10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
59,120 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #5

Jan 032020

C300

  • 47,600 miles
On a 4 lane boulevard close to home I pulled out to pass a slow car and noticed a car coming up from behind at a high rate. I pushed the accelerator to the floor, the car started accelerating then lost all power. The engine had cut off and all the dash lights were on. I rolled to a stop, as far off the road as I could. After a few seconds I restarted the car and drove home. Similar incidents can be found on you tube but not for a C300. The ones I found were for a C240 Mercedes. They say the problem is due to the computer shutting down the engine because it can't properly balance the fuel to air ratios. This seems logical because I have never had to accelerate like this before. This could have been catastrophic if I would have been pulling out into fast traffic on a busy highway and the engine shuts down. Now I 'm afraid it will happen again. I just don't know when. All I can do is try not to press down on the accelerator too far. The dealer said nothing was in the car's computer memory so he couldn't do anything. I'm suspicious of that because if they admit there is a problem then they would be expected to fix it. I think they know there is a problem but don't know what to do about it.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #4

Sep 052018

C300

  • 90,000 miles
Steering wheel lock after vehicle is shut down. When you return to the vehicle insert the key the instrument cluster, speedo, steering wheel is unresponsive which will not allow you to turn the engine. This should be a recall it's a electronic steering lock that fails on several Mercedes Benz causing the owner to tow the vehicle to the dealership for a 2,000 dollar repair. It happens several times before it completely fails.

- Fountain, CO, USA

problem #3

Nov 112017

C300

  • 60,000 miles
My car caught on fire. I am not sure exactly what caused it or where it started, but there were flames coming out between the tire and the door frame. The car was on while I was parked in a driveway. I ran a report on my vehicle and the tensioner had been replaced before I purchased it and also after I purchased it. I believe it may have something to do with the V-belt tensioner as it was always making screeching sounds. I just want to know how to have my car investigated for the cause of the fire.

- Florida, NY, USA

problem #2

Jan 282017

C300

  • 53,000 miles
Gradually as the car is accelerating it makes a terrible grinding noise and shakes also jerks when changing gears, confirmed it is a failed transmission, the car has had all the appropriate maintenance just not at a mb dealer and there is a service bulletin on the transmission just not official recall and Mercedes is claiming no responsibility as it was not serviced at mb dealer since 2014. Clearly the service announcement is recognition of a problem

- Cranston, RI, USA

problem #1

Feb 032015

C300

  • 45,000 miles
While my car was running in my driveway prior to driving, the engine caught fire, totaling the vehicle. There are no open recalls on this specific car, but was told by the fire investigator that it was either electrical or fuel pump related.

- Altamont, NY, USA