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

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

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)

269 of 516 complaints match · Airbags · clear filters · page 1 of 11

Oct 23, 2024AirbagsSpeed controlFuel system

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

Apr 12, 2024AirbagsCrash1 injury

I was in a collision and the airbags did not deploy. There was a recall on airbags for the Mercedes C300 within the year my vehicle was made, however, the recall did not include my VIN. Also, the sunroof drain is faulty, which was also recalled on other Mercedes C300s within the same production year, again not my VIN, but upon inspection by a certified dealership, it appears to be the same issue as other recalled vehicles.

NHTSA ODI 11582626

Feb 21, 2024Electrical systemAirbags

The sam box (electrical system fuze panel) located under the hood is in a spot where if the lid isn't on correctly water will drain from the windshield right into the sam box and cause the vehicles electrical system to deploy the steering wheel airbag. That's at least what happened to me. It was raining out that day and I guess I went over a bump that caused the lid of the sam to get out of place. I drove home and the car seat for a few hours. I went out upon unlocking the door as soon as I pulled the handle to open the driver side door the steering wheel airbag blew and the vehicle is now in srs mode. The dealership had told me that it's a design flaw but wants me to pay for the diagnostic. No lights were on and I did not file a police report.

NHTSA ODI 11573072

Dec 21, 2023AirbagsCrash1 injury

The airbags were supposed to have been fixed per recall by carriage house Mercedes in new London ct. my son was in a horrible front in collision and they did not deploy. None of them did. Accident happened 3 days ago insurance will pick up car today. I’d like this noted incase they need evidence

NHTSA ODI 11561237

Feb 17, 2023SteeringAirbags

Hi, I dropped off my car with Mercedes-Benz Dealership in Egg Harbor Twp, NJ back on Dec 21, 2022 and still waiting on recall to be fixed and while I'm without ever since that. Please look into this recall.

NHTSA ODI 11507821

Feb 6, 2023Airbags

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V081000 (Air Bags) and 19V010000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to a local dealer for the recall repair; however, the vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting parts for the repair. The manufacturer was contacted and was unable to confirm when the parts would become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11505784

Oct 16, 2022Airbags

There was a recall on airbags on this model the C350 2011 and the airbag is now back on

NHTSA ODI 11489465

Jan 12, 2021Airbags

ABS LIGHT WAS FIXED, BYT LIGHT IS BACK ON

NHTSA ODI 11387771

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

Jan 9, 2020Airbags

I RECEIVED NOTICE OF AIRBAG RECALLS IN 2016. FINALLY RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MERCEDES BENZ USA STATING THEY HAD AIRBAGS IN SEPTEMBER 2019. (THIS WAS AFTER CALLING DEALER REPEATEDLY REGARDING AIRBAGS AND TOLD THERE WASN'T A SOLUTION YET). TRIED CALLING MERCEDES BENZ DEALER-AUTONATION MERCEDES BELLEVUE WA. COULD NOT GET THRU , COULD NOT LEAVE MESSAGE IT WAS VERY FRUSTRATING. FINALLY CALLED SALES- RECEPTIONIST WALKED BACK TO SERVICE AND I GOT TO SPEAK TO CUSTOMER SERVICE REP. EMAILED MERCEDES BENZ USA ON 10/-5/19 @ 0923. MAIN OFFICE CONTACTED AUTONATION MERCEDES BELLEVUE CALLED ME AND SCHEDULED AIRBAG REPLACEMENT 11/08/19@0900. LEFT MY VEHICLE ALL DAY- DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAG REPLACEMENT. AT 1600 WAS CALLED AND TOLD THEY DIDN'T HAVE AIRBAGS. SO DROVE MY CAR HOME- WITHOUT REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS. WAS TOLD SIRBAGS WERE REORDERED AND THEY WOULD CALL WHEN IN. NO CALL WAS RECEIVED/ CALLED SEVERAL TIMES SPOKE WITH SERVICE REP CHAD, FINALLY WAS RESCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 2019- WAS CALLED AN HOUR LATER AND CANCELLED. HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THEM SINCE. TO SAY THIS IS DEPLORABLE SERVICE IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. ONE WEEK AFTER NOVEMBER APPT. RECEIVED A TEXT THAT MY BATTERY SHOWED PROBLEMS- ASKED WHAT PROBLEM NO RESPONSE. FINALLY CALLED AND ASKED AND THEY SAID IT WAS LOW- BUT I HAD IT CHECKED AND IT WAS FINE. I HAVE ALSO EMAILED HEAD COMPANY IN GEORGIA. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND THIS COMPANY. THANK-YOU [XXX] REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *CC

