2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES C- CLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE LIGHT BULBS CHANGED AND THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *TR

THE TAIL LIGHTS OF MY MERCEDES BENZ C300 2008 STOPPED WORKING. WHEN I WENT TO MY LOCAL MERCEDES DEALER TO SEE WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR, THE SERVICE PERSON AT THE DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE FULLY AWARE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING AT IT. THEY SAID THAT THE PLASTIC COVERS OF BOTH REAL TAIL LIGHTS ALONG WITH THE WIRE HARNESS HAD MELTED. IN FACT, THE SERVICE PERSON PUT HIS HAND BACK THERE AND HE GOT BURNED BECAUSE THE ENTIRE WIRE ASSEMBLY WAS MELTED AND WAS SHORT. I ASKED THEM TO REPAIR THE CAR FOR FREE BECAUSE THIS IS A DEFECT SINCE THE WIRE HARNESS ASSEMBLIES AND PLASTIC TAIL COVER LIGHTS SHOULD NOT MELT UNDER ANY CONDITIONS. THIS IS BOTH A COLLISION HAZARD AND A FIRE HAZARD AND IT IS VERY COMMON IN THIS MODEL. MERCEDES BENZ USA REFUSED TO FIX THE VEHICLE FOR FREE AS THEY HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO DO SINCE THIS IS A DEFECT. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL FOR THE PLASTIC COVER AND WIRE HARNESS OF THE REAL TAIL LIGHTS OF THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE THIS SITUATION IS DANGEROUS BOTH IN TERMS OF A FIRE HAZARD AND IN TERMS OF A COLLISION HAZARD. *TR

AN ERROR MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED AFTER DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE. THE ERROR INDICATED A FAILURE IN THE LEFT TAIL LIGHT AND A BURNING SMELL. ON INVESTIGATION I FOUND A BURNED AREA OF THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY GROUND WIRE CONNECTOR. I REPLACED THE BULB HOLDER AND WIRING CONNECTOR. THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. ON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I FOUND THAT THE SAME ISSUE WAS PRESENT ON THE RIGHT SIDE TAIL LIGHT. I ALSO FOUND THAT MOST OF THE LIGHT BULBS ON EACH SIDE WERE VERY DIM. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. THE LOCAL MERCEDES DEALER STATED THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE TAIL LIGHTS AT THE TIME I BOUGHT THE REPLACEMENT PARTS. *TR

RIGHT REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY. LIGHTS APPEARED DIM FOR A COUPLE MONTHS AND FIGURED LIGHTS WERE ABOUT IT GO OUT. WENT TO BUY NEW LIGHT BULBS TO REPLACE THE DIMMING BULBS AND WHEN I OPENED THE RIGHT SIDE TO INSTALL THE LIGHT I NOTICED THE ELECTRICAL CORD ATTACHED TO THE ASSEMBLY HAD MELTED. LIGHTS WERE STILL DIM AND CHECKED TO SEE WHAT IT SOUNDED LIKE WHEN I TURNED THE LIGHTS ON AND IT MAKES A CRACKLING ELECTRICAL SOUND. I ASSUME THAT'S WHY IT SMELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING AND WHY THE 8 PRONG PIECE MELTED. 1-6 ON THE ELECTRICAL PIECE LOOK GOOD. 7 IS DAMAGED DUE TO NUMBER 8 COMPLETELY MELTING OFF. *TR

GROUND WIRE TO REAR RIGHT TAIL LIGHT MELTED AT THE CONNECTION POINT TO THE TAIL LIGHT BOARD AND HARNESS. SMELLED SMOKE AND FOUND DAMAGE SHORTLY AFTER. *TR

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

REAR LIGHT FAILURE DUE TO MELTING. THIS FAILURE IS SEEN ON THE RIGHT TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY. SOME OF THE ELECTRICAL PARTS ARE MELTED IN THIS ASSEMBLY. *TT

