2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 43about this part
- Share
- 9%of 480 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 43 complaints about the electrical system of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300, 9% of the 480 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles. 3 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.
“I was leaving work. I unlocked the vehicle with the key fob, placed the key fob in the ignition, and it failed to start. I was left stranded without a way to leave. I have been told my problem lies within a faulty ignition switch that only mb can repair. I have been told this is a common problem among the c-class models and I am hoping mb can address the issue with a recall.”
NHTSA complaint #11233932, filed 2019-07, 140,000 miles“The electronic steering lock mechanism on these vehicles appear to fail with alarming frequency. If the failure was to occur any distance from a dealer a motorist would be stranded, perhaps in a dangerous situation. I was lucky - the failure occurred in my home town, but the nearest dealer is 2 hours away - they are the only ones who can fix it. This situation is dangerous and the failure to address it (by mercedes benz) irresponsible.”
NHTSA complaint #10902938, filed 2016-08, 80,000 miles“Left side tail light assembely melted and caught the trunk on fire. I have 10 of these c300s that are affected with the same problem. I have spoke with mercedes on this issue and they are declining to do the repair at no cost. This is a safety issue and should be covered no matter what..I have found that this is a common problem with these cars and yet there is no recalls or tsbs on this issue. Any help on this would be appreciated..”
NHTSA complaint #10509639, filed 2013-04, 119,601 miles“We are a small family owned car lot that has been in business since 2005. We sold a 2011 mercedes C300 to a nice young couple last week. After only having it less than 24 hours, the customer called stating the vehicle will not start. Said went to start the vehicle in the morning and the steering wheel was locked and car would not start. The lights & radio turned on but it had a message on dash to remove key from ignition. We had to call a tow company to tow it to the mechanic and put them in a loaner car. …”
NHTSA complaint #11046044, filed 2017-11, 90,000 miles“Total failure of ignition system, drove the car parked it, went to get back in 20 minutes later would not start, tried both keys no luck. Car would not recognize either key being inserted into ignition. 37 days out of factory warranty luckily enough this complete vehicle failure happened after my wife and I just finished a road trip to virginia, if this would of happened at some rest stop, or god for bid while we were driving the vehicle, it would of been a huge safety risk.”
NHTSA complaint #10712293, filed 2015-04, 42,000 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
- 11020872Jul 16, 2025Complaint Commissioning not possible after replacement of TRANSMISSION 722.9 or of electrohydraulic controller unit (EHS) or of repair kit controller unit (VGS). Cause The wrong…
- 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…
- 11006658Aug 10, 2024Mercedes-Benz AG ("MBAG"), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain Model Year (“MY”) C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, G-Class, CL, CLS, ML, GL, GLE…
- 11008064Aug 9, 2024In our continuing efforts to ensure the proper performance and quality of your vehicle, we are writing to inform you that on certain Model Year 2011-2018 C-Class, E-Class…
- 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
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 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300
250 complaintsSuspension
60 complaintsBody and structure
49 complaintsFuel system
44 complaintsSteering
34 complaintsOther or unknown
33 complaintsExterior lighting
20 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsEngine
10 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 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