2011 Mercedes-Benz C350 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (16) · Fuel/Propulsion System (4) · Fuel System, Gasoline (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes-Benz C350 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (4)
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2019-01-09 · campaign 19V010000 · 288,779 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014 C250, C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2014-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, GLK 350, GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, 2015-2017 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2014-2017 E550 Cabrio, and 2014-2016 E550 Coupe vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Z
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
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.
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 (101)
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 101 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2022-10-16 · Air Bags“there was a recall on airbags on this model the c350 2011 and the airbag is now back on…”
2022-08-17 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 52,861 mi“the contact owns a 2011 mercedes-benz c350. the contact stated that upon approaching the vehicle, he noticed a strong fuel odor. the contact stated as he entered the vehicle, he could still smell the strong gasoline odor. there was no warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump assembly a…”
2020-06-29 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 75,980 mi“my engine light jeep coming on with a p0456 code. replace gas cap and purge valve control less then year ago. however i still smell gas when i fill up tank. after it goes down to 3/4 tank i don't smell gas. when it drop below half tank the engine light comes on. same thing as last year now it starting again in june 2020. only have 76000 miles. dont…”
2019-07-02 · Air Bags“tl* the contact owns a 2011 mercedes-benz c350. the contact received recall notices for nhtsa campaign numbers: 16v081000 (air bags) and 16v363000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. mercedes-benz of temecula (40910 tem…”
2019-02-26 · Air Bags“tl* the contact owns a 2011 mercedes-benz c350. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v081000 (air bags). the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. alexandria mercedes-benz (200 s pickett st, alexandria, va 22304, (703) 341-2100) was contacted and confirmed that the …”
2019-02-07 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 71,900 mi“i had a fuel pump flange crack and leak fuel when tank was filled. also, the check engine light threw codes relating to small leaks in the system and as such wouldn't pass state inspection. i had to get these fixed -- basically both sides (fuel pump/filter/sending unit) at the cost of almost $1,000 at a local shop. all vin searches didn't show t…”
2019-02-06 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2011 mercedes-benz c350e. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v081000 (air bags). demarois buick gmc mercedes-benz (3115 w broadway st, missoula, mt 58908, 406-721-4000) was contacted and confirmed that the part was not available for the recall remedy. the manufacturer was not notified…”
2018-12-22 · Unknown Or Other · 30,000 mi“takata recall. i have contacted mercedes benz of naples and was told that they did not have the parts and did not know when they would get them in.…”
2018-12-21 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 100 mi“fuel leek under seat passenger side as well strong smell coming from everywhere when the gas thank is filled at the gas station.i called the mbusa for help with this problem and they refocused to help .this is been ungoing problem with the mercedes as i had same problem with my 2007 s550 as well my 2007 e350 .this time i'm extremely scared ,if this…”
2018-11-09 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 68,000 mi“when fuel tank is about 75%-100% full, the car will smell heavily of gasoline inside and around the rear of the vehicle. upon inspection, fuel pump cover/cap seems to be cracked and leaking fuel. engine code p0456.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.