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Exterior lightingPart report

2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
20about this part
Share
4%of 480 total for the year
Median mileage
87,500miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300, 4% of the 480 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 87,500 miles. 2 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.

“The parking lights on both front head light assemblies have melted the plastic of the housing and had to be broken out which seems to indicate an excessive generation of heat and potential fire hazard when bulbs are replaced they keep burning out which is a potential safety hazard.. I have seen several other complaints regarding this same issue and as well an issue very similar to the tail light recall. I was wondering if this has been or will be addressed my the manufacturer”

NHTSA complaint #11289140, filed 2019-12, 148,000 miles

“My front passenger head lamp caught fire one of the parking bulbs. All tje wiring is exposed and my lights stopped working. My right tail light one of the bulbs got over heated and had to take off the bulb.”

NHTSA complaint #11206355, filed 2019-05, 95,000 miles

“Vehicle was stationary. 1 of the 2 parking light bulbs in the front left headlamp assembly burnt out. When taken to dealer to replace the bulb, the service technician found that the bulb's harness had overheated and melted into the headlamp, requiring replacement of the entire headlamp assembly. The melted harness indicates that there was too much heat and could pose a fire threat in the headlamp, as well as reduce conspicuity due to dimmed or burnt out exterior lighting. …”

NHTSA complaint #10876120, filed 2016-06, 65,000 miles

“Common fault. Brown ground wire. Left tail light. Brown wire gets really hot. On cluster shows messages that the break,turn signal, reverse fog lights are out. I check and remove the plate or lights housing. Light bulbs seems to be fine. Sometimes the tail light is completely out sometimes it flickles really low like their gonna go out. It smells like smoke and the brown ground wire gets really hot. It usually happens when im driving it for a long period of time but constantly turning it on and off to go do something like stopping at the store.”

NHTSA complaint #11328439, filed 2020-06, 35 miles

“Las luces delanteras del vehculo de referencia presentan un alumbrado tenue y pobre, lo que reduce la visibilidad hacia el frente representando un peligro a la vida de las personas que transitan en dicho vehculo al guiar durante la noche. El 27 de septiembre de 2014, la computadora del vehculo comenz a indicar problemas con las luces delanteras, izquierda y derecho. Al ser llevado a inspeccin, se me indica que es necesario el reemplazo de los focos delanteros completamente.”

NHTSA complaint #10763644, filed 2015-09, 23,985 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 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300

Air bags
250 complaintsSuspension
60 complaintsBody and structure
49 complaintsFuel system
44 complaintsElectrical system
43 complaintsSteering
34 complaintsOther or unknown
33 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 Nov 1, 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