MERCEDES BENZ C300, 2008 WAS STOPPED IN ORDER TO BE PARKED. I ACCIDENTALLY LEFT THE CAR IN "DRIVE" AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF COMPLETELY. I DO NOT PLACE MY KEY IN THE CAR IGNITION...I USE THE "KEYLESS GO" FEATURE AVAILABLE BY MERCEDES BENZ. THE KEY FOB ALWAYS REMAINS IN MY POCKET. I EXITED THE CAR, CLOSED THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR AND WITH MY KEY FOB I LOCKED ALL THE CAR DOORS AND WALKED AWAY FROM THE CAR. 45 MINUTES LATER I NOTICED FROM MY OFFICE WINDOW THE CAR HAD ROLLED APPROXIMATELY 30 FEET. I FEEL THERE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE IN THAT IT SHOULD NOT HAVE ALLOWED ME TO LOCK ALL THE CAR DOORS WITH THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE. OTHER MERCEDES BENZ VEHICLES DO NOT EXHIBIT THIS FAULTY FEATURE AND MAKE THE DRIVER AWARE THAT THE CAR IS IN DRIVE OR ELSE SOME MERCEDES MODELS AUTOMATICALLY MOVE THE CAR INTO "PARK" FROM "DRIVE" TO AVOID THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT THE CAR CAN ROLL AWAY BY ITSELF. *TR

STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS A FAILURE FOR HEAD LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO REPAIR THE BULBS AND THEY TOLD ME THE CONTROL BOARD FAILED, MELTED AND THEY REPLACED IT. I WAS LATER TOLD THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE 2008 C300. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT IS CONSIDERABLY DIMMER THAN THE DRIVER SIDE. AFTER EXAMINING THE PASSENGER TAIL LIGHT, I NOTICED THAT THE CONNECTOR OF THE WIRE HARNESS CONNECTED TO THE HOUSING THAT IS HOUSING ALL THE BULBS IS PARTIALLY MELTED AND IT IS EXTREMELY HOT WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON. I ALSO CHECKED THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE EXACT SAME THING IS HAPPENING ON THERE, TOO, BUT SO FAR TO A LITTLE LESSER EXTENT. LOOKS A LOT LIKE A FIRE HAZARD! *TR

AM CONCERNED WITH THIS 2008 MERCEDES I OWN WITH SIMILAR ISSUES AS GMC CARS WITH THE IGNITION/KEY/ENGINE JUST STOPPING...CAR LOST ALL POWER AND WHEELS LOCKED. THE CAR WAS DRIVING WELL ONE MOMENT THEN STOPPED. WAS NOT INJURED BUT WAS LEFT STRANDED AT NIGHT GETTING OFF WORK WITH NO CAR....HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED OUT OF PARKING LOT WHICH WAS QUITE DIFFICULTY WITH WHEELS LOCKED....AND TAKEN TO MERCEDES DEALERSHIP. IT WAS REPAIRED FOR 800.00$...AND I ASKED IF THIS WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN AND WAS TOLD "PROBABLY"....HAVE NOTICED ONLINE THIS HAS BEEN A KNOW ISSUE IN THE 2008 MODEL.....MY QUESTION IS WHY IS MERCEDES NOT HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR FAULTY PART LIKE GMC IS.....AND I HAVE HEAR THIS HAS HAPPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MOVING TOO....THAT SCARES MY GREATLY.....THE DEALERSHIP OF NASHVILLE WOULD NOT EVEN ADDRESS ANY CONCERN WITH ME ABOUT THIS.... *JS

THE SRS WARNING LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. I CAN NOT LOCATE ANY RECALLS OR WARNINGS FROM THE MERCEDES DEALER WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW FROM. WHAT SHOULD WE DO BEFORE THE AIRBAG MISTAKENLY DEPLOYS? *TR

THE TAIL LIGHT AND BLINKERS OUT AND I AM GETTING SEVERAL ERROR MSGS. ON MY DASHBOARD STATING THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH MY LIGHTS. I CANNOT DRIVE MY CARE WITHOUT LIGHTS ARE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND LEGAL ISSUE. *TR I TOOK MY CAR INTO WALTERS MERCEDES BENZ IN RIVERSIDE LAST WEEK. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ISSUE IS CAUSED BY A MELTED ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR . I CALLED MERCEDES BENZ USA CORPORATE AND WAS ASSIGNED TO [XXX](REGIONAL CASE MGR). HE TOLD ME THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND DUE TO THE FACT THAT MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE $500 REPAIR. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I AM NOT HAPPY WITH PAYING FOR A REPLACEMENT OF A FACTORY DEFECTED PART. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT IF YOU LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

