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.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 20, 2014, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE LIGHT FAILED DUE TO A MELTED ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 2, 2014
REAR TAIL LIGHTS HAVE PROGRESSIVELY DIMMED OVER TIME. WIRING HARNESS WAS MELTING. CONNECTOR TO LIGHT CARRIER AND TAILLIGHT WIRING WAS CORRODED. REPAIR OF CORRODED WIRING, CONNECTOR, AND LIGHT CARRIER WAS REQUIRED. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Feb 2, 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 SPOKE TO ONE OF MY MECHANIC FRIENDS WHO SUGGESTED I BRING THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER TO TRY AND RESOLVE THE PROBLEM AND HE ALSO ADVISED ME TO DISCONNECT THE WIRES OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT AS THIS COULD CAUSE A POTENTIAL FIRE. SINCE I'M PAST THE WARRANTY PERIOD (50,000 MILES) I'M NOT SURE HOW I'M GOING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, IT MAY BE PRETTY COSTLY AND I'M NOT SURE WHERE TO START. I THOUGHT I SHOULD REPORT THIS TO THE NHTSA SINCE THIS CAN POSSIBLY CAUSE MAJOR SAFETY HAZARDS AND EVEN FIRES. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 25, 2014
CONNECTOR FOR THE TAILLIGHTS MELTING ONTO THE HOUSING. POSSIBLE GROUND WIRE ISSUE. FIRE HAZARD. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 19, 2014
WARNING LIGHT ON MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PROMPTED "CHECK LEFT TAIL AND BRAKE LIGHT". I CHECKED ALL THE BULBS, THEY WERE ALL FUNCTIONING EXCEPT FOR 1 OR TWO DIM BULBS IN THE LEFT TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY. I UNPLUGGED THE CONNECTOR/HARNESS TO THE ASSEMBLY AND FOUND ONE OF THE WIRE INSERT CONNECTORS TO BE MELTED IN THE PLASTIC CONNECTOR, THE MELTING AFFECTED THE PLASTIC AS WELL. I AM WORRIED FOR A POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD IN MY TRUNK COMPARTMENT. CONTACTED MERCEDES FOR A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 19, 2014
ALL DRIVER SIDE REAR LIGHTS WENT OUT. THERE IS SIGN OF POSSIBLE BURNT RESIDUE ON WIRE AND LIGHT CASING. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jan 10, 2014
AN ALERT ON MY DASH BOARD SCREEN TELLING ME THAT MY BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHT MAY NOT BE FUNCTIONING. I HAVE READ THAT THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS WITH MERCEDES C SERIES CARS FROM 2008, 2009, 20010, 20011 THAT HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TAIL LIGHT GROUND, MAY HAVE EVEN CAUSED FIRES IN SOME. I'M CONCERNED THIS MAY HAPPEN. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 5, 2014
APPROXIMATELY ONCE EVERY 2 MONTHS WHILE PARKED WITH THE ENGINE OFF, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WILL COME ON WITH THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE PARKING/BRAKE LIGHT. WHEN THIS OCCURS, I HAVE TO TURN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON THEN BACK OFF, TO TURN OFF THE LIGHTS. ON ONE OCCASION, I OBSERVED THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT AND THE REAR PASSENGER LIGHT FLICKERING LIKE A STROBE LIGHT, BEFORE I TURNED THE SWITCH ON THEN OFF. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 28, 2013
SIMILAR TO OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED AGAINST MERCEDES, IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION TO MY REAR RIGHT LIGHT (BRAKE LIGHT, RUNNING LIGHT, TURN SIGNAL, ETC.) HAS MELTED AND IS NO LONGER OPERATIONAL. THE ENTIRE LIGHT IS OUT AND I GET WARNING MESSAGES ON THE DASH ABOUT THE PROBLEM. IT LOOKS LIKE THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT EVERYONE ELSE WITH THE SAME MAKE/MODEL AS ME ARE HAVING. HOPEFULLY MERCEDES RECOGNIZES THE SCALE OF THIS FLAW IN THEIR ENGINEERING AND SENDS OUT A RECALL SOONER THAN LATER. *TR
Exterior lighting, Oct 23, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THE THE DRIVER'S SIDE FOG LIGHT COVER WAS FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 20, 2013
PASSENGER TAILLIGHT CONNECTOR/WIRING INSUFFICIENTLY DESIGNED FOR LOAD. WIRE/CONNECTOR PLASTIC IS MELTING AND CAUSING UNSAFE CONDITIONS. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2008-2010 C-CLASS AND IS FREQUENTLY NOTED IN MB OWNER'S FORUMS/WEBSITES. *TR
Exterior lighting, Aug 29, 2013
REAR PASSENGER TAIL LIGHT WARNING CAME ON. INSPECTION REVEALED A CORRODED AND BURNED GROUND WIRE. THE WIRE CREATED SO MUCH RESISTANCE HEAT, THAT IT HAS MELTED THROUGH ITS MOLEX CONNECTOR, AND BUBBLED UP THE CONTACT PLATE IT CONNECTS TO. DRIVER'S SIDE APPEARS OKAY AT THIS TIME. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD AND A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS FAIL DURING AN EMERGENCY STOPPING CONDITION. I HAVE PICTURES IF REQUESTED. *TT
Exterior lighting, Jan 23, 2013
MY CAR WILL BE PARKED AND ENGINE NOT RUNNING AND AT ANY GIVEN TIME THE UPPER FRONT HEADLIGHT ON PASSENGER SIDE AND THE BOTTOM PART OF THE REAR TAILLIGHT ON PASSENGER SIDE WILL ILLUMINATE FOR NO REASON. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHICH POSITION THE LIGHTS ARE IN. *TR... UPDATED 04-05-13 *BF
Power train, Jan 21, 2013, crash
