2010 Mercedes-Benz C300 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2010 C300 most often report problems with the electronic steering lock: the car will not start and the steering stays locked, usually with the key and battery still working. Airbag-related complaints in this sample are mostly about waiting for Takata recall parts rather than a new failure, and a separate cluster covers rear subframe rust, melting tail-light wiring, interior door handles that break, and gasoline smell after filling the tank.

1. 1
   Steering

   Car won't start, steering wheel locked (electronic steering

   • 110 complaints (24%)
   • median 74,564 mi at 7.8 yrs old (82 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,460 (median of 21 quotes)
   • filed 2011–2026

   Owners describe turning the key and getting nothing: no crank, instrument cluster dark, but radio, lights, windows and remote locking still working. The steering wheel stays locked, and in some cases the car cannot be shifted into neutral for towing. Diagnosis at dealers or independent shops was typically a failed electronic steering lock module, electronic ignition switch or key; quoted repairs ranged from a few hundred to around $1,800, and some owners said the dealer offered no explanation for the charge. Reported from roughly 44,000 to 165,000 miles, often after the car had been parked and restarted, with several cases around 60,000-100,000 miles.

   What to check: Before buying, start the car several times from cold and confirm the steering unlocks and the cluster lights come on. Ask whether the electronic steering lock or ignition switch has ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was traveling to north carolina and pulled over to change my tire, my car would not start.leaving me stranded on the interstate. Again I arrived on north carolina and the will not start after staying at a friend's for the night. I cannot get back to connecticut. I researched and seen that this is an ongoing issue that is not being rectified.”

   NHTSA complaint #11373602, filed 2020-11, 120,000 miles

   “Came home parked the car and after 5 mins. Had to go somewhere try to start the car , no power at all , ignition wont start . Radio works , lights work remote key works opens and locks the doors . But will not start . And steering is locked also , I did a little research and found out a lot of people having the exact same issue. I believe it should be covered by recall .”

   NHTSA complaint #10926608, filed 2016-11, 62,000 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light and outstanding Takata recall parts

   • 198 complaints (44%)
   • median 72,000 mi at 7.9 yrs old (43 state mileage)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,124 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2010–2026

   Many complaints involve the airbag warning indicator staying lit and owners being told the driver or passenger front airbag inflator is under a recall. Owners report being told the replacement part was not available, sometimes waiting months or years, and several say they were advised the dealer did not know how to proceed. A few describe airbags not deploying in a crash after a recall repair had been recorded as done. Mileage varies widely, from about 25,000 to over 130,000 miles; many complaints date from 2017-2019 while parts were scarce.

   Recall 16V363000Recall 18V043000Recall 16V0810001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask for written proof that the Takata inflator recalls (by campaign number) were completed on this specific car, and confirm the airbag light turns off after the cluster self-check.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I received a letter that my vehicle had a recall due to drivers and passengers airbags I took my vehicle to the mercedes benz dealership locate at orlando fl in milinia mall after they had my car for one week, then they call me to tell me that they did not have the part and that they would call me when the parts arrive.I have been waiting 5months now.”

   NHTSA complaint #11206580, filed 2019-05, 52,000 miles

   “Takata recall I have made appointments and have discussed the situation with patterson in wichita falls tx about the airbag light saying there is a problem. I was told that they (pattersons) does not know what to do about the situation because they have contacted mercedes about this and they do not know what to do either. I have been driving the car. The light stays on. Have taken it in to be repaired and was told they do not know what to do. Stated when they are told what to do paterson's will contact me. I have never been contacted. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11039821, filed 2017-10, 46,000 miles
3. 3
   Exterior lighting

   Rear tail-light wiring overheats or melts

   • 43 complaints (9%)
   • median 58,750 mi at 6.2 yrs old (36 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2009–2024

   Complaints describe rear lights that dim or stop working, tracing to a melted or burnt brown wire and connector at the tail-light carrier or circuit board. Some owners report the damage recurred even after recall work had been performed on the car, and one describes parking lights turning on by themselves and draining the battery. Repairs described include replacing wiring, connectors and the light carrier. Reported from about 37,000 to 151,000 miles; several cases in the 46,000-80,000 mile range.