2008 C63 AMG-EVERY TIME FILL UP TANK THERE VERY STRONG GAS SMELL EVEN OUT DOOR. I TRACKED DOWN SMELL FROM UNDER BACK SEAT WHERE GAS TANK IS. OPEN BACK SEAT YOU WILL SEE WET SPOT FROM GAS LEAK. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS THAT CAR CAN GET CAUGHT ON FIRE. I RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND MANY MERCEDES HAS SAME ISSUE AND BEEN TOLD BY DEALER THAT IT TEAR AND WEAR, AND USER RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR. MY CAR IS 2008 C63 AMG, ONE OF TOP C CLASS MODEL, WITH 50,000 MILES. THE GAS TANK SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER THAN 50,000 MILE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR MERCEDES OR EVEN ANY BRAND. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF FAIRFIELD AT 877-557-5299 AND WAS INFORMED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V017000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AGAIN AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED, BUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT FAILED TO ANSWER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT CONNECTOR SMOKED AND MELTED CONNECTOR. CIRCUIT BOARD WHERE ALL THE LIGHTS ARE CONTAINED MELTED WITH HOLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BOARD. INSPECTED LEFT SIDE CIRCUIT BOARD AND FOUND HOLE STARTING TO BURN BUT NO CONNECTOR DAMAGE WAS PRESENT AT THAT TIME. REPLACED LEFT SIDE BOARD AS A PRECAUTION AND HAVE MONITORED IT SINCE. REPLACED CONNECTOR AND WIRING ON THE RIGHT REAR SIDE ALONG WITH THE CIRCUIT BOARD. I SAVED BOTH BOARDS IN CASE THEY WOULD LIKE TO BE EXAMINED FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE FUEL GAUGE READING DISPLAYED EMPTY ALTHOUGH THE FUEL CAPACITY LEVEL WAS HALF FULL. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS 08V303000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TAILLIGHT FAILURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

AFTER TAKING MY CARE TO THE DEALER, I HAD A ERROR MESSAGE ON MY DISPLAY STATING THAT MY RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT IS OUT. THEN A MESSAGE STATING MY RIGHT LOW BEAM IS OUT. I REPLACED ALL THE BULBS..... FIVE DAYS LATER I GET ANOTHER RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT IS OUT. TWO WEEKS LATER MY RIGHT LOW BEAM IS OUT AGAIN. SEEMS THERE IS A WIRING SHORT THAT KEEPS BURNING OUT THE LOW BEAM AND TAIL LIGHT. OH BY THE WAY TAIL LIGHT/BRAKE LIGHTS WORK. STILL HAVE ERROR MESSAGE. *TR

FOR UNKNOWN REASON, A WARNING ABOUT SRS RESTRAINT SYSTEM DRIVER SIDE FAILURE. UNSURE IF THIS IS AIR BAG, OR SEAT BELT RELATED. DEALER WANTED $2200. TO FIX. OUTRAGEOUS SAFETY ISSUE. FROM ONLINE SEARCH THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN REGULARLY TO MB PRODUCTS. WHY HAS DOT NOT TAKEN ACTION. THANK YOU FOR A RESPONSE. *TR

THE RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. AFTER EXAMINING THE WIRING AND HARNESS WERE MELTED. HAD TO BRING IN TO FIX. THE BACK BOARD WERE THE LIGHTS ARE ON WAS ALSO BURNT. NOW HAVING PROBLEMS ON THE LEFT SIDE. I JUST SAW ON THE NATIONAL NEWS WERE OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR CAR. IT SEEMS THE WIRING IS NOT PROPER SIZE TO HANDLE THE ELECTRIC LOAD. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH THE REAR LIGHTS GOING OUT. THE LIGHTS ARE RUNNING WAY TO HOT. SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT ON THIS YEAR 2008 VEHICLE. I HEARD THAT THIS IS BEING INVESTIGATED BY YOU. MY WIFE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE OF GETTING HIT FROM BEHIND BECAUSE THE PROBLEM WITH LIGHTS BURNING OUT OR MAYBE A FIRE FROM THE WIRING MELTING. MERCEDES SAYS THEY WILL NOT FIX AND THAT THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM. *TR

