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, Dec 24, 2021
During maintenance of vehicle, completely bare wires were discovered. While researching replacement options, I became aware that this is a known issue ignored by the manufacturer and that no cost effective solution exists. This is a car my son has recently purchased on his own and I am assisting in the maintenance of this "German Engineering Turd" You would have thought they learned a lesson on arrogance from the past.
Suspension, Dec 2, 2021
Rear subframe failure due to corrosion. Car has approximately 130k miles. Based on internet reasearch, this is a common issue with the c300 w204 Mercedes’ car. It’s a serious safety issue and warrants a recall before someone is killed. Failures have happened for this car at various miles on the odometer, without warning.
Suspension, Nov 23, 2021
The rear subframe rusted so bad that one of the control arms detached from frame i think this is a risky and i seen lots of those complaints in YouTube I think there should be a recall from mercedes benz of usa .
Exterior lighting, Oct 15, 2021, fire
The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated that the wiring in the left tail light had melted. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V177000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) which he linked to the failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and both informed him that the recall had been serviced prior to the contact owning the vehicle. The vehicle had been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Electrical system, Oct 4, 2021
The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the back-circuit board to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 19, 2021
Raw gas smell after filling up with gas .
Air bags, May 21, 2021, crash
Airbags did not deploy after rear-ending another car. Airbags had been recalled and repaired at the Mercedes dealership. There weren't any lights on the dashboard at the time.
Air bags, May 18, 2021, crash
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAD AN UNKNOWN RECALL ON THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS COMPLETED. THE CONTACT STATED 6 MONTHS LATER, HE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND WAS REAR-ENDED BY A MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM STOPPED ABRUPTLY CAUSING HIM TO REAR END INTO THE VEHICLE. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT STATED HE HIT HIS HEAD WITH THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH CAUSED A CONCUSSION AND HIS LEFT EYE DOES NOT OPEN FULLING. THE CONTACT WAS SEEN BY AN AMBULANCE AND SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION FROM HIS PRIMARY DOCTOR AND WAS REFERRED TO A NEUROLOGIST. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 27, 2021
STRONG SMELL OF FUEL AFTER FILLING UP GAS TANK 3/4 OR MORE FOR THE PAST 12MONTHS
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 12, 2021
STRONG GASOLINE SMELL WHEN I FILL MY TANK UP AND PARK MY CAR INSIDE MY GARAGE. SO STRONG THAT I WORRY ABOUT EXPLOSION DUE TO MY WATER HEATER WITH PILOT LIGHT IN THE GARAGE. I FREQUENTLY OPEN THE GARAGE DOOR TO LET THE ACCUMULATED GAS ODOR DISSIPATE OR HAVE TO MOVE THE CAR OUTSIDE. STRONG GASOLINE SMELL GOES AWAY ONCE THE FUEL LEVEL GOES DOWN ABOUT 1/8 TO 1/4. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE 12/20/2020.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 20, 2021
AUG 12, 2020 TOOK C300 TO FLETCHER JONES MOTORCARS OF FREMONT. I PAID FOR THEM TO DO AN OIL & FILTER CHANGE AFTER THEY DID PERFORM RECALL 2018120017 ~ 18P9193104 CAUSE: RECALL 2019120027. PAID $204.65 THAT DAY. 01/21/21- AFTER DRIVING, W MY SIGNIFICANT OTHER, AT CITY SPEED LIMIT TO FEDEX WHICH IS 1 MILE FROM MY HOUSE ON SAME STREET, AND BACK, MY SIG OTHER COULDN'T PUT BACK THE SEAT AND THE AIRBAG LIGHTS WERE ON. I HAD TO DRIVE TO WORK NEXT DAY, UNSAFE...PRESSED UP AGAINST STEERING WHEEL BECAUSE I'M 6 FEET. SOMEHOW THAT WENT AWAY. 03/09/21- I TOOK IN THE CAR, BY TOW TRUCK, BACK SAME PLACE FLETCHER JONES AND HAD A BEE SERVICE PER MANUFACTURERS SPECIFICATIONS SERVICE DEALT ON MY CAR THEY PERFORMED BE SERVICE WITH BRAKE FLUID FLUSH NUMEROUS OTHER STUFF I'M ALSO REPORTED TO THEM A MISFIRING BECAUSE I DID HOOK UP AN OBD2 BUT DURING THEIR ROAD TEST THEY JUST NOTED A STRONG VIBRATION FROM THE DRIVELINE THEY RAN A QUICK TEST FOUND NO FAULT BUT NOTED COLLAPSED BACKSLASH WORN MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS AND RECOMMEND REPLACEMENT THEY ALSO NOTED VOLTAGE RELATED FAULTS HOWEVER THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY WOULD PASS THEIR TESTS AND THEY RELEASED MY CAR TO ME AFTER CHARGING ME $576.97. TODAY, 03/19/21- HAD TO TOW MY CAR AGAIN FROM APPROXIMATELY THREE BLOCKS AWAY BECAUSE IT JUST TURNED OFF ON ME WITH A MESSAGE BRAKE SRS EDT, AND SOMETHING ABOUT IT FAILING. NOW...IM STUCK BECAUSE MERCEDES SCREWED ME!
