2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 516 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 23 C-Class model years with reports.
Of the 2011 reports, 15 involved a crash and 8 involved a fire. 14 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints: fuel/propulsion system
43 reports, newest first. Show all
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 27, 2020
I BEGAN SMELLING GAS IN THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER REFUELING, THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING GAS FROM THE RIGHT SIDE IN THE DRIVEWAY OF MY RESIDENCE AND THE ODOR OF GAS IN THE CAB BEGAN TO INCREASE. MERECEDES PERSONNEL REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE OTHER ISSUES AND WANTED TO BEGIN AT THEIR STARTING POINTS REGARDING REPAIRS. WHEN THIS RECALL WAS ADDRESSED, I WAS INFORMED IT DID NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. AFTER A LENGTHY ELIMINATION PROCESS, WE LEARNED THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE HAD FAILED IN THIS MODEL AS IT HAS IN OTHER SIMILAR MODELS. MERECEDES AT THIS POINT REFUSED TO EXTEND A WARRANTY CONSIDERATION SO I SOUGHT OUT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO REPAIR IT. NOW MERCEDES IS REFUSING TO REIMBURSE THE COST OF THE REPAIRS.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 6, 2020
WHEN I FILL UP THE CAR WITH GAS, MY CAR SMELLS LIKE GAS INSIDE AND OUT UNTIL IT REACHES ABOUT A HALF A TANK. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I'VE READ THAT SEVERAL OTHER MERCEDES ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I'VE CONTACT MERCEDES BUT THEY SAY IT'S NOT ON A RECALL LIST.
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 17, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A FUEL ODOR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF ONTARIO (LOCATED AT 3787 E GUASTI RD, ONTARIO, CA 91761, 909-212-8400) WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL FILTER WAS FRACTURED AND CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK UNDERNEATH THE REAR SEATS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V557000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FUEL FILTER FLANGES WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WAS UNABLE TO SPEAK WITH AN AGENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 5, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH FUEL, A STRONG FUEL ODOR ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INFORMED MERCEDES-BENZ OF HOUSTON NORTH (17510 NORTH FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77090, (281) 305-8970) OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 26, 2019
CAR LEAKS GASOLINE WHEN ABOVE 3/4 OF TANK IN THE RIGHT REAR AREA BY THE FUEL FILLER LINE. SMELL GAS AND SEE GAS LEAKING.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 7, 2019
I HAD A FUEL PUMP FLANGE CRACK AND LEAK FUEL WHEN TANK WAS FILLED. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THREW CODES RELATING TO SMALL LEAKS IN THE SYSTEM AND AS SUCH WOULDN'T PASS STATE INSPECTION. I HAD TO GET THESE FIXED -- BASICALLY BOTH SIDES (FUEL PUMP/FILTER/SENDING UNIT) AT THE COST OF ALMOST $1,000 AT A LOCAL SHOP. ALL VIN SEARCHES DIDN'T SHOW THAT MY CAR WAS UNDER RECALL FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM, HOWEVER I NOTICED THAT MANY OTHER MODELS IN YEAR 2011-2012 WERE UNDER RECALL: SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #12V557000. I BELIEVE THIS MODEL SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL.
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 21, 2018
FUEL LEEK UNDER SEAT PASSENGER SIDE AS WELL STRONG SMELL COMING FROM EVERYWHERE WHEN THE GAS THANK IS FILLED AT THE GAS STATION.I CALLED THE MBUSA FOR HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM AND THEY REFOCUSED TO HELP .THIS IS BEEN UNGOING PROBLEM WITH THE MERCEDES AS I HAD SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 2007 S550 AS WELL MY 2007 E350 .THIS TIME I'M EXTREMELY SCARED ,IF THIS PROBLEM THAT I HAVE WITH MY CAR IT'S GOING TO CAUSE THE HEALTH DAMAGE TO ME AND MY FAMILY , AND EVERY TIME I OPEN MY GARAGE DOOR IN THE MORNING I'M AFRAID THE ELECTRICAL LIGHT OR MOTOR WOULD SPARK AND IGNITE THE FUMES AND CAUSE THE MAJOR EXPLOSION IN MY HOUSE/ GARAGE.PLEASE I NEED HELP FIXING MY CAR AND THOUSANDS OTHER AMERICANS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.THANK YOU
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 7, 2018
TAKATA RECALL HAD VEHICLE CHECKED AFTER CONSISTENT SMELL OF FUEL UPON FILLING UP THE CAR. MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE FUEL FILLER NECK TO BE FAULTY BECAUSE OF PLASTIC CONNECTOR FUEL TANK.