ON 12/22/12 AT APPROXIMATELY 9PM I WAS PARKING MY CAR HAVING ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION. I HAD ALMOST FINISHED PARKING WHEN MY MERCEDES BENZ C300, 2010 LUNCHED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING AND HIT THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME RESULTING IN A CHAIN RECTION. WITH THAT TRUCK SMASHING INTO THE VEHICLE INFRONT OF IT. I HONESTLY BELIEVE THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND THEREFORE MUST HAVE MALFUNCTIONED. I WENT SEARCHING AND FOUND SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM A COUPLE OF OTHER OWNERS OF BENZ C300 2010 MODEL.I CALLED MERCEDES BENZ USA AND REPORTED AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEED TO TAKE THE CAR IN AND PAY FOR IT TO BE DIAGNOSED. THEY INSISTED THAT THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANY SIMILAR COMPLAINT. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR
Visibility, Jun 1, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ 300C. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE SUN ROOF OPENED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,200.
Electrical system, May 16, 2012
I WAS DRIVING DOWN RT 70 IN MARLTON, NJ ON MONDAY MAY 7, 2012 WHEN EVERY LIGHTS IN MY CAR LIT UP. I THEN TOOK IT TO MERCEDES AT APPROXIMATELY 1:00 P.M. I SAT THERE WAITING FOR THEM TO TELL ME WHAT WAS GOING ON. I DECIDED AT 1:50 TO FIND OUT AND I WAS TOLD BY MY SERVICE TECH DAN SWUWEK THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND THAT HE DID NOT KNOW HOW LONG IT WOULD BE TO FIX IT. I HAD TO GET A RENTAL. HE CALLED ME THE NEXT DAY AND INDICATED THAT A PART WAS ORDERED. I THEN CALLED HIM BACK LATER IN THE DAY WHEN HE SAID THAT IT WAS NOT THE PART THAT THEY THOUGHT IT WAS. ANOTHER DAY PASSED AND I WAS THEN TOLD THAT THEY WOULD BE CONTACTING MERCEDES FOR HELP. I ALSO CONTACTED THEM AS WELL BECAUSE I WANTED TO BE SURE THAT IT WAS DOCUMENTED. THE NEXT DAY THEY FIGURED IT OUT AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAD TO GO OUT OF TOWN AND DID NOT RETURN UNTIL MONDAY MAY 14, 2012 AT WHICH TIME I WAS CONTACTED BY DAN FROM MERCEDES INDICATED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS READY FOR PICK UP. THIS IS THE THIRD MERCEDES I HAVE LEASED. MY FIRST ONE WAS THE ML350 WHICH HAD AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT HEATING SYSTEM. MY SECOND ONE WAS A C300 WHICH HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM AND NAVIGATION. THIS IS MY THIRD AND LAST ONE HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE NAVIGATIONS FOR WHICH THEY KEPT TELLING ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. HOWEVER IT TOOK MY TOOK MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD WHEN TRYING TO ENTER DESTINATION INFORMATION SO IT WAS BASICALLY NOT FUNCTIONING FOR MANY MONTHS. NOW WITH THIS NEW PROBLEM THE ECU ISSUES, I HOPE IT GETS ME THROUGH THE NEXT 6 MONTHS SO I CAN TURN THIS IN AND NEVER GET ANOTHER MERCEDES AGAIN.THEY GAVE ME A RENTAL, CHARGED ME $3.00 PER DAY, KEEP MY CAR FOR A WEEK. CHERRY HILL MERCEDES SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEIR MANAGER IS PRETTY INCOMPETENT.THANK YOU.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 4, 2012
ALL OF MY EXTERIOR LIGHT BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED EVERY OTHER MONTH. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT BURNED OUT THE METAL PART WHERE MERCEDES HAD TO REPLACE THE UNIT. AS OF MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012 I HAD TO TAKE MY CAR IN THE DEALER TO REPAIR A RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT OUT. *TR ...UPDATED 03/27/13 *BF UPDATED 04/03/2013 *JS
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 12, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ C300. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, THERE WAS A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE BOOT, ROTORS AND THE BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jul 20, 2011, crash
ON JULY 18, 2011, I WAS WAITING IN A LINE OF TRAFFIC FOR A SIGNAL LIGHT TO CHANGE, AND AS THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME BEGAN TO MOVE, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND MY 2010 MERCEDES BENZ C300 LURCHED FORWARD AND REARENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THE FORWARD MOTION WAS VERY FORCEFUL AND THE IMPACT WAS HEAVY. THIS WAS UNINTENTIONAL ACCELERATION, AS I HAD NOT DEPRESSED TO ACCELERATOR AND WHILE I AM DEEMED AT FAULT I FEEL THIS MOVEMENT IS DEFINITELY RELATED TO ANOTHER INCIDENT IN THIS VEHICLE REPORTED ON MAY 21, 2011. PLEASE REFER TO ODI # 10403924. MERCEDES BENZ CORP SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE AN INVESTIGATION TO THIS PROBLEM, SINCE THERE IS EVIDENCE OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM. *KB
Steering, Jul 8, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TOWARDS THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS REALIGNED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT ALL GERMAN VEHICLES PULL TOWARDS THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BASED ON HIS OBSERVATIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING LOWER TO THE GROUND ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TIRES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WERE WEARING FASTER THAN THE TIRES ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,600.