WHILE DRIVING IN THE EVENING ON HIGHWAY, BOTH TAIL LAMP WARNINGS CAME ON INDICATING BULBS HAD BURNED OUT. I STOPPED CAR AFTER SMELLING AN ODOR. I SAW THE LEFT TAIL LAMP WAS DIM AND THE RIGHT TAIL LAMP WAS NORMAL. I DID NOT OPEN TRUNK. AFTER REACHING MY DESTINATION I CHANGED THE LEFT TAIL LAMP BULB, BUT BULB WAS STILL DIM. I PULLED OFF THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AND FOUND 3 LEADS ON THE CONNECTER BURNED AND MELTED. I WENT TO THE DEALER IN ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA AND INQUIRED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. I WAS INFORMED NO RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED AND THE DEALER WOULD NOT FIX. SO, I PURCHASED LEFT TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY, CONNECTOR AND PINS TO MAKE REPAIR MYSELF (I AM A FORMER AIRPLANE MECHANIC). TAIL LAMPS HAVE BEEN FUNCTIONING NORMALLY SINCE I REPLACED THE PARTS. *TR

TAIL LIGHT MESSAGE. FOUND HARNESS MELTED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT. NOW I GET A MESSAGE FROM BOTH SIDES. *JB

MY RIGHT REAR TAIL LAMP WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THE DIRECTIONAL WAS BLINKING RAPIDLY. THE MALFUNCTION REQUIRED THE REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF THE RIGHT REAR BULB CARRIER. THE CAR WAS NO LONGER ON WARRANTY AND I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OUT OF POCKET. I UNDERSTAND THAT TAIL LIGHT FAILURE IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR, USUALLY CAUSED BY WIRING DEFECT. THE DEALER NEVER INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN THIS MODEL. I HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE MALFUNCTION HOWEVER THEY WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO START. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

REAR LIGHTS CIRCUIT BOARD BURNT AND WIRE FOR LIGHTS MELTED. *TR

C300 FAILED TO START. THE IGNITION SEEM TO WORK CORRECTLY.THE ENGINE WOULD START AND CUT OFF IMMEDIATELY. AFTER SEVERAL TRIES, FINALLY THE CAR STARTED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID IT WAS PROBABLY COMPUTER AND A FULL RESET WILL FIX THE ISSUE. I GOT THE CAR BACK A WEEK LATER. WHILE DRIVING BACK HOME, I STOPPED TO GET GAS. I TURNED OF THE CAR AND AFTER PUMPING THE GAS, IT REFUSED TO START AGAIN. I HAD TO CALL THE ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE. THE CAR IS BACK AT THE DEALER NOW FOR 7 WEEKS. I ALSO HAVE A CASE OPEN WITH MERCEDES BENZ. SO FAR THERE IS NO RESPONSE AS TO WHAT MAY BE CAUSING THE ISSUE. *TR

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. ABOUT A WEEK IN A HALF AGO MY LIGHTS ON RIGHT SIDE (BOTH FRONT AND BACK TAIL LIGHTS) WILL FLASH ON AND OFF PERIODICALLY WHEN MY LIGHTS ARE IN THE AUTO POSITION AND THE ENGINE IS OFF. MY DAUGHTER EMAILED ME AN ARTICLE MENTIONING A POSIBLE DEFECT SO I CALLED MERCEDES AND WAS TOLD TO CONTACT MY DEALERSHIP TO GET AN ESTIMATE AND THEN CALL THEM BACK AND A CASE MANAGER WOULD CONTACT ME IN 24 HOURS. I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN 07/24/13 THEY DIAGNOSED THE CAR WITH NEEDING RIGHT TAILAMP BULB HOLDER PLATE. I CONTACTED MERCEDES AGAIN YESTERDAY AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE DIAGNOSIS AND SPOKE TO A CASE MANAGER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS AT THIS TIME AND THEY ARE STILL IN NEGOTIATION WITH NHTSA AND I CAN HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BUT MY VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, BUT AFTER FINDING MY PREVIOUS INVOICE I'M CONFUSSED AS TO WHAT REALLY NEED TO BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THAT IS CLEARLY 2 DIFFERENT DIAGNOSIS, BUT AT BOTH TIMES I WAS TOLD THE PARTS HAD BURNED OUT. I THINK MERCEDES SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND SOON BEFORE THERE ARE INJURIES OR FATALITIES SINCE THEY SAY NON HAS BEEN REPORTED AS OF NOW. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PANEL LIGHTING STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS FAILED TO LOCK MANUALLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE POWER DOOR LOCK SWITCH HAD TO BE USED IN ORDER FOR THE DOORS TO LOCK. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS OPEN AND THE POWER LOCK SWITCH WAS ACTIVATED, ALL THE DOORS, EXCEPT FOR THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, FAILED TO LOCK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. UPDATED 10/24/14*CN UPDATED 4/16/2015 *JS

