RoadVitals

2010 Mercedes-Benz C350 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
18
Latest Jun 11, 2023
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
9
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2010 Mercedes-Benz C350, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Airbags1047.6%
  • Brakes29.5%
  • Electrical29.5%
  • Steering29.5%
  • Engine14.8%
  • Fuel system14.8%
  • Other / unspecified14.8%
  • Powertrain (other)14.8%
  • Body & structure14.8%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ C350. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, AFTER MOVING OFF FROM A FOUR-WAY TRAFFIC STOP, A PEDESTRIAN RAN IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP IN TIME AND SWERVED, ATTEMPTING TO AVOID STRIKING THE PEDESTRIAN. THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE PEDESTRIAN AND THE CONTACT LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK A POLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED HOWEVER, THE CONTACT HAD NOT YET BEEN PROVIDED A COPY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION, RETRO ORBITAL HEMATOMA, FACIAL TRAUMA, MULTIPLE FACIAL CONTUSIONS, AND NECK STRAIN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AT THE SCENE OF THE CRASH, AND WAS THEN TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL TO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PEDESTRIAN WAS INJURED HOWEVER, SHE WAS UNSURE OF HIS INJURY OR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY'S LOT AND WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. ## VIN PASSED ## MERCEDES-BENZ 2010 ##

NHTSA ID 11384577 · filed Dec 22, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ C350. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RAPIDLY DEPRESSED. THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE AND AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SLID SEVERAL FEET. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THERE WAS NO ONE ELSE IN THE VEHICLE WITH THE CONTACT. THE PERSON THAT THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO WAS NOT INJURED. NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED BY THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THEY STATED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER OF THE TIRES. THE CRASH WAS NOT IN REFERENCE TO ANY OPEN RECALL. HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V043000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. *DT 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

NHTSA ID 11240567 · filed Jul 30, 2019
All 10 reports naming airbags

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, I PARKED MY VEHICLE ON LEVEL GROUND AT A SHOPPING CENTER AND IT ROLLED BACKWARDS OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE AND NEARLY HIT A PEDESTRIAN. I HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I THEN PULLED BACK INTO THE SPACE AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARD OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE. I REPEATED THE SEQUENCE A THIRD TIME AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED A LITTLE AND STOPPED ON ITS OWN. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED MERCEDES OF ANNAPOLIS AND THE SERVICE PERSON EXPLAINED THAT THE GEARS WORK ON AN ELECTRONIC SYSTEM AND THE ISSUE WAS A 'FLUKE.' THE NEXT DAY, THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITH MY VEHICLE. THIS TIME I PARALLELED PARKED, PLACED MY VEHICLE IN PARK AND IT ROLLED FORWARD. I HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES TO KEEP FROM HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF MINE. I BACKED UP MY VEHICLE AND PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND IT ROLLED FORWARD AGAIN. I DID IT A THIRD TIME AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO AN ABRUPT AND JERKY STOP.

NHTSA ID 11063724 · filed Jan 19, 2018

VEHICLE POWER STEERING WILL STOP WORKING, MAKING THE VEHICLE HARD TO TURN. VERY DANGEROUS IF YOU ARE OVER 60 MILES AN HOUR.

NHTSA ID 11010328 · filed Jul 24, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY CAR WAS BROKEN DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK WAS LOCKED MY CAR AND SHUT DOWN THE ELECTRIC. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I'M VERY LUCKY. THE ROAD WAS EMPTY AND I ABLED TO PULLOVER TO THE SIDE. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND SEE THAT MANY PEOPLE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR C CLASS FROM YEAR 2008 TO 2010.

