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Mercedes-Benz C350Model year report

2011 Mercedes-Benz C350 Problems

Compared with other Mercedes-Benz C350 years

Fewer complaints than typical for this model

29/100 0.6× a typical year · 50 = typical

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
26filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
52,861miles, 11 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
4 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 3.5L 6-cyl RWD · 17 city / 25 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C350 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C350. The part named most often is air bags, with 16 complaints (62% of the total), followed by fuel system (5) and other or unknown (4). 11 of the complaints include a mileage, and 45% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 52,861 miles. Of all complaints, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 101 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 3 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Fuel system complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 3 Mercedes-Benz C350 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 29 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Air bags: “I received a recall notice a long time ago (as much as 2 years or more?). I keep checking with the dealer only to be told they haven't received replacement airbags. I don't like the safety implications as well as the possible impact on the value of my car. What can be done to expedite replacement?”

NHTSA complaint #11047277, filed 2017-11, 31,000 miles

Fuel system: “My engine light jeep coming on with a p0456 code. Replace gas cap and purge valve control less then year ago. However I still smell gas when I fill up tank. After it goes down to 3/4 tank I don't smell gas. When it drop below half tank the engine light comes on. Same thing as last year now it starting again in june 2020. Only have 76000 miles. Dont drive thank much. Get service every year. They had recall for e350 back in 2013 however mb keep tell me its not my VIN. I think there is program with the C350 for 2011 model too. …”

NHTSA complaint #11331485, filed 2020-06, 75,980 miles

Other or unknown: “Sudden huge car fire with loud explosions. The whole front of the car got totally burned down. The car was parked in the front of the store with engine running.”

NHTSA complaint #11082418, filed 2018-04, 76,000 miles

Electrical system: “We have the recall and I am sorry I do not have the number where the wiring harness to the tail lamps could melt catching fire causing the rear lamp to go out. Mine has done so. My wife drives 35 miles 1 way to work each day and because it was at night when this happened I had to go out on I-64 which is a 70mph interstate highway and do a temp fix so see could get home. I have contacted the dealer which at time parts were not availed and the dealer was to contact me when they re availed, which the young lady even when they sent out the contact but did not bother to tell the rest. …”

NHTSA complaint #11054431, filed 2017-12, 82,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

45% of the 11 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 30,000 and 75,980 miles.

9%0–100%10–2536%25–5027%50–7527%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (11 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 52,861 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

2017112018201920202022
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C350. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
C-Class · sedan AWD★★★★☆4 / 2544 · 10.5% risk
C-Class · sedan RWD★★★★☆4 / 2544 · 10.5% risk

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2011 Mercedes-Benz C350 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
C350 RWD3.5L 6-cyl7-speed automatic172520$4,100

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C350 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 101 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 101 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz C350

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2015617,2504423—Not enough data
20141360,0004523—Not enough data
20132165,5006523—Falling
20123555,0005—2233 · FewerFalling
20112652,861442029 · FewerFalling
20101899,0604—20—Rising
20096559,1007—2062 · TypicalRising
200814470,0006—20100 · MoreFalling
2007690,8005—21—Not enough data
20062371,0005—21—Falling

All Mercedes-Benz C350 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C350 have?

NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C350 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C350 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 16 complaints (62% of the total), followed by fuel system with 5.

Has the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C350 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C350 do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C350 4 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C350 get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C350 (C350, 3.5L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C350 reported?

Among the 11 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 52,861 miles and the middle half falls between 30,000 and 75,980 miles; 45% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.