MYRModel Year Report

2008 Mercedes Benz C300

○ Not enough data
2008 Mercedes Benz C300
BUILT 2026-10-10

Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
672
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2008

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

40% of complaints

Complaints per year

2008: 672 complaints 2008 672 2009: 576 complaints 2009 2011: 0 complaints 2011
2008: 672 complaints 2008 672 2009: 576 complaints 2009 2011: 0 complaints 2011
2008: 672 complaints 2008 672 2009: 576 complaints 2009 2011: 0 complaints 2011

2008: 672 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
2008672
2009576
20110

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

40% · 271 reports

Most commonly citing inflator module.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while stationary and driving various speeds, the vehicle made a series of indistinct grinding noises and the steering failed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-10-29

I was traveling down roswell road and a 2009 chevy suburban hit the right side of my vehicle. My car was in motion on a city street going straight.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-07-18

Good evening, I drive a 2008 Mercedes Benz C300 sport which I financed from a vw dealer, which sold it as a pre owned/used vehicle still under warranty, regardless, I opted to ensure I had the maximum warranty available.

NHTSA ODI report, 2009-09-06

Electrical system

34% · 229 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and wiring.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Ground wire to rear right tail light melted at the connection point to the tail light board and harness. Smelled smoke and found damage shortly after.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-07-26

The passenger side rear tail light harness caught fire and melted. There are countless complaints and reports on this issue, but mercedes refuses to correct the problem or do a recall.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-07-08

Also filed under Exterior lighting

Steering

20% · 136 reports

Most commonly citing column and anti-theft device.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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...

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-11-07

Exterior lighting

16% · 109 reports

Most commonly citing headlights and tail lights.

FIRE

Engine

5% · 31 reports
INJURY

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    2013-07-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2013-12-30 Loss of rear tail light functionality
  2. I
    2013-12-20Engineering analysisClosed 2014-05-12 Loss of rear lighting assembly
  3. R
    2014-08-18Exterior lighting14V177000 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 C300, C300 4Matic, C350, and C63 AMG vehicles manufactured January 26, 2007, through July 13, 2011.

    Remedy: Mercedes will notify owners, and dealers will replace the bulb holders if not previously updated and replace any corroded connectors, free of charge. The recall began on August, 18, 2014. Owners may contact Mercedes at 1-800-367-6372.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2016-03-14Air bags15V711000 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 C300 Sedan, C300 4Matic, C63 AMG, and C350 vehicles, and 2010 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic vehicles.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bag control unit and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. Mercedes-Benz issued an interim notification to owners on December 23, 2015. The recall began on March 14, 2016.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2016-10-18Air bags16V081000 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

    Remedy: MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November 2016.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2017-04-21Air bags, electrical system17V177000 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 AMG GT-S, GLC300, CLA250 and GLE300d 4Matic vehicles, 2013 C250, E350 BlueTec and G63 AMG vehicles, 2008-2014 C300 vehicles, 2013-2014 C300 4Matic and ML350 4Matic vehicles, 2009 C350...

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2018-07-31Air bags16V363000 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 C300 Sedan, C300 4matic Sedan, C350 Sedan, C63 AMG Sedan vehicles, 2010-2011 GLK350, GLK350 4-Matic and E350 Coupe vehicles, 2011 SLS AMG, E350 Convertible, E550 Coupe and E550...

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag modules, free of charge. Owners were sent an interim notification October 2016. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2018-10-31Air bags17V017000 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012 C300 4Matic, C250, C250 Coupe, C350, C350 Coupe 4Matic, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, E550 Cabrio, E550 Coupe, GLK350 4Matic, GLK350, SLS AMG...

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag modules, free of charge. Owners were sent an interim notification in March 2017.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  10. R
    2022-05-03Electronic stability control (esc), engine and engine cooling, exterior lighting22V168000 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2010 E350, 2014 G550, 2008-2009 C300, 2008 C350, 2009 CLK550, 2007 SL550, SLK280, and 2008 SLK350 vehicles.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the software configuration on the affected control units, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 3, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2008 Mercedes Benz C300 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 271 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 229 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 136 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 14V177000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 15V711000 · Air bags
  • Recall 16V081000 · Air bags
  • Recall 17V177000 · Air bags, electrical system
  • Recall 16V363000 · Air bags
  • Recall 17V017000 · Air bags
  • Recall 22V168000 · Electronic stability control (esc), engine and engine cooling, exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years1 year

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2008 Mercedes Benz C300 reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Mercedes Benz C300?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 40% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Mercedes Benz C300 have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.