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

Strong fu Smell after filling tank recently. Checked under the passenger side rear seat and there is some fuel on the top of tank. Local mechanic confirmed and mentioned not to fill tank more than half. Requires replacement of fuel tank to fix it

NHTSA ODI 11739814

Rear brakes backing plates rotted prematurely despite garage kept and well maintained status. While driving, noticed loud scraping and grinding noises from the rear left wheel. Took to mechanic and he found severe rust, with deep corrosion and flaking "rotted". He said I was lucky because this was very close to causing the entire brake assembly to fail, which would lead to serious braking problems or "locked out wheel" and loss of control on a highway which would have put me and others at risk. Had similar rust issues with this car that were fixed in the recent past including rusted brake lines and rusted rear subframe. There is definitely something wrong with the manufacturing as the rear subframe had been recalled and got it fixed that way less than a year ago.

NHTSA ODI 11711917

Car was Off and parked when brake line failed. Further inspection was able to identify that brake pipes was slowly corroded thought entire lower part of the brake system causing critical failure of brakes. Extreme safety issue due to the material of metal/coating and position of brake pipping. If operator was not observant, operator/driver would not have any braking and could cause harm.

NHTSA ODI 11695579

The driver’s side door handle broke and I was unable to leave the car unless it was unlocked and rolled the window down to open it from the outside through the window. If there was a loss of power and you pulled on the latch and it broke you would be delayed in exiting. There are multiple videos on after market parts to repair the plastic pin that breaks. Tesla seems to be recalling their vehicles for a similar problem recently, why not Mercedes for a known problem????

NHTSA ODI 11688657

The electronic steering wheel lock went out causing the car to not start. Upon checking the Internet to see if anyone else was having this problem I found that it was a problem many Mercedes Benz owners have had and it's an expensive one. It's not just with my particular model and it's not limited to older models of the brand either.

NHTSA ODI 11682861

I drove vehicle to Publix with no problems. When i tried to start vehicle, key turns but car does not start. There is no cranking sound. I called a mechanic friend and after extensive diagnosis he determined it was the ESL Module which controls the steering. Fortunately i was not driving the vehicle when the ESL Module failed. There is a recall on Mercedes Benz c300 from 2012-2017 for the ESL Module problems but the 2011 is not included. It should be recalled since it is a safety hazard and it appears others have had similar problems according to comments on Google. I have a handicapped wife i take care of and having issues with the steering can cause accidents and injuries. There were no messages or symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. There needs to be a recall or further inspection done on the 2011 Mercedes Benz c300. Car will be towed to a Mercedes Benz dealership for Diagnostics.

NHTSA ODI 11666460

The ESL or electronic steering lock is a very common issue with this year and model at around the 70k mile mark. You cannot start the car once this goes out and it’s over $2k to fix

NHTSA ODI 11658412

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the rear lights became inoperable and failed to illuminate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that rear lighting wires were burned, causing an electrical failure within the rear light assemblies. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V177000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11628770

The ESL is going out and is causing the car to not detect the key.

NHTSA ODI 11625253

Rear subframe , so I went in for an alignment and was quickly notified and denied service due to my rear sub frame being broken. Car is reported to be unsafe by the tire company.no lights etc. My family and I could of seriously been hurt. I can retrieve a statement from dun tire in auburn and from mercedes. They are charging me 641.00 and I'm without a vehicle for 2wks

NHTSA ODI 11624585

Subframe rusted resulting in failure of left rear suspension mount causing dangerous loss of control of car under braking.

NHTSA ODI 11623710

1.What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The fuel system failure is a highly critical safety concern, and my life is at risk. It causes malfunctions with the vehicle, for example, the OBD-based emissions test has flagged a lot of (codes P219A, P0300, P0304, P0410, P0305, P0303, P0171, P0301) 5 of the cylinder misfire codes with the check engine light on, as well affecting other parts in the vehicle function properly, acceleration issues, car stalling as though it’s going to shut off. This is a serious matter and Mercedes-Benz is failing to prioritize customer safety, over cost especially when known faults in the vehicle can lead to potentially life-threatening incidents such as fuel leaks and fire hazards. Yes, the vehicle is available for further inspection upon request immediately each day my life is at risk. 2.How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? My safety and other's safety are put at risk every time I get out on the road to drive my car it's putting me and other' live in serious danger (especially with the extreme increase in car accidents in the local Nashville, TN area). Despite the vehicle now being 3,000 miles over the 150,000-mile extended warranty threshold. I recently purchased the car on [XXX] and was not made aware of Mercedes Benz having any extended warranty coverage for the faulty fuel system that Mercedes-Benz had placed on this model. I can only assume the previous owner the car was reposed from was also unaware of this as well. I believe Mercedes-Benz should still cover the cost of this repair. The fuel system failure is a critical safety concern, and Mercedes-Benz should prioritize customer safety, especially knowing there were faults of poor quality that they discovered with their vehicles and can lead to potentially life-threatening incidents such as fuel leaks and fire hazards. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11621516