Air bags, Dec 22, 2020, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ C350. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, AFTER MOVING OFF FROM A FOUR-WAY TRAFFIC STOP, A PEDESTRIAN RAN IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP IN TIME AND SWERVED, ATTEMPTING TO AVOID STRIKING THE PEDESTRIAN. THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE PEDESTRIAN AND THE CONTACT LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK A POLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED HOWEVER, THE CONTACT HAD NOT YET BEEN PROVIDED A COPY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION, RETRO ORBITAL HEMATOMA, FACIAL TRAUMA, MULTIPLE FACIAL CONTUSIONS, AND NECK STRAIN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AT THE SCENE OF THE CRASH, AND WAS THEN TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL TO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PEDESTRIAN WAS INJURED HOWEVER, SHE WAS UNSURE OF HIS INJURY OR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY'S LOT AND WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. ## VIN PASSED ## MERCEDES-BENZ 2010 ##
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 14, 2020
REAR DRIVER SIDE LIGHTS NOT FUNCTIONING. FOUND BROWN WIRE MEETING TO CIRCUIT BOARD WITH HEAT DAMAGE TO WIRE AND CIRCUITBOARD AT CONNECTION. CONTACT THE DEALER. DEALERS STATED RECALL WAS DONE ON OUR VEHICLE. HOWEVER THIS APPEARS TO HAVE HAPPENED AGAIN. DON'T KNOW IF THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. NOTICED WARNING LIGHTS INDICATING BAD CONNECTION TO BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS DRIVER SIDE REAR.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Dec 13, 2020
SECURITY SYSTEM DISABLES IGNITION DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE ESL (STEERING LOCK). NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR IT JUST WON'T START.
Electrical system, Nov 7, 2020
I WAS TRAVELING TO NORTH CAROLINA AND PULLED OVER TO CHANGE MY TIRE, MY CAR WOULD NOT START.LEAVING ME STRANDED ON THE INTERSTATE. AGAIN I ARRIVED ON NORTH CAROLINA AND THE WILL NOT START AFTER STAYING AT A FRIEND'S FOR THE NIGHT. I CANNOT GET BACK TO CONNECTICUT. I RESEARCHED AND SEEN THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE THAT IS NOT BEING RECTIFIED.
Power train, Engine, Oct 26, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AT START-UP AND WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE BATTERY FAILURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC NOR A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 19, 2020
STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE WHEN TANK IS FILLED UP.
Air bags, Oct 3, 2020
THE PASSENGER HEAD REST MALFUNCTIONED WHILE VEHICLE WAS OFF NO KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IN A SAFE LOCATION.
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 1, 2020
STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE WHEN TANK IS FILLED UP. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW. DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT CARS SO DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT UNTIL I HAD A COUPLE OF PEOPLE ASK WHY MY CAR SMELLED LIKE GAS. THEY LET ME KNOW THAT IT MAY BE A GAS LEAK SOMEWHERE.
Suspension, Aug 14, 2020
REAR SUBFRAME RUSTED FROM INSIDE OUT CAUSING DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNT TO BREAK FREE FROM SUBFRAME. TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40MPH BUT PROPER EVASIVE MANEUVERING ALLOWED FOR SAFE STOPPING WITHOUT INCIDENT.
