2008 Mercedes-Benz C 300 Brakes Problems

The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, attempting to stop, the vehicle failed to respond as intended and causing the contact to drive through a stop sign, then merge onto the interstate independently. The driver's side rear tire was leaking brake fluid. The check brake system warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the brake line was corroded. The vehicle was repaired under warranty for the subframe prior to the failure; however, the brake lines were not covered and needed replacement. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where the brake lines were pending replacement; however, the mechanic was waiting for parts. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 164,000.

NHTSA ID

11681698

Incident

Aug 9, 2025

Mileage

164,000 mi

Certified Mercedes dealership confirmed that the subframe of my 2008 C300 is rusted and needs to be replaced which is under warranty. However, they are unwilling and do not acknowledge that the brake lines are also rusted and need to be replaced which is CAUSED by the rusted subframe. I first consulted my local mechanic shop who specializes in Mercedes repairs, and he told me about the issues of the corroding subframe and the rested brake lines. He also mentioned that he has helped and directed many Mercedes owners to call Mercedes customer service to voice my concerns as well as confirm the warranty of the subframe.

NHTSA ID

11676494

Incident

Jul 21, 2025

I honestly don’t know how Mercedes could have used such a cheap metal mix in their brake lines. Every single c300 made before 2012 is at extreme risk of brake failure every winter, the lines rust very easily and cause ruptures to happen as soon as you need to use your brakes in emergency. If you slam your foot on the brakes for a 2008-2009 Mercedes, you are putting your life at risk.

NHTSA ID

11626490

Incident

Aug 12, 2023

Brake Booster vacuum leak causing it to not brake properly. Requires more pedal pressure to come to a stop. Extremely dangerous

NHTSA ID

11542526

Incident

Aug 1, 2023

I was driving and the brake pedal went to the floor I managed to get the car in the garage and brake fluid leaked all over the floor Had the car towed to the dealer inspection show both stainless steel brake lines corroded in the same place Leaked out brake fluid end result was 5000 dollar repair bill

NHTSA ID

11466002

Incident

May 19, 2022

At only 59,000 miles, the brake lines of my Mercedes C300 suddenly developed a significant leak of brake fluid which caused the brake pedal to go all the way to the floor with minimum function. The car was immediately taken to the dealership where the service dept confirmed that all of the brake lines had become corroded and needed to be replaced. They also communicated that this was a common issue on these vehicles which I have further confirmed by identical complaints raised on the www.mbworld.org forum page. The manufacturer used faulty materials prone to premature corrosion and sudden failure for the brake lines on these vehicles which places drivers at a significant danger and safety risk. There should be an immediate recall of all of these vehicles to replace these defective brake lines subject to sudden failure at the expense of the manufacturer.

NHTSA ID

11446626

Incident

Jan 5, 2022

THIS ISSUE SURFACED WHILE DRIVING AND BRAKES WHERE APPLIED. LOST BREAKING DUE TO CORROSION PERFORATING REAR BRAKE LINES CAUSING BREAK FLUID TO LEAK AND TOTAL LOSS OF BREAKING. THIS IS A 2008 C CLASS 4MATIC SPORT WHERE BOTH REAR BRAKE LINES FEEDING FROM THE ABS MODULE TO THE REAR CALIPERS WERE TOTALLY RUSTED AND CAUSED THE CAR TO LOOSE ALL BRAKING. BRAKE LINES RUSTED MOSTLY WHERE THEY ARE ATTACHED TO THE FRAME UNDER THE CAR DUE TO SUB PAR QUALITY OF THE METAL USED AND MOISTURE TRAPPED BETWEEN THE BRACKET AND THE BRAKE LINE. I OWN TWO OTHER CARS THAT ARE 22 YEARS OLD WITH NO RUST ON THE BRAKE LINES AND DRIVEN IN THE SAME EXACT ENVIRONMENT AS THIS MB C300. REPAIR COST AT AN INDEPENDENT SHOP RAN $1600.

NHTSA ID

11074956

Incident

Jan 19, 2018

Mileage

94,597 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REMOTE KEY FAILED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE PEDAL LOCKED UP, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED, AND THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO COME OUT OF PARK. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATED TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ID

10822668

Incident

Jan 26, 2016

Mileage

90,000 mi

MY CAR DID NOT RESPOND WHEN I TRIED TO START AND THE STEERING WAS LOCKED AND I COULD NOT FIRE THE IGNITION. I TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST MERCEDES SHOWROOM AND THEY SAID THAT THE STEERING WAS LOCKED AND SHOULD BE REPLACED WHICH WILL COST ME $1100. I HAVE READ COUPLE OF POSTS ONLINE AND I SEE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND IT IS REALLY BAD THAT MERCEDES DID NOT FIX THIS AND NOT EVEN TAKING CARE OF THE VEHICLES WHICH ARE EFFECTED.

