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2008 Mercedes-Benz CProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 2 owner complaints about the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C, most often about the exterior lighting. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints20 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage86kExterior lighting, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 19, 2013. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C has problems

2 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
Exterior lighting20
Electrical system10

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

1 recall

2008 Mercedes-Benz C 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

Electrical system

Recall 08V-303 · Jul 7, 2008 · 404 vehicles

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP MAY NOT RECEIVE A CRASH SIGNAL THAT IS REQUIRED FOR THE FUEL PUMP TO DISCONNECT AND PREVENT FUTURE…

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 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 median. How we score

'94'95'07'08'09'10
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C, 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 owners report

Recent exterior lighting complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, A WARNING MSG CAME UP FOR ME TO CHECK THE LEFT TAIL AND BRAKE LIGHTS. I GOT HOME AND CHECKED THE LIGHTS ON THE LEFT SIDE AND NONE OF THEM WERE WORKING. I HAD THESE CHECKED AND WAS GOING TO REPLACE THE BULBS. WAS TOLD REPLACING THE BULBS WAS NOT GOING TO TAKE CARE OF…
Complaint 10552989 · Nov 19, 2013 · 108,000 miles
I HAVE RECEIVED MULTIPLE WARNING SIGNALS INDICATING THAT MY TAIL LIGHTS AND TURNING LIGHTS HAVE FAILED. I INITIALLY THOUGHT MY BULBS WERE BLOWN BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS STRANGE THAT ALL OF THEM WOULD BLOW AT ONE TIME. UPON CHECKING THE PANEL IN THE TRUNK I NOTICED THAT THE WIRES LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE…
Complaint 10525335 · Jul 17, 2013 · 63,000 miles

Own a 2008 C?

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