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2010 Mercedes-Benz C300: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

453 owner complaints analyzed

6 distinct recall campaigns

65,650 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2010 model year. Data snapshot: . 210 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 202 of 453 complaints (44.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior7015.5%
Electrical and battery issues4610.2%
Braking behavior398.6%
Fuel system concerns204.4%
Transmission and shifting92.0%
Engine operation30.7%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Air Bags
202
Electrical System
80
Steering
69
Exterior Lighting
44
Unknown Or Other
27
Fuel/Propulsion System
26
Structure:Body
24
Suspension
23
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags202
Electrical System80
Steering69
Exterior Lighting44
Unknown Or Other27
Fuel/Propulsion System26
Structure:Body24
Suspension23

Air Bags: 202; Electrical System: 80; Steering: 69; Exterior Lighting: 44; Unknown Or Other: 27; Fuel/Propulsion System: 26; Structure:Body: 24; Suspension: 23

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
15
25,000 to 49,999
44
50,000 to 74,999
68
75,000 to 99,999
43
100,000 to 149,999
31
150,000 and above
9
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00015
25,000 to 49,99944
50,000 to 74,99968
75,000 to 99,99943
100,000 to 149,99931
150,000 and above9

Under 25,000: 15; 25,000 to 49,999: 44; 50,000 to 74,999: 68; 75,000 to 99,999: 43; 100,000 to 149,999: 31; 150,000 and above: 9

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (68). 243 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2009
1
2010
2
2011
5
2012
3
2013
6
2014
29
2015
35
2016
47
2017
100
2018
65
2019
75
2020
26
2021
12
2022
23
2023
8
2024
7
2025
7
2026
2
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20091
20102
20115
20123
20136
201429
201535
201647
2017100
201865
201975
202026
202112
202223
20238
20247
20257
20262

2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2011: 5; 2012: 3; 2013: 6; 2014: 29; 2015: 35; 2016: 47; 2017: 100; 2018: 65; 2019: 75; 2020: 26; 2021: 12; 2022: 23; 2023: 8; 2024: 7; 2025: 7; 2026: 2

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 70 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 46 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 39 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10296738 · 2009-12-22 (December 22, 2009)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHEN PARKED THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS WILL ONLY UNLOCK WHEN THE FRONT DRIVER-SIDE DOOR WAS UNLOCKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 02/18/10. *LJ UPDATED 03/09/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAS DIFFICULTY PULLING THE KNOB ON THE REAR DOORS TO UNLOCK THEM. IT IS SMOOTHLY, SLIPPERY AND NARROW AND HE IS UNABLE TO GRASP IT. UPDATED 06/29/10.*JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10296738 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10359252 · 2010-10-05 (October 5, 2010)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ C300. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED THERE WAS A DELAYED RESPONSE. A LOUD NOISE SOUNDED AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BUT THE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH CAUTION AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING A RESPONSE FROM THE TECHNICIAN REGARDING THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,109.

Owner-reported narrative. 6,109 miles reported. Look up ODI 10359252 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10371131 · 2010-12-18 (December 18, 2010)

VEHICLE JERKS FORWARD WHEN COMING TO A STOP. HOOD WAS NOT SECURE AND SENSOR NEVER NOTIFIED DRIVER. SEAT STOPPED WORKING. BLUETOOTH IS FAULTY. THE JERKING OCCURS EVERY WEEK, AT LEAST EVERY OTHER DAY DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM SO NO REPAIRS DONE. BLUETOOTH NOT FIXED. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10371131 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10403924 · 2011-05-31 (May 31, 2011)

I WAS ENTERING THE ONTARIO SOUTH BOUND ON RAMP TO THE I 15 FREEWAY , IN MY 2010 C300 MERCEDES BENZ, WHEN THE ENGINE SURGED TO 6000 RPMS AND I LET UP ON THE GAS, COASTED, AND WHEN I APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR, IT SURGED AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES, AND EACH TIME I COASTED UNTIL I COULD GET OFF THE FREEWAY AT THE NEXT OFF RAMP. I THEN APPLIED NORMAL PRESSURE TO CONTINUE AND THE CAR PROCEEDED IN A NORMAL MANNER, SO I DROVE TO A SHOPPING CENTER AND STARTED TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE ENGINE ACCELERATED AGAIN TO 6000RPMS, AND I FLEW OVER A…

Owner-reported narrative. 5,777 miles reported. Look up ODI 10403924 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10406697 · 2011-06-15 (June 15, 2011)

