Menu

2008 Mercedes-Benz C ClassProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 13 owner complaints about the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C Class, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

2008 Mercedes-Benz C Class
–
CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints135 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage49kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 25, 2014. Updated daily. Photo: Bull-Doser, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C Class has problems

13 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system72
Exterior lighting61
Tires30
Air bags21

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2008 Mercedes-Benz C Class recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Seat belts: rear/other

Recall 07V-465 · Oct 3, 2007 · 5,823 vehicles

Risk. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, THIS SITUATION MAY CAUSE THE LOCKING MECHANISM NOT TO PERFORM AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD FOR USE WITH OLDER NON-LATCH CHILD…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mercedes-Benz.

Best & worst years

2008 vs. every other C Class year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the C Class median. How we score

'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'08'12
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C Class, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Loss of rear lighting assemblyEA13008 · closed May 12, 2014
    Led to recall 14V-177
  2. Loss of rear tail light functionalityPE13026 · closed Dec 30, 2013
    No recall
In owners' words

What C Class owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

MY REAR BACK TAIL LIGHT WIRING PANEL FRIED. THE LIGHT IS NOT WORKING AT ALL AND WHEN I CALLED MANHATTAN MERCEDES DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NOT AN APPOINTMENT AVAILABLE TWO WEEKS FROM 3/7/2014 THEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP IN BROOKLYN AND THEY TOLD ME THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY APPOINTMENTS EITHER…
Complaint 10574668 · Mar 25, 2014 · 63,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10558301 · Jan 3, 2014 · 50,000 miles
REAR LIGHTING FAILURE (TAILLIGHT). FAILURE CAUSING MY VEHICLE LIGHTS TO VERY DIM AND SOME BULBS ARE NOT ILLUMINATE AT ALL. OCCURS WITH LEFT TAILLIGHT (BRAKE LIGHT). I SEE SOME BURNING ON PLASTIC PANEL THAT BULBS GOES IN. *TR
Complaint 10556829 · Dec 20, 2013

Own a 2008 C Class?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.