2008 Mercedes Benz C350
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Vehicles › Mercedes Benz › C350 › 2008
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
These records cover every 2008 Mercedes Benz C350. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
6 recalls name the 2008 Mercedes Benz C350. Newest first.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2010 E350, 2014 G550, 2008-2009 C300, 2008 C350, 2009 CLK550, 2007 SL550, SLK280, and 2008 SLK350 vehicles. Various control units may have been updated with incorrect software configuration during a service repair. This can result in various system failures, such as loss of drive power, reduced exterior…
Various system failures, such as loss of drive power, reduced exterior lighting, or loss of dynamic control functions including stability and traction control, can increase the risk of a crash.
Dealers will update the software configuration on the affected control units, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 3, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022040003.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012 C300 4Matic, C250, C250 Coupe, C350, C350 Coupe 4Matic, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, E550 Cabrio, E550 Coupe, GLK350 4Matic, GLK350, SLS AMG Cabrio, and SLS AMG Coupe vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida…
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag modules, free of charge. Owners were sent an interim notification in March 2017. Second notices started going out in October 2018 and continue to be mailed as parts become available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 C300 Sedan, C300 4matic Sedan, C350 Sedan, C63 AMG Sedan vehicles, 2010-2011 GLK350, GLK350 4-Matic and E350 Coupe vehicles, 2011 SLS AMG, E350 Convertible, E550 Coupe and E550 Convertible vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii…
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag modules, free of charge. Owners were sent an interim notification October 2016. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic, E550 Coupe, E550 4Matic, and E63 AMG, 2011-2012 GL350…
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Mercedes-Benz owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372 and Chrysler owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 C300 Sedan, C300 4Matic, C63 AMG, and C350 vehicles, and 2010 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the air bag control unit may corrode and cause the control unit to malfunction.
The malfunctioning air bag control unit may cause the air bags to unexpectedly deploy increasing the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash. Alternatively, the air bag control unit malfunction may cause the air bags to not deploy in the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bag control unit and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. Mercedes-Benz issued an interim notification to owners on December 23, 2015. The recall began on March 14, 2016. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 C300, C300 4Matic, C350, and C63 AMG vehicles manufactured January 26, 2007, through July 13, 2011. In the affected vehicles, a poor electrical ground connection may result in the dimming or failure of the tail lights.
Dimming or failure of the tail lights reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions of stopping or turning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Mercedes will notify owners, and dealers will replace the bulb holders if not previously updated and replace any corroded connectors, free of charge. The recall began on August, 18, 2014. Owners may contact Mercedes at 1-800-367-6372.
The ESL system malfunction causes either steering lock or ignition switch to fail resulting in a failure to start the vehicle creating safety issues and a failure to reach safe destination. This problem is reported to be an extremely common issue in the Mercedes Benz W204 C-Class models.
All of a sudden, the car would not start and inserting the key and turning doesn't do anything. Turns out that like many other folks, the Electronic Steering Lock module is faulty and preventing the car from starting. Found out that only the dealer can fix it and mercedes provides the replacement part. The cost is unaffordable at $2200 from the dealer and the part is back ordered and won't be available for approximately 2 months. This is completely unacceptable and mercedes should prioritize and fix this issue as a safety issue with a recall since it completely makes the car non-driveable and nobody but the dealer can fix this, which allows the dealer to charge any amount they like.
-The rear subframe rusted through and broke. This made the vehicle extremely unsafe to drive. Braking caused the vehicle to veer right and was unsafe to stop. -Both a Mercedes dealership service center and an independent service center confirmed and verified the issue. -The part was inspected by the Mercedes dealership service center and the independent service center. -There were no warning lights or messages. The vehicle started making minor sounds in the rear of the vehicle prior to failure.
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350. The contact stated that after the vehicle was turned off, she attempted to restart the vehicle, but the engine failed to turn over. The contact stated that the next day the vehicle started; however, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the speedometer started to malfunction. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the contact was unsure if the vehicle was diagnosed. Additionally, the contact stated that on a separate occasion while driving at an undisclosed speed, she noticed that water had started to leak from the sun visor. The contact also heard water moving around on the floorboard. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 166,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350. The contact attempted to start the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to start-up. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle Electronic Steering Lock failure. The vehicle was currently being repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.