2010 C300 MERCEDES BENZ. CONSUMER STATES THE FOG LIGHT IS DEFECTIVE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE RIGHT SIDE GLASS FOG LIGHT COVER CRACKED WITHOUT ANY EXTERNAL FORCE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE REPLACEMENT COST WOULD BE $300. THE DEALER STATED THE LIGHT MIGHT SHORT CIRCUIT THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IF LEFT UNCOVERED. THE CONSUMER STATED ON APRIL 9, 2011 THE LEFT SIDE GLASS FOG LIGHT COVER CRACKED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED IT, BECAUSE THEY SAID IT WAS DEFECTIVE. HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT REPLAC…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10406697 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10411448 · 2011-07-08 (July 8, 2011)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TOWARDS THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS REALIGNED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT ALL GERMAN VEHICLES PULL TOWARDS THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BASED ON HIS OBSERVATIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING LOWER TO THE GROUND ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT TH…

Owner-reported narrative. 25,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10411448 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10413806 · 2011-07-20 (July 20, 2011)

ON JULY 18, 2011, I WAS WAITING IN A LINE OF TRAFFIC FOR A SIGNAL LIGHT TO CHANGE, AND AS THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME BEGAN TO MOVE, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND MY 2010 MERCEDES BENZ C300 LURCHED FORWARD AND REARENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THE FORWARD MOTION WAS VERY FORCEFUL AND THE IMPACT WAS HEAVY. THIS WAS UNINTENTIONAL ACCELERATION, AS I HAD NOT DEPRESSED TO ACCELERATOR AND WHILE I AM DEEMED AT FAULT I FEEL THIS MOVEMENT IS DEFINITELY RELATED TO ANOTHER INCIDENT IN THIS VEHICLE REPORTED ON MAY 21, 2011. PLEASE REFER TO ODI # …

Owner-reported narrative. 6,664 miles reported. Look up ODI 10413806 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10419190 · 2011-08-12 (August 12, 2011)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ C300. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, THERE WAS A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE BOOT, ROTORS AND THE BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10419190 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

14V177000 · Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights

Reported: 2014-04-11 (April 11, 2014)

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. In the affected vehicles, a poor electrical ground connection may result in the dimming or failure of the tail lights.

Consequence: Dimming or failure of the tail lights reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions of stopping or turning, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
16V081000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2016-02-11 (February 11, 2016)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic, E550 Coupe, E550 4Matic, and E63 AMG, 2011-2012 GL350 BlueTec 4Matic and R350 BlueTec 4Matic, 2009-2012 GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and R350 4Matic, 2007-2008 SLK280, SLK350, and SLK55 AMG, 2011-2014 SLS AMG Coupe, 2012 SLS AMG Cabriolet, 2013-2014 SLS AMG GT and SLS AMG GT Cabriolet, 2005 C230 Kompressor and C320, 2006-2007 C230, 2006-2011 C350, 2008-2011 C300 and C300 4Matic, 2010-2012 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic and 2007-2008 Chrysler Crossfire vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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. Mercedes-Benz owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372 and Chrysler owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
16V363000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2016-05-26 (May 26, 2016)

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 Convertible vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, MBUSA is recalling certain model year 2008 C300 Sedan, C350 Sedan, C63 AMG Sedan and C300 4-Matic Sedan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
17V177000 · Electrical System:Software | Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-Inactive

Reported: 2017-03-14 (March 14, 2017)

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 vehicles, 2014 CLS550, E350 4Matic, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Wagon 4Matic, GLK350 and SL550 vehicles, 2012 CLS550 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2016 E350 vehicles, 2016-2017 GL450 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2014 ML350 4Matic BlueTec vehicles, 2015 S550, S550 4Matic and C300 4Matic Sedan vehicles, 2015-2016 C300 Sedan vehicles, and 2017 SL63 AMG vehicles. Various control units on these vehicles may have been updated with incorrect software, potentially affecting the correct deployment of the air bags in the event of a crash.

Consequence: If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
18V043000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2018-01-10 (January 10, 2018)

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 4Matic, GLK350, SLS Coupe, SLS AMG GT Coupe, and SLS Roadster vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, MBUSA is recalling certain 2010 C300, C300 4Matic, C63 AMG, E350 Coupe, E550 Coupe, GLK350, and GLK350 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." MBUSA is also recalling certain 2009 C300, C300 4Matic, C63 AMG, and C350 vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI and WY or "Zone C." In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V010000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2019-01-09 (January 9, 2019)

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 BlueTec 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, 2015-2017 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2014-2017 E550 Cabrio, and 2014-2016 E550 Coupe vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally, MBUSA is recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2011 C300, 2011-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2011-2016 E550 Cabrio, E550 Coupe, 2011-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." MBUSA is also recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2010-2011 C300, 2010-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Coupe, 2011-2014 E350 Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2016-2017 E550 Cabrio, 2010-2016 E550 Coupe, 2010-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