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 7 of 21

Feb 4, 2021Suspension

REAR SUBFRAME HAS ROTTED THROUGH. THE CONTROL ARM CONNECTION HAS COME LOOSE. NO OTHER RUST ON THE CAR

NHTSA ODI 11394661

Jan 14, 2021SuspensionBody & structure

PROBLEM STARTED TO BECOME APPARENT WHEN THE CAR BEGINS TO MOVE FROM A STOP. A CLUNKING SOUND WAS HEARD NEAR THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE. ISSUE BECAME MORE PROMINENT ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN BRAKING AT SPEEDS OVER 40MPH THE REAR END WOULD WAVER AND THE CAR WOULD START TO FISHTAIL. THE PROBLEM WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE REAR SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED WHERE IT IS CONNECTED TO A TORSION LINK. RUST WAS BAD ENOUGH THAT THE PART OF THE SUBFRAME CONNECTED TO THIS SUSPENSION LINK FAILED COMPLETELY AND BROKE AWAY FROM THE REST OF THE SUBFRAME. THIS IS A 9 YEAR OLD CAR AND THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AT 73,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI 11388175

Jan 12, 2021Airbags

ABS LIGHT WAS FIXED, BYT LIGHT IS BACK ON

NHTSA ODI 11387771

Jan 6, 2021LightsFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, WHEN THE MULTIPLE "LIGHTS OUT" WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THE BROWN WIRE WAS MELTED AND BURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER MERCEDES-BENZ OF CHERRY HILL (2151 NJ-70, CHERRY HILL, NJ 08002:(856) 663-3200), WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE "LIGHT ASSEMBLY UNIT" TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V177000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING), HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE RECALL WAS COMPLETED WITH PRIOR OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.

NHTSA ODI 11386823

Dec 28, 2020Fuel system

CAR INTERIOR SMELLS OF FUEL AFTER FILLING UP THE TANK. THE SMELL IS ALSO NOTICEABLE WHEN PARKED IN THE GARAGE. MY MERCEDES E350 ALSO HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A DEFECTIVE FUEL CELL SENDING UNIT.

NHTSA ODI 11385182

Nov 30, 2020Suspension

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, WENT TO APPLY BRAKES AND CAR SWERVED VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT, AND CAR BODY FELT LIKE IT WAS 'SWIMMING' AROUND ON THE FRAME. CAR FELT VERY UNSTABLE. TOOK CAR TO MERCEDES DEALERSHIP, AND CONFIRMED THAT THE REAR SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETELY CRACKED. TECHNICIAN NOTED WHAT APPEARED TO BE "RUST PROOFING SPRAY ON THE RUSTED AREA". MERCEDES DEALERSHIP QUOTED $4,000 FOR REPAIR. THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PART IN CANADA. MERCEDES DEALERSHIP CLAIMED NO KNOWLEDGE OF CANADIAN RECALL. AM AWAITING FOLLOW UP CALL FROM MERCEDES BENZ CORPORATE.

NHTSA ODI 11377050

Nov 5, 2020Fuel system

CAR WILL SMELL LIKE FUEL AFTER FILLING UP ON FULL TANK. I TOOK THE CAR INTO MERCEDES OF GREENWAY IN DOWNTOWN HOUSTON. THEY DISCOVERED A LEAK IN FUEL SYSTEM, IT'S CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON BECAUSE OF THE INADEQUATE PRESSURE. WHEN I HAD THE CAR PARKED IN MY GARAGE, MY WHOLE HOUSE SMELLED LIKE FUEL ! IT'S A BIG SAFETY ISSUE/FIRE HAZARD. I'VE SEEN OTHER 2011 C300 ARE EXPERIENCING SAME ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI 11373194

Nov 4, 2020Fuel system

FILLED GAS TANK FULL START GASOLINE IS LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE - LOCATION REAR PASSENGER SIDE. PLACED A PAN AND COLLECTED APPROXIMATELY A QUART OF GASOLINE IN 4.5 HOURS.

