2009 MERCEDES BENZ C 300

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    airbag system

    83 unsafe

    83
    incidents
    Typical range: 57,000–99,000 mi

    Median 75,000 mi, based on 57 reports (62% had no usable mileage)

    • "TAKATA RECALL - IT HAS BEEN 2.5 YEARS AND LESS THAN 40% OF THE RECALLED AIRBAGS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED. ONLY IN THE GOVERNMENT IS THAT AN ACCEPTABLE STATISTIC. EVEN WORSE IS EVERY MANUFACTURER DOES NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY TO OR FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS. I HAVE NO I…"~11,000 mi, complaint #1390160
    • "RIGHT AFTER THE MANUFACTURES WARRANTY ENDED, THE LEFT FRONT SRS MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON IN MY VEHICLE, ACCOMPANIED BY THE AIR BAG LIGHT. I DID RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO SUFFER FROM THIS MALFUNCTION. THE LIGHT DOES NOT GO OFF AND TH…"~58,000 mi, complaint #946660
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG (SRS) LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V177000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING), 15V711000 (AIR BAGS), AND 16V081000(AIR BAGS).…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1263061
    • "TAKATA RECALL, SINCE AUGUST 2016 WE HAVE BEEN WAITING TO GET THE AIRBAGS CORRECTED OR REPLACED WITH NO ASSIATANCE. THIS VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ON A DAILY BASIS, AND OUR SAFETY IS AT RISK."~86,000 mi, complaint #1419014
    • ""TAKATA RECALL" WHEN I WAS DRIVING AFTER A OIL CHANGE, I HEARD A NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE SOMEONE HIT MY CAR. I WAS SCARED AND SHAKY SO I PULLED OVER COULD SEE ANYTHING BUT I HEARD A TICKING NOISE. THEN I REALIZED THE HEAD REST MINI AIR BAG BLEW UP AND THE WIRI…"~144,065 mi, complaint #1587589
  2. #2

    wiring harness

    56 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    57
    incidents
    Typical range: 50,500–77,000 mi

    Median 62,000 mi, based on 93 reports (12% had no usable mileage)

    • "DRIVER SIDE REAR LIGHTS DIMMER THAN THE OTHER SIDE THAN WENT OUT, WHEN OPEN THE COMPARTMENT, SMELLED MELTING PLASTIC. CHECKED THE PLUG THAT WENT INTO THE LIGHTS HAS MELTED. ALSO BURN MARK LEFT ON LIGHT HOUSING. *TR"~32,000 mi, complaint #1032082
    • "WARNING ON DASH SHOWS RR BRAKE LIGHT IS OUT AND TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS IS OUT. WENT TO LOOK AT THE BACK OF THE CAR TO SEE IF THE LIGHTS WHERE ON AND THE RR LIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS DIM. OPEN THE PANEL WHERE THE BULBS ARE AND THE WIRE HARNESS WAS FRIED. THIS MIGHT BE A…"~50,451 mi, complaint #954533
    • "INTERMITTENTLY MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WILL GO ON, GAS GAUGE SLOWLY GOES TO EMPTY, REAR BREAK AND BLINKERS NO LONGER WORK, INTERIOR LIGHTING, AND SUN ROOF DO NOT WORK. I CAN NOT LOCK MY CAR SOMETIMES AFTER FOR ABOUT 5 MINS. IF IT HAPPENS RIGHT WHEN I TURN MY CA…"~62,000 mi, complaint #1173558
    • "TURNED ONE VEHICLE AND MESSAGE STATED TO CHECK LEFT REAR SIGNAL, SIGNAL LIGHT APPEARED TO BE LOW. AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 30 MILES ENTIRE REAR LEFT SIGNAL/BREAK/SIDE LIGHT WAS COMPLETELY UNFUNCTIONAL. ON AUGUST 30TH A VISUAL INSPECTION SHOWED WIRING TO BE FRAYED…"~74,000 mi, complaint #1006368
    • "HEADLIGHT WIRES ARE CORRODED AND MELTED. THIS SEEMS SIMILAR TO THE TAIL LIGHT RECALL A FEW YEARS AGO THAT CAUSED A FIRE."~120,000 mi, complaint #1392429
  3. #3

    key fob and immobilizer

    13 stranded, 26 unsafe

    39
    incidents
    Typical range: 60,000–102,500 mi

    Median 80,500 mi, based on 70 reports (8% had no usable mileage)

