10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
46,630 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #18

Nov 162016

C300

  • 0 miles
So far nothing is affected but I use this car to go to work every day, to take my children to their sports and do all the errands of my household.. I don't feel safe driving this car anymore always thinking that I can have an accident and can be injured for what it suppose to protect us or even die. I need a solution as soon as possible, I cant wait for something to get wrong. I feel the need to protect my children and myself to a possible danger.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #17

Jul 272016

C300

  • 108,000 miles
I was driving on a straight highway at approximately 70mph when, all of a sudden, I heard a loud explosion. A few seconds later, I felt the car pulling slightly to the right. A few glass fragments then started to come through the sunroof cover and this is when I surmised that the sunroof had shattered unexpectedly. This happened around 6pm towards the end of July in Texas during a hot day (~+100deg F). I had the air condition on the coolest (60 deg F) setting and a low to moderate blower fan speed. When I got home, I noticed that the sunroof had exploded outwardly. I can easily imagine someone swerving due to the shocked of the loud explosion and causing an accident.

- Huffman, TX, USA

problem #16

Jun 042016

C300

  • 65,000 miles
My wife was driving to a soccer tournament with the girls while I was out of town. She got gas in an area unfamiliar and went to start the car and the remove key from ignition appeared. She had to have the car towed and they were left stranded at a fast food restaurant in an unfamiliar and seedy area until her parents could come get them. They missed the tournament. When I got home I was able to identify the problem because of how common this is. Very frustrated at mb. This is my second C300 and it's funny because after the airbag recall I get calls from the dealer once a week to upgrade this car because supposedly they are worth good trade in right now.

- Valencia, CA, USA

problem #15

May 292016

C300

  • miles
The eis just failed after replacing the battery. Car work fine after the first day I changed the battery, then I parked the car and when I went to start the car later that day it said, take key out of ignition.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #14

Apr 162016

C300

  • 11,865 miles
I was left stranded last week, it was very late, stop to get gas at a near by gas station. When I went to try to start my car after putting gas. The car would not start. I had to call a family member and a tow truck.it was very late and I was not in a nice area something bad could of happen to me. I called Mercedes but they said nothing can be done till I take them the car.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #13

Apr 092016

C300

  • 164,000 miles
My Mercedes C300 2008 was parked in our driveway. I walked outside and was shocked to see that the sunroof glass had inexplicably exploded outward. Please see the attached photos. Our sliding sunroof shade was open. We found glass all over the roof of the car, in the car and on the ground. Fortunately, no family member was close to the car when it occurred. We also feel very fortunate that we were not driving the car, for this defect and resulting explosion could have caused injury and a terrible accident.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #12

Nov 292015

C300

  • miles
El carro no tiene buen aceleracion Y cuando aceleras el pedar de aceleracion tiende a auedarce acelerado Y por varias ocaciones etenido que evitar accidete este problema viene desde el 07 Y 2011 Y nadie lo a reportado Y el sistema ES costoso espero que SE tome accion.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #11

Dec 152015

C300

  • miles
I rvcd a recall letter NHTSA recall # 15V711 in mid Dec and still no request to bring my vehicle in for repairs

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #10

Dec 072015

C300

  • 69,000 miles
Received mb notice for NHTSA recall #15V711 in Dec 2015. I have contacted my local dealer X2- 'no parts yet'. contacted mb corporate office and again no details provided. As per letter by mb, contact NHTSA to file a complaint if not resolved within 60 days pursuant to law 49 usc chapter 301. Hence the complaint. Mbusa did state that if SRS indicator lite comes on to get it fixed at the dealer and then submit bill to corporate for reimbursement... also car involved in takata airbag recall- separate complaint to be filed

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #9

Feb 152016

C300

  • 85,000 miles
The engine wont turn on, it has nothing tobdo with the battery, the battery is new and tested as a good battery. This is a common issue in C300 and should be free of charge to mb customers and drivers.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #8

Dec 162015

C300

  • miles
On 12/15/15 my car did not start due to "SRS" warning on the display. I had to tow my car to Mercedes dealer. They have fixed the issue blaming on battery but my battery was fine all the lights were coming up. Later same week I have received mail from Mercedes regarding to a recall due to SRS malfunction. Even though dealer new the SRS problem they have charged me $300+ labor for it. I would like to get my towing and labor fee which they fraudulently charged for.