ON OR AROUND 8/30/12 I NOTICED I HAD NO REAR BRAKE LIGHTS. THINKING A BAD BULB I CHECKED THE REAR TAILLIGHT BULBS. I NOTICED AN OVERHEAT CONDITION ON THE BULB HOLDER AND CONNECTOR. IT IS MELTED SHOWING EXTREME HEAT AND CURRENT DRAW. I CONTACTED THE DEALER EXPECTING IT TO BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AS IT IS A DEFECT AND UNSAFE. THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY AND GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF OVER $400.00 OR MORE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A DESIGN FLAW AND SHOULD BE MERCEDES' RESPONSIBILITY. WHO IS LIABLE IF I GET REAR ENDED OR IF THE VEHICLE CATCHES FIRE? *TR UPDATED 3/28/13 *CN UPDATED 3/29/2013 *JS...UPDATED 05/08/13 *BF UPDATED 05/20/13

BOTH TAIL LIGHTS LAMP CARRIERS AND CONTACT BUSHINGS HAD MELTED AROUND GROUND WIRES IN MY 2008 C300 MERCEDES. *TR

I GET SIGN ON DASH,REAR TAIL LAMPS FAILED, I CHECKED THE LIGHTS ,REPLACED BULB,DOING SAME THING FOUR TIMES,NOTICED SOMETHING BURNING INSIDE THE BULB CONNECTOR,I AM SCARED IT MIGHT CATCH FIRE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A LOCAL DEALER AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH HAVING A SHORT IN THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE VEHICLE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. FIRST, I NOTICED THAT ONE OR THE OTHER OF THE RIGHT SIDE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO FUNCTION BECAUSE I HEARD A RAPID CLICKING AS I MADE A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING LOT. ONCE STOPPED, I NOTICED THAT THE MERCEDES COMMAND SYSTEM SAID TO CHECK THE LEFT REAR TAIL AND BRAKE LIGHT BULBS. I SAW NO MENTION OF THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL. WHEN I LEFT THE PARKING LOT AN HOUR LATER, THERE WAS NO INDICATION ON THE COMMAND SYSTEM AS TO ANYTHING BEING WRONG. AT HOME, I REMOVED THE LEFT PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD AND SAW THAT THE TAIL LIGHT/BRAKE LIGHT BULBS WERE VERY DARK AND GAVE THE APPEARANCE OF HAVING FAILED. ON TESTING THEM WITH AN OHMMETER, I DISCOVERED THAT THEY IN FACT HAD NOT FAILED. EVEN SO I WANTED TO REPLACE THEM, AND ON THE 10TH, WHICH TURNS OUT TO BE 1 DAY AFTER MY 4 YEAR WARRANTY EXPIRED, I WENT BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE REP GAVE ME TWO REPLACEMENT BULBS. I CHANGED OUT THE OLD BULBS AND ALL APPEARED OKAY. HOWEVER, THE NEXT TIME I DROVE THE CAR LONG ENOUGH TO GET IT THOROUGHLY WARMED UP, I GOT INDICATIONS FROM THE COMMAND SYSTEM THAT NOT ONLY HAD A LEFT BRAKE LIGHT FAILED BUT ALSO THE RIGHT REAR TURN SIGNAL AND ALSO A RIGHT SIDE MARKER. I REMOVED THE RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT CIRCUIT BOARD AND FOUND A BURNED WIRE AND BURNED SPOT ON THE BOARD ITSELF. I SAW NOTHING ON THE LEFT REAR BOARD. ON THE 13TH, I CONSIDERED HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT DECIDED TO DRIVE IT. STANDING OUTSIDE THE CAR I SAW THAT THE RIGHT REAR TURN SIGNAL WASN'T WORKING AT TIMES, BUT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS APPEARED TO FUNCTION. IN SUMMARY, THERE APPEARED TO BE A MALFUNCTION IN ONE OR BOTH TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES THAT OCCURRED DUE TO HEAT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD ON THE RIGHT AND MADE OTHER NECESSARY AND RETURNED THE CAR IN WHAT APPEARS TO BE GOOD CONDITION. MY COST WAS 50% OF THE TOTAL.