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 25, 2018
STRONG FUEL ODOR EVERY TIME FILLED UP THE GAS TANK (FULL TANK)
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 9, 2018
WHEN FUEL TANK IS ABOUT 75%-100% FULL, THE CAR WILL SMELL HEAVILY OF GASOLINE INSIDE AND AROUND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, FUEL PUMP COVER/CAP SEEMS TO BE CRACKED AND LEAKING FUEL. ENGINE CODE P0456.
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 28, 2018
GAS LEAK .. CAUSING CAR TOO SMELL LIKE GAS WHEN YOU FILL UP
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 3, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE RETAINED EXCESSIVE WATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BENZEL-BUNCH MOTOR CAR (28 GRAND AVE, ENGLEWOOD, NJ) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE'S DRAINS WERE CLOGGED AND THEY WOULD NEED TO PERFORM A FLUSH TO REMOVE THE WATER AND REWIRE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 30, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL, THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE ODOR WAS VERY STRONG INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS FOR THE FUEL ODOR TO SUBSIDE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS HALF FULL, THERE WAS NO FUEL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-367-6372 AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. A CASE NUMBER WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 2, 2017
THERE APPEARS TO BE IS A CRACK ON THE FUEL FILTER. THIS CRACK HAS RESULTED IN A FUEL LEAK, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE. THE TOP OF THE FUEL SENDING UNITS ARE LEAKING. HIGH FUMES ODOR INSIDE AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE BOTH WHEN IT IS STATIONARY AND IN MOTION REGARDLESS IF IT'S ON THE HIGHWAY, TURNING OR CITY STREET.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 16, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A STRONG FUEL ODOR WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN FUELING THE VEHICLE, STRONG FUEL VAPORS LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V557000 (FUEL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 127,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, May 22, 2017
ABOUT 5 MONTHS AGO I SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GAS FUMES OMITTING FROM MY CAR WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. I LIVE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WHERE THE WEATHER GETS EXTREMELY HOT. I BROUGHT MY CAR IN TO GET CHECKED OUT AT A LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP ON 12/23/2016 AND IT TURNS OUT THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS CRACKED AND LEAKING FUEL. I LOOKED ON THE NHTSA DATABASE AND FOUND A RECALL REPORTED ON 12/03/2012 REGARDING A FUEL FILTER LEAK AS MENTIONED BELOW. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V557000 MANUFACTURER MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. COMPONENTS FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE SUMMARY MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 S400, S550, S550 4MATIC, S63 AMG, C300, C300 4MATIC, E350, GLK350, GLK350 4MATIC, CL550 4MATIC, AND CL63 AMG VEHICLES I MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 18, 2011, THROUGH JULY 12, 2011. DUE TO AN IRREGULARITY STEMMING FROM THE MOLDING PROCESS OF THE FUEL FILTER FLANGE, THE FUEL FILTER FLANGE MAY CRACK WHEN OPERATED IN HIGH TEMPERATURES. ALTHOUGH THE RECALL WAS SPECIFICALLY FOR MERCEDES BENZ C300 MANUFACTURED IN 2011, I BELIEVED IT SHOULD ALSO EXTEND TO THE PREVIOUS YEAR; 2010. IM REPORTING THIS TO SEE IF ANY OTHER CARS HAD THE SAME EXACT ISSUE AS WHAT WAS DESCRIBED ABOVE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFINITE FIRE RISK ESPECIALLY TO THOSE LIVING IN VERY HOT LOCATIONS SUCH AS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THE RECALL COVERS MY CAR AND IF SO I WOULD LIKE TO GET REIMBURSED FOR THE SERVICES I PAID TO THE MECHANIC SHOP. THANK YOU.
Fuel/propulsion system, May 9, 2017
I HAD TO PAY FOR A FUEL FILTER LEAK DUE TO A CRACK OF THE FUEL FILTER FLANGE AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS NOT A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE, BUT WHEN I WAS LOOKING AT RECALLS FOR MY YEAR AND MODEL I CAME ACROSS NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER-12V557000 WITH A RECALL ON MERCEDED-BENZ C300 4 MATIC MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 FOR FUEL LEAK DUE TO CRACKED FLANGE. I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT IT EVEN THOUGH THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HAD TO BE REPLACED AND SAID IT DID NOT AFFECT MY VEHICLE, I CALLED MERCEDES BENZ AT THE NUMBER PROVIDED IN THE REMEDY SECTION OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT MY VEHICLE, PLEASE ADVISE WHAT I SHOULD DO NEXT, THANK YOU
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 9, 2015
I FILLED MY GAS TANK UP FRIDAY EVENING, WENT HOME AND PARKED MY VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE. THE NEXT MORNING THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO THE MERCEDES DEALER AND THEY SAID THE SEAL AND CAP UNDER THE PASSENGER BACK SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY WANTED TO CHARGE $434. NOT ONLY IS THIS DANGEROUS IT SHOULD NOT BE THE CONSUMERS RESPONSIBILITY WHEN THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED FAULTY MATERIAL.