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2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 480 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300, most often about the air bags (52% of complaints, typically around 60,000 miles). It is the most complained-about C300 model year since 2000 and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 problems
Air bags
250 complaints · 52%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles.
Takata recall -- what other alternatives are available since the manufacturers are taking forever to complete this process? Does anyone in america make airbags? I took my car to tysinger today and asked them to just deactivate both airbags and the guy said it was against the law, but I found a form regarding…
Takara recall I have been calling the mercedes benz dealer every few months since I got the recall notice on my car. Each time they tell me that it will be 1 or 2 months before the parts are available to fix the car. This scenario has been going on for the past 2 years or more. I cannot seem to get my car fixed. The…
Suspension
60 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 93,000 miles. Parts named most often: subframe/mounting bracket, rear.
Driving on highway, went to apply brakes and car swerved violently to the right, and car body felt like it was 'swimming' around on the frame. Car felt very unstable. Took car to mercedes dealership, and confirmed that the rear subframe was completely cracked. Technician noted what appeared to be "rust proofing spray…
The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear driverâs and passengerâs side wheels swayed left to right, and the rear driverâs side wheel detached from the suspension. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop…
Body and structure
49 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 105,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
Rear suspension control arm rusts off of the subframe. No other rust on the car. During braking the car steers hard to the right almost causing an accident
The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, and the rear end of the vehicle pushed out. The contact looked underneath the vehicle and noticed that the subframe was rusted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed…
Fuel system
44 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles.
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 fuel leak due to…
The contact owns a 2011 mercedes benz C300. The contact stated that there was a strong odor of fuel around the vehicle while the vehicle was parked in the garage. The contact noticed fuel on the ground when the vehicle was moved out of the garage. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for a…
Electrical
43 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles.
Electronic ingition system malfunciton car want start, all lights on,radio works battery seems to be operating , took to dealer eis is the issue, cost is extreme, after reading reviews this is an ongoing issue after warranty expires. No recall has been authorrized...this is an issue mercedez benz
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start when the key was turned over in the ignition. The dealer (carlton motorcars, 2446 laurens rd, greenville, sc 29607, ([phone]) diagnosed that the electronic emissions switch needed to be replaced. In addition…
Steering
34 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 82,000 miles.
I went to the park with my wife and 1 year old son, I parked the car and returned a few hours later, the steering column was locked and the key would not start or unlock the steering wheel, the car had to be dragged out of parking space since the steering wheel would not unlock and the car was stuck in park. It was…
The electronic steering lock mechanism on these vehicles appear to fail with alarming frequency. If the failure was to occur any distance from a dealer a motorist would be stranded, perhaps in a dangerous situation. I was lucky - the failure occurred in my home town, but the nearest dealer is 2 hours away - they are…
Other or unspecified
33 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles.
I wasn't driving down the highway at 60 MPH and the car went into neutral by itself and stayed there in the middle of the road. The car wouldn't move at all and had to pull over to the hard shoulder and restart the engine. This happened to me 4 times in total. I scanned it and they said it's the speed sensor inside…
I notice the driver's side front and rear of the vehicle was completely soaked with water after a night of heavy rain. I contacted the dealer and was advised by the service advisor this is a common problem with these vehicles. After the vehicle was at the dealership for a few days I was advised that there is a drain…
Lights
20 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 87,500 miles. Parts named most often: tail lights.
The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated when he started the vehicle, the driver side taillights were inoperable, and the taillight warning light was illuminated. The contact examined the taillights and noticed that the wires were melted, and the taillight assembly had melted as well. The dealer…
The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the messages to check the rear taillights and rear turn signals were displayed. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the rear taillight bulbs and connectors needed…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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 glk
Electrical: software
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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, oklah
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Lights: tail lights
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: fuel system, gasoline
Risk: If the fuel filter flange cracks, it will leak fuel which may lead to a fire if an external ignition source is present.
Fix: Mercedes-benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel filter, free of charge. The recall campaign is expected to begin in february 2013. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.
Full defect summary
Mercedes-benz is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 s400, s550, s550 4matic, s63 amg, c300, c300 4matic, e350, glk350, glk350 4matic, cl550 4matic, and cl63 amg vehicles manufactured from april 18, 2011, through july 12, 2011. Due to an irregularity stemming from the molding process of the fuel filter flange, the fuel filter flange may crack when operated in high temperatures.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Questions about the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (250 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); suspension (60 complaints, typically around 93,000 miles); body and structure (49 complaints, typically around 105,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 9, 2019 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2011 a bad year for the Mercedes-Benz C300?
- It is the most complained-about C300 model year since 2000, with 480 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.