NHTSA ODI 11372990

Oct 14, 2020Fuel system

PLASTIC TOP OF FUEL PUMP LOCATED UNDER BACK SEAT CRACKS AND FUEL VAPORS ENTER THE CAR. BELIEVE THE PART IS DEFECTED TO CRACK FOR NO REASON OR UNDER STRESS.

NHTSA ODI 11364403

Oct 2, 2020Speed controlCrash

2011 MERCEDES BENZ C300. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE ACCLERATED OVER A CEMENT PARKING BARRIER AND INTO A TREE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*JS

NHTSA ODI 11361835

Sep 29, 2020Fuel system

STOPPED AT GAS STATION TO GET GAS FOR CAR AS SOON I WAS PUMPING GAS I CAN SMELL & SEE GAS FALLING ON THE FLOOR RIGHT BY THE BACK PASSENGER REAR TIRE. WAITED FOR DRY UP. THEN WENT HOME PARKED CAR CAME BACK OUT SAW A PUDDLE OF GAS WAITED FOR DRY UP. WENT UNDERNEATH AND SAW THE RESIDUE THAT IT HAD LEFT BEHIND AND IT LOOK LIKE IT WAS CRACK FROM THE GAS TANK.

NHTSA ODI 11361914

Sep 21, 2020Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING, THE VEHICLE MADE A RATTLING SOUND, WHILE TURNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR SUB FRAME WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED KEMPTHORN MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER LOCATED AT 1449 CLEVELAND AVE NW, CANTON, OH 44703 AND WAS INFORMED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE FAILURE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPAIR PART WAS ON BACK ORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED NHTSA FOR ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SIMILAR VEHICLES WERE RECALLED IN CANADA BUT, NOT IN THE UNITED STATES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11360188

Aug 20, 2020Suspension

VEHICLE FAILED STATE SAFETY INSPECTION DUE TO CORROSION PERFORATION OF REAR SUSPENSION CROSS MEMBER, A MAJOR REAR SUSPENSION STRUCTURAL COMPONENT. ALSO REFERRED TO AS REAR SUBFRAME (PART NUMBER 207-350-97-02). THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN DEALER SERVICE BAY WHEN DISCOVERED.

NHTSA ODI 11350400

Jul 22, 2020SteeringSuspensionBody & structure

REAR SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM RUSTS OFF OF THE SUBFRAME. NO OTHER RUST ON THE CAR. DURING BRAKING THE CAR STEERS HARD TO THE RIGHT ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT

NHTSA ODI 11340814

Jun 29, 2020Fuel 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. THE LIGHT ALWAYS COME IN WHEN IM DRIVING DOES MATTER IF CITY STREET OR FREEWAY. FIRST TIME 2019. REPAIRS IN JULY. HAPPEN ON 6/3/2020. WAS CLEAR THEN WHEN GASS WENT TO HALF TANK ON 6/28/2020 IT HAPPEN AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI 11331485

Jun 12, 2020Lights

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. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11328439

May 20, 2020SteeringElectrical system

CAR PARKED,STEERING COLUMN SEIZED. UNABLE TO START IGNITION OR PUT VEHICLE IN GEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11325258

May 11, 2020Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING HIS VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF JACKSON (455 STEED RD, RIDGELAND, MS 39157) WHERE THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED A CRACK IN THE FUEL LINE THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ASSOCIATED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V557000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) WITH HIS FAILURE HOWEVER, HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REACH THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 87,000.