    • "MY CAR WILL NOT START. BATTERY WAS TESTED AND IS IN GOOD CONDITION. WHEN KEY IS INSERTED THE PANEL SHOWS A MESSAGE SAYING "PLEASE REMOVE KEY". I HAD TO TOW MY CAR TO SERVICE CENTER AND I AM STILL WAITING FOR TECH INFO ON CAUSE OF PROBLEM. I HAVE READ IN NHTSA…"~40,756 mi, complaint #1091992
    • "TARAKA RECALL. SMART KEY NOT BEING RECOGNIZED , VEHICLE DEAD NEED TOW TRUCK TO DEALER VERY EXPENSIVE ,HAD BATTERY BUT ALL DEAD COST $1600.00 PLUS ON A 72000 MILE VEHICLE.ALSO FRONT SWAY STABILIZER BAR NEED TOTAL REPLACING (DEALER PART ONLY) SINCE ITS MAKING NO…"~72,000 mi, complaint #1311246
    • "WENT TO START MY CAR YESTERDAY MORNING AND WOULD NOT START. VERY ODD MESSAGE ON THE DISPLAY I HAD NOT SEEN BEFORE LIKE "REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION". STEERING WHEEL LOCKED BUT SOME LIGHTS WORKED AND NEW BATTERY REPLACE LAST WEEK. TOWED IT TO "GRANNY'S GARAGE" WHO…"~85,111 mi, complaint #1291646
    • "12/04/2015 PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE CAR DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEY IS IN THE IGNITION. TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. AFTER RESEARCHING I SEE THIS IS A COMING PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL."~104,000 mi, complaint #1243453
    • "STEERING LOCK IGNITION ASSEMBLY. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OR INDICATIONS THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS WAS GOING TO OCCUR. THANKFULLY I REACHED MY DESTINATION, BACKED UP IN MY YARD AND PARKED. I APROACHED MY VEHICLE BECAUSE I WANTED TO FILL UP FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE W…"~159,094 mi, complaint #1268980
  4. #4

    lighting exterior

    23 unsafe, 8 broken, 7 annoyance

    38
    incidents
    Typical range: 48,000–63,000 mi

    Median 58,000 mi, based on 57 reports (27% had no usable mileage)

    • "THE PASSENGER SIDE TAILLIGHT CONNECTOR, PINS & CARRIER ASSEMBLY FAILED AND TO BE REPLACED. I WAS CHARGED $393.90 FOR THE JOB. *TR"~27,371 mi, complaint #994582
    • "BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR A REPAIR OF THE STEERING COLUMN ON 3/9/2013 TO THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR, WHICH THEY TOOK CARE OF. BUT, THEN ABOUT A MONTH LATER STARTED TO GET WARNINGS FROM THE DASHBOARD TO CHECK MY RIGHT REAR TAILLIGHT AND DIRE…"~48,000 mi, complaint #1006660
    • "AFTER THE CAR WAS WARMED UP, THE MESSAGE DISPLAY REPORTED TAIL LIGHT OUTAGES IN THE RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC. THE PIG TAIL AND CIRCUIT BOARD THAT HOLDS THE BULBS SHOWED BURN MARKS WHICH CAUSED T…"~55,000 mi, complaint #996719
    • "REAR LIGHTING CONSULS FAILING WHILE IN MOTION CAUSING RIGHT TURN BLINKER, REVERSE LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHTS, AND SAFETY LIGHTS TO NOT FUNCTION."~61,000 mi, complaint #1228977
    • "TAKATA RECALL RIGHT TAIL LIGHT HAS A BROWN BURNT WIRE, AND THE RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT IS DIM. SO I BELIEVE IT MAY HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. I WAS WONDERING IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I NEED TO PAY FOR OR WOULD THIS BE SOMETHING THAT I COULD GET A RECAL…"~128,478 mi, complaint #1270532
  5. #5

    steering electric assist

    15 stranded, 21 unsafe

    36
    incidents
    Typical range: 56,000–84,500 mi

    Median 72,000 mi, based on 45 reports (29% had no usable mileage)

    • "THERE NEEDS TO AN INQUIRY INTO THE SENSORS IN THE STEERING ON THE C CLASS MERCEDES. I JUST HAD MY SENSOR GO OUT WITH ONLY 30,152 MILES ON IT GO OUT. AS I HAVE TOLD OF THIS EXPERIENCE TO OTHER AND THE SAME STORY AROUND 30,000 MILES THEY HAD THE SAME ISSUES RES…"~30,152 mi, complaint #1149402
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO TURN ON AND THE STEERING LOCK ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE STEERING LOCK AND THE CONTROL UNIT. THERE WAS NO FURTHER INF…"~63,033 mi, complaint #1174240
    • "ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK(ESL) UNIT FAILS TO UNLOCK STEERING WHEEL FROM A PARKED, OFF POSITION, CAR WILL NOT TRY TO START AND STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED. CAR MUST BE TOWED FOR REPAIR. HAD TO REPLACE THE ESL AND HAVE IT RECODED TO WORK WITH THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION…"~78,000 mi, complaint #1452225
    • "COMMON ISSUE ON THIS MODEL AND YEAR. ELECTRICAL IGNITION SYSTEM / ELECTRICAL STEERING LOCK UNIT AND IT'S NOT SOMEHOW A RECALL. *TR"~84,747 mi, complaint #1148476
    • "THE CAR STOPPED ON ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING PN THE HIGHWAY, BECAUSE OF FAULTY ESL UNIT. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND IT US VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH ALL MERCERDES W204."~148,000 mi, complaint #1539736
  6. #6

    steering column

    11 stranded, 15 unsafe

    26
    incidents
    Typical range: 64,000–100,000 mi

    Median 80,500 mi, based on 43 reports (7% had no usable mileage)

