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Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2008–2014 problems by year and mileage

3rd generation (W204)

NHTSA data through 24 September 20263,777 complaints, 1,719 with mileageMethod

Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.

The 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Close
Median failure report
76,000 mi
Complaints filed
831
Recalls naming this year
9

Most reported on the 2008

  1. Airbag system324 reports · median 76,000 mi
  2. Electrical system289 reports · median 77,000 mi
  3. Steering168 reports · median 86,000 mi

9 recall campaigns name the 2008: Engine and engine cooling — engine; Electrical system — software; Air bags — frontal. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.

When each system fails on this generation →

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

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Median failure report
70,000 mi
Complaints filed
655
Recalls naming this year
8

Most reported on the 2009

  1. Electrical system217 reports · median 70,000 mi
  2. Airbag system208 reports · median 72,000 mi
  3. Steering158 reports · median 72,000 mi

8 recall campaigns name the 2009: Engine and engine cooling — engine; Air bags — frontal; Electrical system — software. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.

When each system fails on this generation →

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Close
Median failure report
65,000 mi
Complaints filed
453
Recalls naming this year
6

Most reported on the 2010

  1. Airbag system202 reports · median 72,000 mi
  2. Electrical system84 reports · median 69,000 mi
  3. Steering71 reports · median 72,000 mi

6 recall campaigns name the 2010: Air bags — frontal; Electrical system — software; Exterior lighting — tail lights. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.

When each system fails on this generation →

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Close
Median failure report
80,000 mi
Complaints filed
484
Recalls naming this year
6

Most reported on the 2011

  1. Airbag system250 reports · median 60,000 mi
  2. Suspension61 reports
  3. Body structure49 reports

6 recall campaigns name the 2011: Air bags — frontal; Electrical system — software; Exterior lighting — tail lights. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.

When each system fails on this generation →

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Close
Median failure report
69,000 mi
Complaints filed
546
Recalls naming this year
7

Most reported on the 2012

  1. Airbag system283 reports · median 55,000 mi
  2. Suspension72 reports
  3. Engine67 reports · median 69,000 mi

7 recall campaigns name the 2012: Air bags — frontal; Electrical system — software; Fuel system, gasoline. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.

When each system fails on this generation →

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Close
Median failure report
64,000 mi
Complaints filed
546
Recalls naming this year
7

Most reported on the 2013

  1. Airbag system267 reports · median 60,000 mi
  2. Suspension72 reports
  3. Body structure69 reports

7 recall campaigns name the 2013: Air bags — frontal; Communication; Steering. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.

When each system fails on this generation →

The 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Close
Median failure report
46,000 mi
Complaints filed
262
Recalls naming this year
6

Most reported on the 2014

  1. Airbag system147 reports · median 35,000 mi
  2. Steering31 reports
  3. Engine24 reports

6 recall campaigns name the 2014: Air bags — frontal; Communication; Steering. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.

When each system fails on this generation →

Each tile shows the median mileage at which that model year’s failures were reported. The 2011 reports latest and the 2014 earliest, but part of that gap is age: the 2011 has had 3 more years on the road to accumulate mileage.

The short answer

“Is the 2008–2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class reliable?”

Median of reported failures
70,000 mi
90% of reports came by
120,000 mi
Reports with mileage
1,719
Recalls
17

Most reported

  1. Airbag system44.5% of complaints · median 65,000 mi
  2. Electrical system18.9% of complaints · median 73,000 mi
  3. Steering13.9% of complaints · median 78,000 mi

When each system fails ↓

Documented problems

What each one is ↓

Owners filed 3,777 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008–2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class; the airbag system leads with 44.5% of them, and half of the 1,719 that record an odometer reading came by 70,000 miles. A count like this can’t rate reliability on its own: NHTSA records what owners chose to report, not how many of each car were sold.

Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 48,000 and 93,000 miles.

Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗

How many miles does a 2008–2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class last?

Complaint records can’t measure how long a car lasts; they show when reported failures happened. On the 2008–2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, half of the 1,719 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 70,000 miles and 90% by 120,000 miles.

65 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 10 past 200,000 — each one proof that a C-Class reached that mileage, not that it failed there.

Figure 1 · Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2008–2014 · 1,719 reports with mileage

Mileage at failure

Complaints per 5,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 123 complaints.