Exterior lighting, Jun 15, 2011
2010 C300 MERCEDES BENZ. CONSUMER STATES THE FOG LIGHT IS DEFECTIVE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE RIGHT SIDE GLASS FOG LIGHT COVER CRACKED WITHOUT ANY EXTERNAL FORCE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE REPLACEMENT COST WOULD BE $300. THE DEALER STATED THE LIGHT MIGHT SHORT CIRCUIT THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IF LEFT UNCOVERED. THE CONSUMER STATED ON APRIL 9, 2011 THE LEFT SIDE GLASS FOG LIGHT COVER CRACKED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED IT, BECAUSE THEY SAID IT WAS DEFECTIVE. HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT REPLACE THE RIGHT SIDE FOG LIGHT COVER. *JB
Vehicle speed control, May 31, 2011
I WAS ENTERING THE ONTARIO SOUTH BOUND ON RAMP TO THE I 15 FREEWAY , IN MY 2010 C300 MERCEDES BENZ, WHEN THE ENGINE SURGED TO 6000 RPMS AND I LET UP ON THE GAS, COASTED, AND WHEN I APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR, IT SURGED AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES, AND EACH TIME I COASTED UNTIL I COULD GET OFF THE FREEWAY AT THE NEXT OFF RAMP. I THEN APPLIED NORMAL PRESSURE TO CONTINUE AND THE CAR PROCEEDED IN A NORMAL MANNER, SO I DROVE TO A SHOPPING CENTER AND STARTED TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE ENGINE ACCELERATED AGAIN TO 6000RPMS, AND I FLEW OVER A PLANTER AREA, REMOVING MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR AND MISSING A TREE AND A POLE. I CAME TO A STOP BY MAKING A HARD LEFT TURN AND BRAKING SO I WOULDN'T HIT THE WALL OF THE BUILDING. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO MY TIRES AND WHEELS AND THE DEALER, AFTER HAVING THE CAR IN THE SHOP FOR OVER A WEEK, SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THIS VEHICLE HAS 5700 MILES ON IT, AND IS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THE COMPANY WOULD NOT HONOR WARRANTY BY SAYING THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. MY INSURANCE HAD TO PAY FOR DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THIS VEHICLE. I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR, BECAUSE I HAVE FEAR THIS WILL REOCCUR, AND SOMEONE MAY BE SERIOUSLY HURT. *TR
Power train, Structure, Seats, Equipment, Dec 18, 2010
VEHICLE JERKS FORWARD WHEN COMING TO A STOP. HOOD WAS NOT SECURE AND SENSOR NEVER NOTIFIED DRIVER. SEAT STOPPED WORKING. BLUETOOTH IS FAULTY. THE JERKING OCCURS EVERY WEEK, AT LEAST EVERY OTHER DAY DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM SO NO REPAIRS DONE. BLUETOOTH NOT FIXED. *TR
Power train, Dec 14, 2010
2010 MERCEDES BENZ C LASS. LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN WOLF ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT REGARDING PROBLEMS WITH HER 2010 MERCEDES BROUGHT FRM SPECLL OUT HBL OF TYSONS CORNER ON JULY 2010; RESPOND TO HERNDON OFFICE, ATTN: JUDY MCCARY *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE FINAL DIAGNOSIS FROM THE DEALER WAS A COMPUTER GLITCH AND SOFTWARE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER WAS REASSURED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, ON NOVEMBER 15, 2010, THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN SUDDENLY IT SHIFTED ON ITS OWN IN REVERSE AND STARTED TO MOVE BACKWARDS . THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY BRAKING, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE BACKWARD. FINALLY, SHE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. *JB
Suspension, Air bags, Oct 5, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ C300. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED THERE WAS A DELAYED RESPONSE. A LOUD NOISE SOUNDED AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BUT THE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH CAUTION AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING A RESPONSE FROM THE TECHNICIAN REGARDING THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,109.