2011 Mercedes-Benz C350

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz C350 has 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.3x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is air bags problems (62% of all complaints), specifically: i received emails informing me that the air bags in my vehicle can explode and emit metal fragments. i was informed that they are waiting for replacement parts. it's been almost 2 years now and i am still waiting.. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

AIR BAGS

16 complaints

62%

• I RECEIVED EMAILS INFORMING ME THAT THE AIR BAGS IN MY VEHICLE CAN EXPLODE AND EMIT METAL FRAGMENTS. I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY ARE WAITING FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS. IT'S BEEN ALMOST 2 YEARS NOW AND I AM STILL WAITING.
• TAKATA RECALL. DEALERSHIP NOT ASSISTING WITH AIRBAG REPLACEMENT. I
• TAKATA RECALL - MERCEDES HAS NOT REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS

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

“I RECEIVED EMAILS INFORMING ME THAT THE AIR BAGS IN MY VEHICLE CAN EXPLODE AND EMIT METAL FRAGMENTS. I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY ARE WAITING FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS. IT'S BEEN ALMOST 2 YEARS NOW AND I AM STILL WAITING.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

5 complaints

19%

• WHEN FUEL TANK IS ABOUT 75%-100% FULL, THE CAR WILL SMELL HEAVILY OF GASOLINE INSIDE AND AROUND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, FUEL PUMP COVER/CAP SEEMS TO BE CRACKED AND LEAKING FUEL. ENGINE CODE P0456.
• FUEL LEEK UNDER SEAT PASSENGER SIDE AS WELL STRONG SMELL COMING FROM EVERYWHERE WHEN THE GAS THANK IS FILLED AT THE GAS STATION.I CALLED THE MBUSA FOR HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM AND THEY REFOCUSED TO HELP .THIS IS BEEN UNGOING PROBLEM WITH THE MERCEDES AS I HAD SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 2007 S550 AS WELL MY
• I HAD A FUEL PUMP FLANGE CRACK AND LEAK FUEL WHEN TANK WAS FILLED. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THREW CODES RELATING TO SMALL LEAKS IN THE SYSTEM AND AS SUCH WOULDN'T PASS STATE INSPECTION. I HAD TO GET THESE FIXED -- BASICALLY BOTH SIDES (FUEL PUMP/FILTER/SENDING UNIT) AT THE COST OF ALMOST $1,0

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

“WHEN FUEL TANK IS ABOUT 75%-100% FULL, THE CAR WILL SMELL HEAVILY OF GASOLINE INSIDE AND AROUND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, FUEL PUMP COVER/CAP SEEMS TO BE CRACKED AND LEAKING FUEL. ENGINE CODE P0456.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

4 complaints

15%

• HEAT AND AC AIR SENSOR KEEPS GOING OUT EACH YEAR . LAST TWO YEARS THEY REPLACED IT . AC RUMBLE IN HOT WEATHER
• SUDDEN HUGE CAR FIRE WITH LOUD EXPLOSIONS. THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR GOT TOTALLY BURNED DOWN. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE FRONT OF THE STORE WITH ENGINE RUNNING.
• INTERIOR TRIM HAS BEEN COMING OFF FOR 2 YEARS CRAP CONSTRUCTION

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“HEAT AND AC AIR SENSOR KEEPS GOING OUT EACH YEAR . LAST TWO YEARS THEY REPLACED IT . AC RUMBLE IN HOT WEATHER”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

1 complaints

• WE HAVE THE RECALL AND I AM SORRY I DO NOT HAVE THE NUMBER WHERE THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE TAIL LAMPS COULD MELT CATCHING FIRE CAUSING THE REAR LAMP TO GO OUT. MINE HAS DONE SO. MY WIFE DRIVES 35 MILES 1 WAY TO WORK EACH DAY AND BECAUSE IT WAS AT NIGHT WHEN THIS HAPPENED I HAD TO GO OUT ON I-64 WHIC

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“WE HAVE THE RECALL AND I AM SORRY I DO NOT HAVE THE NUMBER WHERE THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE TAIL LAMPS COULD MELT CATCHING FIRE CAUSING THE REAR LAMP TO GO OUT. MINE HAS DONE SO. MY WIFE DRIVES 35 MILES 1 WAY TO WORK EACH DAY AND BECAUSE IT WAS AT NIGHT WHEN THIS HAPPENED I HAD TO GO OUT ON I-64 WHIC”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~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 26 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: I RECEIVED EMAILS INFORMING ME THAT THE AIR BAGS IN MY VEHICLE CAN EXPLODE AND EMIT METAL FRAGMENTS. I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY ARE WAITING FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS. IT'S BEEN ALMOST 2 YEARS NOW AND I AM STILL WAITING.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: WHEN FUEL TANK IS ABOUT 75%-100% FULL, THE CAR WILL SMELL HEAVILY OF GASOLINE INSIDE AND AROUND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, FUEL PUMP COVER/CAP SEEMS TO BE CRACKED AND LEAKING FUEL. ENGINE CODE P0456.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: HEAT AND AC AIR SENSOR KEEPS GOING OUT EACH YEAR . LAST TWO YEARS THEY REPLACED IT . AC RUMBLE IN HOT WEATHER
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: WE HAVE THE RECALL AND I AM SORRY I DO NOT HAVE THE NUMBER WHERE THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE TAIL LAMPS COULD MELT CATCHING FIRE CAUSING THE REAR LAMP TO GO OUT. MINE HAS DONE SO. MY WIFE DRIVES 35 MILES 1 WAY TO WORK EACH DAY AND BECAUSE IT WAS AT NIGHT WHEN THIS HAPPENED I HAD TO GO OUT ON I-64 WHIC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)