10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 3
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 45,779 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Steering wheel lock mechanism failure. It keeps the car from starting. My local dealer stated this is a common failure in Mercedes. And that there should be a recall on these.
- Pinson, AL, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300. While attempting to start the vehicle, an abnormal smoke odor was present. The vehicle was towed to inskip Mercedes, located at 1557 bald hill road, warwick, ri 02886, to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the signal acquisition module melted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 41,282.
- Providence, RI, USA
My rear left tail lamp lights was going dimmer and now it does not work I checked wires and one looks like it's burning...I'm not sure
- New Windsor, NY, USA
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start when the key was turned over in the ignition. The dealer (carlton motorcars, 2446 laurens rd, greenville, SC 29607, (864) 213-8000) diagnosed that the electronic emissions switch needed to be replaced. In addition, the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V081000 (air bags) and 16V363000 (air bags). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was to check to determine when a dealer could schedule the recall repairs the approximate failure mileage was 78,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Updated 08/22/17
- Greer, SC, USA
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.
- Eau Claire, WI, USA
"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 I believe this should be a recall and needs to get fixed.
- Carson, CA, USA
Car stopped suddenly in the middle of the road, lost power, stopped, all the lights went off, pulled it to the side, found out from the dealer alternator gone bad, waiting for new one for instalation at the dealer, surprising to see a alternator on Mercedes gone wrong in 30000 miles
- Greenville, SC, USA
Electronic ingition system malfunciton car want start, all lights on, radio works battery seems to be operating, took to dealer eis is the issue, cost is extreme, after reading reviews this is an ongoing issue after warranty expires. No recall has been authorrized...this is an issue mercedez Benz
- Memphis, TN, USA
Total failure of ignition system, drove the car parked it, went to get back in 20 minutes later would not start, tried both keys no luck. Car would not recognize either key being inserted into ignition. 37 days out of factory warranty luckily enough this complete vehicle failure happened after my wife and I just finished a road trip to Virginia, if this would of happened at some rest stop, or god for bid while we were driving the vehicle, it would of been a huge safety risk.
- Columbia, NJ, USA
Sun roof and lights inside the car stopped working suddenly causing complete darkness inside the car at night time.
- Greenville, SC, USA
Purchased this car brand new in August of 2011. Since then the car has died 3 times. The first time they thought it was the ignition. The second time, just 6 weeks ago, they could not figure out what was wrong so after 8 days, they gave the car back to me. Of course while they have it, it starts right up. What has happened is that I would get in the car and it simply would not start, won't lock or unlock and trunk would not open. Not even when I tried the key manually. It sounds electrical to me. The first time it happened, one of the mechanics told me he had not seen this problem with mb in 25 years. I am extremely unhappy and will not purchase another mb ever again.
- Attleboro, MA, USA
Repeatedly, vehicle refuses to start on first try. Insert key, steering wheel unlocks. Turn it, all lights come on. Turn to start and nothing happens. Turn switch all the way off and then try again and it starts.
- Lindale, GA, USA
Left side tail light assembely melted and caught the trunk on fire. I have 10 of these C300S that are affected with the same problem. I have spoke with Mercedes on this issue and they are declining to do the repair at no cost. This is a safety issue and should be covered no matter what..I have found that this is a common problem with these cars and yet there is no recalls or tsbs on this issue. Any help on this would be appreciated..
- Knoxville, TN, USA
- The Colony, TX, USA