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
516 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Nov 29, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PART DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Nov 8, 2016
LETTER FROM SENATOR TOOMEY ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL DIFFICULTIES. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS ATTEMPTING TO SELL THE VEHICLE, UNTIL THE IT WAS DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL. *JB
Air bags, Oct 21, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V363000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Oct 17, 2016
I WAS DRIVING AND A STRONG FUEL ODOR WAS EXPERIENCED. WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR AND LOOKED UNDER THE UNDERCARRIAGE THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF FUEL. THERE IS A FUEL LEAK COMING FROM THE BOTTOM PLASTIC UNDERNEATH THE GAS TANK. IT MAY BE THE FUEL FILTER AS THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL HAD A RECALL BUT APPARENTLY MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED. *TR
Air bags, Sep 26, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Sep 19, 2016, crash
I WAS IN ACCIDENT ON 8/15/16 SIDE IMPACT I WANT TO KNOW WHY THE SIDE AIRBAGS DIDN"T DEPLOY, THE CAR WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. I WAS DRIVING ON A THE CITY STREET THE YOUNG MAN THOUGHT HE HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY TO TURN LEFT WITH INCOMING TRAFFIC AND HE STRUCK MY CAR FROM THE SIDE.
Other or unspecified, Sep 16, 2016
IF YOU SEARCH THE INTERNET YOU WILL SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED BY THIS ENGINEERING FLAW. THERE IS A BEARING IN THE TRANSMISSION THAT FAILS AND THEY ARE AWARE AND WILL NOT REPLACE IT COSTING THE CONSUMER 1000S OF DOLLARS TO REPAIR. THE BEARING NORMALLY FAILS AT 50000 TO 90000 MILES SOME FAIL SOONER. MANY HAVE CONTACTED THE COMPANY AND WERE TREATED POORLY AND BASICALLY THE COMPANY DOES NOT CARE. WE JUST HAD OUR REPLACED LAST WEEK COSTING US 5200.00 PLEASE CHECK THE WEB YOU WILL FIND A LOT OF INFORMATION. MERCEDES KNOWS OF THIS ISSUE AND EVEN RESOLVED IT IN IT'S REBUILDS OF THE TRANSMISSION BUT HAVE NOT OFFERED A RECALL AND THIS IS WRONG AND WE SHOULD ALL GET OUR MONEY BACK BECAUSE IT IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUES AS YOUR TRANSMISSION COULD SEIZE .
Air bags, Sep 7, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V363000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/19/16*LJ UPDATED 10/24/16.*JB
Air bags, Sep 1, 2016
I AM TRYING TO GET HELP REPLACING THE TAKATA AIR BAG, I HAVE CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ USA AND THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND BOTH SAID DRIVE SAFELY!! I WOULD LIKE TO SELL THE CAR BUT AM UNABLE TO SELL IT WITH THE RECALL.
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 31, 2016
THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK MECHANISM ON THESE VEHICLES APPEAR TO FAIL WITH ALARMING FREQUENCY. IF THE FAILURE WAS TO OCCUR ANY DISTANCE FROM A DEALER A MOTORIST WOULD BE STRANDED, PERHAPS IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WAS LUCKY - THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN MY HOME TOWN, BUT THE NEAREST DEALER IS 2 HOURS AWAY - THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO CAN FIX IT. THIS SITUATION IS DANGEROUS AND THE FAILURE TO ADDRESS IT (BY MERCEDES BENZ) IRRESPONSIBLE.
Air bags, Aug 22, 2016
TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL
Air bags, Aug 16, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Aug 15, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V177000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO SCHEDULE THE REPAIR APPOINTMENT. THE CONTACT ALSO RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V363000 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Aug 4, 2016
TAKATA RECALL. MERCEDES WILL NOT CHANGE THE AIRBAGS IN MY CAR DUE TO THEM NOT HAVING A REPLACEMENT. THEY COULD NOT HELP US IN ANY WAY WHATSOEVER AND TURNED US AWAY.
Exterior lighting, Jun 23, 2016
VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. 1 OF THE 2 PARKING LIGHT BULBS IN THE FRONT LEFT HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY BURNT OUT. WHEN TAKEN TO DEALER TO REPLACE THE BULB, THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT THE BULB'S HARNESS HAD OVERHEATED AND MELTED INTO THE HEADLAMP, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. THE MELTED HARNESS INDICATES THAT THERE WAS TOO MUCH HEAT AND COULD POSE A FIRE THREAT IN THE HEADLAMP, AS WELL AS REDUCE CONSPICUITY DUE TO DIMMED OR BURNT OUT EXTERIOR LIGHTING. THIS IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE PROBLEM WITH THE REAR TAILLIGHT ISSUE IN THIS YEAR/MODEL THAT RESULTED IN A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V177000 TAIL LAMP DIMMING OR FAILURE). THE FRONT EXTERIOR LIGHTS SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED AND REPLACED BY MB FOR THE SAME REASONS AS THE REAR.