MY RIGHT TAIL LIGHT HAD BEEN DIM FOR AWHILE.I DO REMEMBER FROM TIME TO TIME SMELLING A FAINT ELECTRICAL BURN SMELL BUT DIDN'T KNOW WHERE IS WAS COMING FROM. FINALLY WHEN IT WENT OUT, I PULLED THE LAMP ASSEMBLY WHICH HAS WHAT LOOKS LIKE A CIRCUIT BOARD WHERE THE BULB MOUNTS. THE COPPER "TRACES" WERE FRIED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID "SORRY, IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT WE WILL BE HAPPY TO SELL YOU ONE". I SAID "NO THANKS, IT WILL JUST FAIL THE SAME WAY". SO I TOOK IT HOME AND REPAIRED IT PROPERLY. NOW WORRIED THE OTHER ONE WILL DO THE SAME. *TR

FAULT INDICATOR FOR LEFT SIDED REAR LIGHTS SPORADICALLY SHOW DEFECT LAMPS, BUT THEY ARE NOT. FINALLY A PARTLY BROKEN/CORRODED GROUND RETURN WAS DETECTED. THE SAME HAPPENED TO THE RIGHT SIDED REAR LIGHTS ABOUT 6 MONTHS LATER. DEFECT WAS FINALLY REPAIRED, EXPENSES COVERED BY MERCEDES INTERNATIONAL ADRESS COTTONWOOD ARIZONA IS INCORRECT BUT COUNTRY IS AUSTRIA, CITY VIENNA [XXX] IS INCORRECT BUT ERROR CHECKER DID NOT ACCEPT CORRECT AUSTRIAN PHONE NUMBERS PHONE NUMBER [XXX] AND [XXX] ARE CORRECT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

EXPERIENCE REAR LIGHTING FAILURE (REAR PASSENGER TAIL/BRAKE LIGHT OUT). HOWEVER, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY/CONNECTORS/ WIRING WERE IN A BURNT/ MELTED CONDITION. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. *TR

BELT TENSIONER MAKES LOUD METALLIC NOISE AROUND THE ENGINE AREA. CAR WOULDN'T START. CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER MAGNETS REPLACED. WATER LEAK FROM SUN ROOF DRAIN SIDE MIRROR CRACKED UNDER COLD WEATHER. *TR

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD REST AIR BAG WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SENSOR WAS MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

I TURNED ON THE COMMAND VIDEO SCREEN AND HEAVY SMOKE STATED COMING OUT OF IT. *TR

THE INFORMATION SYSTEM IN MY CAR GAVE ME THE SYMBOLS FOR THE RIGHT BACK LIGHTS. I CHECK AND REALIZED MY LIGHTS WERE OUT. I OPENED THE WIRING IN THE TRUNK. THE BROWN WIRE ON THE OUTER SIDE BURNED THROUGH THE CONNECTOR AND THE LAMP CARRIER. *TT

TAILLIGHTS, FAILED RIGHT SIDE CONNECTION MELTED NO RIGHT SIDE TAILLIGHTS LIGHTS (TURN,BRAKE, BACKUP LIGHTS LEFT SIDE FAILED 3/13 ALSO MELTED CONNECTOR WAS STOPPED BY POLICE SAFETY VIOLATION NO TAIL LIGHTS LEFT SIDE FAILED AGAIN THIS WEEK 7/1/2013. *TR

