Home · 2011 Mercedes-benz C-class Hybrid · Complaints

What 516 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Mercedes-benz C-class Hybrid

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (516)Crash / fire / injury (25)Airbags (269)Suspension (62)Fuel system (51)Body & structure (50)Electrical system (46)Steering (35)Lights (21)Brakes (13)Engine (11)Transmission & drivetrain (10)

Newest first · 516 complaints · page 13 of 21

Jun 12, 2018Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF SILVER SPRING IN SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11101415

Jun 11, 2018Airbags

TAKATA AIR BAGS, MERCEDES KEEPS EXTENDING THE FIX DATE. THEY HAVE CHANGED THE PRIORITY GROUP FOR MY CAR FROM 4 TO 5 AND PUSHED THE DATE OUT, AS OF 6/11/18 I HAVE HAD NO CONTACT SINCE 1/18 STATING PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE BY 6/18.

NHTSA ODI 11101255

Jun 9, 2018Airbags

TAKATA RECALL, THE RECALL WAS 2 1/2 YEARS AGO AND THE DEALER HAS NOT CONTACTED ME FOR REPLACEMENT, I CALLED AND THEY ARE NOT "IN STOCK"

NHTSA ODI 11100678

Jun 2, 2018Airbags

TAKATA RECALL FOR MANY MONTHS I STILL WAITING FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE AIRBAG ON MY VEHICLE AND THE DEALER KEEP SAYING THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PART. IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE AND IT SEEMS THAT NOBODY CARES. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT OTHER ACTION I MAY NEED TO TAKE IN ORDER TO HAVE A SOLUTION TO THIS VERY URGENT MATTER.

NHTSA ODI 11099306

May 31, 2018Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (LOEBER MOTORS, 4255 W TOUHY AVE, LINCOLNWOOD, IL 60712, (847) 675-1000) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11099005

May 19, 2018Airbags

TAKATA RECALL - MERCEDES HAS NOT REPLACED THE RECALLED EQUIPMENT IN OVER THREE YEARS. OTHER MODELS SUBJECT TO AIR BAG RECALL IN THE MARYLAND AREA HAVE BEEN REPAIRED LONG AGO.

NHTSA ODI 11096839

May 18, 2018Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (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 FLETCHER JONES CHICAGO DEALER (1521 W NORTH AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60642 (773) 796-7688) 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. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11096735

May 18, 2018AirbagsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE ABOVE THE FRONT TIRE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK PAINS, AND HEADACHES, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,900.

NHTSA ODI 11096724

May 15, 2018Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V363000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. MERCEDES-BENZ OF HOUSTON GREENWAY (3900 SOUTHWEST FWY, HOUSTON, TX) 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. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11093861

May 10, 2018Airbags

TAKATA RECALL. I PURCHASED THIS CAR FOR MY TEENAGE SON ON 3/13/18. I SPENT CONSIDERABLE TIME SHOPPING FOR A VEHICLE IN OUR PRICE RANGE THAT DID NOT HAVE THE OPEN TAKATA RECALL. AT THAT TIME, THE NHTSA WEBSITE, MERCEDES CUSTOMER SERVICE AND CARFAX ALL SHOWED THAT THIS CAR WAS GOOD - NO OPEN RECALLS. NOW I COME TO FIND OUT THAT BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER BAGS/INFLATORS ARE ON RECALL, EFFECTIVE 6/1/16 AND 2/9/16, RESPECTIVELY. I AM EXTREMELY UPSET AND CONCERNED, AS I DO NOT WANT MY SON DRIVING AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THE RECALLS WERE "NOT THERE" IN MARCH? PLEASE HELP. THANKS.

NHTSA ODI 11093176

May 10, 2018Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300W. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN FEBRUARY OF 2016. THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF PLANO, 6455 DALLAS PKWY, PLANO, TX 75024) STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11093237

May 7, 2018Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT *JS

NHTSA ODI 11092287

May 1, 2018AirbagsCrash

REPEATED LETTERS FROM MERCEDES DEALER, HOWEVER, THEY CONTINUE TO SAY THEY CAN'T FIX IT. TAKEDA AIRBAGS

NHTSA ODI 11091189

Apr 17, 2018AirbagsCrash

"TAKATA RECALL"

NHTSA ODI 11088590

Apr 14, 2018

INTERIOR TRIM HAS BEEN COMING OFF FOR 2 YEARS CRAP CONSTRUCTION

NHTSA ODI 11085047

Apr 2, 2018Fire

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 ODI 11082418

Apr 2, 2018Airbags

"TAKATA RECALL" I CONTACT A MERCEDEZ BENZ DEALER MANY TIMES IN ORDER TO HAVE THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG REPLACE AND THEY ALWAYS RESPOND THAT THE PART IS NOT YET AVAILABLE AND THAT THEY DO NOT KNOW WHEN IS GOING TO BE AVAILABLE. I'M REALLY CONCERN THAT IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT I CAN BE INJURY BY THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG INSTALLED IN MY VEHICLE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW TO PROCEED TO HAVE THIS DEFECTIVE AIRBAG REPLACE AS SOON POSSIBLE.

