2011 Mercedes-Benz C300

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 has 585 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 7.3x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is air bags problems (43% of all complaints), specifically: the air bags on my c300 mercedes 2011 did not deploy during front crash. the accident happened at a t intersection street. i was at the front lane at a t intersection stopping during red light. a volvo car from the other side of the intersection that was trying to make a left turn-into the street. ⚠️ 5 fire reports filed.

5 fire reports 16 crash reports 20 injuries

585

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

7.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

AIR BAGS

250 complaints

43%

• THE AIR BAGS ON MY C300 MERCEDES 2011 DID NOT DEPLOY DURING FRONT CRASH. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED AT A T INTERSECTION STREET. I WAS AT THE FRONT LANE AT A T INTERSECTION STOPPING DURING RED LIGHT. A VOLVO CAR FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE INTERSECTION THAT WAS TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN-INTO THE STREET
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. ON ONE OCCASION, THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXIT A HIGHWAY AND THE HEAD RESTRAINT AIR BAG DEPLOYED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO BECOME UNCONSCIOUS. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A H
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 MERCEDES BENZ C300. WHILE AT A STOP, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY ACCELERATED TO 30 MPH. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE STEE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 12 crashes

“THE AIR BAGS ON MY C300 MERCEDES 2011 DID NOT DEPLOY DURING FRONT CRASH. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED AT A T INTERSECTION STREET. I WAS AT THE FRONT LANE AT A T INTERSECTION STOPPING DURING RED LIGHT. A VOLVO CAR FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE INTERSECTION THAT WAS TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN-INTO THE STREET”

— NHTSA complaint filing

SUSPENSION

61 complaints

10%

• RIGHT REAR TRAILING ARM MOUNT BECAME DETACHED FROM SUB FRAME. SHEET METAL ON REAR SUSPENSION SUB FRAME RIPPED / TORE SO THAT REAR TRAILING ARM IS ONLY ATTACHED TO LOWER PART OF MOUNT, AND NOT ATTACHED TO VEHICLE. NO ACCIDENT, BUT VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY UNSTABLE TO DRIVE WHEN HEAVY BRAKING COULD OCCUR
• I HAVE A 2011 MERCEDES 80K MILES AND THE REAR CRADLE HAS RUSTED OUT , MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT DROVE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SUBFRAME AND DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL ARM NE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“RIGHT REAR TRAILING ARM MOUNT BECAME DETACHED FROM SUB FRAME. SHEET METAL ON REAR SUSPENSION SUB FRAME RIPPED / TORE SO THAT REAR TRAILING ARM IS ONLY ATTACHED TO LOWER PART OF MOUNT, AND NOT ATTACHED TO VEHICLE. NO ACCIDENT, BUT VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY UNSTABLE TO DRIVE WHEN HEAVY BRAKING COULD OCCUR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BODY/STRUCTURE

50 complaints

• THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR GOT FLOODED WITH WATER. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND THAT THE LEAK WAS FROM THE RIGHT SIDE SUNROOF DRAIN AND THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE THE HEADLINER AND PASSENGER SIDE INTERIOR CARPETING TO ACCESS THE AFFECTED AREAS. THE $795 ESTIMATE BALLOONED TO $1600 WHEN THEY SAID TH
• THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED ACCIDENT AS IT INVOLVED A POLICE CHASE OF A FELON WHO RAN A RED LIGHT AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. MY CAR WAS HIT ON THE LEFT FRONT SIDE AND IS DEEMED TOTALED. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED IN MY VEHICLE AND I REQUIRED EMERGENCY TRANSPORT TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM. THIS ALS
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT DROVE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SUBFRAME AND DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL ARM NE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR GOT FLOODED WITH WATER. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND THAT THE LEAK WAS FROM THE RIGHT SIDE SUNROOF DRAIN AND THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE THE HEADLINER AND PASSENGER SIDE INTERIOR CARPETING TO ACCESS THE AFFECTED AREAS. THE $795 ESTIMATE BALLOONED TO $1600 WHEN THEY SAID TH”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

44 complaints

• I FILLED MY GAS TANK UP FRIDAY EVENING, WENT HOME AND PARKED MY VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE. THE NEXT MORNING THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO THE MERCEDES DEALER AND THEY SAID THE SEAL AND CAP UNDER THE PASSENGER BACK SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY WANTED TO CH
• I WAS DRIVING AND A STRONG FUEL ODOR WAS EXPERIENCED. WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR AND LOOKED UNDER THE UNDERCARRIAGE THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF FUEL. THERE IS A FUEL LEAK COMING FROM THE BOTTOM PLASTIC UNDERNEATH THE GAS TANK. IT MAY BE THE FUEL FILTER AS THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL HAD A RECALL BUT APPARENTLY MY
• I HAD TO PAY FOR A FUEL FILTER LEAK DUE TO A CRACK OF THE FUEL FILTER FLANGE AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS NOT A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE, BUT WHEN I WAS LOOKING AT RECALLS FOR MY YEAR AND MODEL I CAME ACROSS NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER-12V557000 WITH A RECALL ON MERCEDED-BENZ C300 4 MATIC MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 FOR F

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“I FILLED MY GAS TANK UP FRIDAY EVENING, WENT HOME AND PARKED MY VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE. THE NEXT MORNING THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO THE MERCEDES DEALER AND THEY SAID THE SEAL AND CAP UNDER THE PASSENGER BACK SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY WANTED TO CH”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

43 complaints

• 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. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE COVERED NO MATTER WHAT..I HAVE FOUND
• REPEATEDLY, VEHICLE REFUSES TO START ON FIRST TRY. INSERT KEY, STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKS. TURN IT, ALL LIGHTS COME ON. TURN TO START AND NOTHING HAPPENS. TURN SWITCH ALL THE WAY OFF AND THEN TRY AGAIN AND IT STARTS. *TR
• PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW IN AUGUST OF 2011. SINCE THEN THE CAR HAS DIED 3 TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THEY THOUGHT IT WAS THE IGNITION. THE SECOND TIME, JUST 6 WEEKS AGO, THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG SO AFTER 8 DAYS, THEY GAVE THE CAR BACK TO ME. OF COURSE WHILE THEY HAVE IT, IT STARTS RIG

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 3 fire reports

“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. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE COVERED NO MATTER WHAT..I HAVE FOUND”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 585 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: THE AIR BAGS ON MY C300 MERCEDES 2011 DID NOT DEPLOY DURING FRONT CRASH. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED AT A T INTERSECTION STREET. I WAS AT THE FRONT LANE AT A T INTERSECTION STOPPING DURING RED LIGHT. A VOLVO CAR FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE INTERSECTION THAT WAS TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN-INTO THE STREET
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SUSPENSION: RIGHT REAR TRAILING ARM MOUNT BECAME DETACHED FROM SUB FRAME. SHEET METAL ON REAR SUSPENSION SUB FRAME RIPPED / TORE SO THAT REAR TRAILING ARM IS ONLY ATTACHED TO LOWER PART OF MOUNT, AND NOT ATTACHED TO VEHICLE. NO ACCIDENT, BUT VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY UNSTABLE TO DRIVE WHEN HEAVY BRAKING COULD OCCUR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR GOT FLOODED WITH WATER. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND THAT THE LEAK WAS FROM THE RIGHT SIDE SUNROOF DRAIN AND THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE THE HEADLINER AND PASSENGER SIDE INTERIOR CARPETING TO ACCESS THE AFFECTED AREAS. THE $795 ESTIMATE BALLOONED TO $1600 WHEN THEY SAID TH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: I FILLED MY GAS TANK UP FRIDAY EVENING, WENT HOME AND PARKED MY VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE. THE NEXT MORNING THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO THE MERCEDES DEALER AND THEY SAID THE SEAL AND CAP UNDER THE PASSENGER BACK SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY WANTED TO CH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)