AI DamageMercedes-Benz C: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Mercedes-Benz C across 6 model years: 22 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Exterior lighting 32% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 27% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 23% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 9% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 9% of all complaints
- 6 Air bags 5% of all complaints
- 7 Electronic stability control 5% of all complaints
- 8 Engine 5% of all complaints
- Exterior lighting: 7 complaints (32% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 6 complaints (27% of all).
- Powertrain: 5 complaints (23% of all).
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (9% of all).
- Steering: 2 complaints (9% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 22 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
I rear ended another a 2012 nissan sentra and my car was declared a total lost. The other vehicle had very minimal damage.
My daughter was in a crash today on may 16, 2009 she was driving mercedes 2009 c300 and she said that the steering wheel lock suddenly before she crash, she was driving only at 15mph that why the impact was not so severe, we are very lucky that she just has minor injuries.
My mercedes c300 is equipped with electronic stability program (esp) and active seatbelt restraints (both of which failed in the crash). The roads were slick, however, when a car swerved over on me and I attempted to hit the brakes to avoid being hit, my car began to fish-tail and I lost control of the vehicle.
Very strong smell of gasoline in passenger compartment every time gas tank is refilled. Smell gradually abates as the level of gas in the tank drops. Concern regarding fire hazard due to leaking gas. Appears to be a long-standing problem.
At 43,500 and 54 months the transmission in the car had to be replaced. The car has always been properly serviced at the mercedes dealer. I believe this model/make has defects as I have brought it back for service many times.
The wires within both of my headlights of my 2009 mercedes c300 have their insulation so deteriorated that the wires are fully exposed. This issue causes the lights to cut in and out without warning which have occurred during highways speeds and or rural areas in puerto rico.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.