57 of the
1,788 complaints filed about the Mercedes Benz C300
are about the engine —
3% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2008.
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle slowed down independently and lost automotive power. The contact stated that the vehicle remained in the intersection while awaiting tow services. The contact stated that her boyfriend and son helped to push the vehicle to the right side of the roadway. The contact smelled a burning odor but was unsure where the odor was coming from. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that an independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ECU was damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V704000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
NHTSA complaint #11670203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with an intake manifold failure. The contact was informed that the intake manifold needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,151.
NHTSA complaint #11633880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with an intake manifold failure. The contact was informed that the intake manifold needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,151.
NHTSA complaint #11633880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Camshaft adjuster solenoid leaked oil into wiring harness, caused vehicle to go into limp mode and not accelerate/shift gears. This is a known problem with the m272 engine, this vin did not show up on the recall list.
NHTSA complaint #11633268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "SRS System Requires Service" was displayed. The air bag and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the vapor canister shutoff valve but had not provided a diagnosis for the SRS system. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 99,000.
NHTSA complaint #11592898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Car worked fine, all the sudden it wouldn't turn over, I would put the key in and turn it and nothing would happen, I was stuck and had to catch a ride, lucky that I was able, a car company that is supposedly reliable shouldn't allow there cars to completely give out on people during the middle of winter storms and not take ownership, when the customer has taken good care of the car. Talked to several mechanics and turned out it was the Electronic Steering Lock (ESL) module that had malfunctioned probably due to the software and electrical. Due to this only the Benz dealerships can repair, I had to tow it to a dealership and was charged around $2000 after haggling over the price. Terrible experience and should be recalled by MB, I have seen many complaints about this online and was very disappointed there wasn't a cheaper solution. Was both a safety issue, inconvenient and very costly.
NHTSA complaint #11553957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, she became aware that the coolant level was low. The contact added coolant to the reservoir. The contact stated that the coolant reservoir burst open. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who replaced the coolant and hose. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. Additionally, the indicator lights became inoperable. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V168000 (Exterior Lighting, Electronic Stability Control, Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11545780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the coolant warning light was frequently illuminated due to low coolant. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the engine hose and other engine parts were replaced. Despite the repair, the coolant light returned soon after the initial repair. The contact then took the vehicle to a dealer where the failure was linked to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V168000 (Exterior Lighting, Electronic Stability Control, Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11544500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the instrument cluster started flickering and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the power steering and brakes were operable. The contact pulled off the highway and shifted the vehicle into park(P). The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V168000 (Exterior Lighting, Electronic Stability Control, Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.
NHTSA complaint #11519341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that she had experienced several electrical failures with the vehicle including the power seat and power windows, the parking brake, the exterior lighting, and the air bag warning lights. The contact also stated that the vehicle would lose motive power and stall while driving at various speeds with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. Upon investigation, the contact linked that failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V168000 (Exterior Lighting, Electronic Stability Control, Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #11473420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Error codes 1200 and 1208 regarding the lack of tension on the timing belt due to a worn sprocket. It was certified by two different Mercedes Benz mechanics with ample experience with these cars. Vehicle still runs but I was warned to stop it and fix it before it is a major problem.
NHTSA complaint #11417539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND CAME BACK OUT AND IT WOULD NOT START. THE FRONT WHEELS WERE LOCKED. THE KEY WENT IN AND TURNED. THE LIGHTS AND POWER WAS THERE BUT, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE FRONT WHEELS WERE LOCKED AND SO WAS THE DRIVE SHIFTER. THE FIRST TIME THE CAR WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND MY WIFE WAS LEFT STRANDED. THE SECOND TIME WAS IN OUT DRIVEWAY. WE CAME HOME TO GET SOMETHING AND WHEN WE WENT OUT IT WOULDN'T START.
NHTSA complaint #11398141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, EXHAUST FUMES WERE DETECTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF SUGAR LAND (281-207-1500, LOCATED AT 15625 SOUTHWEST FWY, SUGAR LAND, TX 77478) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11161005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AT 76K MILES. GEAR SHIFT WILL NOT GET OUT OF PARK, STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT UNLOCK AND CAR WILL NOT START. KNOWN TO BE A COMMON ISSUE THAT AFFECTS ALL MERCEDES WITH ELECTRONIC IGNITION. MERCEDES SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO COURT VIA CLASS ACTION FOR THIS.
NHTSA complaint #11052125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT OPENED THE DOOR AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTING WAS NOT ILLUMINATED, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTING WAS DIM, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, AND THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER (SCHUMACHER EUROPEAN, LOCATED AT 18530 N SCOTTSDALE RD PHOENIX, AZ 85054) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 1-956218644. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
NHTSA complaint #11020444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER VEHICLE INSPECTION I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP. MERCEDES BENZ HOUSTON-GREENWAY PLAZA DID CAM SHAFT SOLENOID WORK COST $500. ROUGHLY A WEEK LATER I GOT STRANDED AT WORK. I WAS ABLE TO TAKE TO GET IT TO START AGAIN AND TOOK IT TO REPAIR SHOP NOW ITS $1,346.29 FOR ENGINE COMPUTER WORK.
NHTSA complaint #11006444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TAKATA INFLATORS RECALL SRS CONTROLS MANUFACTURING ERROR THIS AUTO SHOULD HAVE NEVER LEFT THE FACTORY FLOOR IT HAS COST ME CONSIDERABLE MENTAL UPSET AND MONEY WHICH I CAN NOT AFFORD IT PARKED UNSAFE TO DRIVE ENGINE LITE ON MERCEDES SHOULD REPAIR OR REBUILT THIS AUTO I AM A DISABLE VETERAN AND NEED MY TRANSPORTATION. MERCEDES SHOULD TAKE THE AIR BAGS OUT BETTER THERE OUT THAN GO OFF ACCIDENTLY
NHTSA complaint #10999999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE, THE KEY FAILED TO TURN FROM THE OFF TO ON POSITION AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.
NHTSA complaint #10967964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENTERED MY PARKED CAR ON 2.9.2017. BEFORE FULLY STARTING ENGINE, "CHECK-ENGINE" INDICATOR ON DASHBOARD CAME ON. TOOK IN TO DEALERSHIP ON 2.13.2017. WAS TOLD THAT THERMOSTAT HAD CRACKED/FAILED. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 56,000 MILES, AND THIS IS A MERCEDES-BENZ. HOW COULD SUCH A CRITICAL PART FAIL SO SOON IN A VEHICLE OF THIS QUALITY? PAID $700+ TO REPAIR (BILL ATTACHED).
NHTSA complaint #10957131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.