2008 Mercedes Benz C350
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 23 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 144 |
| 2009 | 65 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
36% of complaints: air bags — 52 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
IN MY 2008 MERCEDES C350 MY AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN A HEAD ON CRASH AT 50 MILES PER HOUR, THE CAR HAD 18,000 IN DAMAGE AND NO AIRBAGS WENT OFF. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20110821
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V363000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171101
TAKATA RECALL THE INFLATORS HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND MB WEBSITE INDICATES THAT SIGNIFICANT DEGRADATION OF THE PROPELLENTS OCCURS IN 6 TO 9 YEARS FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN HUMID AREAS.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171030
35% of complaints: electrical system — 51 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
AFTER RECEIVING SEVERAL DASHBOARD WARNING MESSAGES AND, I WENT INTO HIGGENBOTHOM MERCEDES IN JACKSON, MS ON 10/12/12 MY VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING A RIGHT REAR CONTACT PLATE AND HARNESS IS SHORTED OUT.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130725
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE RADIO AND THE WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130718
The ESL system malfunction causes either steering lock or ignition switch to fail resulting in a failure to start the vehicle creating safety issues and a failure to reach safe destination.
NHTSA ODI report, 20250205
22% of complaints: steering — 31 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
All of a sudden, the car would not start and inserting the key and turning doesn't do anything. Turns out that like many other folks, the Electronic Steering Lock module is faulty and preventing the car from starting.
NHTSA ODI report, 20230911
20% of complaints: exterior lighting — 29 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
AFTER RECEIVING SEVERAL DASHBOARD WARNING MESSAGES AND, I WENT INTO HIGGENBOTHOM MERCEDES IN JACKSON, MS ON 10/12/12 MY VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING A RIGHT REAR CONTACT PLATE AND HARNESS IS SHORTED OUT.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130725
5% of complaints: engine — 7 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
Loss of rear tail light functionality
Loss of rear lighting assembly
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.
Campaign 14V177000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 15V711000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 16V081000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 16V363000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 17V017000 — check if this car was fixed
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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.
Campaign 22V168000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2008 Mercedes Benz C350 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (52 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (51 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for steering issues (31 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 14V177000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V711000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V081000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V363000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V017000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V168000 (electronic stability control (esc), engine and engine cooling, exterior lighting) has been completed.
FAQ
Is the 2008 Mercedes Benz C350 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 C350?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 36% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Mercedes Benz C350 have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.