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.
Suspension, Structure, Jul 23, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT DROVE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SUBFRAME AND DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. *AS *TR
Electrical system, Jul 22, 2019
I WAS LEAVING WORK. I UNLOCKED THE VEHICLE WITH THE KEY FOB, PLACED THE KEY FOB IN THE IGNITION, AND IT FAILED TO START. I WAS LEFT STRANDED WITHOUT A WAY TO LEAVE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD MY PROBLEM LIES WITHIN A "FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH" THAT ONLY MB CAN REPAIR. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG THE C-CLASS MODELS AND I AM HOPING MB CAN ADDRESS THE ISSUE WITH A RECALL.
Air bags, Seats, Jul 22, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE HEADREST AIR BAGS BURST ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO W.I. SIMONSON MERCEDES-BENZ (LOCATED AT 1626 WILSHIRE BLVD, SANTA MONICA, CA 90403, (855) 677-2690), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,352.
Air bags, Jul 12, 2019
I HAVE BEEN CONTACTING MECEDES-BENZ OF SOUTH BAY AT 3311 PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY, TORRANCE, CA 90505. TEL: (855)457-2275 FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS REGARDING THE TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL. 1) THE RESPONSE IS ALWAYS: "WE WILL CONTACT YOU TO SCHEDULE SERVICE WHEN THE PARTS ARRIVE". THEY NEVER CONTACT. 2) I KEEP GETTING POSTCARDS FROM MERCEDES BENZ THAT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE, HOWEVER, I HAVE LEFT MESSAGES FOR THEIR ASSIGNED RECALL PERSON WHO NEVER HAS TIME TO CALL BACK THEY ARE DRAGGING THEIR FEET ON THIS MATTER HOPING I'LL GO AWAY AND FORGET ABOUT IT
Air bags, Seats, Jul 9, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE DRIVING, THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADREST AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering, Electrical system, Jul 2, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START AND THE POWER STEERING ABILITY SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MERCEDES BENZ OF HONOLULU (818 OKAPI OMANI AVE, HONOLULU, HI) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING LOCK MODULE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MODULE WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.
Air bags, Jul 2, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICES FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V363000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF TEMECULA (40910 TEMECULA CENTER DR, TEMECULA, CA 92591, (951) 216-7800) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Jun 30, 2019
TAKATA RECALL. IT'S TAKING AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR MERCEDES TO COME UP WITH A FIX FOR THIS LIFE THREATENING DEFECT. I SEE THAT HONDA IS ADVERTISING TO HAVE THEIR CUSTOMERS SCHEDULE REPAIRS. CAN'T MERCEDES USE THE SAME REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS? MAKES ONE WONDER IF MB IS SERIOUS ABOUT SAFETY.
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.
Air bags, Jun 24, 2019, crash
AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, A DEER RAN ACROSS THE OPPOSITE SIDE LANE OF TRAFFIC AND COLLIDED WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE AND WINDSHIELD. THE ENTIRE DEER LANDED IN DRIVERS LAP AND PASSENGERS SIDE SEATS. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. STATEFARM AND STATE TROOPER REPORTS WITH PHOTOS TAKEN. BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE TAKEN TO ER BY AMBULANCE AND TREATED.
Air bags, Jun 19, 2019
TAKATA RECALL : MY C300 MERCEDES 2011 HAS BEEN ON RECALL FOR OVER 5 YEARS EVERY MERCEDES DEALERSHIP SAYS THERE ARE NO AIRBAGS AVAILABLE. WHY???? EVERYONE ELSE I TALK TO HAS HAD THEM REPLACED ALREADY !! NOW THE LIGHT HAS COME ON SAYING L & R SRS MALFUNCTION (SERVICE REQUIRED)
Air bags, Jun 17, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATIONS FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) AND 19V010000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO INTERNATIONAL AUTOS WAUKESHA (2230 EAST MORELAND BLVD, WAUKESHA, WI) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, May 24, 2019
"TAKATA RECALL" WE STARTED GETTING AIRBAG RECALL NOTICES 4 YEARS AGO. WE HAVE CALLED THE DEALER EVERY 6 MONTHS AND THEY ALWAYS SAY "TAKATA HAS NOT SENT US PARTS" THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE FOR A LIFE CRITICAL PART SUCH AS AN AIRBAG THAT CAN EXPLODE. NOTHING BUT EXCUSES. EVERY TIME WE DRIVE THIS VEHICLE WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE AIRBAGS. THIS IS THE 4TH MB WE HAVE OWNED AND ITS LIKELY THE LAST DUE TO THE WAY THIS RECALL HAS BEEN HANDLED.
Exterior lighting, May 8, 2019, fire
MY FRONT PASSENGER HEAD LAMP CAUGHT FIRE ONE OF THE PARKING BULBS. ALL TJE WIRING IS EXPOSED AND MY LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. MY RIGHT TAIL LIGHT ONE OF THE BULBS GOT OVER HEATED AND HAD TO TAKE OFF THE BULB.