    • "I PARKED VEHICLE IN A PUBLIC PARKING LATE AT NIGHT. I WAS WITH MY SON, I TRIED TO TURN ON VEHICLE AND IT DID NOT START. I WAS STRANDED LATE AT NIGHT WITH MY SON WITH NO RIDE. I HAD TWO MECHANICS LOOK AT IT, ONE OF WHICH WAS A MECHANIC FOR THE MERCEDES DEALER.…"~40,011 mi, complaint #983859
    • "I HAVE SEVERAL FRIENDS WITH THE SAME MODEL CAR, WHO HAS HAD THE SAME COMPLAINT! I WAS WONDERING IF THEIR IS A RECALL OF THE STEERING COLUMN PARTS?"~67,823 mi, complaint #1189036
    • "I EXPERIENCED THE INFAMOUS STEERING LOCK PROBLEM 5 DAYS AGO IN MY (NOW FORMER) 2009 MERCEDES C300. PRIOR TO THIS PROBLEM OCCURRING MY CAR SEEMED TO BE WORKING FINE. I'VE ALWAYS HAD ALL OF THE RECOMMENDED SERVICES PERFORMED ON TIME BY THE DEALER. THEN LAST SAT…"~80,300 mi, complaint #1303099
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MA…"~97,000 mi, complaint #1178131
    • "STEERING WHEEL STUCK IN LOCKED POSITION. CAR WILL NOT START. LOTS OF RESEARCH ON THE ISSUE HAS SHOWN MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THIS ISSUES HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY. MANY TIMES AT NIGHT WHEN I AM GETTING OFF WORK."~140,000 mi, complaint #1587887
  7. #7

    other

    1 stranded, 6 unsafe, 17 annoyance

    24
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "TAKATA RECALL. DEALERS DO NOT HAVE REPLACEMENT PARTS. NOTICE DATES: FEB 2016 AND MAY 2016. RECEIVED NOTICE YESTERDAY TAKATA FILED BANRUPTCY. STILL NO REPLACEMENT.. I AM USING TODAY'S DATE AS INCIDENT DATE AND THE MILES ARE FROM THE DATE OF THE NOTIC…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1418028
    • "TAKATA RECALL FROM DEC 2015 FIRST NOTICE FROM DEALER IT'S BEEN FAULTY FOR A LONG TIME NOW AND HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT MY SAFETY WHILE DRIVING OBVIOUSLY IT'S WELL PAST 60 DAYS CAN WE PUT SOME PRESSURE ON THEM. FIX IT NOW!!!!"~90,000 mi, complaint #1264658
    • "TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER: BAKER MOTOR MERCEDES- BENZ LOCATED AT [REDACTED ADDRESS], CHARLESTON, S…"~170,000 mi, complaint #1435492
  8. #8

    engine stall or no start

    16 stranded, 4 unsafe

    20
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=24, median 70,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I WENT TO WORK AND MY VEHICLE WAS JUST FINE. I LEFT FOR LUNCH BREAK STOPPED AT THE GROCCERY STORE AND WENT HOME WHICH IS JUST A FEW MILES AWAY. I PARKED MY VEHICLE WENT INSIDE TO DROP MY GROCERIES OFF AND EAT LUNCH AND WHEN IT WAS TIME TO RETURN TO WORK MY CAR…"~30,000 mi, complaint #1373930
    • "WITHOUT ANY WARNING, MY CAR WILL NOT START. THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY, BUT NO LUCK. THE KEY OPEN THE DOOR, THE LIGHTS INSIDE OF THE CARE COME ON, AND THE SCREEN STILL POPS UP ON THE DASHBOARD. THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND YOU CAN NOT CHANGE THE GEAR. I H…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1084012
    • "I BOUGHT THIS CAR 27 DAYS AGO. FRIDAY NIGHT, I OPENED MY GARAGE DOOR AND GOT IN. IT WOULD NOT TURN ON. AFTER GETTING IT INSPECTED, I WAS GIVEN THE NEWS ABOUT THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION SWITCH. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, I WAS BAFFLED BY HOW MANY PEOPLE WIT…"~78,000 mi, complaint #1241601
    • "VEHICLE NOT STARTING. NOT TURNING OVER. PARKED THE CAR FOR ABOUT 20 MIN IN MY MOMS DRIVEWAY. WHEN WE CAME OUT TO LEAVE. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. THE RADIO WILL TURN ON. THE LIGHTS WILL TURN ON. WHEN I OPEN THE DOOR THE ODOMETER AREA TELLS ME TO REMOVE…"~90,355 mi, complaint #1248765
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WAS LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT T…"~141,000 mi, complaint #1330980
  9. #9

