20 of the
585 complaints about the 2011 Mercedes Benz C300 are about the
lighting — 3% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
87,500 miles.
B
20
Complaints
0
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Exterior Lighting
1995.0%
Tail Lights
15.0%
What owners said
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
at 100,000 milesCharlotte, NC
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the rear lights became inoperable and failed to illuminate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that rear lighting wires were burned, causing an electrical failure within the rear light assemblies. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V177000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #11628770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesManvel, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the messages to check the rear taillights and rear turn signals were displayed. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the rear taillight bulbs and connectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact informed the dealer that the vehicle had been previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V177000 (Exterior Lighting). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
NHTSA complaint #11607986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The right rear tail light housing harness melted due to an electrical issue. Wire tends to heat up too much. This caused my right rear tail light, right break light and right side turn signal not to function.
NHTSA complaint #11580578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jersey City, NJ
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
We had notifications on our dashboard that rear driver side (left) lights were out while driving car. We thought the light bulbs just had to be replaced. We brought to mechanic to just fix lights & they discovered the light ground wire burned out & caused light holder to be damaged as well where ground wire was. It caused rear driver side tail lights to fail. We had light bulb holder with wires all replaced on 2/23/24. This issue was a recall back in 2014 & seems to be a reoccurring issue with this part of the Mercedez 2011 C class.
NHTSA complaint #11574237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesBridgeport, CT
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated when he started the vehicle, the driver side taillights were inoperable, and the taillight warning light was illuminated. The contact examined the taillights and noticed that the wires were melted, and the taillight assembly had melted as well. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V177000 (Exterior Lighting). The contact received no additional assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #11503441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The driver side rear tail light wiring melted the tailight housing. This component was already replaced as part of a previous recall, but apparently Mercedes is not properly fixing the issue. They refuse to fix it for free, because they already "addressed" the recall. Looks like they are putting cars back on the street that could catch fire.
NHTSA complaint #11480828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Chester, OH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Rear taillight ground wire melting. Dealer said that this recall was performed previously, so now I had to pay for the repair parts. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V177000
NHTSA complaint #11452814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Lee, NJ
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The rear tail light housing harness melted due to an electrical issue. This caused my rear tail light & break lights not to function.
NHTSA complaint #11425681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 milesBlackwood, NJFire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, WHEN THE MULTIPLE "LIGHTS OUT" WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THE BROWN WIRE WAS MELTED AND BURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER MERCEDES-BENZ OF CHERRY HILL (2151 NJ-70, CHERRY HILL, NJ 08002:(856) 663-3200), WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE "LIGHT ASSEMBLY UNIT" TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V177000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING), HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE RECALL WAS COMPLETED WITH PRIOR OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.
NHTSA complaint #11386823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35 milesAnaheim, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
COMMON FAULT. BROWN GROUND WIRE. LEFT TAIL LIGHT. BROWN WIRE GETS REALLY HOT. ON CLUSTER SHOWS MESSAGES THAT THE BREAK,TURN SIGNAL, REVERSE FOG LIGHTS ARE OUT. I CHECK AND REMOVE THE PLATE OR LIGHTS HOUSING. LIGHT BULBS SEEMS TO BE FINE. SOMETIMES THE TAIL LIGHT IS COMPLETELY OUT SOMETIMES IT FLICKLES REALLY LOW LIKE THEIR GONNA GO OUT. IT SMELLS LIKE SMOKE AND THE BROWN GROUND WIRE GETS REALLY HOT. IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN IM DRIVING IT FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME BUT CONSTANTLY TURNING IT ON AND OFF TO GO DO SOMETHING LIKE STOPPING AT THE STORE.
NHTSA complaint #11328439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 148,000 milesCary, NC
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE PARKING LIGHTS ON BOTH FRONT HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLIES HAVE MELTED THE PLASTIC OF THE HOUSING AND HAD TO BE BROKEN OUT WHICH SEEMS TO INDICATE AN EXCESSIVE GENERATION OF HEAT AND POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD WHEN BULBS ARE REPLACED THEY KEEP BURNING OUT WHICH IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD.. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE AND AS WELL AN ISSUE VERY SIMILAR TO THE TAIL LIGHT RECALL. I WAS WONDERING IF THIS HAS BEEN OR WILL BE ADDRESSED MY THE MANUFACTURER
NHTSA complaint #11289140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesMiami, FLFire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY FRONT PASSENGER HEAD LAMP CAUGHT FIRE ONE OF THE PARKING BULBS. ALL TJE WIRING IS EXPOSED AND MY LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. MY RIGHT TAIL LIGHT ONE OF THE BULBS GOT OVER HEATED AND HAD TO TAKE OFF THE BULB.