- Bedminster, NJ, USA

problem #7

Jan 052016

C300

  • 159,000 miles
Today, I took my 2008 Mercedes C300 to the car wash. They turned off the car to wash it, and once they were done, it would not start. The key locks and unlocks the doors, the lights come on, and the dash lights up. You can insert and turn the key but the car will not start. The drive is locked in park so I was unable to switch gears to neutral. They tried jumping it and it did nothing I didn't think it was the battery but had it checked anyways. When I put the key in the ignition, the display message said 'please remove key'. at any rate, the car had to be towed on a flat bed to the dealership and other owners have stated that it was the ignition switch, but I am awaiting confirmation from the dealership. Upon further research, I have learned that this exact thing has happened to many other owners.

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #6

Sep 122015

C300

  • 86,400 miles
Same issue as literally thousands of others are complaining of...car fails to start due to either a faulty steering wheel ignition lock or eis not recognizing the key and therefore not starting. It has happened twice to me, dealer service advisor knew immediately and even guessed at the model and year of my vehicle, which tells me that this is a prevalent issue, supported by the thousands of posts I have read on various forums. This is a potential safety nightmare waiting to happen, similar in nature, if not scope, to the GM ignition switch recall! the same thing could happen if the failure occurs at highway speed.

- Marshfield, MO, USA

problem #5

Aug 202015

C300

  • 78,000 miles
I have been driving my C300 for the last 3-4 years and have multiple issues ranging from steering pump failure to condensor issues and lighting issues including a recall for the tail lights. Yesterday after having parked my car for almost 4 days since I commute for work and take train, upon starting the vehicle there was no ignition. I could see the lights inside the car including the speedometer was visible and I can activate the locks with key, but engine would not start. Car is standing in park position so I cannot even move it to neutral. I called mbenz road side assistance and they diagnosed it is related to steering lock. Now that I got it towed, checked with mecedes Benz dealership I have to pay almost 1000$ just for this steering lock malfunction. This issue has been occurring to a lot of C300 2008 models. This should be seen as a serious issue as vehicle is totally non-functional. My work is effected and missed a couple business meetings.

- Philadelphia , PA, USA

problem #4

Aug 152015

C300

  • miles
Car has faulty steering lock and has to be replaced at a high expense. This seems to be a very common problem as I learned visiting various websites and forums.

- Irvine, CA, USA

problem #3

Jun 042015

C300

  • 41,000 miles
The electronic steering lock just shutoff. The car came out of comfort while I was driving, the C-in the box-just disappeared off the cluster and I knew this is what happened because it happened three times them started up two days later. This has been a common problem with Mercedes C300 as I read so many complaints and posts.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #2

Sep 012011

C300

  • 21,000 miles
Myself, as well as passengers have been cut by the sharp edge of the peeling chrome along the top rim of front cup holder. I told my dealership and they wanted charge me over $500 to replace it. When grabbing change, drinks, or anything from cup holder the front of ones hand is constantly exposed to this sharp edge. Not a safety issue but similar to the peeling chrome, the painted text on several control buttons on dash have been peeling off for several years. A clear sign of poor quality/craftsmanship. This is my first Mercedes and I am not impressed with the interior craftsmanship of what is supposedly a top luxury brand. Also have had to replace battery 2 times in 2 years and have had problems with battery dying within first year of 2nd battery. Dealership wants to charge fee to inspect last battery.

- Cypress, CA, USA

problem #1

Jan 012013

C300

  • 56,000 miles
After taking my care to the dealer, I had a error message on my display stating that my right rear tail light is out. Then a message stating my right low beam is out. I replaced all the bulbs..... five days later I get another right rear tail light is out. Two weeks later my right low beam is out again. Seems there is a wiring short that keeps burning out the low beam and tail light. Oh by the way tail light/brake lights work. Still have error message.

- Summerville, SC, USA