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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 11
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
86,592 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 12)

problem #221

Jun 192022

C300

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Portsmouth, RI, USA

problem #220

Jan 012018

C300

  • miles
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.

- Jacksonville , FL, USA

problem #219

Mar 082022

C300

  • miles
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

- Orlando , FL, USA

problem #218

May 102021

C300

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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 ##

- Merced, CA, USA

problem #217

Mar 252021

C300

  • 165,000 miles
I took my car to the Mercedes dealership for an alignment. It is a 2008 C300 series. After they called and said it was done they said that the esl mechanism locked up in the car and completely failed. To this point I have never had an issue with this car, and I have never had it fail. Now they are telling me that it just happens to be one of the worst parts that they have to repair notoriously in these cars. So I called two other dealerships of the same build two other Mercedes dealerships told me the same thing. I looked up in the blog system and found in the national safety records that numerous people have had the same complaint and they have all been filed. Why are we not starting a recall on this because to get my car back what was supposed to be $167 is now $1,267 this is quite a jump for a car I have never had this issue with. They insisted that there is nothing that can be done to repair it and as likely as it is it was bound to happen at any time. So my complaint is what do I need to do to start a recall on this item. I have a hard time with all of the same parts going bad and dealership parties also telling us these are bad parts but I recall has not been initiated. But other ancillary issues have been recalled that are little to no importance however this one at any given moment can lock up your steering wheel and could potential he cause an accident. Is what two dealerships told me of course the one that I am getting repaired would not admit that. Please help us get a recall on this we are at your mercy for the safety of our families driving a Mercedes-Benz car.

- Marion, IN, USA

problem #216

Feb 192021

C300

  • miles
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.

- Pepper Pike, OH, USA

problem #215

Sep 242020

C300

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Noticed a recall for this part

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #214

Apr 102020

C300

  • 140,000 miles
My 2008 C300 had the right tail break light + rear right turn signal light error message these few days, I replace the light bulbs which did not fix the problem then I found the brown wire at connector melt badly, I google this issue on the web and found all 2008/2009 mercedez C class has the same issue, can we get a recall to fix it on this ?

- Diamond Bar, CA, USA

problem #213

Apr 012020

C300

  • 124,000 miles
Took car in for airbag recall, week later the car wont unlock, had to pay $50 to get in, was told battery had 12.4 amps, car wont turn over, electronic systems not engaging, alarm goes off, replaced battery $160checked fuses and bought $25, nothing now having to tow back to Mercedes Benz of chandler that did my "recalls" out of pocket. The recall service messed it up. The exact thing as in complaint 212.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #212

Dec 262019

C300

  • 112,000 miles
I have a mb C300 2008 the car never had an issue until I brought it in for a airbag recall 2 weeks later I get an SRS malfunction, esp and ABS failure car doesnt turn on next day the car turns on and engine light goes on, then lights stayed on even after car was off next day lights went off while driving in dark making for hazardous and quite scary situation mb is doing these recalls but jeopardizing the overall integrity of car I even replaced battery but this still occurred car was rendered undrivable and stuck in my driveway and had to have it towed and pay $380 just to look at it even though I told them they caused damage there is no way a perfectly running car coincidentally has major electrical issues post recall (they replaced entire stash board and steering wheel cover)

- Brooklyn , NY, USA

problem #211

Oct 092019

C300

  • 151,825 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Electrical fault in 2008 C300 Mercedes in front sam module has water intrusion from windshield water drain next to driver side fuse panel/ sam. Water intrusion caused customers vehicle to die while driving and caused esl steering lock to lock steering column and ignition key esi to lose communication with low voltage codes. Dash instrument cluster only comes on when opening the door and BCM becomes active. No response from ignition and driver almost lost control of vehicle when steering locked during malfunction/ power problems. Driver had vehicle towed with steering locked in a left turn. Esm[ewm] - electronic selector module(N15/5) 1 problems exist 1.U016800 communication with the electronic ignition lock has a malfunction. Ezs - electronic ignition lock(N73) 2 problems exist 1.A10D00 the power supply is too low._ 2.C14600 communication with the central gateway has a malfunction. Driver-side sam - front signal acquisition and actuation module 7 problems exist 1.B215F71 relay 1 ''circuit 15R'' has a malfunction.the actuator is blocked. 2.B212171 relay 1 ''circuit 15'' has a malfunction.the actuator is blocked. 3.B172B15 the output of the front footwell illumination has a malfunction.there is a short circuit to positive or an open circuit. 4.B179715 left standing light 2 has a malfunction.there is a short circuit to positive or an open circuit. 5.B126231 a magnetic interference field was detected. 6.B126322 control unit ''N10/1 (front sam control unit with fuse and relay module)'' has received no lin message from component ''compass module''. 7.B127A54 component ''compass module'' is not calibrated. Rear sam - rear signal acquisition and actuation module 2 problems exist 1.B182811 the output for remote trunk opening has a malfunction.there is a short circuit to ground. 2.U016800 communication with the electronic ignition lock has a malfunction.

