69 of the
1,788 complaints filed about the Mercedes Benz C300
are about the other systems —
4% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2008.
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.
The caption and case number is Sowa et al v. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC et al., [XXX] MBUSA has extended the warranty on the rear subframe of several vehicles. The link to this in on your website: [XXX] One the last page of the PDF file on your website it states: When will customer letters be mailed for this warranty extension? The warranty extension customer notifications are scheduled for mailing on: March 10, 2023, and continue in waves through May 19. We have three cars in my family that are in this "extended warranty" at three different households. No letter was received at any of the three households regarding any of the three cars. If you look up the three cars Vin #'s, all three have no recalls on them and nothing relating to an extended warranty on a rear subframe. So, MBUSA, has brilliantly side stepped issuing a recall which would come up on a Vin $ search. They have not sent out the letters of notification. So, almost all owners will not be aware of the deadly impending time bomb they are driving. As these cars age further the ones that have yet to fail will fail and people will die. I called today, 10/24/2023 Reference # for the call [XXX] to let the NHTSA know the above and that if you allowed MBUSA to NOT issue a recall because they agreed to send letters of notification - well they did not do that and people are at risk. This seems like a loophole to me. No recall, we will extend the warranty and then not let anyone know much lower cost than recall and fixing. The NHTSA - should get the contact information for all the customers affected and hire a third party to send the notices and have MBUSA billed for that service. This would ensure people are notified. I was advised by the NHTSA staff on my call to file a claim with the BBB. That seems ridiculous. I will keep a copy of this filing; so, I can send it to the news channels to show how the NHTSA given due notice did nothing. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11551656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Was told by a mechanic that there is a safety recall for sub frames on Mercedes vehicles. After an inspection the mechanic noted that it was suggested to replace due to a recall on the c-class models. After looking up the VIN it suggested that a 2009 does not have a recall - same sub frame issue.
NHTSA complaint #11545117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Authorized Mercedes Benz dealership in Ann Arbor, MI advised replacing tires, valve stems and other items. I dropped off the car at the dealership for the work. During Alignment they found right rear out of spec due to subframe rusted out. They said rear subframe replacement is needed. This is a very dangerous condition and Mercedes Benz does not cover rusted subframe replacement costs at all, neither do they advise routine checks for this problem which seems to be a very common issue for the C Class. In Europe and Canada, Mercedes replaces rusted subframes for free. Why is it not done for free in USA? This is a very serious issue and can cause serious and fatal accidents. The cost to replace rusted subframe is very high and car can break down while driving without any notice or warning. Additionally, there is no warning light or signal displayed to alert the driver of a potential problem. The car can have an accident without any warning light or alert.
NHTSA complaint #11497163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
At a recent VA state inspection the mechanic noted that the "rear sub-frame rusted and rear coil springs bottoms are weak." This becomes a potential suspension issue and the sub-frame should not be rusting out so quickly. Additionally, when researching online it seems prohibitively expensive to replace the rear sub-frame but this is a safety concern and I have noted that a large number of these sub-frames are being replaced..
NHTSA complaint #11494280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rear subframe corrosion discovered by Mercedes Benz Service.105,000 miles on the vehicle. Presents a safety hazard, possible loss of control the vehicle. Frames rots from the inside out, which leads to discovery after vehicle performance and safety is compromised.
NHTSA complaint #11482786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pulled into parking space on side of street and turned off vehicle to pick up restaurant food. Returned to vehicle within 5 minutes, turned the key, and vehicle was dead. 93 year old mother was in car which was now stuck in parking space. We had to open the doors, due to vehicle windows not functioning, to try to prevent inside of car from overheating due to outside temperature. Called AAA, who arrived after about 45 minutes, tried to jump start car, indicated appeared battery was fine. Had to re-contact AAA to get car towed. Waited another 45 minutes for tow truck to arrive. Again checked battery and ignition, battery fine, car was locked in park and steering wheel was locked,. Towing technician had to lift up center console to reach underneath to switch to neutral. Technician had great difficulty getting car onto flatbed of tow truck because it kept slipping back into park. Adding to the difficulty was the location of the car in the parking space on the side of a busy street. Car was towed from Newport, RI to Tiverton, RI to Viti Mercedes dealer, who confirmed the problem. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. The final bill to repair this issue was $2,214.15. Upon review of other incidents that occurred with this make, model and year, there have been a myriad of accounts of this same issue going back many years. Based on the numerous incidents of this type and the potential safety devastation this could have caused, the $2,214.15 paid for repair in addition to $55 for towing should be reimbursed. This is a major safety issue that could be detrimental to the driver, occupants, towing company and other people around the disabled vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11471527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am 80 years old, and disabled. Gave this car to my son, (age 53). Within a month, he experienced a potential LIFE THREATENING incident with the car. While driving, the car became very unstable and steering was almost impossible. The car was towed to A-1 Auto Repair in Pitman, New Jersey for analysis. This establishment has an excellent reputation for Mercedes-Benz repairs. Upon extensive review the shop advised "customer vehicle is very unsafe to operate and should not be driven"The Invoice states " ...During road test vehicle is unstable and steering and braking are out of specification and feels very unstable to operate. Checked vehicle suspension and undercarriage to diagnose rear subframe rusted off body mounts. and is hanging off left rear of body and subframe. Needs extensive repairs to undercarriage and subframe needs replacing with new body mounts.Advised customer vehicle is very unsafe to operate and should not be driven! ... There was no warning of this problem. The car has been garaged since purchased. Car regularly maintained by dealership. No mention ever made of RUSTING ! Mercedes states not there problem since warranty has expired.
