2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 228about this part
- Share
- 34%of 672 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 79,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 228 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300, 34% of the 672 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 79,000 miles. 10 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 2008 C300 had the right tail break light + rear right turn signal light error message these few days, I replace the light bulbs which did not fix the problem then I found the brown wire at connector melt badly, I google this issue on the web and found all 2008/2009 mercedez c class has the same issue, can we get a recall to fix it on this ?”
NHTSA complaint #11321201, filed 2020-04, 140,000 miles“The vehicle will not start and doesn't recognize the key. The vehicle was completely dead and had to jump start it. I drove the car to have the battery replaced thinking that was it. When I arrived at the garage, the vehicle would not restart and had to be towed to the dealership for repairs as the dealership was the only one that could diagnose and repair.”
NHTSA complaint #11120187, filed 2018-08, 65,000 miles“When replacing a headlight bulb I noticed the h7 wire was completely exposed with no insulation, as I tried to wrapped them in electrical tape to get a temporary fix, the little insulation still left on the cable crumbled. I encourage to check the cable insulation on your vehicle as this can cause a shortage and fail headlights.”
NHTSA complaint #10927427, filed 2016-11, 107,000 miles“Steering lock failed. 10 cent motor will not lock steering wheel. Causes car to think it is stolen, disables the entire car. Left me stranded in freezing temperature with no warning. I got gas, got in the car to leave to work, and nothing worked. This is very dangerous. Luckily I was able to get someone to pick me up, as my cell phone was about to die.”
NHTSA complaint #10809727, filed 2015-12, 93,000 miles“The electronic steering lock just shutoff. The car came out of comfort while I was driving, the c-in the box-just disappeared off the cluster and I knew this is what happened because it happened three times them started up two days later. This has been a common problem with mercedes C300 as I read so many complaints and posts.”
NHTSA complaint #10732007, filed 2015-07, 41,000 milesRelated recalls
- 17V177000Mar 14, 2017Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 AMG GT-S, GLC300, CLA250 and GLE300d 4Matic vehicles, 2013 C250, E350 BlueTec and G63 AMG vehicles…Covers: Mercedes-Benz C300 2008–2016, E350 2012–2016, ML350 2012–2014 +13 more
Related service bulletins
- 11017119Apr 21, 2025Complaint A popup is seen on the HU with the message "data connection temporarily not available". Potentially affected functionalities in NTG4.5, NTG5 1.Weather 2.Local Search…
- 11015640Mar 5, 2025Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party…
- 11008091Sep 28, 2024Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party…
- 10207198Jan 27, 2022Complaint The garage door hand transmitter cannot be initialized with the integrated garage door opener in the inside rearview mirror. Cause 1. The integrated garage door opener…
- 10207199Jan 9, 2022Complaint The range of the integrated garage door opener (GTO) is too short. Cause 1. Vehicles equipped with infrared windows and/or a heated windshield may suffer from…
- 10205790Aug 2, 2021After starting the engine, the instrument cluster shows the "EBD not available, diagnosis/test stand" message in yellow.
- 10186141Dec 10, 2020NTG5.5: Incorrect time shown on instrument cluster, COMAND display, and analog clock
- 10235983Feb 26, 2016Daimler AG (DAG) has decided that a supplier production error in the SRS control unit could lead to a failure of the SRS control unit. This malfunction of the SRS control unit…
- 10167510Feb 28, 2014The vehicle cannot be started The vehicle may start by itself shortly after the startup attempt with a delay, as the relay can be late closing. and/or The gear selection is…
- 10167009Feb 25, 2014Battery discharged, vehicle does not start.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 36% |
| 2023 | 5 | 23% |
| 2022 | 7 | 28% |
| 2021 | 1 | 7% |
| 2020 | 3 | 9% |
| 2019 | 13 | 19% |
| 2018 | 10 | 10% |
| 2017 | 31 | 14% |
| 2016 | 32 | 11% |
| 2015 | 50 | 13% |
| 2014 | 9 | 10% |
| 2013 | 19 | 7% |
| 2012 | 12 | 4% |
| 2011 | 43 | 9% |
| 2010 | 84 | 19% |
| 2009 | 198 | 34% |
| 2008 | 228 | 34% |
Other parts of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300
270 complaintsSteering
136 complaintsExterior lighting
108 complaintsOther or unknown
38 complaintsEngine
31 complaintsSeat belts
22 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsElectronic stability control
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsSuspension
12 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology