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Exterior lightingPart report

2010 Mercedes-Benz C300 Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
48about this part
Share
11%of 453 total for the year
Median mileage
52,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 48 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz C300, 11% of the 453 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,000 miles. 5 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 right tail light keeps dimming and going back bright. I thought I needed a bulb but but it gave me a message today for everything on the right side but then the message went away. Last night someone told me the right light was dim then it got brighter. I've been smelling a faint burning smell but today it was kind of loud. I checked and it looks like the plastic and wire is melting on rte right tail light.”

NHTSA complaint #11172381, filed 2019-01, 119,700 miles

“All of my exterior light bulbs have been replaced every other month. The rear driver side brake light burned out the metal part where mercedes had to replace the unit. As of monday, april 2, 2012 I had to take my car in the dealer to repair a right front passenger side headlight out. ...updated 03/27/13 updated 04/03/2013”

NHTSA complaint #10454173, filed 2012-04, 35,000 miles

“Approximately once every 2 months while parked with the engine off, the front passenger side headlight will come on with the rear passenger side parking/brake light. When this occurs, I have to turn the headlight switch on then back off, to turn off the lights. On one occasion, I observed the passenger side headlight and the rear passenger light flickering like a strobe light, before I turned the switch on then off.”

NHTSA complaint #10558545, filed 2014-01, 22,911 miles

“All of a sudden I received an error message in my display stating check all rear right exterior lights. Nature right side is out. My mechanic looked at said the brown wire is frayed and melted the plastic bulb holder. I researched and found it is a chronic problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10579040, filed 2014-04, 52,000 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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10562556, filed 2014-02, 60,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202214%
201911%
201822%
201641%
201510%
201331%
201242%
2011204%
20104811%
200911820%
200810816%

Other parts of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz C300

Air bags
202 complaintsElectrical system
84 complaintsSteering
71 complaintsBody and structure
34 complaintsOther or unknown
27 complaintsFuel system
26 complaintsSuspension
26 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
15 complaintsEngine
13 complaintsElectronic stability control
8 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsSeats
6 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2010 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