- Bethlehem, GA, USA

problem #210

Jun 022019

C300 6-cyl

  • 142,017 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start without warning. The vehicle was towed to Mercedes-Benz of South charlotte (950 N polk St, pineville, nc 28134, (704) 837-7955) where it was diagnosed that the electric power steering seized and caused the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 142,017.

- Charolette, NC, USA

problem #209

Mar 242019

C300

  • 134,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300. While driving, the SRS warning indicator illuminated. In addition, the horn, headlights, cruise control, and turn signals failed to function. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V081000 and 16V363000 (air bags) and called Mercedes-Benz of augusta (3061 Washington rd, augusta, ga 30907, (706) 860-1111). The contact was informed that she would be placed on a waiting list. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not noticed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 134,000.

- Agusta, GA, USA

problem #208

Nov 092018

C300

  • 150,000 miles
The els went out. Which I've been told is a very common problem with these cars because of the design of the els

- Magnolia, TX, USA

problem #207

Aug 232018

C300

  • 67,574 miles
My 2008 Mercedes Benz 300C started then shut off in my driveway. I had the car less than 30 days from purchase. I called the dealer and he came and did something to the fuse band it start ed. Next day same thing, started then shut off. I had it towed to my mechanic, it took him two weeks to figure out what was wrong with it. He narrowed it down to the ignition switch. However, he want authorized to access the ignition, so it had to be towed to the dealer. The dealer came back after 2 weeks and said it was the fuel pump. Fine, I paid a little over $1K for the despair. I go to pick it up then I'm told it shut off. This is after a full diagnostic test. Mind you, my mechanic called the rep at Mercedes Benz and told them exactly what the issues was and they ignored it. Fast forward, I tell them in my frustration to go and fix the car. I get a quote of 878, and that they wouldn't charge for labor, parts only. They claim the parts had to be ordered from germany. Two weeks later, a full month and a half of waiting for my car, the dealer tells me the cost is now 1919. Ludicrous! they claim that I needed a key, that my key wasn't working. What? my key was working just fine. The C300 ignition issues are overwhelming and need to be recalled. Buyer beware!

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

problem #206

Oct 092018

C300

  • miles
Takata recall headlights flickering when car is off also headlight randomly go off while driving on highway etc and when lights stay on it drains the car battery

- South Bend, IN, USA

problem #205

Sep 222018

C300

  • 125,000 miles
Car will not start after diving. Power from battery is good. Door still lock and unlock. This particluaf brand has issue with electronic steering locking and leaving car mobileless. Cannot place car in neautral for towing.

- Decatur, GA, USA

problem #204

Sep 182018

C300

  • 56,800 miles
Transfer case reseal. I have a 2008 C300 I bought with 56K miles on it, I had to have the wheel bearings replaced immediately. When this service took place, I was informed that I need to have my transfer case resealed and the cam shaft magnets replaced. This car has such low miles on it. I do not understand how this is needed at this time. I have seen on many boards, this is a common problem. Why hasn't mb recalled this yet? it appears the 2008 model is plagued with problems as I have had to replace the steering lock as well as it failed. Again, common problem and not recall. I now have a seatbelt sensor that faulty. All of this before I have even hit 100K. My 2001 ml is well over 200K and I have never had these issues with the ml.

- Thornton, CO, USA

problem #203

Sep 122018

C300

  • 81,500 miles
Takata recall, and SRS module. Mercedes Benz paramus will not fix recall unless I pay 400 dollars for a malfunction on the driver side seatbelt buckle, which works fine and locks in place. For previous recall at Mercedes Benz in englewood NJ, they service shop always upcharges and if I refuse to pay they will not do recall. The englewood one tried to charge me 700 dollars for a O2 sensor that needed to be replaced before they can fix recall and I had refused. This was two years ago. Now on 9/12/18 at 3:00pm I dropped my car off for the recall, then they stated that they will do it, then magically my steering wheel column locked and charged me 1100 dollars to fix it without fixing me recall because they stated that the seatbelt buckle was faulty and they need to fix that and charge me 400 dollars before they can fix recall. My phone number is [xxx] I am [xxx] and I reside at [xxx], the shop giving me problems is located in Mercedes Benz in paramus NJ. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Dumont, NJ, USA

problem #202

Aug 122018

C300

  • 65,000 miles
The vehicle will not start and doesn't recognize the key. The vehicle was completely dead and had to jump start it. I drove the car to have the battery replaced thinking that was it. When I arrived at the garage, the vehicle would not restart and had to be towed to the dealership for repairs as the dealership was the only one that could diagnose and repair.

- Murrells Inlet, SC, USA

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