MYSELF, AS WELL AS PASSENGERS HAVE BEEN CUT BY THE SHARP EDGE OF THE PEELING CHROME ALONG THE TOP RIM OF FRONT CUP HOLDER. I TOLD MY DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANTED CHARGE ME OVER $500 TO REPLACE IT. WHEN GRABBING CHANGE, DRINKS, OR ANYTHING FROM CUP HOLDER THE FRONT OF ONES HAND IS CONSTANTLY EXPOSED TO THIS SHARP EDGE. NOT A SAFETY ISSUE BUT SIMILAR TO THE PEELING CHROME, THE PAINTED TEXT ON SEVERAL CONTROL BUTTONS ON DASH HAVE BEEN PEELING OFF FOR SEVERAL YEARS. A CLEAR SIGN OF POOR QUALITY/CRAFTSMANSHIP. THIS IS MY FIRST MERCEDES AND I AM NOT IMPRESSED WITH THE INTERIOR CRAFTSMANSHIP OF WHAT IS SUPPOSEDLY A TOP LUXURY BRAND. ALSO HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BATTERY 2 TIMES IN 2 YEARS AND HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH BATTERY DYING WITHIN FIRST YEAR OF 2ND BATTERY. DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE FEE TO INSPECT LAST BATTERY.

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE IN A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE WALL. THE VEHICLE THEN REVERSED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,500.

NUMEROUS LIGHT ISSUES CONNECTED TO THE REAR AND FRONT LIGHTING. DIMMING - LOW STRENGTH - AND COMPLETE NON-FUNCTION OF THE REAR LIGHTS AND FRONT LIGHTS ALSO. SO MANY EVENTS THAT REQUIRED REPAIRING. INCIDENTS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT REQUIRING REPAIR. INABILITY TO UTILIZE THE VEHICLE IN THE EVENING. IT WAS A GREAT CAR - BUT I FELT A LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN IT'S SAFETY BECAUSE OF AND WHAT I PERCEIVED AS ELECTRICAL ISSUES. I DECIDED, AFTER MUCH CONSIDERATION, THAT THE CAR NEEDED TO BE TRADED IN. IT WAS PURCHASED BY [XXX]IN NEWPORT BEACH. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NOTICED FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT THE LEFT REAR BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHT WAS MUCH MORE DIM THAN THE CORRESPONDING LIGHTS ON THE RIGHT SIDE. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THESE SAME LAMPS ALSO FLICKERED FROM DIM TO SLIGHTLY BRIGHTER AND REPORTED ON THE NEXT SERVICE APPOINTMENT. WHEN IT CAME BACK FROM THE DEALER THE PROBLEM WAS MARGINALLY BETTER; HOWEVER, IT STILL EXISTS TO THIS DAY. I SEE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON MERCEDES OWNERS HOTLINES WITH VARIOUS DEGREES OF SUCCESS AT THAT DEALERS. I HAVE ALSO SEEN COMMENTS ABOUT A SO-CALLED FIX THAT HAS BEEN MENTIONED. MY COMPLAINT WAS NEVER PRINTED OUT ON MY COPY OF THE WORK ORDER FOR THAT SERVICE DATE EITHER. I'VE GIVEN UP.ON COMPLAINING TO MERCEDES AS I HAD ANOTHER COMPLAINT TO THE FACTORY WHICH ENDED UP JUST BEING BRUSHED OFF AS NORMAL. ONCE AGAIN NO DOCUMENTATION OF THAT VISIT WAS GIVEN EVEN THOUGHT A FACTORY REP WAS PRESENT. MY BELIEF IS THAT THE TAIL LAMPS SHOULD BE FAIRLY EQUALLY BRIGHT IN ORDER TO PROVIDE VEHICLES BEHIND YOU AN ACCURATE LOCATION OF THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE. A PROPER FIX THAT COMPLETELY CORRECTS THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO BE PERFORMED ON THESE VEHICLES AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNERS. I AM THE ORIGINAL PURCHASER OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE LOCK POSITION AND THE KEY WAS NOT PROGRAMMED TO THE IGNITION SWITCH. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE IGNITION LOCK FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.