I just purchased a 2011 Mercedes C300. I was told that for the past 2-3 years the vehicle would constantly bald out the rear 2 tires and would need replaced every 3 months. As I was driving the vehicle I noticed that the rear tires would make weird noises as if it was hutting something. Upon further investigation the rear sub frame is rotted, which based on research appears to be a very common problem with these vehicles. The rear sub frame is rotted in which caused the lower control arms to completely rot off of the frame posing as a serious safety issue for me when driving with my children and a safety issues for others when I drive on the road. On top of that due to the lower control arms completely rotting off the frame it caused the control arms to hit the gas tank which could catch the car on fire. Mercedes has refused to issue this as a recall in due part to their negligence. Customers cannot afford to pay $5000 for a rotted subframe due to negligence from Mercedes. Please research how many vehicles have had rotted subframes for this vehicle. In Germany they will repair the rotted subframe free of charge. Mercedes needs to be held accountable for risking peoples lives.

NHTSA ODI 11618212

For the 2011 Mercedes Benz C300, the following is a general description of the issue: The component that failed is the "internally faulty" electronic steering column lock control unit which doesn't allow the car to start its ignition. The technician at the Mercedes Benz car dealership noted on the invoice "found the electronic steering lock is internally faulty." Technician provided two specific codes and recommended to replace the steering lock control unit. Yes, this car is available for inspection upon request. Car is not reliable. After running errands, car did not start. I was stranded and could not get back home. Car had to be towed to the Mercedes Benz dealer service center. Yes, problem was reproduced in another Mercedes-Benz C300 car that I own. This other vehicle is a 2010 Mercedes-Benz C300. The failure of the "internally faulty steering lock control unit resulting in a no crank/no start condition" was confirmed on the invoice from the Mercedes Benz dealer service center. The car was not inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representative. The car was inspected by the Mercedes Benz dealer service center. Prior to complete failure, car would occasionally not start. This issue first appeared on or around August 2024. This steering lock failure is a critical issue as I had the same problem with another Mercedes Benz C300 that I own. Both steering lock failures for both cars occurred around the same time period and were separately diagnosed and fixed at different Mercedes Benz dealer service centers.

NHTSA ODI 11615780

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and almost went all the way to the floorboard, and the vehicle failed to stop as needed, requiring an increased effort to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11611686

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the messages to check the rear taillights and rear turn signals were displayed. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the rear taillight bulbs and connectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact informed the dealer that the vehicle had been previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V177000 (Exterior Lighting). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

NHTSA ODI 11607986

Rear brake line rusted through land leaked all the break fluid rendering the vehicle unsafe to drive due to the complete failure of the breaking system. The location of the break line corrosion is above the rear differential and next to a retainer clip.

NHTSA ODI 11604234

While I was driving, my seat back suddenly started reclining backward. I could not make the seat stop or go forward with pushing the power seat button control. It kept reclining back, pushing into the back seat and would not stop until there was no power left. Had my child been in the seat behind me, instead of behind the passenger seat, her legs would have been crushed. I took it to a vehicle repair shop and they were able to manually put the seat back to an upright position. I have not let my child ride in the back seat after that incident yet. I just dropped the car off to the Mercedes service department near me.

NHTSA ODI 11604383

I was told by 2 different vehicle repair shops that the subframe is broken. I just dropped it off at the Mercedes service shop near me to look at.

NHTSA ODI 11604384

Interior door handle becomes inoperative due to breaking of some internal element. This prevents leaving the vehicle. Of concern is that in case of emergency, the occupant cannot exit the vehicle. If power is affected, the windows cannot be lowered which is the only way to exit using the exterior door handle. This is a well known defect of this series of Mercedes Benz to which the manufacturer has not accepted responsibility.

NHTSA ODI 11593665

The car is not starting. no dashboard no lights no window function no seat function no radio. nothing. Ignition lights are not turning on and the car is dead. Car batteries were newly replaced but understand this could be EIS and Steering lock issues which is common in Mercedes Benz models. Why is Manufacturer not compensating / correcting for common errors on his Models?

NHTSA ODI 11593432

I researched that the sunroofs on these models are faulty and have caused water/electrical damage under the carpeting and seats of the vehicles. That is what has happened with my 2011 C300 Sport.

NHTSA ODI 11592155

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, he became aware that the brakes were not functioning properly. The contact had to pump the brake pedal to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. The cruise control, ABS, and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was diagnosed with a failure with the electronic stabilizing program control unit. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 84,000.

NHTSA ODI 11590636

The brake lines have corroded in multiple places causing brake fluid to leak, potentially creating a safety risk had the problem not been immediately observed and corrected. An independent service center confirmed the problem and replaced all the brake lines and hoses. There were no warning lamps or signals. A puddle of brake fluid under the car was the first indication of a problem.

NHTSA ODI 11589855

my ESL (electronic steering lock. ) has went out when I did research this something that always happened please fix

NHTSA ODI 11588052