Mileage at failure, Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2008–2014Histogram of 1,719 owner-reported failures by mileage, in 5,000-mile bins from 0 to 200,000. The tallest bin is 60,000 to 65,000 miles with 123 complaints, 7.2 percent of the total. Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 48,000 and 93,000 miles. A further 10 complaints, 0.6 percent, were reported above 200,000 miles and are shown as a separate detached bar. Median mileage at failure is 70,000.
  • Rest of the range
  • Median
  • 200,000+ — 10 complaints (0.6%), plotted separately
10%
25,000
25%
48,000
Median
70,000
75%
93,000
90%
120,000

Tallest bin: 123 complaints between 60,000 and 65,000 miles. Based on 1,719 complaints that record mileage. Bin width 5,000 miles.

Show the numbers
Complaints by mileage bin
MileageComplaintsShare
0–5,000694.0%
5,000–10,000181.0%
10,000–15,000201.2%
15,000–20,000191.1%
20,000–25,000412.4%
25,000–30,000301.7%
30,000–35,000553.2%
35,000–40,000533.1%
40,000–45,000633.7%
45,000–50,000834.8%
50,000–55,0001015.9%
55,000–60,000824.8%
60,000–65,0001237.2%
65,000–70,000995.8%
70,000–75,0001036.0%
75,000–80,000875.1%
80,000–85,0001025.9%
85,000–90,000764.4%
90,000–95,000875.1%
95,000–100,000492.9%
100,000–105,000724.2%
105,000–110,000342.0%
110,000–115,000382.2%
115,000–120,000311.8%
120,000–125,000382.2%
125,000–130,000221.3%
130,000–135,000150.9%
135,000–140,000160.9%
140,000–145,000221.3%
145,000–150,00060.3%
150,000–155,000130.8%
155,000–160,00080.5%
160,000–165,000130.8%
165,000–170,00070.4%
170,000–175,00050.3%
175,000–180,00020.1%
180,000–185,00030.2%
185,000–190,00010.1%
190,000–195,00030.2%
200,000+100.6%

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.

What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.

Common C-Class problems, and when they happen

Figure 2 · Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2008–2014

When each system fails

Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.

  1. Exterior lighting365 reports61,00049,000–84,000Exterior lighting: 365 reports, median 61,000 miles, middle half 49,000 to 84,000 miles.
  2. Airbag system1,681 reports65,00040,000–89,000Airbag system: 1,681 reports, median 65,000 miles, middle half 40,000 to 89,000 miles.
  3. Engine230 reports69,00050,000–90,000Engine: 230 reports, median 69,000 miles, middle half 50,000 to 90,000 miles.
  4. Electrical system715 reports73,00054,000–95,000Electrical system: 715 reports, median 73,000 miles, middle half 54,000 to 95,000 miles.
  5. Steering524 reports78,00059,000–97,000Steering: 524 reports, median 78,000 miles, middle half 59,000 to 97,000 miles.
  6. Body structure272 reports82,00062,000–112,000Body structure: 272 reports, median 82,000 miles, middle half 62,000 to 112,000 miles.
  7. Suspension293 reports98,00080,000–121,000Suspension: 293 reports, median 98,000 miles, middle half 80,000 to 121,000 miles.
  • Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”

Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.

All systems in a table
Complaints by vehicle system
SystemComplaintsShareMedian25–75%
Airbag system1,68144.5%65,00040,000–89,000
Electrical system71518.9%73,00054,000–95,000
Steering52413.9%78,00059,000–97,000
Exterior lighting3659.7%61,00049,000–84,000
Suspension2937.8%98,00080,000–121,000
Body structure2727.2%82,00062,000–112,000
Engine2306.1%69,00050,000–90,000
Problems owners could not categorise2296.1%70,00048,000–89,000
Fuel and propulsion system1423.8%69,00045,000–94,000
Brakes1032.7%61,00038,000–88,000
System by system, in words

Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 70,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.

The airbag system accounts for 44.5% of complaints (1,681 reports, 353 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 65,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 40,000 and 89,000 miles.

A single system taking 44.5% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.

The electrical system accounts for 18.9% of complaints (715 reports, 560 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 73,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 54,000 and 95,000 miles.

The steering accounts for 13.9% of complaints (524 reports, 373 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 78,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 59,000 and 97,000 miles.

The exterior lighting accounts for 9.7% of complaints (365 reports, 292 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 61,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 49,000 and 84,000 miles.

The suspension accounts for 7.8% of complaints (293 reports, 80 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 98,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 80,000 and 121,000 miles.

Body structure accounts for 7.2% of complaints (272 reports, 126 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 82,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 62,000 and 112,000 miles.

Known problems with the 2008–2014 C-Class

Engine 2008–2009

M272 V6 balance shaft sprocket wear carries into the early years of this generation on engines built before the material change, causing timing drift and P1200/P1208 codes; engine-out repair.

