AI Damage2008 Mercedes-Benz C63: common problems
Owners of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and exterior lighting. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 5
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 40% of all complaints
- 2 Exterior lighting 40% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel/propulsion system 20% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 20% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (40% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 2 complaints (40% of all).
- Fuel/propulsion system: 1 complaints (20% of all).
- Steering: 1 complaints (20% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 5 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Basically, security system in the car that lets the key communicate with the ignition system goes out and the car will not start. It's a $1200 fix minimum..
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 happening to other owners of 2008-2009 mercedes c63 sedans.
Rear taillights started smoking. It was all burned out causing rear right taillight to malfunction.
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.
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 14,283 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 39% most complained about).
On average one model year of the C63 has 6 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 5, about average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C63?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, exterior lighting, fuel/propulsion system. Total complaints: 5. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (40%), fuel system, fuel smell (20%), headlights and tail lights (20%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C63?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2008 models
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.