2008 Mercedes Benz C
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Mercedes Benz › C › 2008
These records cover every 2008 Mercedes Benz C. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 2008 Mercedes Benz C. Newest first.
Mercedes-benz IS recalling my 2006-2008 m-class, r-class, my 2005-2009 slk-class, my 2005-2008 c-class, my 2003-2004 and 2006-2008 clk-class, my 2003-2008 e-class, my 2004 and 2008 cl-class, my 2008 cls-class, my 2004 and 2007-2008 s-class, my 2003 g-class, and my 2003-2004, 2006 and 2009 sl-class vehicles. a software calibration number (scn) coding…
Risk and remedy
Risk
In the event of a vehicle crash, the electrical fuel pump may not receive a crash signal that IS required for the fuel pump to disconnect and prevent future fuel delivery as designed.
Remedy
Dealers will recode the scn free of charge. the recall began on august 30, 2008. owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.
Owner complaints
2 complaints
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Exterior lighting
While driving home from work, a warning msg came up for me to check the left tail and brake lights. I got home and checked the lights on the left side and none of them were working. I had these checked and was going to replace the bulbs. was told replacing the bulbs was not going to take care of…
While driving home from work, a warning msg came up for me to check the left tail and brake lights. I got home and checked the lights on the left side and none of them were working. I had these checked and was going to replace the bulbs. was told replacing the bulbs was not going to take care of the problem. the wire harness had caught on fire and melted the wiring and the board!!! this IS the 3RD mercedes I have had and I have never had this problem. my problem IS I live 1 1/2 hours away from dealership and I don't have the extra time to take off from work and have this checked! and than be told, I have to pay to have it fixed. if there isn't a recall to fix this problem, this will be my last mercedes! *tr
- Electrical system · Exterior lighting
I have received multiple warning signals indicating that my tail lights and turning lights have failed. I initially thought my bulbs were blown but I thought it was strange that all of them would blow at one time. upon checking the panel in the trunk I noticed that the wires looked like they were…
I have received multiple warning signals indicating that my tail lights and turning lights have failed. I initially thought my bulbs were blown but I thought it was strange that all of them would blow at one time. upon checking the panel in the trunk I noticed that the wires looked like they were burning. I brought it into the dealer and the said they have noticed the issue but do not know the cause. I asked if this was recalled and they stated no, and that I would be responsible for the repairs. after doing further research I noticed others have had similar issues. I do not think that it IS fair that the consumer should have to incur the cost associated with subpar manufacturing. please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. *tr
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Loss of rear lighting assembly
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of loss of rear lighting in model year (MY) 2008-2011 Mercedes Benz C-Class vehicles.Complainants alleged that one or both rear lighting assemblies fail to illuminate (i.e., all lights housed within the assembly extinguish…
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of loss of rear lighting in model year (MY) 2008-2011 Mercedes Benz C-Class vehicles.Complainants alleged that one or both rear lighting assemblies fail to illuminate (i.e., all lights housed within the assembly extinguish, including the stop, tail, and turn signal functions) or illuminate dimly.In some reports, complainants also alleged that the failure was accompanied by a burning smell emanating from the trunk of the vehicle.When examined, these vehicles showed evidence of overheating at the lighting assembly harness connector, including damaged (blackened) wiring and plastic.The rear lighting failures typically involved one side of the vehicle however in some cases both assemblies failed (although probably not simultaneously).ODI identified 5 fire and one injury allegations during the course of this investigation.Two fires occurred while the vehicles were parked.One originated in the vicinity of the driver?s side light assembly where the fire and associated damage was confined to the trunk area, and the fire self extinguished due to oxygen starvation.As a result of the fire, the vehicle was repurchased by Mercedes and salvaged.The second fire originated on the passenger's side and required fire