    suspension arms and bushings

    1 stranded, 19 unsafe

    20
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=12, median 120,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle swayed on the roadway. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear subframe was corroded and…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1841945
    • "ON MY 2009 MERCEDES C300, THE VEHICLE PULLED SIGNIFICANTLY WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE REPAIR SHOP I USE CHECKED THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND FOUND NO ISSUES. THEY THEN DISCOVERED A REAR SUB-FRAME ISSUE. THE ENTIRE REAR SUB-FRAME WAS ROTTED OUT ON MY 2009 MERC…"~78,780 mi, complaint #1636084
    • "The contact's son owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for servicing, he was informed that the subframe was severely rusted. The contact stated that his son then informed him that while he was driving approxi…"~87,000 mi, complaint #1811307
    • "The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving approximately 60-70 mph, the vehicle started shuddering and lost stability. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that as she disengaged the accelerator pedal,…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1759942
    • "DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS CAR FELT UN-STABLE/UN-SAFE. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AT THOSE SPEEDS CAR FELT EVEN MORE UN-STABLE/UN-SAFE. TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL TIRE SHOP AND FOUND THE DRIVER SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM BROKEN OFF. 2 WEEKS LATER THE PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL…"~139,200 mi, complaint #1758067
  10. #10

    control module

    4 stranded, 14 unsafe

    18
    incidents
    Typical range: 70,000–94,000 mi

    Median 81,000 mi, based on 30 reports (14% had no usable mileage)

    • "FAULTY EIS - VEHICLE WON'T START. VEHICLE PARKED. WENT TO GO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT TO NO AVAIL. STEERING WHEEL IN LOCK POSITION AND TRANSMISSION WILL NOT DISENGAGE FROM PARK. VERY COMMON PROBLEM. SURPRISED THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL TO FIX THIS AP…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1231652
    • "MY MERCEDES WAS HIT IN THE FRONT IN DECEMBER AND AFTER PARTIAL REPAIRS WERE DONE, WE PICKED UP THE CAR AND ON 2ND DAY OF HAVING IT, IT WOULD NOT START. THOUGHT IT WAS BATTERY BUT OF COURSE IT WASN'T . HOOKED UP TO OUR SCANNER AND ALL KINDS OF CODES WERE DISP…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1303784
    • "TURNED IGNITION KEY TO START VEHICLE. NOTHING HAPPENED. NO CRANKING OR CLICKING. COMPLETE SILENCE. STEERING WHEEL AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WERE BOTH LOCKED INTO POSITION AND COULD NOT BE MOVED EVEN THOUGH IGNITION WAS IN THE 'ON' POSITION. APPARENTLY THIS IS A…"~82,000 mi, complaint #1662097
    • "I WENT TO CLASS ON THE DATE OF 11/13/2015 AND WHEN I CAME OUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS ADVISED IT WOULD BE $952.56 FOR AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE DUE TO NO FAULT OF MY OWN AND CAN HAPPEN AT ANYTIME. SO I IN…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1238402
    • "The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the check engine, seat belt, and air bag warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the headlights and navigation lights failed to activate for a while. There was bu…"~217,000 mi, complaint #2185774
  11. #11

    corrosion and rust

    18 unsafe

    18
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=20, median 93,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I'M THE OWNER OF A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 4MATIC SPORT, WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN 2012 FROM A MERCEDES DEALER. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT 60,400 MILES. IT WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND AFTER HEARING SOME CLUNKING NOISES, ESPECIALLY WHEN B…"~60,422 mi, complaint #1710570
    • "the rear subframe @lower control arms right side rust on bracket when put break on the car go to right and make noise!!! the car just have 83.000 miles!! this have re call or not?we d'ont know untill seaching on web side findown couple owner C300 have problem…"~83,000 mi, complaint #1798132
    • "BOUGHT C300 2009 4 MATIC SEP. 2017 USED FROM A DEALER. CARFAX INDICATES GETTING SCHEDULED SERVICE FROM DEALER AND IT DOES NOT SHOW PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. IT HAS NOW 90K MILEAGE. LATELY, I STARTED HEARING SOME NOISE AT THE BACK WHENEVER I HIT A SMALL BUMP, SO…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1682765
    • "2009 MERCEDES-BENZ 300C. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RUSTED LEFT SUB FRAME. *LD *TR"~109,000 mi, complaint #1459492
    • "The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the driver’s side rear tire inverted into the wheel well due to excessive corrosion. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where he confirmed…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1770634
  12. #12

