repaired · 2024 Q1
Control module: software
Risk. Various system failures, such as loss of drive power, reduced exterior lighting, or loss of dynamic control functions including stability and traction control,…
2008 Mercedes-Benz C300Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 672 owner complaints about the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 7 safety recalls, and for recall 22V-168 the manufacturer reports only 36% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 19, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 has problems
672 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
270Air bags14 crash/fire/injury
228Electrical system11 crash/fire/injury
136Steering2 crash/fire/injury
108Exterior lighting10 crash/fire/injury
31Engine
22Seat belts
17Electronic stability control (ESC)
16Power train
15Service brakes
5714 other systems12 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 270 | 14 |
| Electrical system | 228 | 11 |
| Steering | 136 | 2 |
| Exterior lighting | 108 | 10 |
| Engine | 31 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 22 | 1 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 17 | 0 |
| Power train | 16 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 15 | 1 |
| 14 other systems | 57 | 12 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
7 recalls
2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 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.
repaired · 2018 Q3
Frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
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.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show 3 more recalls
repaired · 2026 Q3
Driver side: 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…
repaired · 2017 Q2
Frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
Risk. The malfunctioning air bag control unit may cause the air bags to unexpectedly deploy increasing the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
repaired · 2015 Q4
Exterior lighting: 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…
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.
Mileage at failure
When do air bags problems start?
79kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 76 air bags complaints. 71% were reported before 100,000 miles.
5under 30k miles54under 100k miles22100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Electrical system
28 owners mentioned a cost$1,300median
Middle half: $1,075 – $1,893
Steering
20 owners mentioned a cost$1,200median
Middle half: $1,050 – $1,600
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2008 vs. every other C300 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 C300 median. How we score
'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
3 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300, and the recalls they led to.
- Loss of rear lighting assemblyLed to recall 14V-177
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
- Loss of rear tail light functionalityNo recall
In owners' words
What C300 owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact owned a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 16V081000 (Air Bags) and 16V363000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted.
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated after the vehicle was taken to the dealer for an unknown recall repair, the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The contact also became aware that the driver’s side headlight was inoperable. The vehicle was taken back to the…
Car has been in and out of the shop. Initially I have been contacting Mercedes about airbag messages and continued message of SRS Malfunction on dashboard. Airbags had been recalled and supposedly replaced on multiple occasions. This SRS continues to remain even after repair or being seen for this…
Own a 2008 C300?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.