2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 Electronic stability control Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 3%of 672 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 108,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the electronic stability control of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300, 3% of the 672 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 108,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Check engine light came on after vehicle inspection I returned to the dealership. Mercedes benz houston-greenway plaza did cam shaft solenoid work cost $500. Roughly a week later I got stranded at work. I was able to take to get it to start again and took it to repair shop now its $1,346.29 for engine computer work.”
NHTSA complaint #11006444, filed 2017-07, 80,000 miles“Last week I drove my daughter to school. Then I went to the gas station and turned the car off. When I tried to start the car to leave, it would not start. It did not do anything. I could not even roll the windows up. The car did nothing other than say remove ignition key. The battery was tested and fine. It had just been replaced 1 month ago. The tow truck driver brought it to my mechanic who then said it had to be brought to the dealer. The mercedes dealer said it was the eis/steering switch. The cost will be $1900. I've called other mechanics. …”
NHTSA complaint #10965995, filed 2017-03, 122,000 miles“I have a mb C300 2008 the car never had an issue until I brought it in for a airbag recall 2 weeks later I get an srs malfunction, esp and ABS failure car doesnt turn on next day the car turns on and engine light goes on, then lights stayed on even after car was off next day lights went off while driving in dark making for hazardous and quite scary situation mb is doing these recalls but jeopardizing the overall integrity of car I even replaced battery but this still occurred car was rendered undrivable and stuck in my driveway and had to have it towed and pay $380 just to look at it even…”
NHTSA complaint #11291300, filed 2019-12, 112,000 miles“A few months back, my wife was stranded in her office parking lot as the car won't start. When she put the key in the ignition it would simply make clicking sounds but will not start. She was able to lock and unlock the car. We called aaa who checked the battery and said it was working fine. The aaa rep said that he had seen this problem quite a few times before in the mb cars and we would have to call mb or they can tow it to the dealership. We then called mercedes benz (mb) road side assistance who came and checked the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10795122, filed 2015-11, 42,000 miles“Esp control module as I was driving on the highway, specifically getting off the interstate on a curved road, all of a sudden the following message/code illuminated across my dashboard, brake ebr ABS esp inoperative. I wasn't sure what this meant and I was extremely alarmed and nervous. As soon as I could I brought it into the shop and the technician told me it wasn't a brake issue, it was a faulty electronic stability control panel that needed to be replaced. The technician told me that he had just replaced these in about 4 other vehicles. Same exact problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10980987, filed 2017-04, 76,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10186135Dec 9, 2020If the customer brakes sharply from a speed of > 30mph, without ABS intervention, there is a single cracking noise from the area of the ESP hydraulic unit
Electronic stability control: other model years
Other parts of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300
270 complaintsElectrical system
228 complaintsSteering
136 complaintsExterior lighting
108 complaintsOther or unknown
38 complaintsEngine
31 complaintsSeat belts
22 complaintsBrakes
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