2008 Mercedes Benz C350 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (48) · Steering (30) · Exterior Lighting (27)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes Benz C350 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
99 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (6)
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.
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 (132)
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 132 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-02-05 · Steering“the esl system malfunction causes either steering lock or ignition switch to fail resulting in a failure to start the vehicle creating safety issues and a failure to reach safe destination. this problem is reported to be an extremely common issue in the mercedes benz w204 c-class models.…”
2023-09-11 · Steering“all of a sudden, the car would not start and inserting the key and turning doesn't do anything. turns out that like many other folks, the electronic steering lock module is faulty and preventing the car from starting. found out that only the dealer can fix it and mercedes provides the replacement part. the cost is unaffordable at $2200 from the dea…”
2022-12-12 · Structure:body“-the rear subframe rusted through and broke. this made the vehicle extremely unsafe to drive. braking caused the vehicle to veer right and was unsafe to stop. -both a mercedes dealership service center and an independent service center confirmed and verified the issue. -the part was inspected by the mercedes dealership service center and the inde…”
2022-12-06 · Engine · 166,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz c350. the contact stated that after the vehicle was turned off, she attempted to restart the vehicle, but the engine failed to turn over. the contact stated that the next day the vehicle started; however, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. the contact stated that several unknown warning…”
2022-08-31 · Steering · 78,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz c350. the contact attempted to start the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to start-up. there were no warning lights illuminated. the vehicle was towed to the dealer. the dealer diagnosed the vehicle electronic steering lock failure. the vehicle was currently being repaired. the manufacturer was notified of t…”
2022-03-10 · Suspension“the rear subframe is corroded, the rear subframe is a structural part of the car that mercedes refuses to cover under warranty or issue a recall for even though it is issued under recall in canada…”
2021-03-08 · Vehicle Speed Control · 133,000 mi“after a few years of driving the vehicle the following stopped working causing difficulty driving the vehicle abs/eps inoperative cruise control inoperative…”
2021-02-01 · Visibility/Wiper · 150,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2008 mercedes benz c350. the contact stated that while operating the vehicle, several electrical failures had occurred and on several occasions and the vehicle would not start. the contact replaced the fuel pump however, the failure continued. it was later discovered the cause of the failure was due to a faulty fuse. no furth…”
2020-02-18 · Unknown Or Other“car has several recalls but due to my geographical location mb refuses to assist. now the car has completely malfunction and has been parked up since september …”
2018-10-10 · Air Bags“nhtsa recall number: 16v081, 17v017, airbag warning light comes on, multiple request to correct open recall. dealer states parts are not available…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.