    starter

    14 stranded

    14
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=23, median 78,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "YESTERDAY MY BELOVED C300 LEFT US STRANDED AT A BEST BUY PARKING LOT LATE AT NIGHT. IT WAS REALLY UPSET WHEN I JUST GET OFF WORK, AND TRY TO START MY CAR AND GO HOME TAKE A REST, BUT IT WOULD NOT START. I HAD TO LEAVE THE CAR THERE OVERNIGHT AND WAS NOT UN…"~50,980 mi, complaint #1186971
    • "WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR IN THE PARKING LOT AFTER GROCERY SHOPPING IN THE EVENING, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE RADIO AND LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WORKED AND THE SEAT MOVED, BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. I HAD THIS CAR CHECKED NOT TOO LONG AGO AND EVERYTHING…"~55,000 mi, complaint #1328239
    • "PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE WHOLE CAR SHUT DOWN AFTER BEING INSPECTED. IT SAID TO BE A INTERLOCK SWITCH PROBLEM I'LL HAVE TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED BECAUSE IT WILL NOT TURN ON IT IS SHUT DOWN ."~80,000 mi, complaint #1652449
    • "IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AT 92,000 MILES. CAR WAS WORKING FINE AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN ONCE PARKED. DASH LIGHTS & RADIO TURNED ON, BUT CAR WOULD NOT START. HORN DID NOT WORK AND GEARS WOULD NOT SHIFT WITH KEY TURNED ON START POSITION. HAD TO GET CAR TOWED A…"~92,000 mi, complaint #1442680
    • "WITH THE VEHICLE PARKED, THE CAR WON'T START, BATTERY AND LIGHTS WORK FINE, WHEN TURNING KEY THE ENGINE DOES NOT TURN OVER. WHEN INSERTING THE KEY IT DOESN'T MAKE THE LOCKING SOUND IT USUALLY MAKES. THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND IT WON'T SHIFT INTO NEUTRA…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1308053
  13. #13

    tire failure

    5 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "MY COMPLAINT DOESN'T INVOLVE ONE INCIDENT, RATHER A SERIES OF ISSUES WITH THE TIRES ON MY 2009 MERCEDES C300. I HAVE HAD 11 FLAT TIRES OVER THE COURSE OF 2 1/2 YEARS, AND I'VE HAD NEW TIRES FAIL REPEATEDLY ON 1ST IMPACT FROM NOT ONLY POTHOLES, BUT ALSO VERY SM…"~15,000 mi, complaint #859190
    • "TIRES HAVE EXCESSIVE WEARING AND MAKE A LOT NOISE AT MEDIUM-HIGH SPEED. *TR"~16,500 mi, complaint #851488
    • "IN 13 MONTHS AND 9,000 MILES, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 3 CONTINENTAL EXTREME CONTACT DWS TIRES DUE TO BULGING SIDEWALLS. ONE OF THOSE 3 WAS THE FIRST REPLACEMENT ON JULY 15, 2014. THE FIRST BULGING SIDEWALL HAPPENED 12 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THEM. *TR"~51,034 mi, complaint #1098834
    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300 EQUIPPED WITH COOPER TIRES, TIRE LINE: VELOZZA ZXV, AND TIRE SIZE: 255/35/R18 (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERE…"~57,965 mi, complaint #1152204
    • "GOODYEAR ASSURANCE COMFORTRED 225/45R17 DEFECTIVE. SEVERAL CRACKS ON SIDEWALL OF ALL 4 TIRES. FRONT TIRES WITH 16,458 MILES AND REAR TIRES AT 25,000 MILES. LF TREAD 8/32 RF 9/32. REAR: 6/32 AND 8/32. I FORWARDED PICTURES TO GOODYEAR AND FILED A COMPLAINT 11/3…"~113,000 mi, complaint #1519886
  14. #14

    brake hydraulics

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "MARCH 1 2014 I NOTICE MY WIFE DASH WAS LIGHTING UP WITH REAR BRAKE LIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I OPENED THE TRUNK AND HIT THE BRAKE COMPARTMENT AND IT CAME BACK ON. APRIL 11 2014 THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND I TRIED DOING THE SAME THING BUT NOTHING. OPENED THE…"~31,000 mi, complaint #1056064
    • "I CURRENTLY OWN A 2009 MERCEDES C300 THAT HAS ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT MALFUNCTIONING. THIS FIRST HAPPENED IN 2011 WHEN THE DUMMY LIGHT TOLD ME THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS OUT. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO A LOCAL AUTO SHOP TO HAVE THE LIGHT REPAIRED AND W…"~45,000 mi, complaint #1029445
  15. #15