The rear subframe is corroded, the rear subframe is a structural part of the car that Mercedes refuses to cover under warranty or issue a recall for even though it is issued under recall in Canada
After a few years of driving the vehicle the following stopped working causing difficulty driving the vehicle abs/eps inoperative cruise control inoperative
TL* the contact owns a 2008 mercedes benz C350. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, several electrical failures had occurred and on several occasions and the vehicle would not start. The contact replaced the fuel pump however, the failure continued. It was later discovered the cause of the failure was due to a faulty fuse. No further information was available. Additionally, the passenger's side headlight and windshield wipers had stopped working and the srs warning light was illuminated. The cause of the failures were not determined. The local dealer plaza mercedes benz located at 11910 olive blvd, creve coeur, mo 63141 and the manufacturer were notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Car has several recalls but due to my geographical location mb refuses to assist. Now the car has completely malfunction and has been parked up since september
Nhtsa recall number: 16v081, 17v017, airbag warning light comes on, multiple request to correct open recall. dealer states parts are not available
TL* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz C350. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign numbers: 16v081000 (air bags) and 16v363000 (air bags). Fletcher jones motorcars of fremont (located at 5760 cushing pkwy, fremont, ca 94538, (510) 623-1111) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
TL* the contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz C350. The contact stated that the parking lamps failed to illuminate without warning. The vehicle was taken to baker motor company (1513 savannah hwy, charleston, sc) where it was diagnosed that the lamps overheated and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. ** updated 11/1/18*jb
TL* the contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz C350. While the vehicle was stationary and while driving various speeds, the supplemental restraint system (srs) malfunctioned. The contact stated that "srs malfunction service required" appeared on the instrument panel each time a passenger occupied the vehicle. Mercedes-benz of thousand oaks (3905 auto mall drive, thousand oaks, california 91362) was made aware of the failure and repaired the vehicle per nhtsa campaign number: 15v711000 (air bags), but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.
Takara recall still has not been replaced, it has been over a year. I call the dealer and there response IS "if I am so concerned not to drive the car" I have no option but to drive it os my only way to work. I need this fixed both air bags and mechanicals of air bags are on recall
On sunday, june 27, upon returning to my car I discovered that the key would not disengage the steering column lock to allow me to turn the ignition switch to the on position or steer the vehicle. In addition, the gearshift could not be dislodged from the park position. I contacted aaa. A test of battery revealed that it was fully charged. I was able to manually disengage the gear shift and place the car in neutral, however, the car was unable to be loaded on to the flatbed tow-truck, as the front wheels were locked at an angle and I was parked in parking space, between the sidewalk to my front and right side and a car to my left. I was forced to leave the vehicle and find an alternative means of getting home. Five days and numerous attempts later, aaa was finally able to retrieve my vehicle. Conversation with mechanics at mb dealership as well as mb trained private mechanic identified problem as defective electronic ignition switch (eis/ ezs) and electronic steering lock (esl/ elv). Contacted mbusa corporate office and was informed that the financial responsibility for the repair (approximately $1,600) was mine, since, despite hundreds of complaints regarding similar mechanical issue, there IS not a recall
TL* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz C350. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign numbers: 16v081000 (air bags) and 16v363000 (air bags). The parts to do the repairs were not unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The vehicle was taken to dayton beach mercedes-benz (1188 n tomoka farms rd, daytona beach, fl 32124) where it was confirmed that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
TL* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz C350. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v363000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer (garage isla verde, llc, ave. Baldorioty de castro km 10.3, carolina, pr 00979, 787-620-1313) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. The vin was not available.
TL* the contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz C350. The contact stated that the vehicle emitted an abnormal fuel odor. Months after the odor was noticed, the vehicle became inoperable. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that fuel entered into the carbon filter and the entire fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. The vin was not provided.
Takata recall car IS now ten years old and repair IS long overdue.
Takata recall- driver's side
2008 mercedes benz 350. consumer writes in regards to replacement parts not available within a reasonable time frame to repair defective airbag. *ld *js
TL* the contact owns a 2008 mercedes benz C350. While the vehicle was parked in the driveway, a family member notified the contact that there was smoke coming out of the trunk. The contact opened the trunk and noticed that the passenger side was in flames around the tail light assembly. The fire department was present, but no report was filed. The tail light assemblies were replaced approximately four years ago per an unknown recall by mercedes-benz of south orlando in orlando, florida. However, the dealer was not contacted for the recent failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.
Steering wheel locks without warning, shutting off control to the vehicle instrument panel and the gear shift. problem occurs without warning and can cause accidents as well as leave you stranded without away of starting your car or driving it safely.
Takata recall. According to takata, in the event of an inflator rupture, metal fragments could pass through the air bag cushion material, which may result in injury or death to vehicle occupants. I am also getting a front right srs malfunction service required.
TL* the contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz C350. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v081000 (air bags). The parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair as the recall notice was received over two years ago. The dealer (mercedes-benz of south orlando, 4301 millenia blvd, orlando, fl 32839, (888) 398-3936) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact recently received a postcard from tk holdings, alerting her that they filed for bankruptcy. The vin was unknown. The contact had not experienced a failure. *Tt *tr
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
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
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.
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.