2010 Mercedes-Benz C300

◆ Worse than typical
2010 Mercedes-Benz C300
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

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.

Complaints
453
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2010

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

45% of complaints

Complaints per year

2010: 453 complaints 2010 453 2011: 480 complaints 2012: 266 complaints 2012 2013: 260 complaints 2014: 94 complaints 2014 2015: 379 complaints 2016: 287 complaints 2016 2017: 214 complaints 2018: 0 complaints 2018 2019: 0 complaints 2020: 0 complaints 2020
2010: 453 complaints 2010 453 2011: 480 complaints 2011 2012: 266 complaints 2012 2013: 260 complaints 2013 2014: 94 complaints 2014 2015: 379 complaints 2015 2016: 287 complaints 2016 2017: 214 complaints 2017 2018: 0 complaints 2018 2019: 0 complaints 2019 2020: 0 complaints 2020
2010: 453 complaints 2010 453 2011: 480 complaints 2011 2012: 266 complaints 2012 2013: 260 complaints 2013 2014: 94 complaints 2014 2015: 379 complaints 2015 2016: 287 complaints 2016 2017: 214 complaints 2017 2018: 0 complaints 2018 2019: 0 complaints 2019 2020: 0 complaints 2020

2010: 453 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
2010453
2011480
2012266
2013260
201494
2015379
2016287
2017214
20180
20190
20200

Known problem areas

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

Air bags

45% · 202 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

This has been an ongoing problem since I first received my car. I came to find out once in accident 4/30/17 that there were zero airbags in the car at all! This is very…

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-14

Also filed under Electrical system and steering

Electrical system

19% · 84 reports

Most commonly citing fuses and circuit breakers and software.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated that the rear driver's side light failed due to a melted electrical connector. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for a diagnostic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-03-20

Also filed under Exterior lighting

Steering

16% · 71 reports

Most commonly citing power steering fluid and column.

CRASHINJURY

Exterior lighting

11% · 48 reports

Most commonly citing tail lights and fog lights.

FIRE

Structure

8% · 34 reports

Most commonly citing body and door.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    2010Complaint volume 453 complaints filed for this model year.
  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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. R
    2018-10-31Air bags18V043000 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013 C250, C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C350, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG, C63 Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, E550 Cabrio, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E550 Coupe, GLK350 4Matic, GLK250 Bluetec...

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. Mercedes issued an interim notification to owners on February 23, 2018. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available.

  8. R
    2019-03-29Air bags19V010000 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014 C250, C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2014-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, GLK 350, GLK250...

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

  9. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Buy-smart checklist

2010 Mercedes-Benz C300 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 202 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 84 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 71 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 14V177000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 16V081000 · Air bags
  • Recall 17V177000 · Air bags, electrical system
  • Recall 16V363000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V043000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V010000 · Air bags

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years1 year

Worst years2 years

FAQ

Is the 2010 Mercedes-Benz C300 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2010 Mercedes-Benz C300 is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Mercedes-Benz C300?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 45% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2010 Mercedes-Benz C300 have?
6 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.