NHTSA complaint #11206355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Largo, MD
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
"TAKATA RECALL" I CONTACTED THE THE AUTHORIZED MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER HAS FAILED TO REMEDY THIS SAFETY RECALL IN A TIMELY MANNER, I HAVE CONTINUOUSLY REACHED OUT FOR YEAR AND HALF AND THE MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER CONTINUOUS TO STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS ARE ON BACK ORDER.
NHTSA complaint #11189865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hillsboro, OR
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON MY AIRBAGS FOR 2 YEARS. THIS IS TOO LONG TO WAIT FOR A SOLUTION TO BE DONE WHEN I AM BEING TOLD THAT THESE AIRBAGS IF DEPLOYED CAN KILL ME OR MY PASSENGERS (WHICH ARE MY CHILDREN) I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A REMEDY BUT JUST KEEP GETTING TOLD THAT THERE IS ONE COMING. 2 YEARS IS LONG ENOUGH TO FIGURE IT OUT. THE SAFETY OF MY CHILDREN IS NOT SOMETHING TO MESS WITH! PLEASE MAKE THEM FIX THIS PROBLEM OR BUY THE DANG CAR BACK! THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE TAIL LIGHT SENSOR AND LIGHT ITSELF, IT KEEPS SAYING TO CHECK IT AND IT DIMS BUT IT'S NOT IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #11118419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spring Hill, TN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2011 MERCEDES BENZ C300. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO EXTERIOR LIGHT SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A STAUS REPORT FOR ODI NUMBERS 10983063 AND 10984235. UPDATED 09/06/2017
NHTSA complaint #11021972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,000 milesGreen Hill, TN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V177000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE'S TAIL LIGHT BULB CARRIER WAS NOT PART OF THE MANUFACTURER RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXHIBITING SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER'S RECORDS INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BACK IN SEPTEMBER OF 2014. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
NHTSA complaint #10984235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Memphis, TN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V177000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO SCHEDULE THE REPAIR APPOINTMENT. THE CONTACT ALSO RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V363000 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10895900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesCharlotte, NC
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. 1 OF THE 2 PARKING LIGHT BULBS IN THE FRONT LEFT HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY BURNT OUT. WHEN TAKEN TO DEALER TO REPLACE THE BULB, THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT THE BULB'S HARNESS HAD OVERHEATED AND MELTED INTO THE HEADLAMP, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. THE MELTED HARNESS INDICATES THAT THERE WAS TOO MUCH HEAT AND COULD POSE A FIRE THREAT IN THE HEADLAMP, AS WELL AS REDUCE CONSPICUITY DUE TO DIMMED OR BURNT OUT EXTERIOR LIGHTING. THIS IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE PROBLEM WITH THE REAR TAILLIGHT ISSUE IN THIS YEAR/MODEL THAT RESULTED IN A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V177000 TAIL LAMP DIMMING OR FAILURE). THE FRONT EXTERIOR LIGHTS SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED AND REPLACED BY MB FOR THE SAME REASONS AS THE REAR.
NHTSA complaint #10876120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 23,985 milesGuaynabo, PR
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LAS LUCES DELANTERAS DEL VEHCULO DE REFERENCIA PRESENTAN UN ALUMBRADO TENUE Y POBRE, LO QUE REDUCE LA VISIBILIDAD HACIA EL FRENTE REPRESENTANDO UN PELIGRO A LA VIDA DE LAS PERSONAS QUE TRANSITAN EN DICHO VEHCULO AL GUIAR DURANTE LA NOCHE. EL 27 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2014, LA COMPUTADORA DEL VEHCULO COMENZ A INDICAR PROBLEMAS CON LAS LUCES DELANTERAS, IZQUIERDA Y DERECHO. AL SER LLEVADO A INSPECCIN, SE ME INDICA QUE ES NECESARIO EL REEMPLAZO DE LOS FOCOS DELANTEROS COMPLETAMENTE.
NHTSA complaint #10763644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelphia, NY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL LETTER ON JUNE 2014 FOR TAIL LIGHT PROBLEM. I CALL THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY AND IT'S GOING TO BE DECEMBER AND THEY HAVE NOT DO ANYTHING.
NHTSA complaint #10661364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.