NHTSA ODI 11082525

Mar 1, 2018Airbags

2011 MERCEDES BENZ C CLASS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TAKATA AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL REPAIR EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT TIME BEING COMPLETED. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11032369

Feb 25, 2018Airbags

MY COMPLAINT #11053646; I HAVE TRIED E-MAILING NHTSA AND YOUR E-MAIL DOES NOT WORK. WHEN I CHECKED THE REPLACEMENT SCHEDULE FOR MY CAR IT LOOKED LIKE MINE SHOULD BE DONE FIRST BASED ON THE YEAR OF VEHICLE. AFTER I FILED A COMPLAINT I RECEIVED NOTICE IT WOULD GET DONE BY 3/31/18 THEN JUST RECEIVED ANOTHER ONE NOW SAYS 6/30/18. IT SEEMS MERCEDES IS TAKING THEIR GOOD OLD TIME WHEN I'VE HEARD OTHER CAR MANUFACTURERS IMMEDIATELY TOOK CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. I CAN'T SELL MY CAR AND AM AFRAID OF GETTING IN AN ACCIDENT WITH THE EXISTING AIRBAGS. THEY JUST DONT CARE.

NHTSA ODI 11074880

Feb 17, 2018Electrical systemFire

PASSENGER SIDE LOWBEAM LIGHT BURNT OUT APPROX 2 MONTHS AGO, BULB REPLACED. FIVE DAYS AGO PASSENGER SIDE LOWBEAM LIGHT BURNT OUT AGAIN. PARKED CAR AFTER ABOUT A 15 MILE DRIVE, WITHIN 30 MINUTES CAR WAS ON FIRE AND ENTIRE FRONT END BURNT COMPLETELY. SHOULD THERE BE A RECALL FROM MERCEDES FOR FAULTY WIRING TO HEADLIGHTS BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED OR THEIR HOME DESTROYED IF FIRE STARTS WHILE CAR PARKED IN GARAGE?

NHTSA ODI 11073386

Feb 14, 2018Electrical system

SIMILAR TO THE RECALL ISSUE (AND OPEN INVESTIGATION), THE GROUND WIRE FOR THE REAR LEFT TAIL LIGHT OVERHEATED, MELTING THE LIGHT CARRIER.

NHTSA ODI 11072932

Feb 7, 2018AirbagsCrash

I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT AN AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED I BUMPED MY HEAD AN WIFE INJURED HER ARM. CAR RAN THE STREET TO THE OTHER SIDE AN MANAGE TO HIM THE IN THE RIGHT REAR TIRE AN HAD A FRONT END COLLISION. STREET COLLISION I WAS ON A MAIN STREET AN HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY.

NHTSA ODI 11067362

Feb 7, 2018

REPORTING A KNOWN MECHANICAL FAILURE TO ENGINE FROM APPARENT DESIGN OF ENGINE. 8/2017' VEHICLE HAD COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE WITH <50000 MILES, A REPLACEMENT ENGINE WAS INSTALLED AT MY EXPENSE, COMPLAINT FILED WITH MERCEDES-BENZ AND AFTER INTERNAL REVIEW NO COMPENSATION WAS GRANTED TO CUSTOMER(MYSELF) 1/2018-COMPLETE ENGINE MECHANICAL FAILURE (2ND TIME). <6 MONTH FROM REPLACEMENT. REPORTED COMPLAINT TO MERCEDES-BENZ. COMPANY REFUSES TO COVER COST OF AN APPARENT MECHANICAL 'RECALL' ISSUE. THERE ARE DOCUMENTED MECHANICAL ISSUES WITH THIS ENGINE DESIGN RESULTING IN COMPLETE FAILED AND MERCEDES-BENZ REFUSES TO ASSIST CUSTOMERS WITH COST FOR THEIR DESIGN FLAW AND HAS NOT ISSUED A 'RECALL' TO THEIR CONSUMERS/CUSTOMERS.

NHTSA ODI 11071528

Feb 4, 2018Airbags

TAKATA RECALL. MERCEDES BENZ HAS NOW CHANGED THE "PRIORITY GROUP" OF THE RECALL ON MY AIR BAGS FROM A "3" TO A "4", AND MOST RECENTLY A "5." AND THE EXPECTED DATE OF WHEN "REPLACEMENT PARTS [ARE] EXPECTE TO BE AVAILABLE" HAS CHANGED MULTIPLE TIMES, EACH TIME EXTENDING THAT DATE; THE LAST LETTER I RECEIVED SAYS "BY JUNE 30, 2018." THE LETTER I RECEIVED JUST LAST MONTH SAYS "BEFORE MARCH 31, 2018." I AM IN FLORIDA. EVERYTHING I READ SAYS FLORIDA SHOULD BE IN A HIGH PRIORITY GROUP DUE TO HUMIDITY. WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON? WHAT SANCTIONS HAVE BEEN IMPOSED ON MANUFACTURERS WHO ARE REPLACING AIRBAGS ONLY ON THE VEHICLES THEY ARE TRYING TO SELL, AS THIS IS WHAT THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP IN JACKSONVILLE, FL IS DOING?

NHTSA ODI 11066888

Feb 2, 2018Airbags

TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL - THE RECALL LETTER THAT I RECEIVED JANUARY 31, 2018 STATES THAT THE PART TO REPAIR THE CAR WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2018 FOR THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG AND SEPTEMBER 2019 FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. I DON'T WANT MY WIFE DRIVING THIS CAR UNTIL THE FIX/REPAIR IS DONE. TWO YEARS IS A LONG TIME TO WAIT FOR PARTS. WE WANT A LOANER VEHICLE PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA ODI 11066718

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Working with the data? Download all 516 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 25, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2011 Mercedes-benz C-class Hybrid verdict →