NHTSA ID 11033479 · filed Oct 15, 2017

THE ESL (ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK) & THE EIS (ELECTRONIC IGNITION SWITCH) WENT OUT AT EXACTLY 7 YEARS. THE COMMAND CONTROL KNOB ALSO WENT OUT AROUND THE SAME TIME. ALL THESE PROBLEMS ARE VERY COMMON IN THESE MODELS. MERCEDES BENZ USA IS FULLY AWARE OF THESE ISSUES AND DOES NOTHING ABOUT IT! IT COST U.S. CONSUMERS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS. ALL THESE PROBLEMS COME UP WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY (SHOCKER).YOU'LL HAVE TO PAY EVERYTHING OUT OF POCKET.

NHTSA ID 10948777 · filed Feb 1, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY CAR WAS BROKEN DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK WAS LOCKED MY CAR AND SHUT DOWN THE ELECTRIC. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I'M VERY LUCKY. THE ROAD WAS EMPTY AND I ABLED TO PULLOVER TO THE SIDE. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND SEE THAT MANY PEOPLE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR C CLASS FROM YEAR 2008 TO 2010.

NHTSA ID 11033479 · filed Oct 15, 2017

THE ESL (ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK) & THE EIS (ELECTRONIC IGNITION SWITCH) WENT OUT AT EXACTLY 7 YEARS. THE COMMAND CONTROL KNOB ALSO WENT OUT AROUND THE SAME TIME. ALL THESE PROBLEMS ARE VERY COMMON IN THESE MODELS. MERCEDES BENZ USA IS FULLY AWARE OF THESE ISSUES AND DOES NOTHING ABOUT IT! IT COST U.S. CONSUMERS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS. ALL THESE PROBLEMS COME UP WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY (SHOCKER).YOU'LL HAVE TO PAY EVERYTHING OUT OF POCKET.

NHTSA ID 10948777 · filed Feb 1, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

BELT TENSIONER IS FAILING WHICH IS CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE SERPENTINE BELT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10676862 · filed Jan 21, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

FUEL ODOR WHEN TANK IS FILLED. PROBLEM WAS APPARENTLY MANUFACTURING DEFECT. FUEL LEAKED FROM FUEL FILTER MOUNTING STUDS THAT CRACKED AND PULLED THROUGH MOUNTING PLATE. GAS TANK AND ALL ATTACHMENTS HAD TO BE REPLACED.SEE ATTACHED MERCEDES WORK ORDER.

NHTSA ID 11010408 · filed Jul 24, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, I PARKED MY VEHICLE ON LEVEL GROUND AT A SHOPPING CENTER AND IT ROLLED BACKWARDS OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE AND NEARLY HIT A PEDESTRIAN. I HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I THEN PULLED BACK INTO THE SPACE AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARD OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE. I REPEATED THE SEQUENCE A THIRD TIME AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED A LITTLE AND STOPPED ON ITS OWN. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED MERCEDES OF ANNAPOLIS AND THE SERVICE PERSON EXPLAINED THAT THE GEARS WORK ON AN ELECTRONIC SYSTEM AND THE ISSUE WAS A 'FLUKE.' THE NEXT DAY, THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITH MY VEHICLE. THIS TIME I PARALLELED PARKED, PLACED MY VEHICLE IN PARK AND IT ROLLED FORWARD. I HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES TO KEEP FROM HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF MINE. I BACKED UP MY VEHICLE AND PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND IT ROLLED FORWARD AGAIN. I DID IT A THIRD TIME AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO AN ABRUPT AND JERKY STOP.

NHTSA ID 11063724 · filed Jan 19, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLE POWER STEERING WILL STOP WORKING, MAKING THE VEHICLE HARD TO TURN. VERY DANGEROUS IF YOU ARE OVER 60 MILES AN HOUR.

NHTSA ID 11010328 · filed Jul 24, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The interior driver door handle failed during normal use. The cable attachment eyelet broke off, preventing the interior door handle from opening the door. This is a safety issue because it prevents occupants from exiting the vehicle quickly during an emergency situation. When this failure occurs, occupants must roll down the window and operate the exterior door handle, or crawl to another seat and exit using different door. The failed interior door handle is available. This failure appears to be a common problem that occurs on all doors.

NHTSA ID 11526480 · filed Jun 11, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .