AI DamageMercedes-Benz C350: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Mercedes-Benz C350 across 13 model years: 359 owner complaints and 122 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 44% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 21% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 16% of all complaints
- 4 Exterior lighting 13% of all complaints
- 5 Engine 7% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel/propulsion system 7% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 3% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 3% of all complaints
- Air bags: 159 complaints (44% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 76 complaints (21% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 78.
- Steering: 56 complaints (16% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 14.
- Exterior lighting: 46 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 26.
- Engine: 25 complaints (7% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 359 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 159 | 6 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 76 | 0 | 78 |
| Steering | 56 | 1 | 14 |
| Exterior lighting | 46 | 0 | 26 |
| Engine | 25 | 0 | 7 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 24 | 0 | 1 |
| Powertrain | 11 | 0 | 25 |
| Structure | 9 | 0 | 20 |
| Service brakes | 9 | 0 | 5 |
| Fuel system | 7 | 0 | 5 |
| Suspension | 6 | 0 | 5 |
| Visibility | 4 | 0 | 17 |
| Seats | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 1 | 3 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy. The contact stated that there were no warning lights illuminated. A police report was filed however, the contact had not yet been provided a copy.
The brakes failed to engage and as a result, the vehicle slid several feet. The vehicle would not stop and the contact crashed into the vehicle in front. The air bags didn't deploy. The contact was not injured. There was no one else in the vehicle with the contact.
2014 mercedes benz c350. Consumer writes in regards to defective acceleration system. The consumer stated the cruise control malfunctioned causing a 4 car collision. The consumer stated the information in the police report was false and that the crash was inadequately investigated.
The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard and deemed destroyed. The contact sustained a minor concussion and had four loose teeth, which required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The failure mileage was 115,000.
My driver side airbag did not deploy in a front end collision at an estimated 50 mph.
The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000. The vin was not available.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors
- Complaint Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE
- Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors
- Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end)
- Complaint There are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper wiping performance
- This NCU replaces the prior NCUs issued on May 18, June 25, 2020 and October 1, 2020 and contains…
- Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged
- Mercedes-Benz AG, the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain subject…
- Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the…
- Complaint The shift from 1st to 2nd gear may be uncomfortable under light load
- Complaint Possible humming noises from the drivetrain in the area of the rear axle, especially during…
- Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the…
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 2026-11-06.