   Recall 14V1770001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check that all rear bulbs light evenly and ask whether campaign 14V177000 was completed. Pull the trunk trim and look at the tail-light connector for browning, melted plastic or a burnt wire smell.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While parked over night or during the day while at work the parking light come on by it self without my knowing. This drains the battery and I have to get a jump start. . This is really inconvenience. I could be anywhere and this could happen. This happens once sometime twice a month. It is not the light switch , it is always in the off position on several occasions I was able to return and turn off the light. Only one light comes on the passenger side front and rear.”

   NHTSA complaint #11329255, filed 2020-06, 133,357 miles

   “All bulbs on the right side tail light are not working, that includes brake light, reverse light, and signal light. I thought the bulbs were out but when I went to change the bulbs they were all fine. What I did noticed was the brown wire was burnt and so was the plastic that holds the wires together, it seemed like that entire side was burnt and even melted. This seems to be an electrical problem and it also seems to be a safety hazard. I've mentioned this a few times to the dealer. Each time they look for a recall with no success. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10578282, filed 2014-04, 47,000 miles
4. 4
   Suspension

   Rear subframe rust and corrosion

   • 46 complaints (10%)
   • median 94,200 mi at 10.4 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2013–2025

   Complaints describe rust-through of the rear subframe, in some cases severe enough that the control arm mounts detached and the car handled erratically or made grinding and shaking noises while driving. Owners report inspectors or mechanics flagging the corrosion, and some mention a manufacturer warranty extension for rear subframe corrosion when they asked the dealer. Reported from about 41,000 to 165,000 miles, with many cases above 90,000 miles and often on older cars.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Have the car put on a lift and inspect the rear subframe and control arm mounts for rust, especially if the car spent its life in a road-salt state. Ask the dealer whether any rear subframe corrosion warranty extension applies to the VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Rear subframe rusted from inside out causing driver side lower control arm mount to break free from subframe. Traveling approximately 40mph but proper evasive maneuvering allowed for safe stopping without incident.”

   NHTSA complaint #11349240, filed 2020-08, 165,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz C300W. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for an alignment. The contact was later informed that the wheel alignment was not fully completed due to extensive corrosion on the subframe. The contact picked up the vehicle and upon investigation discovered that there was a warranty on the vehicle for the corrosion of the subframe. An appointment was scheduled, and the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it remained for two weeks. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11639841, filed 2025-01, 63,000 miles
5. 5
   Body and structure

   Interior door handles break

   • 26 complaints (6%)
   • median 61,698 mi at 5.6 yrs old (19 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2014–2025

   Owners report the inside door handle failing so the door cannot be opened from inside, sometimes on one side and then the other. Complaints describe the handle flapping without engaging or the plastic part breaking, and dealers quoted repairs by replacing the door panel or the whole door, with some owners told it was wear and tear and not covered by warranty. Mostly reported between about 30,000 and 76,000 miles, with one case shortly after a 15-mile drive.

   What to check: Open and close every door from the inside a few times and feel whether the handle engages firmly. Ask whether the door panels or handles have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I only have 30,000 miles on my 2010 C300. The driver interior door latch broke leaving me unable to open the door. I took to dealer and I even had an extended bumper to bumper warranty till 60,000 miles... The dealer or the warranty would not cover my door latch, stating it is wear and tear... This part is cheap plastic, that is pulled on numerous times a day. Plastic is not durable, especially in states with multiple extremes in temperatures. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10876724, filed 2016-06, 31,000 miles

   “On approximately 10/06.2014 the driver side door handle on my 2010 mercedes benz c 300 4 matic failed to allow the door to be opened from the inside of the car. On 02/14/2015 the passenger side door handle failed to allow the door to be opened from the inside of the car. In the event of an accident such as fire or submerged in water neither the driver nor the passenger would be able to escape the vehicle. I have been driving over 50 years and have owned 50+ vehicles. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10683415, filed 2015-02, 60,000 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection on a lift is worth the cost on this model year: check the rear subframe for rust, have every door handle and rear light tested, and confirm by campaign number that the airbag recalls were completed. Starting the car repeatedly and asking about steering lock and ignition switch repairs will tell you a lot about the car's history.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.