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2008 Mercedes Benz C350: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

144 owner complaints analyzed

6 distinct recall campaigns

70,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 99 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 52 of 144 complaints (36.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior3524.3%
Electrical and battery issues3020.8%
Braking behavior139.0%
Transmission and shifting64.2%
Engine operation32.1%
Fuel system concerns21.4%

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
52
Electrical System
51
Steering
31
Exterior Lighting
29
Engine
7
Unknown Or Other
4
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
2
Fuel/Propulsion System
2
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags52
Electrical System51
Steering31
Exterior Lighting29
Engine7
Unknown Or Other4
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch2
Fuel/Propulsion System2

Air Bags: 52; Electrical System: 51; Steering: 31; Exterior Lighting: 29; Engine: 7; Unknown Or Other: 4; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

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

Under 25,000
7
25,000 to 49,999
13
50,000 to 74,999
33
75,000 to 99,999
26
100,000 to 149,999
18
150,000 and above
2
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0007
25,000 to 49,99913
50,000 to 74,99933
75,000 to 99,99926
100,000 to 149,99918
150,000 and above2

Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 13; 50,000 to 74,999: 33; 75,000 to 99,999: 26; 100,000 to 149,999: 18; 150,000 and above: 2

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (33). 45 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
2
2011
4
2013
21
2014
21
2015
19
2016
24
2017
28
2018
16
2020
1
2021
2
2022
4
2023
1
2025
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20092
20114
201321
201421
201519
201624
201728
201816
20201
20212
20224
20231
20251

2009: 2; 2011: 4; 2013: 21; 2014: 21; 2015: 19; 2016: 24; 2017: 28; 2018: 16; 2020: 1; 2021: 2; 2022: 4; 2023: 1; 2025: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 35 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 30 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 13 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 10278196 · 2009-07-24 (July 24, 2009)

MY SUNROOF ON MY MERCEDES 2008 C350 EXPLODED. I WAS MERGING ON I220 N, THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC. BEFORE I COULD ACCELERATED ONTO THE INTERSTATE, I HEARD AN EXPLOSION. I DID NOT KNOW WHAT HAD HAPPEN AND THEN GLASS STARTED FALLING ON ME. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 1,259 miles reported. Look up ODI 10278196 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10283927 · 2009-09-14 (September 14, 2009)

2008 C350 DRIVER SIDE MIRROR IS VIBRATING, ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY, SEEMS LIKE ALL THE C-CLASSES ARE DOING THIS INCLUDING LOANER CAR. ADVISED MB AND THEY SAY IT IS NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY, BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE E-CLASS AND R-CLASS. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10283927 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10390404 · 2011-03-16 (March 16, 2011)

CATASTROPHIC TIRE FAILURE ON NEW (500MI) CONTINENTAL CONTISPORT3 . LEFT FRONT TIRE (225/40/ZR18).. ON I-80 WEST END TOLL BOTH. SOUDED LIKE EXPOSION, NO POTHOLES IN ARES PER ITR CONCESSION COMPANY. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10390404 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10420888 · 2011-08-21 (August 21, 2011)

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

Owner-reported narrative. 64,041 miles reported. Look up ODI 10420888 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10430224 · 2011-10-14 (October 14, 2011)

I REALLY NEEDED MB TO COME THROUGH FOR ME IN MY SITUATION. I'M A LOYAL OWNER OF MERCEDES BENZ (TWO CARS IN THE PAST 4 YEARS). MY MOST RECENT PURCHASE, THE C350 SPORT, CAME DOWN WITH A TRANSMISSION BREAKDOWN LAST WEEK AFTER 3 YEARS AND JUST 86K MILES. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE EUROMOTORS, GERMANTOWN MD JUST TO BE TOLD THAT I WAS GOING TO HAVE TO PAY ABOUT $10 K IN REPAIRS. I BECAME A MB CUSTOMER BECAUSE OF YOUR CRAFTSMANSHIP REPUTATION. I NEVER EXPECTED A POWERTRAIN ISSUE SO EARLY IN THE LIFE OF SUCH A GREAT CAR. THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT DIAGNO…

Owner-reported narrative. 86,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10430224 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10439977 · 2011-12-14 (December 14, 2011)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C 350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT THEN SHIFTED INTO DRIVE BUT STILL, NO RESPONSE. THE CONTACT HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE TO IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE DEALER DID NOT PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10439977 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10504684 · 2013-03-27 (March 27, 2013)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 79,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10504684 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10524932 · 2013-07-15 (July 15, 2013)

MERCEDES C350 2008 52,000 MILES.CAR SUDDENLY WOULD NOT START. LIGHTS WORKED, CONSOLE SCREEN CAME ON, NAVIGATION SCREEN POPPED UP. IT WASN'T BATTERY,NOT BOTH CAR KEYS.CANNOT GET OUT OF PARK,STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. HAD TO TOW TO NEAREST DEALERSHIP 70 MILES AWAY. BAD STEERING WHEEL LOCK (ICM)IGNITION CONTROL REPLACEMENT COST $1500. MECHANIC PRIOR LOOKED AND TRIED ORDERING PART. WOULDN'T SELL IT TO HIM BECAUSE IT WAS SUPPOSABLE A RECALLED PART!? DEALERSHIP SAID NO RECALL OR WARRANTY, OUT OF POCKET. THEN WHEN INFORMED REPAIR DONE, I WAS TOLD COMMAND…

Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10524932 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 ↗
15V711000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-Inactive

Reported: 2015-10-27 (October 27, 2015)

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. Due to a manufacturing error, the air bag control unit may corrode and cause the control unit to malfunction.

Consequence: The malfunctioning air bag control unit may cause the air bags to unexpectedly deploy increasing the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash. Alternatively, the air bag control unit malfunction may cause the air bags to not deploy in the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

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. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service 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 ↗
17V017000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2017-01-10 (January 10, 2017)

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 Cabrio, and SLS AMG Coupe 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 2009 C300 4Matic, C300, C350 and C63 AMG 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." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above MBUSA is recalling certain 2008 C300 4Matic, C300, and C350 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. 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 front passenger air bag modules, free of charge. Owners were sent an interim notification in March 2017. Second notices started going out in October 2018 and continue to be mailed as parts become available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691

NHTSA campaign record ↗
22V168000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Engine Control Module (Ecu/Ecm):Software | Electronic Stability Control (Esc):Control Module:Software | Exterior Lighting:Lighting Control Module:Software

Reported: 2022-03-18 (March 18, 2022)

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. Various control units may have been updated with incorrect software configuration during a service repair. This can result in various system failures, such as loss of drive power, reduced exterior lighting, or loss of dynamic control functions, including stability and traction control.

Consequence: Various system failures, such as loss of drive power, reduced exterior lighting, or loss of dynamic control functions including stability and traction control, can increase the risk of a crash.

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. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022040003.

NHTSA campaign record ↗