    unintended acceleration

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=17, median 38,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "AT 5:00PM, I WAS DRIVING THE MERCEDES BENZ C300, YEAR 2009, 9010 MILES IN THE PARKING LOT OF YMCA IN LA CANADA, CA AT 3 MILES/HR. I PREPARED TO STOP THE CAR AND STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, SUDDENLY, THE ENGINE REV UP AND ACCELERATED. THE CAR JUMPED OVER THE STOP BUM…"~9,010 mi, complaint #789030
    • "I WAS DRIVING ON THE PARKWAY AT ~40 MPH AND ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN BY STEPPING ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN BUT ACCELERATED. AND STRUCK THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. EVERY TIME I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR ACCELERATED SO THAT THE CAR STRUCK THE CAR I…"~22,000 mi, complaint #787329
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT THE DEALER HE SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN IN ORDER TO DRIVE THROUGH AN AUTOMATIC DOOR WHEN SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE DOOR. THE DRIVER AND TWO…"~35,660 mi, complaint #954713
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY DECELERATED…"~38,500 mi, complaint #1030863
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A PO…"~54,000 mi, complaint #1329013
  16. #16

    steering rack mechanical

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TOOK THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR ON 3/3/2013 DUE TO THE VEHICLE HAD LOCKED FOR NO REASON AND WOULD NOT DRIVE. HAD TO TOW IT TO DEALERSHIP. TURNED OUT IT WAS A STEERING HOUSING ISSUE WHICH THE DEALERSHIP TOOK CARE OF, THEN A MONTH LATER, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS ON THE…"~49,000 mi, complaint #999663
    • "STEERING WHEEL GOT LOCKED WHEN THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. LUCKILY, I WAS DRIVING OFF THE HIGHWAY APPROX. 10 MPH. TARIFFING EXPERIENCE!!! *TR"~74,200 mi, complaint #1175641
  17. #17

    fuel tank and lines

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL COMING FROM THE FRONT AND REAR EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPRO…"~39,000 mi, complaint #1308480
    • "I BOUGHT MY CAR USED AT CAR MAX WITH ABOUT 24000 MILES. I NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE OUTSIDE THE CAR WHEN CAR IS ON. FREQUENT CLICKS ON THE PUMP WHEN FILLING UP FUEL. I NOTICED THIS AROUND 40,000 MILES BUT I KEEP FORGETTING TO HAVE IT CHECK BY THE DEAL…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1451103
    • "The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, she became aware that the vehicle was leaking fuel. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1749196
  18. #18

    glass and windshield

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "THERE IS NO FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE BUT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. FOG LIGHT LENS THAT IS MADE OF GLASS HAS NO SAFETY BARRIERS TO PROTECT IT FROM BREAKAGE AND IT IS MOUNTED VERY LOW. WITH THE CRACK OF THE LENS, THE FOG LIGHT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED AND THE COST TO CHA…"~25,330 mi, complaint #874767
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V177000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE HOUSING UNIT FOR THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NO…"~42,131 mi, complaint #1125190
    • "BACKGROUND: IN 2014, THERE WAS A RECALL OF C-CLASS MERCEDES BENZ VEHICLES DUE TO CORROSION ON THE CONNECTORS OF THE REAR TAIL LIGHT CAUSING THE LIGHT TO FAIL. MERCEDES BENZ FIX FRONT LIGHT CONNECTORS - NEW ISSUE: LEFT FRONT PARKING LIGHT IS INOPERABLE AND…"~79,223 mi, complaint #1254589
  19. #19

    stability and traction control

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "CAR WAS DRIVING VERY WELL SUDDENLY FLASHES ON MESSAGE CENTER POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION SRS,ABS,ETS,ESB,EBR ESP IN OPERATIVE AND IT KEEPS FLASHING WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION, THEN DISAPPEAR WHEN IGNITION IS OFF, I HAVE NOTICE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON YOUR WEBSITE WIT…"~59,000 mi, complaint #1403125
    • "ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING 40 MPH WARNING ON THE DISPLAY CAME ON STATING THE" EBR, ABS, ESP ARE INOPERATIVE" AND A WARNING DISPLAY STATING "POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION". POWER STEERING WAS FINE, BUT IT WAS A VERY NERVE WRECKING DRIVE. DEALERSHIP IS STATING IT IS…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1226641
  20. #20

    battery and charging

    1 stranded, 1 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WITHOUT A WARNING OR ANY DASHBOARD LIGHTS MY CAR DID NOT START ONE MORNING, IT MADE A GUNCK SOUND AND ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WOULD TURN ON. MY NEIGHBOR THEN TRIED TO JUMP START THE CAR AND ONLY THE RADIO WOULD TURN ON. I THEN CALLED AAA WHO WAS THE ABLE TO START M…"complaint #1248686
    • "I BOUGHT MY MERCEDES BENZ AND NOTICE THAT MY TAIL LIGHT AND THE LIGHT ON THE FRONT OF THE CAR WILL TURN ON BY ITSELF WHILE MY CAR WAS PARKED IN THE MORNING MY CAR BATTERY WILL BE DEAD NEEDING A CHARGE. I HAD A RECALL FROM MERCEDES BENZ DEALER AND I TOOK THE CA…"complaint #1326550
  21. #21