Air bags, May 13, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) BUT THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE SUPPLIED TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC TIME FRAME. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Power train, Feb 26, 2016
WHEN IN MOTION A GRINDING NOISE CAN BE HEARD, WHICH WAS LATER IDENTIFIED AS A TRANSMISSION BEARING. VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 69,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REGULARLY SERVICED BY A MERCEDES DEALER IN MOST CASES, WHICH INCLUDED A SCHEDULED TRANSMISSION SERVICE THAT WAS CONDUCTED BY MERCEDES.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 19, 2016
"TAKATA RECALL" I HAVE A MERCEDES BENZ C300 2011 A PROBLEM OCCURRED WHERE YOU TURN THE KEY AND IT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE AND STEERING WHEEL LOCK.EVERYTHING ELSE WORKED LIKE LIGHTS,RADIO,BATTERY. I WAS DRIVING ONE MOMENT STOPPED AND PARKED FOR LESS THAN 5 MINUTES AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S QUITE A FEW OTHER OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. YOU CAN CHECK ON THIS LINK HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/MERCEDESBENZ/C300/STEERING-FAILED-PROBLEMS.PHP I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AND NEEDS TO GET FIXED.
Steering, Feb 5, 2016
PARKED CAR, NEXT DAY WON'T START. STEERING LOCKED. ALL LIGHTS AND RADIO COME ON. NOTICED MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS FOR SAME ISSUE. MERCEDES NEED TO RECALL!
Steering, Oct 12, 2015
I WENT TO THE PARK WITH MY WIFE AND 1 YEAR OLD SON, I PARKED THE CAR AND RETURNED A FEW HOURS LATER, THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOCKED AND THE KEY WOULD NOT START OR UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL, THE CAR HAD TO BE DRAGGED OUT OF PARKING SPACE SINCE THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT UNLOCK AND THE CAR WAS STUCK IN PARK. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED A BAD STEERING COLUMN $1600 REPAIR BILL, AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE WHICH HAVE THE EXACT SAME ISSUE AND REPAIR, SO THIS IS A VERY COMMON AND KNOW ISSUE BY MERCEDES BENZ. I BELIEVE THAT IF THE STEERING COLUMN CAN BECOME LOCKED IT COULD POTENTIALLY TURN VERY DANGEROUS IF THE CAR IS IN MOTION BECAUSE THE OPERATOR WOULD BE UNABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE.
Exterior lighting, Sep 13, 2015
LAS LUCES DELANTERAS DEL VEHCULO DE REFERENCIA PRESENTAN UN ALUMBRADO TENUE Y POBRE, LO QUE REDUCE LA VISIBILIDAD HACIA EL FRENTE REPRESENTANDO UN PELIGRO A LA VIDA DE LAS PERSONAS QUE TRANSITAN EN DICHO VEHCULO AL GUIAR DURANTE LA NOCHE. EL 27 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2014, LA COMPUTADORA DEL VEHCULO COMENZ A INDICAR PROBLEMAS CON LAS LUCES DELANTERAS, IZQUIERDA Y DERECHO. AL SER LLEVADO A INSPECCIN, SE ME INDICA QUE ES NECESARIO EL REEMPLAZO DE LOS FOCOS DELANTEROS COMPLETAMENTE.
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.
Steering, Structure, Other or unspecified, Sep 9, 2015, crash
THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED ACCIDENT AS IT INVOLVED A POLICE CHASE OF A FELON WHO RAN A RED LIGHT AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. MY CAR WAS HIT ON THE LEFT FRONT SIDE AND IS DEEMED TOTALED. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED IN MY VEHICLE AND I REQUIRED EMERGENCY TRANSPORT TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM. THIS ALSO INVOLVED A POLICE SHOOTING INCIDENT WITH THE DEATH OF THE OTHER DRIVER. THE VEHICLE IS PENDING TOWING TO A SALVAGE YARD.THE PRIMARY CONCERN IS A QUESTION OF DEFECTIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND FUTURE POTENTIAL INJURY TO OTHERS.
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Sep 8, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 MERCEDES BENZ C300. WHILE AT A STOP, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY ACCELERATED TO 30 MPH. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE STEERING COLUMN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED KNEE AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
Other or unspecified, Sep 4, 2015
I NOTICE THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY SOAKED WITH WATER AFTER A NIGHT OF HEAVY RAIN. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR A FEW DAYS I WAS ADVISED THAT THERE IS A DRAIN HOSE FROM THE SUNROOF THAT IS CLOGGED AND THE REPAIRS WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I INFACT WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP THE SAME DAY AND WAS ADVISED BY THE SAME SERVICE ADVISOR THAT THERE WAS ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT CAME IN THAT SAME MORNING WITH THE SAME ISSUE!!! I THEN CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ USA, SINCE THIS INFACT SEEMS LIKE A DESIGN FLAW OR VEHICLE DEFECT WHICH CAN DAMAGE THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS I THEN CONTACTED THE CASE MANAGER AGAIN AT MERCEDES BENZ AND WAS ADVISED THAT AFTER REVIEWING THE CASE THEY WILL NOT ASSIST WITH ANY REPAIRS. I WAS ALSO OFFERED A $1000 TO PURCHASE OR LEASE A NEW VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO ASSIST WITH DEFECT IN THE CURRENT VEHICLE. THIS ISSUED SHOULD BE A RECALL CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT IT IS IN NO WAY THE FAULT OF THE OWNER THESE VEHICLES ARE DESIGNED WITH A DEFECT AND HAVE TO COME OUT OF POCKET FOR REPAIRS. THESE VEHICLES ARE VERY EXPENSIVE AND YOU WOULDNT EXPECT THIS MAJOR REPAIR AFTER JUST 4 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP.