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY COULD FURTHER INSPECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE SEAT BELTS AND THE AIR BAGS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE CRASH AND THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THEY WERE TO SEND AN INVESTIGATOR AND REFER THE CONTACT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS STILL WAITING ON A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/21/15*CN UPDATED 9/7/2017*CN
Structure, Nov 30, 2014
DRIVER'S SIDE INNER DOOR HANDLE BROKE. CANNOT EXIT FROM CAR AND NEED TO OPEN DOOR FROM OUTSIDE. COULD BE A PROBLEM IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY IF ONE NEEDS TO EXIT A VEHICLE IN A HURRY. I BELIEVE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MERCEDES BENZ FROM MY RESEARCH. *TR
Steering, Nov 28, 2014
DEAR SIR OR MADAM: ON NOVEMBER 26, 2014 I DROVE TO THE HOSPITAL FOR WHICH I WORK. WITHIN 1 MILE OF MY DESTINATION, WHILE TRAVELING AT THE SPEED OF 45 MILES PER HOUR I HEARD A LOUD HIGH PITCHED SOUND THAT CAME FROM MY STEERING WHEEL AND IT BECAME SOMEWHAT DIFFICULT TO STEER. NO VEHICLE STATUS MESSAGE EVER SHOWED ON THE MALFUNCTION DISPLAY. I PARKED THE CAR AND CALLED THE MERCEDES BENZ AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE SOONEST AVAILABLE APPT WHEN THEY COULD LOOK AT MY CAR WAS ON DECEMBER 1, WHICH WAS 5 DAYS AWAY. NO HELP WHATSOEVER!!!! I TOOK IT TO A TRUSTED FAMILY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE POWER STEERING CHAMBER HAD BEEN LEAKING FOR SOME TIME, IT WAS NOW SMOKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL OF 85,000 MERCEDES BENZ C CLASS AND E-CLASS MODELS BETWEEN JUNE 1, 2009 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2010. MY POWER STEERING CHAMBER WAS MANUFACTURED 02/03/10 (128BAR). KUNDEN-NO: A005 486 95 01. ZFLS-NR: 7695 955 135. I BELIEVE THAT MY VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A PART OF THIS RECALL. FURTHERMORE, IF I HAD BEEN ON THE FREEWAY AT HIGHER SPEEDS THE POSSIBILITY OF SOMETHING MORE DANGEROUS COULD HAVE HAPPENED. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PROMPT ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER, SINCERELY [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Power train, Nov 24, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, A HUMMING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE SHIFT LEVER UNDER THE VEHICLE AND NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE BEARING FAILED AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
Exterior lighting, Nov 17, 2014
SECOND INCIDENT OF ALL LIGHTS SUDDENLY FAILING AND THEN BEING RESTORED WITHIN THREE SECONDS DEALER FIXED BY CHANGING OUT LIGHTING SWITCH BECAUSE THEIR DATABASE SHOWED SIMILAR INCIDENTS WITH OTHER SIMILAR CARS AND CHANGING THE LIGHTING SWITCH APPEARED TO CURE THE PROBLEM ALTHOUGH NO PROBLEM COULD BE SEEN WITH SWITCH. ALTHOUGH ONLY 3 MONTHS OUT IF TIME ON THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY MERCEDES DECLINED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR AND TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD HAVE CONSIDERED BUYING AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. I REMONSTRATED THAT THIS WAS A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS FAULT AND THAT MERCEDES SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL -MERCEDES DECLINED ANY FURTHER ACTION. *TR
Power train, Oct 29, 2014
TRANSMISSION HAS GONE COMPLETELY OUT AT 30,000 MILES AND MERCEDES REFUSES TO RESPOND. *TR
Structure, Oct 21, 2014
