2008 Mercedes Benz C63 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Exterior Lighting (2) · Fuel/Propulsion System (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes Benz C63 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (3)
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: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 (98)
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,
Wheels 2026-07-21 · LI40.10-P-059248 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint crackling and cracking noise from the outer wheel on the front axle when cornering cause the noise is generated by a micromovement on the contact surface between the rim and the brake disk (wheel bolt group) and may be intensified by potential soiling. the more lightweight rim (amg forged
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
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 98 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2016-07-15 · Unknown Or Other · 135,000 mi“the electronic steering control lock module went out on my car. this seems to be a reoccurring issue with any "w204" 2008/2009 mercedes benz model car. i've documented over a few hundred cases alone on the forums online. this is a dealership only fix and should be recalled. basically, security system in the car that lets the key communicate with th…”
2016-06-17 · Unknown Or Other · 94,000 mi“my 2008 mercedes amg c63 had been operating without flaws until recently, i parked, went in the gym to work out for 45 mins. when i came out and tried to start the vehicle, there was no response. steering wheel locked, wouldn't come out of park. left me stranded. i have read dozens of complaints on the mercedes-benz forums about this specific issue…”
2013-12-29 · Exterior Lighting · 67,200 mi“the passenger tail lamp bulb carrier, ground wire, and connecting plastic harness all melted causing my tail lamps to appear dim and eventually melted to the point the passenger brake lights, rear running lamps, rear passenger turn signal and rear fog lamp all completely quit functioning. i contacted my local mercedes benz dealer and they would not…”
2013-12-29 · Exterior Lighting · 31,500 mi“rear taillights started smoking. it was all burned out causing rear right taillight to malfunction. *tr…”
2013-02-11 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 50,000 mi“2008 c63 amg-every time fill up tank there very strong gas smell even out door. i tracked down smell from under back seat where gas tank is. open back seat you will see wet spot from gas leak. this is extremely dangerous that car can get caught on fire. i research online and found many mercedes has same issue and been told by dealer that it tear a…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.