2010 Mercedes-Benz C350Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 18 owner complaints about the 2010 Mercedes-Benz C350, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-081 the manufacturer reports only 65% of affected cars repaired.

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 11, 2023. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2010 Mercedes-Benz C350 has problems

18 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
Air bags103
Electrical system20
Service brakes20
Steering20
Engine10
Wheels10
Structure10
Fuel/propulsion system10
Power train10

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

4 recalls

2010 Mercedes-Benz C350 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.

82%repaired · 2026 Q3

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 19V-010 · Jan 9, 2019 · 288,779 vehicles · 237,356 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

66%repaired · 2026 Q3

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 16V-363 · May 26, 2016 · 258,163 vehicles · 169,998 repaired

Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

65%repaired · 2026 Q3

Driver side: inflator module

Recall 16V-081 · Feb 11, 2016 · 711,159 vehicles · 464,166 repaired

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

67%repaired · 2015 Q4

Exterior lighting: tail lights

Recall 14V-177 · Apr 11, 2014 · 252,867 vehicles · 170,117 repaired

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…

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

2010 vs. every other C350 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 C350 median. How we score

'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'17'20
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2010 Mercedes-Benz C350, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA21002 · still open
    Open
In owners' words

What C350 owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 11384577 · Dec 22, 2020 · 180,000 miles
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…
Complaint 11240567 · Jul 30, 2019 · 160,000 miles
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ C350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V363000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF SAN ANTONIO AT [PHONE] (LOCATED AT 9600 SAN PEDRO AVE, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78216) AND WAS…
Complaint 11182584 · Feb 26, 2019

Own a 2010 C350?

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