228 of the
1,788 complaints filed about the Mercedes Benz C300
are about the lighting —
13% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2009.
I have messages on my instrument panel stating I have airbag malfunction going on I also have tail lights that are not working and after trying to replace the bulbs it still don't work so obviously it's the light bulb panel so I went and looked at recalls and says that these are all recalls on my car but that they were fixed. so I don't know why I have them all bad again so I need to know what to do
NHTSA complaint #11736621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while at the car wash and attempting to wash the vehicle, there was popping sound coming from the vehicle, and the contact saw smoke coming from the speakers and called the Fire Department however, no damages were found. The vehicle was taken to the residence and an independent mechanic inspected the vehicle but found no issues with the vehicle. The trunk was opened, and the contact became aware of water inside the taillight housings. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.
NHTSA complaint #11677862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle has been loosing power during driving. Acceleration will die, then power will return. In addition exterior lighting will also malfunction or not work. As well ans other items associate with power or the unit that controls the power of those items After taking the vehicle in multiple times we had been told and looked up about the recall. Multiple are in place but the recall regarding the electrical/ power train / lighting r/t units in place and this recall sounds spot on with issues the vehicle is having .
NHTSA complaint #11653985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Check Right Tail and Brake Lamps warning light will not go off for months. They are working fine but the light won't go off. Googling on MB World, it shows Mercedes is aware of this problem and a recall is needed to get it corrected being safety issue with warning lights not working properly. See all info. below from owners, conversations and work done by dealers, etc. People note it is a middle school education problem. Please alert me when the recall is confirmed to get this important problem fixed. [XXX] Thank you, [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11634323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Headlight harness on drivers and passenger side is melting and my lights are flickering. I was advised to night drive my vehicle at night, because it could start an electrical fire. This is caused by heat from the lights.
NHTSA complaint #11612678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving and activating the turn signals, the taillights were inoperable. Additionally, the contact stated while driving and depressing the brake pedal to come to a stop, the brake lights were significantly dimmed except for the third brake light. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with electrical failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V177000 (Exterior Lighting); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist because the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11610858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated after the vehicle was taken to the dealer for an unknown recall repair, the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The contact also became aware that the driver’s side headlight was inoperable. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a detached headlamp wiring harness. The dealer recommended that driver’s and passenger’s side headlamps be replaced. Additionally, the taillights remained illuminated after turning off the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11578853 — 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.
While driving and when parked the headlights flicker on and off. I have no headlights while driving at night, during adverse weather conditions and during dawn hours. I could crash into other drivers, or they could crash into me because they can’t see me. When a parking bulb blows it fuses and melts everything together causing the replacement of the entire headlight unit, this has happened twice.
NHTSA complaint #11507370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the connector for the rear taillights was melted into the bulk assembly mount and needed to be replaced. The contact was then informed by the dealer of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V177000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the dealer confirmed that the recall was previously completed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was promised a call back however, the contact had not yet received a response. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.
NHTSA complaint #11489315 — 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.
The tail left bulb mount carrier part Number 204-820-15-00-64, one of the terminal in the back, is corroded. Also, one of the cable is burnt. In short, the tail lamp doesn’t work. It is a hazard problem since it affects the brake signaling, turning signaling and all other tail lamps signaling. For many years, I have read many incidents like this reported from owners like me and Mercedes has done nothing. I cannot use the vehicle in this condition because it is is a safety hazard.
NHTSA complaint #11470759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I noticed my right tail light has completely went out and related damage to the brown wire connected to the entire casing. Per recall campaign: 2014050001; NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 14V177, "Oxidation on the ground pin connector for the rear tail lamps of subject vehicles can result in a dimming of the tail lights or loss of tail lamp functions. The loss of a rear tail lamp reduces the rearward visibility of subject vehicles, especially with respect to turn signal illumination and may increase the likelihood of a rear end crash". I recently called a new certified Mercedes Benz dealership near me who states this recall has been closed, however, there is no specific indication on whether that was the right or left tail light. Regardless, a recall covers both whether it happens simultaneously or at different increments. My requested resolution: to simply acknowledge the recall to replace this time the right tail lamp. Especially since any wiring issues poses risk of shortage or fire.
NHTSA complaint #11464030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Both headlights wiring harnesses (right and left ) wiring has melted and all wiring is now exposed and touching and causing all light bulbs ( headlights-tail lights-turn signals-brake lights-ect) to be shortage out due to the original wiring not being constructed to resist the heat from the engine and environment.We had MB of Maidland,fl and Elite motors of Ococee,fl to view this issue with the only fix is out-of-pocket repair in the thousands of dollars.i have a neighbor with a MB experiencing similar problems
NHTSA complaint #11455659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the exterior headlights and taillights would independently illuminate while idle without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where a camera was placed on the vehicle for four days; however, the failure did not occur while in the mechanic's possession. While the contact stated that the failure was intermittent, the failure had become more frequent recently. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #11446518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY GIVES ME WARNING/ALERT MESSAGES OF HEADLIGHT/SIGNAL/PARKING LAMP ISSUES. UPON INSPECTION AND TAKEN TO CERTIFIED, RELIABLE MERCEDES REPAIR SHOPS, LIGHTS ARE FULLY FUNCTIONING, YET ALERTS CONTINUE ON MY DISPLAY/DASH. MORE IMPORTANTLY THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK (ESL) HAS FAILED ON MORE THAN ONCE COSTING VERY CONSIDRABLE AMOUNTS OF REPAIR BILLS, AND IT HAS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING, I PARKED THE CAR WHICH HAS BEEN PERFECTLY MAINTAINED AND WITH LOW MILEAGE, AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS, MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO EVEN HAVE IT TOWED TO BE REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #11414467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, WHEN "THE REAR PASSENGER BRAKE AND SIGNAL WAS FAILURE" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND HAD THE REAR PASSENGER LIGHT PLUGS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED A WEEK LATER THE REAR PASSENGER LIGHT PLUGS WERE MELTED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. 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. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 212,000.
NHTSA complaint #11390994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2009 AND OVER THE YEARS I HAVE REPLACED BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, LEFT AND RIGHT AT THE COST OF $800.00 EACH. I WAS TOLD THAT A BULB BLEW FUSING THE WIRES TOGETHER RESULTING IN THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY. THE DRIVER SEAT HEAD REST SIMPLY FELL APART.
NHTSA complaint #11324831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.