NHTSA ID

10750394

Incident

Aug 20, 2015

Mileage

65,000 mi

UPON COMMENCING MY EXIT FROM THE PARKING LOT ADJACENT TO MY CHURCH, I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE BOLTED FORWARD AT FULL SPEED CRASHING THROUGH THE PARKING LOTS FENCE AND INTO A MAJOR AVENUE (WHERE, FORTUNATELY NO TRAFFIC WAS TRANSITING AT THE MOMENT). THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND TO MY INITIAL ATTEMPTS TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND IT WAS NOT UNTIL THE VEHICLE HAD TRAVERSED THE FOUR LANE AVENUE AND REACHED THE SIDEWALK ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AVENUE THAT I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL AND JUDICIOUSLY PARK SAME UNTIL A POLICE ACCIDENT REPORT COULD BE FILED ([XXX]) AND THE VEHICLE TOWED AWAY. VEHICLE IS NOW IN A REPAIR SHOP AND ESTIMATED COSTS ARE APPROXIMATELY $10,000. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10689712

Incident

Feb 1, 2015

Mileage

54,000 mi

RIGHT TAIL LIGHT WARNING SIGNALS APPEARED, UPON EXAMINING THE TAIL LIGHT CONNECTION IT APPEARED BURNED AND MELTED. ALL RIGHT TAIL LIGHTS WERE OUT INCLUDING SIGNALING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10596468

Incident

Apr 9, 2014

Mileage

46,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE GROUND WIRE AND THE TAIL LIGHT CONNECTORS BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,200.

NHTSA ID

10585831

Incident

Feb 1, 2014

Mileage

60,100 mi

RECEIVED WARNING ON DASH TO CHECK REAR DRIVER TAIL LIGHT. TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER TO GET IT CHECKED OUT AND WAS TOLD THE WIRES FROM THE TAIL LIGHT WERE MELTED FROM THE ELECTRICAL PANEL AND MY CAR IS RUNNING ON BACK UP LIGHTS. THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL BACK LIGHT SYSTEM SINCE THE MELTED WIRES WOULD EVENTUALLY DAMAGE THE ENTIRE BRAKE LIGHT SYSTEM. THE COST TO REPAIR $900. CAR SMELLS BURNT INSIDE, AND IN THE TRUNK. I AM AFRAID OF A FIRE, AND GETTING REAR ENDED IF MY BRAKE LIGHTS STOP WORKING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10573719

Incident

Mar 12, 2014

Mileage

85,000 mi

RIGHT TAIL LIGHT CONNECTOR, BROWN WIRE HAS MELTED AND HAS AFFECTED THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE BULBS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10563222

Incident

Jan 1, 2014

Mileage

80,000 mi

THE BROWN WIRE IN THE RIGHT HAND BRAKE LIGHT MELTED THROUGH THE WIRE HARNESS AND STARTED TO MELT THE LIGHT BOARD. THIS IS A FIRE WAITING TO HAPPEN, I SMELT BURNING IN MY CAR WHEN I WAS DRIVING. THE BREAK LIGHT NO LONGER WORKS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10561745

Incident

Jan 1, 2014

Mileage

91,000 mi

REAR TAIL LIGHTS MALFUNCTION. GROUND WIRE IN THE TAIL LIGHT HARNESS GETS VERY HOT TO THE POINT OF MELTING THE INSULATOR ON THE WIRE AND REAR LIGHT CONNECTOR (WHICH PROVIDES POWER TO THE TAIL LIGHT). THIS RESULTED IN THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS TO STOP WORKING. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. MERCEDES WILL REPLACE THE PARTS IF THE CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY BUT WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR OUT OF WARRANTY. FURTHERMORE, THE REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE THE SAME AND THIS ISSUE WILL REOCCUR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10550608

Incident

Nov 1, 2013

Mileage

63,500 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10524849

Incident

Dec 17, 2012

Mileage

56,450 mi

THE TAXI CAB STOPPED UNEXPECTEDLY AND WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND AND THE MOTOR DID NOT DIE, IT JUST KEPT GOING UNTIL I HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE AT 20 OR 25 MILES AN HOUR. I BELIEVE THERE WAS A STRANGE SOUND WITH THE BRAKES THAT I HAD SEVERAL TIMES REPORTED TO THE DEALER SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW. *TR

NHTSA ID

10304846

Incident

Jan 30, 2010

Mileage

24,000 mi