Engine 2012–2014

M271 EVO turbocharged I4 timing chain and camshaft adjuster wear, with adjuster magnet/solenoid faults producing rattle, timing codes and rough running.

Engine 2008–2011

M156 6.2L V8 (C63 AMG) head bolt corrosion and failure, and camshaft lobe/lifter wear, both well documented on early M156 builds. AMG-specific — do not generalize to the mainstream C300/C350.

Before you buy a 2008–2014 C-Class: the 3-minute check

Generated from 1,719 mileage-tagged complaints, 17 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 17 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
  2. Check engine on 2008–2009 cars. M272 V6 balance shaft sprocket wear carries into the early years of this generation on engines built before the material change, causing timing drift and P1200/P1208 codes; engine-out repair.
  3. Check engine on 2012–2014 cars. M271 EVO turbocharged I4 timing chain and camshaft adjuster wear, with adjuster magnet/solenoid faults producing rattle, timing codes and rough running.
  4. Check engine on 2008–2011 cars. M156 6.2L V8 (C63 AMG) head bolt corrosion and failure, and camshaft lobe/lifter wear, both well documented on early M156 builds. AMG-specific — do not generalize to the mainstream C300/C350.
  5. Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
  6. End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.

For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 48,000 and 93,000 miles, with a median of 70,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.

On inspection, the airbag system and the electrical system are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The airbag system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 65,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.

None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.

C-Class problems by mileage: where your car sits

Type your odometer reading, or read the common mileages in the table. Your marker lands on the timing chart above and on the curve below.

earlier most reports on that system came below this mileage — ask for repair records. in window this mileage sits inside the middle half of its reports. later most reports came above it. That describes reports, not your odds.

Where each system’s reports sit against common odometer readings
SystemMiddle half of reports, miAt 60k mi37% belowAt 90k mi71% belowAt 120k mi89% belowAt 150k mi96% belowAt 200k mi99% below
Airbag system40,000–89,000in windowearlierearlierearlierearlier
Electrical system54,000–95,000in windowin windowearlierearlierearlier
Steering59,000–97,000in windowin windowearlierearlierearlier
Exterior lighting49,000–84,000in windowearlierearlierearlierearlier
Suspension80,000–121,000laterin windowin windowearlierearlier
Body structure62,000–112,000laterin windowearlierearlierearlier
Engine50,000–90,000in windowin windowearlierearlierearlier

Figure 3 · Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2008–2014 · 1,719 reports with mileage

Share of reports below each mileage

Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.

Cumulative share of reports by mileage, Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2008–2014Of 1,719 reports that record mileage, the share filed below each odometer reading, rising in steps at each 5,000-mile bin edge. 37 percent below 60,000 miles. 71 percent below 90,000 miles. 89 percent below 120,000 miles. 96 percent below 150,000 miles. 99 percent below 200,000 miles. Median 70,000 miles.
  • 60,000 mi — 37% of reports below
  • 90,000 mi — 71% of reports below
  • 120,000 mi — 89% of reports below
  • 150,000 mi — 96% of reports below
  • 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
  • Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
  • Your odometer — appears after you enter it above

The staircase tops out at 99%: the remaining 0.6% of reports (10) came above 200,000 miles.

Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.

2008–2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class recalls (17)

NHTSA records 17 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.

The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (9), the electrical system (2), the engine and its cooling system (1). Several campaigns against one area can mean a remedy that did not hold, or separate defects in parts filed under the same heading; the summaries below name each defect.

Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.

Recall repairs are free at an authorized dealer, for any owner. Summaries below shorten NHTSA’s own wording.

  1. Mar 2022 · 2008–2009 · Engine and Engine CoolingVarious system failures, such as loss of drive power, reduced exterior lighting, or loss of dynamic control…

    The defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2010 E350, 2014 G550, 2008-2009 C300, 2008 C350, 2009 CLK550, 2007 SL550, SLK280, and 2008 SLK350 vehicles. Various control units may have been updated with incorrect software configuration during a service…

    What can happen. Various system failures, such as loss of drive power, reduced exterior lighting, or loss of dynamic control functions including stability and traction control, can increase the risk of a crash.

    The free fix. Dealers will update the software configuration on the affected control units, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 3, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at…

    NHTSA campaign 22V-168 (2022-03-18).

  2. Aug 2021 · 2012–2014 · Air BagsAn incorrect air bag may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    The defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2016 E400 Coupe, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2011-2014 E350 Coupe, and 2012-2014 E350 Cabrio vehicles. An incorrect front passenger air bag may have been installed during a prior…

    What can happen. An incorrect air bag may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    The free fix. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag on the affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 10, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at…

    NHTSA campaign 21V-638 (2021-08-13).