    brake pads and rotors

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "FRONT BRAKES CHECKED BY AN INDEPENDENT SHOP AND WAS ADVISED THAT FRONT PADS HAVE UNEVEN WEAR, INSIDE PADS WAS 2 MM, OUTSIDE PAD AT 8MM BECAUSE THE CALIBER IS NOT SQUEEZED IN EVENLY. BRING THE CAR BACK TO DEALER UNDER THE 50K MILES OR 4 YEAR WARRANTY FOR BRAKE…"~34,713 mi, complaint #999207
    • "CALIPER ON THE BRAKES WERE STICKING CAUSE THE ROTORS TO WARP- REPLACED ALL PARTS AFTER 3,000 MILES SAME THING HAPPENED-- TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEAL SHIP - REPLACED NEW CALIPERS ROTORS-3500 MILES LATER SAME THING HAPPENED TOOK THE CAR BACK AGAIN - REPLACED…"~80,000 mi, complaint #988076
  22. #22

    door latch and hinge

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR-OPENING LATCH/HANDLE HAS DISENGAGED SO THAT I CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. IN ORDER TO OPEN THE DOOR, I MUST OPEN THE WINDOW AND REACH OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE TO ENGAGE THE EXTERIOR DOOR LATCH/HANDLE. THIS IS TIME-CONSUMING…"~56,011 mi, complaint #1358621
  23. #23

    engine cooling

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "ENTERED MY PARKED CAR ON 2.9.2017. BEFORE FULLY STARTING ENGINE, "CHECK-ENGINE" INDICATOR ON DASHBOARD CAME ON. TOOK IN TO DEALERSHIP ON 2.13.2017. WAS TOLD THAT THERMOSTAT HAD CRACKED/FAILED. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 56,000 MILES, AND THIS IS A MERCEDES-BENZ. HOW…"~55,900 mi, complaint #1358915
  24. #24

    exhaust system

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, EXHAUST FUMES WERE DETECTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF SUGAR LAND ([REDACTED PHONE], LOCATED AT 15625 SOU…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1523280
  25. #25

    interior trim

    2 broken

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2009 AND OVER THE YEARS I HAVE REPLACED BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, LEFT AND RIGHT AT THE COST OF $800.00 EACH. I WAS TOLD THAT A BULB BLEW FUSING THE WIRES TOGETHER RESULTING IN THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY. THE DRIV…"~3,800 mi, complaint #1663542
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED. IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH HAD TO BE ACTIVATED TO ENGAGE THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPA…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1255695
  26. #26

    seat mechanism

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "HEAD REST BOTH ON PASSENGER AND DRIVER FRONT SEATS IMPLODED WITHOUT WARNING, WITHOUT INCIDENT. I WAS NOT STRUCK BY A VEHICLE AND I DID NOT BACK INTO ANY OBJECT."~82,585 mi, complaint #1644977
    • "WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, AT A LITTLE OVER 50 MPH, WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR, THE DRIVER SIDE HEADREST NECK RESTRAINT SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. I FELT LIKE I WAS PUNCHED IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD AND IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I DROVE IT TO A MERCEDES DE…"~184,000 mi, complaint #1747099
  27. #27

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF…"~65,100 mi, complaint #1015880
    • "SRS MALFUNCTION LEFT SIDE (DRIVER'S SIDE) WARNING. I FOUND THE WARNING GOES AWAY TEMPORARILY WHEN I MOVE THE WIRE GOING INTO THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE AROUND. FROM SOME RESEARCH, I'VE FOUND THAT DEFECTIVE BELT BUCKLES ARE A KNOWN ISSUE ON THIS CAR AND FAILURE IS…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1215064
  28. #28

    tpms

    2 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR KEEPS COMING ON. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO 2 DIFFERENT RETAILERS AND THEY JUST RESET THE TPM. THEY CANNOT FIND ANY ISSUES WITH THE TIRES OR THE TPM. THIS MEANS THAT THE TPM SOFTWARE IS DEFECTIVE. ONE OF THEM SAID TO JUST LOOK AT THE TIRES T…"~20,000 mi, complaint #821015
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR (TPM) INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. HELMS BROTHER MERCEDES-BENZ IN FLUSHING, NEW YORK REPLACED ALL FOUR TPM SENSORS AND ALL FOUR TIRES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRE…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1459756
  29. #29

    abs module

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "THIS VEHICLE HAD A FAILURE UPON START THAT ELIMINATED A NUMBER OF SAFETY FEATURES. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR, I RECEIVED THREE ERRORS THAT THE FOLLOWING WERE DISABLED: ELECTRICAL BRAKE (ABS, EMERGENCY BRAKE, TRACTION CONTROL), CRUISE CONTROL, AND POWER STEERING.…"~55,000 mi, complaint #1369225
  30. #30