department response to extinguish; the fire damaged the tail light and surrounding body panels as well as the trunk area and wiring.The vehicle was repaired and returned to service.Two firesoccurred while the vehicle was being driven.In the first instance, the driver detected an odor and pulled over to observe smoking and a small flame at the lighting assembly wiring in the trunk.The owner was able to extinguish the fire before any significant damage occurred.In the second instance, the driver smelled smoke, pulled over, and opened the trunk to find smoke and sparks emanating from the forward facing side of the tail light.The driver was able to extinguish the sparks and drive the vehicle to the dealer. A fifth fire was reported by a fleet manager who observed a vehicle with fire damage originating near one of the tail light assemblies.The injury incident occurred when a technician burned their hand while diagnosing a failed light.The technician touched the tail light wiring which was hot enough to burn him although the injury did not require medical attention.On April 10th, 2014, Mercedes notified ODI that it would conduct a safety recall to remedy the rear light assemblies in approximately 252,867 MY 2008 - 2011 C-Class vehicles including the C300, C350 and C63 AMG models.Each rear light assembly has separate bulbs that act as brake, tail lamp, backup and turn signal indicators.The bulbs are mounted in a bulb carrier which uses a common electrical ground circuit at the harness connection.According to Mercedes, oxidation due to the use of dissimilar metals on the harness and bulb carrier electrical connectors can result in increased resistance and a subsequent dimming or loss of lighting function.The heat caused by the increased resistance/oxidation can also lead to the melting of the surrounding plastic, or in some cases, present a fire hazard.In conducting recall 14V-171, Mercedes dealers will inspect the left and right bulb carriers and harness connectors for the presence of dissimilar electrical connectors and/or evidence of related thermal damage; affected bulb carriers and/or harness connectors will be replaced free of charge.Mercedes notes that service replacement bulb carriers produced from January 2012 eliminate the dissimilar metal condition and that these bulb carriers will not requ
- Loss of rear tail light functionality
ODI initially received 21 reports of rear light assembly failure due to a melted electrical connector or housing.Since opening the initial , ODI has received a total of 114 complaints reflecting an ongoing and increasing trend.In each report, one or both rear light assemblies fail completely (i.e., all lights housed…
ODI initially received 21 reports of rear light assembly failure due to a melted electrical connector or housing.Since opening the initial , ODI has received a total of 114 complaints reflecting an ongoing and increasing trend.In each report, one or both rear light assemblies fail completely (i.e., all lights housed within the assembly extinguish, including the stop, tail, and turn signal functions) when the electrical ground connection is compromised as a result of high resistance and subsequent thermal over-heating.According to Mercedes-Benz, the over-heating of the ground wire is caused by corrosion between the connectors in the ground circuit to the tail light.ODI is aware of a total of 5 reports alleging fire including one injury allegation as a result of this issue.Analysis of subject vehicle complaint data indicates an increased likelihood of failure as the vehicles age.As a result of the evidence presented, this investigation has been upgraded to EA13-008.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10041639Mercedes benz: new repair method for low beam halogen lamp bulb that IS inoperative.
- 10039256Mercedes-benz: the malfunction light IS on with multiple possible trouble codes stored. There could be a problem with the camshaft and/or scoring of a piston.
- 10038225Mercedes-benz: diagnostic procedures for the driver authorization system.
- 10037408Mercedes-benz: shock absorber procedure.
- 10034566Mercedes benz: reprogram mbrace (n123/4) dialed numbers to hughes. This action applies to new vehicle inventory only.
- 10025842Mercedes benz: model 171.454, 456 (2005-2008) SLK class; 204.054, 056, 081 (2008) c class; 211.022, 056, 072, 087, 090 (2006-2008) e class. Vehicles produced between 2/21/08 and 4/3/08 with differential serial number 1824214 to 1865328. Clunking noise during load change at rear axle differential.
- 10025827Mercedes benz: model 204.054, 056, 081; vehicle does not start, no communication with star diagnosis, power outlets not functioning.
Every Mercedes Benz C model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.