  3. May 2020 · 2012 · Air BagsAn incorrect passenger air bag may not provide adequate protection, increasing the risk of injury in the…

    The defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012 C250, C250 Coupe, C300, C350, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG, and C63 AMG Coupe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall. An incorrect replacement front passenger…

    What can happen. An incorrect passenger air bag may not provide adequate protection, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

    The free fix. MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's…

    NHTSA campaign 20V-298 (2020-05-22).

  4. Nov 2019 · 2013–2014 · CommunicationAn inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.

    The defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle…

    What can happen. An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.

    The free fix. MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed…

    NHTSA campaign 19V-787 (2019-11-01).

  5. Jan 2019 · 2010–2014 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting…

    The defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014 C250, C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2014-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, GLK 350, GLK250 BlueTec…

    What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    The free fix. MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

    NHTSA campaign 19V-010 (2019-01-09).

  6. Jan 2018 · 2009–2010, 2013 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…

    The defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013 C250, C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C350, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG, C63 Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, E550 Cabrio, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E550 Coupe, GLK350 4Matic, GLK250 Bluetec 4Matic, GLK350…

    What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    The free fix. MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. Mercedes issued an interim notification to owners on February 23, 2018. A second notice will…

    NHTSA campaign 18V-043 (2018-01-10).

  7. Oct 2017 · 2012–2014 · Air BagsIf the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.

    The defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling these vehicles: 2014-2018 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, CLA45 AMG 4Matic, 2015-2018 GLA250, GLA250 4Matic, GLA45 AMG 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C63S AMG, 2012-2014 C250, C350, C300 4Matic, E550 4Matic, 2013-2014 C63 AMG…

    What can happen. If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.

    The free fix. MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will add sufficient grounding to the steering components, free of charge. The recall began in December 6, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at…

    NHTSA campaign 17V-627 (2017-10-06).

  8. Apr 2017 · 2013–2014 · SteeringA loss of steering can increase the risk of a crash.

    The defect. Mercedes-Benz USA LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2014 C250, C300 4MATIC, GLK250 4MATIC BLUETEC and GLK350 vehicles, 2013 C250 Coupe, C350, C350 4MATIC Coupe, C350 Coupe and C63 AMG Coupe vehicles, and 2013-2015 GLK350 4MATIC vehicles. The steering…

    What can happen. A loss of steering can increase the risk of a crash.

    The free fix. MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering coupling connecting bolt, tightening it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer…

    NHTSA campaign 17V-252 (2017-04-12).

  9. Mar 2017 · 2008–2014 · Electrical SystemIf the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury…

    The defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 AMG GT-S, GLC300, CLA250 and GLE300d 4Matic vehicles, 2013 C250, E350 BlueTec and G63 AMG vehicles, 2008-2014 C300 vehicles, 2013-2014 C300 4Matic and ML350 4Matic vehicles, 2009 C350 vehicles, 2014…

    What can happen. If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

    The free fix. MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

    NHTSA campaign 17V-177 (2017-03-14).

  10. Jan 2017 · 2008–2009, 2012 · Air BagsAn inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury…

    The defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012 C300 4Matic, C250, C250 Coupe, C350, C350 Coupe 4Matic, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, E550 Cabrio, E550 Coupe, GLK350 4Matic, GLK350, SLS AMG Cabrio…

    What can happen. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    The free fix. MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag modules, free of charge. Owners were sent an interim notification in March 2017. Second notices started going out in…

    NHTSA campaign 17V-017 (2017-01-10).

  11. May 2016 · 2008–2011 · Air BagsAn inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury…

    The defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 C300 Sedan, C300 4matic Sedan, C350 Sedan, C63 AMG Sedan vehicles, 2010-2011 GLK350, GLK350 4-Matic and E350 Coupe vehicles, 2011 SLS AMG, E350 Convertible, E550 Coupe and E550…

    What can happen. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    The free fix. MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag modules, free of charge. Owners were sent an interim notification October 2016. A second notice will be mailed when…

    NHTSA campaign 16V-363 (2016-05-26).

  12. Feb 2016 · 2008–2011 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture…

    The defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011…

    What can happen. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or…

    The free fix. MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This…

    NHTSA campaign 16V-081 (2016-02-11).