NHTSA ODI 11324172

Apr 27, 2020Electrical systemLightsElectronic Stability Control (esc)

IT WAS MY IPHONE THAT GOT HACKED FIRST, THERE WERE THESE HEAT LASERS STARTED TO TARGET ME, ONE DAY I WAS SLEEPING IN MY CAR, THE CAR WAS PARKED IN A PARKING GARAGE, THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR JUST STARTED DEFROSTING. YES, MY DEFROSTS CAME ON AND MY WINDOWS BEGIN TO FOG UP. NEXT, I STARTED TO NOTICE THOSE SAME "HEAT LASERS" THAT WERE TARGETING ME FROM MY IPHONE ARE CONSTANT ON MY HEAD AND STOMACH WHILE I'M DRIVING MY CAR. ALSO, A SYMBOL STARTED TO APPEAR ON MY DASHBOARD, LATER DISCOVER IT WAS THE "AUXILIARY BATTERY" ., THEN MY LIGHTS ARE ALWAYS FLICKING, AND WHEN I HAVE THE HEAT OR AIR CONDITION ON, THEY ARE NOT AS COLD OR HOT, THE TEMP WAS BEING TAMPERED WITH, AS IF THE CAR WAS ADJUSTING THE CONTROLS. NOW, A GREEN LIGHT SYMBOL IS CONSTANTLY APPEARING ON MY DASHBOARD, SO THE HACKERS WERE USING MY "AUXILIARY BATTERY" , NOW THEY ARE USING THE "LIGHTS" ON MY CAR TO TARGET ME NOW. YES, THIS HACKER, HACKED AND IS ATTACKING ME WITH SOME TYPE OF LASER WHILE DRIVING MY CAR. THIS HAPPENED FEBUARY 11, 2020 WHEN MY CAR BEGIN TO DEFROST ON ITS OWN. NOW, IM IN THIS NIGHTMARE, AT THE HANDS OF A HACKER TARGETING ME, WITH SOME "HEAT LASERS" I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE FBI (INTERNET CRIME COMPLAINT CENTER) BECAUSE OF THE HEAT LASERS, I'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DOCTOR ON SEVERAL OCCASION DUE TO THE 'HEAT LASER TARGETING MY BODY/ORGANS., ON 04/17/2020.

NHTSA ODI 11322396

Apr 22, 2020Fuel system

MY 2011 C300 SMELLS LIKE GASOLINE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE AFTER I FILL THE TANK. THE SMELL SUBSIDES AFTER THE GAS TANK REACHES ABOUT HALF TANK MARK. DURING MY RESEARCH I CAME ACROSS A FUEL SYSTEM RECALL: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V557000 / MANUFACTURER CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 2013010004. MY 2011 C300 IS ONE OF THE VEHICLES LISTED. I CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ CUSTOMER CARE AT 800-367-6372; CUSTOMER CARE STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 78,381

NHTSA ODI 11321947

Mar 29, 2020Fuel system

STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE CABIN AND AROUND VEHICLE AFTER FUELING. ISSUE STARTED OVER LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS AND ONLY WHEN FUELED TO CLOSE TO FULL.

NHTSA ODI 11319643

Mar 15, 2020Airbags

I JUST PURCHARED THE CAR ON 3/14/2020 FROM CARMAX AND THEIR IS A RECALL ON THE AIR BAGS. IF AIR BAGS COME OUT THIER IS METAL THAT CAN COME THROUGH THEM.

NHTSA ODI 11318142

Mar 1, 2020Fuel system

VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY EMITTING GAS VAPORS INSIDE VEHICLE AND LEAKING GAS INSIDE BEHIND AND/OR UNDERNEATH BACK DRIVER SIDE SEAT. VIN (XXXX) REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11315485

Feb 28, 2020Electrical system

ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020 MY VEHICLE WAS NOT STARTING IN ORDER TO TAKE ME HOME AT 9:40 PM. DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE ESL IN THE STEERING COLUMN I AM NOW FORCED TO WAIT HERE UNTIL A TOW TRUCK COMES. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS LOCATION AND WISH MY VEHICLE WOULD START KNOWING THAT IT HAS THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF VOLTAGE AT THE BATTERY.

NHTSA ODI 11311991

Feb 18, 2020Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL AROUND THE VEHICLE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL ON THE GROUND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED OUT OF THE GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11309934

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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 →