Steering, Aug 4, 2020
THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK IS STUCK AND NOW MY CAR WILL NOT START. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MERCEDES CARS OF ALL MAKES & MODELS. I PUT MY KEY IN AND TRIED TO START IT AND IT FAILED TO START. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY AND HAD IT TESTED AND REPLACED. THAT IS NOT THE ISSUE. THE CAR STILL WILL NOT START AND COME TO FIND OUT IT IS THE STEERING LOCK MOTOR THAT HAS FAILED. IT IS A ESL FAILURE.
Steering, Jul 12, 2020
I NOTICES BACK IN 2013- 2014 A RECALL WAS SENT OUT BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS LEAKING IN THE 2010 MERCEDES BENZ C-CLASS 300. ON 07/01/2020 THATS WHEN I NOTICES MY 2010 MERCEDES BENZ C-CLASS WAS LOSING POWER STEERING FLUID. I NOTIFIED THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP AND THEY PULLED UP MY VIN NUMBER. SHE INFORMED ME THAT MY CAR WAS SERVICE. APPARENTLY WHAT EVER THEY FIX ISN'T WORKING ANYMORE. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR IS THERE ANY WAY THAT YOU CAN HELP ME WITH THIS MATTER PLEASE THANK YOU.
Suspension, Jul 8, 2020
I WAS TOLD TODAY THAT MY CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE SUBFRAME HAS RUSTED SO SEVERELY THAT THE CONTROL ARMS FOR BOTH REAR WHEELS HAVE DETACHED FROM THE SUBFRAME. A WEB SEARCH (HTTPS://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/MERCEDESBENZ/C300/SUSPENSION-PROBLEMS.PHP) INDICATES THAT MY PROBLEM IS NOT UNIQUE. DURING A DRIVE YESTERDAY EVENING, THE TOP DEAD CENTER (TDC) OF THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED OUT AS IT SHOULD AT THE 12:00 POSITION. DURING THE DRIVE, THE TDC SHIFTED TO THE 10:30 POSITION. THIS MORNING, AS MY WIFE AND I DROVE THE CAR TO BE INSPECTED, THE TDC WAS AT 11:30. I ALWAYS BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP, WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR, FOR ITS SCHEDULED A- AND B-SERVICES. WE HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT IN THIS CAR. DURING WINTER, I FREQUENTLY TOOK THE CAR TO TOUCHLESS CAR WASHES AND PAID EXTRA FOR THE UNDER-BODY WASH TO REMOVE ROAD SALTS. I AM FLABBERGASTED THAT A 10-YEAR OLD MERCEDES SHOULD DEVELOP SUCH A SERIOUS RUST PROBLEM ON A CRITICAL STRUCTURAL PART THAT IT FAILS COMPLETELY. MY 15-YEAR OLD RANGE ROVER HAS LED A MUCH MORE DEMANDING LIFE, AND IT'S DOING JUST FINE. AS OF THIS MORNING, MY C300 HAS 158,000 MILES.
Electrical system, Jun 16, 2020
WHILE PARKED OVER NIGHT OR DURING THE DAY WHILE AT WORK THE PARKING LIGHT COME ON BY IT SELF WITHOUT MY KNOWING. THIS DRAINS THE BATTERY AND I HAVE TO GET A JUMP START. . THIS IS REALLY INCONVENIENCE. I COULD BE ANYWHERE AND THIS COULD HAPPEN. THIS HAPPENS ONCE SOMETIME TWICE A MONTH. IT IS NOT THE LIGHT SWITCH , IT IS ALWAYS IN THE OFF POSITION ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS I WAS ABLE TO RETURN AND TURN OFF THE LIGHT. ONLY ONE LIGHT COMES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AND REAR. *TR
Exterior lighting, May 24, 2020
MERCEDES BENZ C300W LIGHT BULBS ARE CONSTANTLY BLOWING OUT. PRIMARILY DUE TO THE HEAT ACCUMULATION IN THE HEADLIGHTS. THE PLASTIC PARTS ARE MELTING, DRY AND VERY BRITTLE WHICH CAUSES BULBS TO OVERHEAT AND BLOW OUT. LEFT & RIGHT PARKING LIGHTS(4), SIDE LAMPS(2) AND LICENSE PLATE LAMP(2) HAVE BEEN CHANGED OUT AT LEAST 15 TIMES PER LAMP. THE DEALERSHIP SUGGEST I CHANGE OUT THE HEAD LAMP CASING COSTINS APPROX. $2K WITH LABOR. AFTERMARKET $700 PLUS LABOR. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THREE SEPERATE SHOPS HAVE STATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE MB C300.