2008 Mercedes Benz C300 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (229) · Steering (126) · Exterior Lighting (91)
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
410 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (7)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:engine Control Module (Ecu/Ecm):software 2022-03-18 · campaign 22V168000 · 22 vehicles
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 repair. This can result in various system failures, such as loss of drive power, reduced exterior lighting, or loss of dynamic control functions, including stability and traction control.
Risk: 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.
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 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022040003.
Electrical System:software 2017-03-14 · campaign 17V177000 · 51 vehicles
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 CLS550, E350 4Matic, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Wagon 4Matic, GLK350 and SL550 vehicles, 2012 CLS550 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2016 E350 vehicles, 2016-2017 GL450 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2014 ML350 4Matic BlueTec vehicles, 2015 S550, S550 4Matic and C30
Risk: 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.
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.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2017-01-10 · campaign 17V017000 · 104,119 vehicles
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, and SLS AMG Coupe vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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 October 2018 and continue to be mailed as parts become available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2016-05-26 · campaign 16V363000 · 258,163 vehicles
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 Convertible vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin I
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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 remedy parts are available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2016-02-11 · campaign 16V081000 · 711,159 vehicles
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 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic, E550 Coupe, E550 4Matic, and E63 AMG, 2011-2012 GL350 BlueTec 4Matic and R350 BlueTec 4Matic, 2009-2012 GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and R350 4Matic, 2007-2008 SLK280, SLK350, and SLK55 AMG, 2011-201
Risk: 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 death.
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 recall began November 2016. Mercedes-Benz owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372 and Chrysler owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/Control Module-Inactive 2015-10-27 · campaign 15V711000 · 127,504 vehicles
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 unit to malfunction.
Risk: 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 malfunction may cause the air bags to not deploy in the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
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. The recall began on March 14, 2016. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Exterior Lighting:tail Lights 2014-04-11 · campaign 14V177000 · 252,867 vehicles
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 dimming or failure of the tail lights.
Risk: 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.
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 contact Mercedes at 1-800-367-6372.
Service bulletins (121)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Service Brakes 2026-09-22 · LI42.10-P-078779 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60mph. note: although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. cause although the cause of the vibra
Structure:body 2026-09-14 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Structure:body 2026-08-06 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Power Train 2026-07-14 · LI35.30-P-058566 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). the noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. note: sound file in attachment cause if the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar n
Suspension 2026-07-07 · LI33.20-P-078406 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint creaking noise, in irregular sequence when driving slowly in combination with slight steering movements and/or creaking/crackling noises from the area of the wheel bearing on the front axle when cornering/ maneuvering. sound file attached for comparison. must match noise for proper diagnos
Visibility/Wiper 2026-05-19 · LI82.30-P-059239 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint there are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper wiping performance: a: wiper blades squeaking, chattering, shuddering b: the windshield is not wiped completely (streaking) c: during the downward movement water is pulled back onto the windshield from the a-pillar
Showing the 6 most recent of 121 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-08-19 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 164,000 mi · 💥 crash“the contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz c300. the contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, attempting to stop, the vehicle failed to respond as intended and causing the contact to drive through a stop sign, then merge onto the interstate independently. the driver's side rear tire was leaking brake fluid. the check brake system warning li…”
2025-08-01 · Exterior Lighting · 180,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz c300. the contact stated while at the car wash and attempting to wash the vehicle, there was popping sound coming from the vehicle, and the contact saw smoke coming from the speakers and called the fire department however, no damages were found. the vehicle was taken to the residence and an independent mechanic…”
2025-07-27 · Service Brakes“certified mercedes dealership confirmed that the subframe of my 2008 c300 is rusted and needs to be replaced which is under warranty. however, they are unwilling and do not acknowledge that the brake lines are also rusted and need to be replaced which is caused by the rusted subframe. i first consulted my local mechanic shop who specializes in merc…”
2025-07-23 · Electrical System · 200,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz c300. the contact stated that upon turning off the vehicle, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the vehicle. there was no warning light illuminated. the contact stated that the following day, the vehicle failed to start after several attempts and required a jumpstart. the contact replaced the batte…”
2025-06-30 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 110,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz c300. the contact stated while driving 45 mph and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle slowed down independently and lost automotive power. the contact stated that the vehicle remained in the intersection while awaiting tow services. the contact stated that her boyfriend and son helped to push the vehi…”
2025-05-23 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 128,917 mi“odometer fraud. the contact purchased a 2008 mercedes benz c300. the contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. the vehicle was a private sale. at the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 125,985, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 1…”
2025-05-17 · Steering“on [xxx] the car refused to start due to the electronic steering lock failure. the car was towed to the nearest mercedes benz dealer at stevens creek blvd, san jose ca 95129. an inspection was done and mercedes benz wanted $3457.66 to replace the steering lock. this item is a recall item in other years of the c300 mercedes benz. google shows: merce…”
2025-04-10 · Power Train“the vehicle has been loosing power during driving. acceleration will die, then power will return. in addition exterior lighting will also malfunction or not work. as well ans other items associate with power or the unit that controls the power of those items after taking the vehicle in multiple times we had been told and looked up about the recall…”
2025-04-09 · Steering · 90,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz c300. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. the contact stated that a message to remove the ignition key was displayed. the vehicle was driven to the residence. the contact stated that later, while starting the vehicle, the v…”
2025-01-03 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe · 152,151 mi“the contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz c300. the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with an intake manifold failure. th…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.