MYRModel Year Report

2011 Mercedes-Benz C300

◆ Worse than typical
2011 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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
480
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2011

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

52% of complaints

Complaints per year

2008: 672 complaints 2008 2009: 576 complaints 2010: 453 complaints 2011: 480 complaints 2011 480 2012: 266 complaints 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
2008: 672 complaints 2008 2009: 576 complaints 2009 2010: 453 complaints 2010 2011: 480 complaints 2011 480 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
2008: 672 complaints 2008 2009: 576 complaints 2009 2010: 453 complaints 2010 2011: 480 complaints 2011 480 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

2011: 480 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
2008672
2009576
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

52% · 250 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The airbags were supposed to have been fixed per recall by carriage house Mercedes in new London ct. my son was in a horrible front in collision and they did not deploy. None of them did.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-12-21

"Takata recall"

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-04-17

I was involved in a car accident an air bag never deployed I bumped my head an wife injured her arm. Car ran the street to the other side an manage to him the in the right rear tire an had a front end collision.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-02-07

Suspension

13% · 61 reports

Most commonly citing subframe/mounting bracket and rear.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The subframe has rusted/fallen off. This is incredibly risky as the car cannot be driven safely and it happened without warning.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-11-03

Also filed under Structure

Structure

10% · 50 reports

Most commonly citing body and frame and members.

CRASHINJURY

Electrical system

9% · 43 reports
FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Passenger side lowbeam light burnt out approx 2 months ago, bulb replaced. Five days ago passenger side lowbeam light burnt out again. Parked car after about a 15 mile drive, within 30 minutes car was on fire and entire front end burnt completely.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-02-17

Left side tail light assembely melted and caught the trunk on fire. I have 10 of these C300S that are affected with the same problem. I have spoke with mercedes on this issue and they are declining to do the repair at no cost.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-04-26

Fuel/propulsion system

8% · 38 reports

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    2011Complaint volume 480 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2013-02-15Fuel system, gasoline12V557000 Mercedes-Benz is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 S400, S550, S550 4Matic, S63 AMG, C300, C300 4Matic, E350, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, CL550 4Matic, and CL63 AMG vehicles manufactured from April…

    Remedy: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel filter, free of charge. The recall campaign is expected to begin in February 2013. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2013-12-20Engineering analysisClosed 2014-05-12 Loss of rear lighting assembly
  4. 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 →

  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
    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

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

Buy-smart checklist

2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 250 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 61 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 50 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 12V557000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 14V177000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 16V081000 · Air bags
  • Recall 17V177000 · Air bags, electrical system
  • Recall 16V363000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V010000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years1 year

Worst years2 years

FAQ

Is the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 52% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2011 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.