APPARENTLY THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES OF THE MB W204 ARE FAILING. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF SOMEONE IS TRAPPED INSIDE AND CAN'T GET OUT. HERE IS A THREAD THAT DISCUSSES THIS WITHIN A USERS FORUM. THANK YOU. HTTP://MBWORLD.ORG/FORUMS/C-CLASS-W204/465266-C300-2010-BROKEN-INNER-DOOR-HANDLES.HTML. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 17, 2014
WENT TO START CAR AND NOTHING. STEERING LOCKED AND DIFFICULT, DUE TO ALL WHEEL DRIVE TO TOW. THERE ARE MANY CASES DOCUMENTED ABOUT EIS/ESL FAILURES ON MERCEDES ENTHUSIAST FORUMS. THE PROBLEM IS PREVALENT ON THE INTERNET. THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS ON A CROWDED HIGHWAY, IN A CRIME RIDDEN AREA OR JUST IN AN EMERGENCY. THE CAR WILL START ONE MINUTE AND WON'T ON THE NEXT START. MERCEDES CLAIMED NO FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURE IN MY CASE. THE CAR WAS 2 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR
Suspension, Tires, Wheels, Sep 16, 2014
ORIGINAL TIRES WITH 29000 MILES........ CONTINENTAL TIRE LEFT FRONT SHREDDED ON FREEWAY, TOTAL SEPARATION OF RUBBER FROM RIM, CONTACTED CONTINENTAL [XXX], WAS REFERRED TO CUSTOMER AND THEN TO WARRANTY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE, FILED A CLAIM WHICH WAS REJECTED AFTER 4 MONTHS BECAUSE I DIDN'T PROVIDE THE SHREDDED TIRE. CONTINENTAL REFUSES TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR PRODUCT VIRTUALLY DISINTEGRATING WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS TOTAL UNACCEPTABLE, I HAVE REPLACED ALL FOUR CONTINENTAL TIRES AND WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANY CONTINENTAL PRODUCT AGAIN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Aug 24, 2014
WENT TO START CAR WHEN THE KEY TURNED OVER LIGHTS, RADIO, ETC CAME ON BUT CAR WOULD NOT START. CAR DID NOT EVEN ATTEMPT TO TURN OVER BUT WAS ELECTRONICALLY LOCKED OUT. TRIED SECOND KEY WITH NO AVAIL. *TR
Power train, Aug 22, 2014
SPEED DEPENDENT FRONT END NOISE AND VIBRATION. INSPECTION BY MB AUTHORIZED DEALER INDICATES: "FRONT TRANSFER CASE COMING APART". MB CUSTOMER SERVICE INDICATES THAT THE PROBLEM IS A "ONE OFF" BUT OFFERED A 50% DISCOUNT ON REPAIR. REPAIR COST IS $7000. SUSPECT THAT THIS IS NOT A "ONE OFF" AND THE PROBLEM IS MORE FREQUENT GIVEN THE IMMEDIATE OFFER OF A DISCOUNT ON REPAIR. FAILURE OF THE FRONT TRANSFER CASE AT ANY SPEED CAN AND MOST LIKELY WILL CAUSE WHEEL LOCK UP, ENGINE FAILURE, LOSS OF POWER ASSISTED CONTROLS (STEERING AND BRAKING), LOSS OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS (AIR BAGS), AND POSSIBLY CREATED AN ACCIDENT WITH FATALITIES. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 17, 2014, fire
THE WARNING SYSTEM FOR THE REAR LIGHTS HAVE BEEN GOING OFF SINCE PURCHASING THE CERTIFIED PREOWNED VEHICLE IN JUNE 2014. IT WAS RETURNED THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THE ISSUE AND NEVER FIXED. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND THE WARNING SYSTEM INFORMED ME TO CHECK ALL OF MY REAR LIGHTS. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS FUNCTIONING ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, AND REAR FOG LAMPS WERE ALL NOT FUNCTIONING. WHEN A ROAD SIDE TECHNICIAN CHECKED THE VEHICLE HE SAW BURNT WIRES AND MELTED PLASTIC ON THE LIGHTING MOUNT. THIS OCCURRED DURING A ROUTINE TRIP FROM NEW JERSEY INTO PHILADELPHIA, PA AND INCLUDED DRIVING OVER THE BEN FRANKLIN BRIDGE. ONCE I REACH PHILLY I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND CALLED FOR ASSISTANCE. THAT IS WHEN THE ISSUE WAS LOCATED. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. NO MORE INFORMATION HAS BEEN PROVIDED FROM THE DEALER YET. *TR
Structure, Aug 14, 2014
WENT TO EXIT CAR AND INTERIOR DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE INSIDE DOOR. CANNOT EXIT VEHICLE. *TR