NHTSA complaint #11447306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DROVE 4 BLOCKS AWAY FROM MY HOME TO THE STORE IN MERCED CA ON GST AND 20TH..WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR IT DIDN'T START AND MY STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED.AND I COULDN'T TAKE IT OUT OF PARK. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TAIL LIGHTS A FEW TIMES THIS LAST MONTH. ## VIN PASSED ## MERCEDES-BENZ 2008 c300 ##
NHTSA complaint #11416591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I'M THE OWNER OF A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 4MATIC SPORT, WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN 2012 FROM A MERCEDES DEALER. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT 60,400 MILES. IT WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND AFTER HEARING SOME CLUNKING NOISES, ESPECIALLY WHEN BRAKING OR TURNING, THEY DISCOVERED RUST, CORROSION, AND CRACKING TO THE REAR SUBFRAME. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, IT HAS BEEN DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS YEAR AND MODEL OF MERCEDES. THERE ARE MANY OTHER OWNERS POSTING COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. THE REAR SUBFRAME CORROSION IS ESTIMATED TO COST ABOUT $3-4K TO REPAIR. THE LOCAL MB DEALER REVEALED THEY ARE ACTUALLY REPAIRING A CAR WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM, AS WE SPEAK. ANOTHER CALL TO MB FOR PART PRICING INDICATED THIS IS A COMMON, KNOWN PROBLEM. THE CAR DOES NOT PASS INSPECTION AND HAS BECOME A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. WITH SO MANY KNOWN CASES AND OBVIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS, MB SHOULD RESOLVE THIS DEFECT AND PLACE IT UNDER RECALL. MANY OWNERS MAY NOT EVEN KNOW THEY HAVE THIS PROBLEM. DRIVING A VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE INJURY OR FATALITY TO THE DRIVER, PASSENGERS, AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. I'VE BEEN ADVISED TO REQUEST A GOODWILL REPAIR, SINCE THERE IS NO RECALL. I WAS TOLD BY MB THAT I NEED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR AN OFFICIAL DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR ESTIMATE AT MY LOCAL MB DEALER ($179) BEFORE I CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH THE REQUEST FOR THE GOODWILL REPAIR. MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE RECEIVED DENIALS TO THEIR REQUESTS, WHICH IS VERY DISAPPOINTING. MB SHOULD BE FOUND AT FAULT FOR THIS DEFECT AND KEEP THE SAFETY OF THEIR CONSUMERS AS THEIR TOP PRIORITY. IT WILL LIKELY TAKE A WEEK OR TWO BEFORE I RECEIVE A DETERMINATION FOR MY GOODWILL REQUEST, BUT I'M CONTACTING NHTSA TO FILE AN OFFICIAL VEHICLE SAFETY COMPLAINT IN HOPES THAT THE RECALL PROCESS IS STARTED AND AN ORDER IS PLACED TO THE MANUFACTURER TO ISSUE A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #11377524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY REAR SUBFRAME IS DROPPED MY AIRBAG LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON MY SUSPENSION IS TERRIBLE BECAUSE OF MY SUSPENSION MY REAR SUBFRAME HAD DROPPED AND MY LIGHT WARNING FOR MY LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON
NHTSA complaint #11351457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY CAR EVERY SO OFTEN WON?T START BATTERY IS GOOD STARTER IS GOOD JUST DOES NOTHING HAPPENED OVER 10X HAD IT TOWED TO 5 MECHANICS SHOPS AND MERCEDES CAN?T DIAGNOSE PROBLEM BECAUSE AFTER A DAY MAYBE TWO SOMETIMES 4 OR 5 THE CAR WILL JUST START UP ON ITS OWN AND THEN A FEW WEEKS OR MONTHS WE GO THROUGH IT ALL OVER AGAIN RESEARCHED AND OTHER MERCEDES C300 DRIVERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM FOR MONTHS AND ITS THE STEERING LOCK MODULE.
NHTSA complaint #11326438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE BEEN TAKING MY VEHICLE REGULARLY TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. I HAVE NOT ONCE HAD AN ISSUE UNTIL THIS TIME. DURING THE RAINSTORMS MY VEHICLE LEAKED THROUGH THE SUNROOF AND THE PASSENGER FRONT AND BACK SIDE GOT FLOODED. FILED AN INSURANCE CLAIM AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY CAME BACK AND SAID WE DON'T COVER WEARS AND TEARS OF SEALS THROUGH THE SUNROOF. THE VEHICLE RIGHT NOW IS AT THE COLLISION SHOP AND THEY SAID THEY DON'T KNOW IF THE WHOLE SUNROOF NEEDS TO BE CHANGED OR THE SEAL. THEY DON'T WANT TO CHECK BECAUSE OF LIABILITY ISSUES. CALLED THE DEANSHIP AND ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND THEY SAID NO. MY ONLY CONCERN IS IF THE VEHICLE IS BEING SERVICED FOR A FULL INSPECTION WHY DIDN'T THE DEANSHIP ONCE MENTIONED ABOUT THE SUNROOF SEALS NEEDS TO BE CHANGED AT LEAST THIS MANY TIMES IN THIS MANY YEARS. THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS TELLING ME THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD HAVE NOTICED THIS AND HAS TO GIVE A LIST OF ITEMS THAT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED IN THIS MANY YEARS. NOW I HAVE TO COME UP WITH WHATEVER THE COST IS GOING TO BE OUT OF MY POCKET DURING THIS PANDEMIC TIMES. IF IT LEAKS AGAIN THEN I WILL NOT HAVE A VEHICLE TO GO TO WORK. NO WORK NO FOOD FOR MY FAMILY. JUST TRYING THE GET AS MUCH AS HELP AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #11322545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.