  13. Oct 2015 · 2008–2009 · Air BagsThe malfunctioning air bag control unit may cause the air bags to unexpectedly deploy increasing the risk of…

    The defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 C300 Sedan, C300 4Matic, C63 AMG, and C350 vehicles, and 2010 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the air bag control unit may corrode and cause the control…

    What can happen. The malfunctioning air bag control unit may cause the air bags to unexpectedly deploy increasing the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash. Alternatively, the air bag control unit…

    The free fix. MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bag control unit and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. Mercedes-Benz issued an interim notification to owners on December 23, 2015.…

    NHTSA campaign 15V-711 (2015-10-27).

  14. Apr 2014 · 2008–2011 · Exterior LightingDimming or failure of the tail lights reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions…

    The defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 C300, C300 4Matic, C350, and C63 AMG vehicles manufactured January 26, 2007, through July 13, 2011. In the affected vehicles, a poor electrical ground connection may result in the…

    What can happen. Dimming or failure of the tail lights reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions of stopping or turning, increasing the risk of a crash.

    The free fix. Mercedes will notify owners, and dealers will replace the bulb holders if not previously updated and replace any corroded connectors, free of charge. The recall began on August, 18, 2014. Owners may…

    NHTSA campaign 14V-177 (2014-04-11).

  15. Dec 2012 · 2011–2012 · Fuel System, GasolineIf the fuel filter flange cracks, it will leak fuel which may lead to a fire if an external ignition source…

    The defect. 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 manufactured from April 18, 2011, through July 12, 2011. Due to an irregularity…

    What can happen. If the fuel filter flange cracks, it will leak fuel which may lead to a fire if an external ignition source is present.

    The free fix. Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel filter, free of charge. The recall campaign is expected to begin in February 2013. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at…

    NHTSA campaign 12V-557 (2012-12-03).

  16. Jul 2008 · 2008 · Electrical SystemIn the event of a vehicle crash, the electrical fuel pump may not receive a crash signal that is required for…

    The defect. Mercedes-Benz is recalling my 2006-2008 m-class, r-class, my 2005-2009 slk-class, my 2005-2008 C-Class, my 2003-2004 and 2006-2008 clk-class, my 2003-2008 E-Class, my 2004 and 2008 cl-class, my 2008 cls-class, my 2004 and 2007-2008 S-Class, my 2003 g-class…

    What can happen. In the event of a vehicle crash, the electrical fuel pump may not receive a crash signal that is required for the fuel pump to disconnect and prevent future fuel delivery as designed.

    The free fix. Dealers will recode the scn free of charge. The recall began on august 30, 2008. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

    NHTSA campaign 08V-303 (2008-07-07).

  17. Oct 2007 · 2008 · Seat BeltsUnder certain circumstances, this situation may cause the locking mechanism not to perform as required by the…

    The defect. Certain vehicles fail to comply with some of the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, "Occupant crash protection." The rear outboard seat belts do not comply with the lap-belt lockability requirement which enables the lap belt…

    What can happen. Under certain circumstances, this situation may cause the locking mechanism not to perform as required by the standard for use with older non-latch child restraints.

    The free fix. Dealers will replace all potentially affected seat belts. The recall began on november 19, 2007. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

    NHTSA campaign 07V-465 (2007-10-03).

Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported

What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 3,777 complaints against this generation:

Crashes
124 (3.3%)
Fires
67
Injury reports
97
Fatality reports
1

These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.

C-Class problems by model year

The 2008 drew the most complaints of this generation, 831, most of them about the airbag system, and the 2014 the fewest, 262. A typical year drew about 546.

Complaints by model year
YearComplaintsWith mileageMedian milesMost reportedRecalls
200883152176,000Airbag system (324)9
200965540170,000Electrical system (217)8
201045320965,000Airbag system (202)6
201148414480,000Airbag system (250)6
201254616569,000Airbag system (283)7
201354619064,000Airbag system (267)7
20142628946,000Airbag system (147)6

What C-Class owners reported

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle felt like it had shifted sideways. The contact stated that it seemed as if the steering wheel and the front driver's seat had shifted. In addition, the contact stated that while the vehicle was…

2013 · 48,000 miles · Brakes

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 burning odor inside the vehicle with the heat activated or…

2009 · 217,000 miles · Electrical system

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz C250. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to start. Additionally, the steering wheel was difficult to turn to the left or the right. The vehicle was eventually started and driven to a dealer; however, after the vehicle was parked and turned off, the contact attempted…

2014 · 115,000 miles · Electrical system

The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the battery and alternator were being drained. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the front air bag sensor message and a fog light message were displayed. The vehicle was towed to an unknown local dealer; however, the dealer…

2010 · 97,000 miles · Airbag system

Built from 1,719 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-09-26 · open data · how it is built

Other C-Class generations

Other compact luxury cars from the same years