Structure, Jun 27, 2014
MY DOOR HANDLE BROKE STRANDING ME IN MY SEAT. I HAD TO CRAWL ACROSS THE SEAT AND EXIT THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD FIXED 7 SO FAR THIS YEAR. SAFETY ISSUE THAT I CAN NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX THE ISSUE. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jun 10, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V17700 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE REPAIRS WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 23, 2014
RECEIVED MESSAGE REAR LICENSE LIGHT OUT. REPLACED BULB BUT CONTINUED GETTING MESSAGE. REAR PARKING CAMERA STARTED DISPLAYING IMAGES WHEN BRAKE DEPRESSED. MESSAGES CONTINUED TO CHECK ALL REAR LIGHT BULBS. WHEN INSPECTING, I NOTICED BURN MARKS ON BULB CARRIER (PART #211-545-03-28) AND PLUG (PART #204-820-09-77). I PURCHASED NEW PARTS TO INSTALL BUT HAD DIFFICULTY REMOVING THE WIRE CLIPS FROM THE PLUG. I WAS NOT AWARE AND THE MERCEDES PARTS DEPARTMENT DID NOT MENTION I WOULD NEED TO ALSO GET CONNECTOR PINS (OR THAT THIS OVERHEATING WAS A RECURRING PROBLEM). UNABLE TO EASILY REMOVE WIRING & PINS, I DECIDED TO SEARCH INTERNET FOR GUIDANCE ON REPLACEMENT (BEFORE CUTTING WIRES) AND DISCOVERED SEVERAL WEBSITES RECITING OTHERS HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH OVERHEATING OF THE GROUND WIRE CONNECTION AND THAT A RECALL INVESTIGATION HAD BEEN STARTED. IT CERTAINLY APPEARS THAT THIS PROBLEM OF OVERHEATING/MELTING OF PARTS IS A REAL FIRE HAZARD THAT IS OCCURRING FREQUENTLY ENOUGH TO AT LEAST REQUIRE THAT A NOTICE BE SENT TO CAR OWNERS TO HAVE CARRIAGES & WIRING PROMPTLY INSPECTED AND REPAIRED. *TR
Exterior lighting, Apr 10, 2014
ALL OF A SUDDEN I RECEIVED AN ERROR MESSAGE IN MY DISPLAY STATING CHECK ALL REAR RIGHT EXTERIOR LIGHTS. NATURE RIGHT SIDE IS OUT. MY MECHANIC LOOKED AT SAID THE BROWN WIRE IS FRAYED AND MELTED THE PLASTIC BULB HOLDER. I RESEARCHED AND FOUND IT IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 8, 2014
ALL BULBS ON THE RIGHT SIDE TAIL LIGHT ARE NOT WORKING, THAT INCLUDES BRAKE LIGHT, REVERSE LIGHT, AND SIGNAL LIGHT. I THOUGHT THE BULBS WERE OUT BUT WHEN I WENT TO CHANGE THE BULBS THEY WERE ALL FINE. WHAT I DID NOTICED WAS THE BROWN WIRE WAS BURNT AND SO WAS THE PLASTIC THAT HOLDS THE WIRES TOGETHER, IT SEEMED LIKE THAT ENTIRE SIDE WAS BURNT AND EVEN MELTED. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND IT ALSO SEEMS TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD. I'VE MENTIONED THIS A FEW TIMES TO THE DEALER. EACH TIME THEY LOOK FOR A RECALL WITH NO SUCCESS. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM DIRECTLY TO MB AND SINCE THERE STILL HASN'T BEEN A RECALL, I'M NOW REPORTING TO NHTSA. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 3, 2014
I GOT COUPLE WARNING MESSAGES ON MY 2010 MB C-300 THAT THE TAILLIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT THINKING IT WAS THE LIGHTBULBS THAT NEEDED TO BE CHANGED, I FOUND OUT THAT THE TAILLIGHT WIRES AND CONNECTORS HAVE OVERHEATED AND MELTED. IN MY CASE, THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND MERCEDES CUSTOMER CARE DID TAKE THE INITIATIVE AND REPLACED THE WIRES AND CONNECTORS WITH NO COST TO ME, AFTER I DISCUSSED WITH THEM ABOUT THE FACT THAT THIS PROBLEM IS CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION BY NHTSA. I DO APPRECIATE MB DEALER AND CUSTOMER CARE'S HELP TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE AND TAKE CARE OF MY CAR. HOWEVER, I WANT TO REPORT MY CASE TO NHTSA TO HELP YOUR AGENCY IN DATA COLLECTION TO DETERMINE HOW WIDE SPREAD THE PROBLEM IS AND WHETHER A RECALL SHOULD BE WARRANTED. *TR