    alignment and pull

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "i was driving in the highway 50 mph and i was braking and my car slipped in the other line of the highway and almost had and accident !!!! and cars switched off when driving almost had incident!!!! i saw that many people have the say problem like me about rus…"complaint #1880091
  31. #31

    brake booster

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO PROBLEM WITH BRAKES. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MOISTURE CAUSED CORROSION IN THE BRAKE BOOSTER. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 22V315. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, B…"complaint #1826480
  32. #32

    catalytic converter

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "MY CAR HAS 64,522 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED THAT IT HAS BAD CATALYTIC CONVERTERS."~63,500 mi, complaint #1370446
  33. #33

    cruise control conventional

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I OWN A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ, MODEL C-300. THE ISSUE IS THE LOCATION OF THE CRUISE CONTROL ARM ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN. IN AMERICA CARS THE TURN SIGNAL ARM IS IN THAT SPOT ON THE TOP, IN THIS CAR IT IS ON THE TOP. SO IF YOU REACH FOR THE TURN…"complaint #826405
  34. #34

    differential

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TOTAL [REDACTED ADDRESS] SPEED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. RECENTLY, A VERY UNSAFE INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED TO ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS DRIVING ON 202 SOUTH HEADING TOWARDS WEST CHESTER, PA NORTH OF EXIT 29; MY SPEED WAS ABOUT 50 MPH. ALL OF A SUD…"~37,900 mi, complaint #1086482
  35. #35

    driveshaft axle cv

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "KNOCKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL. WAS TOLD IT COULD BE A CRACKED DRIVERSHAFT. GOOGLED AND SEE THAT THERER ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINT ON THIS MODEL. MERCEDES SHOULD BE PUTTING OUT A RECALL."complaint #1236511
  36. #36

    infotainment head unit

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "NAVIGATION SYSTEM SHOWS I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ATLANTIC. 2 DEALERS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANY ISSUES. ONE OF THEM SAID THE GOV.'T SHUTS OFF THE NAVIGATION SATELLITE AND THIS CAUSES THIS. THIS IS REALLY STRANGE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFELY ISSUE AS I CAN DIRE…"~20,000 mi, complaint #821016
  37. #37

    instrument cluster

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ON MY MERCEDES C300 HAS DIED. THE SPEEDOMETER IS BROKEN, SO I CAN NOT TELL HOW FAST MY CAR IS GOING. I ALSO HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE IN THE CAR NOR OIL PRESSURE OR ENGINE TEMPERATURE OR RPMS. THIS SEEMS DANGEROUS TO ME."~70,000 mi, complaint #1506783
  38. #38

    lighting interior

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Check Right Tail and Brake Lamps warning light will not go off for months. They are working fine but the light won't go off. Googling on MB World, it shows Mercedes is aware of this problem and a recall is needed to get it corrected being safety issue with war…"complaint #2053575
  39. #39

    mirror

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED THERE WAS WATER INSIDE OF THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS TURN SIGNALS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO…"~18,000 mi, complaint #855024
  40. #40

    sunroof

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "TROUBLE WITH SUN ROOF ASSEMBLY. MECHANIC WARNED ME NOT TO USE IT AS IT IS DEFECTIVE AND CANNOT BE REPAIRED BUT MUST BE REPLACED WHICH WOULD COST TOO MUCH MONEY. THE CAR WAS PURCHSED USED AND THIS WAS NOT INDICATED AT THAT TIME. HE WARNED ME AFTER I BOUGHT IT…"complaint #1296358
  41. #41

    suspension struts shocks

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "MY REAR SUBFRAME IS DROPPED MY AIRBAG LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON MY SUSPENSION IS TERRIBLE BECAUSE OF MY SUSPENSION MY REAR SUBFRAME HAD DROPPED AND MY LIGHT WARNING FOR MY LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON"~191,000 mi, complaint #1687585
  42. #42

    timing belt or chain

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "NOISE COMING FROM FRONT OF ENGINE. BROUGHT TO A LOCAL MERCEDES BENZ INDEPENDENT SHOP. THEY REPLACED THE BELT TENSIONER, IDLER PULLEYS, AND THE MULTI RIB BELT. WHY WOULD THE BELT TENSIONER CAUSE THE RIB BELT TO RIP WITH ONLY 62K MILES ON THE CAR? *TR"~62,185 mi, complaint #1149166
  43. #43

    transmission automatic

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO CHANGE THE GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE NOR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE MORE THAN ON…"~41,000 mi, complaint #1095117
  44. #44

    wheel or rim

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TIRE AIR LEAKING RESULT FROM RIM CRACK WITHIN 1ST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP OF 2009 MERCEDES C300. IT IS ORIGINAL MANUFACTURING DEFECT, AND THE MANUFACTURE RESPOND VERY SLOW FOR OUR REPORT OF PROBLEM. *TR"~20,000 mi, complaint #876017

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for MERCEDES BENZ C 300 directly.