Electrical system, Apr 29, 2019
I AM WRITING TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE DID NOT START AFTER THE KEY WAS PUT INTO THE IGNITION. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE DID NOT START AT ALL. THE TOW SERVICE WAS CALLED. THE TOW REPAIR REPRESENTATIVE INDICATED THE PROBLEM MAY BE THE "IGNITION SWITCH," AS THE BATTERY WAS FINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE ENTIRE IGNITION SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE COST WAS $1214. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. FORTUNATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS IN A SECURE PLACE -- THE HOME GARAGE. HOWEVER, HAD IT BEEN IN ANOTHER LOCATION, A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD COULD HAVE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS APPROXIMATELY 91,000 MILES, SO IT IS INCONCEIVABLE AS TO WHY AN IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS NO WARNING. THIS IS AN ITEM THAT IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND SHOULD BE UNDER WARRANTY.
Air bags, Apr 26, 2019
"TAKATA RECALL" RECENT CHANGE IN PA LAW MADE ME AWARE OF RECALL PROBLEMS OTHERS REPORTED. I CHECKED MY VEHICLE AND FOUND 2 UNRESOLVED RECALLS, ONE DATED 2016 AND ONE DATED 2019. I INTEND TO COMPLAIN TO THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM AND I WONDERED IF NHTSA WAS DOING ANYTHING TO PRESSURE THE DEALER TO RESOLVE THEIR 3 YEAR NEGLECT OF MY UNSAFE AIR BAGS. IS IT NORMAL THAT A RECALL IS IGNORED BY THE MANUFACTURER FOR 3 YEARS? CAN YOU HELP?
Suspension, Apr 24, 2019
I HAVE A 2011 MERCEDES 80K MILES AND THE REAR CRADLE HAS RUSTED OUT , MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE
Air bags, Apr 19, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) AND 19V010000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF SAN ANTONIO (9600 SAN PEDRO AVE, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78216, (210) 920-3235) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *DT CONSUMER STATED SHE DID NOT HEAR ANYTHING FRON THE DEALER.*JB
Air bags, Apr 18, 2019
TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE BEEN CONTACTING THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIPS IN MY AREA AND THE REMEDY PARTS HAVE NOT BEEN AVAILABLE FOR AIR BAG REPLACEMENT. QUITE FRANKLY, ITS SCARY TO DRIVE.
Air bags, Apr 17, 2019
2011 MERCEDES BENZ C-300. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MBUSA SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR. *JS
Air bags, Apr 6, 2019
TAKARA RECALL I HAVE BEEN CALLING THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALER EVERY FEW MONTHS SINCE I GOT THE RECALL NOTICE ON MY CAR. EACH TIME THEY TELL ME THAT IT WILL BE 1 OR 2 MONTHS BEFORE THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE TO FIX THE CAR. THIS SCENARIO HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS OR MORE. I CANNOT SEEM TO GET MY CAR FIXED. THE LAST TIME I CALLED THEY TOLD ME I DIDN'T NEED TO CALL EVERY FEW MONTHS THAT THEY WOULD SEND ME A LETTER WHEN THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. I REALIZED THAT THEY HAVE A LOT OF CARS TO FIX BUT I DO NOT WANT TO CONTINUE DRIVING MY CAR KNOWING THAT IF SOMEONE RUNS INTO ME I COULD BE KILLED BECAUSE OF A FAULTY AIRBAG. HOW DO I GET MY CAR FIXED? ANYTHING YOU COULD DO TO HELP ME WOULD BE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED MY DEALER IS IN LAKELAND FLORIDA IT IS FIELDS MOTOR CAR. THEIR PHONE NUMBER IS 863 688-8111.
Air bags, Apr 3, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300W. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 AND 16V363000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF PLANO (6455 DALLAS PKWY, PLANO, TX 75024) STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FOR THREE TO FOUR DAYS UNTIL THE PARTS ARRIVED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Apr 1, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER FAILED TO PROVIDE THE REMEDY AND PART WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME CONCERNING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V363000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SECOND NOTICE FOR THE TWO AIR BAG RECALLS, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. MERCEDES-BENZ OF ANAHEIM (5395 E LA PALMA AVE, ANAHEIM, CA 92807, 1-(855) 281-3286) WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE THE PARTS TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO ADDRESS PART AVAILABILITY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Mar 19, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300W. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF CARY (2400 AUTOPARK BLVD, CARY, NC 27511, (919) 380-1800) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Mar 19, 2019
"TAKATA RECALL" I CONTACTED THE THE AUTHORIZED MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER HAS FAILED TO REMEDY THIS SAFETY RECALL IN A TIMELY MANNER, I HAVE CONTINUOUSLY REACHED OUT FOR YEAR AND HALF AND THE MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER CONTINUOUS TO STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS ARE ON BACK ORDER.