NHTSA ODI 11298144

Dec 18, 2019Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED TWO RECALL NOTICES FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) AND 19V010000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11289809

Dec 5, 2019Airbags

UPON FINDING OUT THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS TWO OPEN AIRBAG RECALLS, AND THE NHTSA WEBSITE SAYING PARTS WHERE AVAILABLE, I CONTACTED THE DEALER FOR ASSISTANCE IN REPLACING THE AIRBAGS. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE AIRBAGS WERE ON BACKORDER FROM THE MANUFACTURE WITH NO TIMELINE FOR POTENTIAL REPLACEMENT. PER INSTRUCTIONS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE I AM FILLING OUT THIS FORM TO LET THE NHTSA KNOW THE MANUFACTURE HAS FAILED / IS UNABLE TO REMEDY THIS DANGEROUS SAFETY RECALL IN A TIMELY MANNER

NHTSA ODI 11287129

Oct 29, 2019Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) AND 19V010000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF PALM SPRINGS AT 760-328-6525 (LOCATED AT 4095 E PALM CANYON DR, PALM SPRINGS, CA 92264) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. 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. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11276869

Oct 7, 2019Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) AND 19V010000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WITHIN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. RAY CATENA MERCEDES-BENZ (910 US-1, EDISON, NJ 08817) CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11266745

Oct 2, 2019Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 AND 19V010000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF HAMPTON (2712 MAGRUDER BLVD, HAMPTON, VA 23666, (757) 865-8000) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. *PM CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED.*JB

NHTSA ODI 11265706

Sep 25, 2019Airbags

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). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. MERCEDES-BENZ OF ONTARIO (3787 E GUASTI RD, ONTARIO, CA 91761, (909) 212-8400) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11257950

Sep 20, 2019Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS) AND 19V010000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. MERCEDES-BENZ OF WEST CHESTER (1260 WILMINGTON PIKE, WEST CHESTER, PA 19382, (484) 313-1100) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND WERE ON BACKORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11256815

Sep 9, 2019Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300W4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) AND 19V010000 (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 AS THE RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED OVER A YEAR AGO. PLAZA MOTORS PRE-OWNED (652 DECKER LN, CREVE COEUR, MO 63141, (888) 593-1883) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT RECENTLY RECEIVED A POSTCARD FROM TK HOLDINGS, ALERTING HER THAT THEY FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11254074

Sep 5, 2019Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (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 CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF SAN ANTONIO (9600 SAN PEDRO AVE, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78216, (210) 920-3235) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11253424

Aug 20, 2019Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG MIGHT NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 AND 16V363000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,000.

NHTSA ODI 11245161

Aug 13, 2019Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) AND 19V010000 (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 A YEAR AGO. MERCEDES-BENZ OF SARASOTA (4754 CLARK RD, SARASOTA, FL 34233, (941) 275-1293) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11243543

Aug 9, 2019Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V363000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. MERCEDES-BENZ OF FAIRFIELD (2950 AUTO MALL PKY, FAIRFIELD, CA 94533) CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE DEALER WOULD NOT PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR WITHOUT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST FIRST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11242888

Jul 22, 2019AirbagsSeats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE HEADREST AIR BAGS BURST ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO W.I. SIMONSON MERCEDES-BENZ (LOCATED AT 1626 WILSHIRE BLVD, SANTA MONICA, CA 90403, (855) 677-2690), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,352.

NHTSA ODI 11233810

Jul 12, 2019Airbags

I HAVE BEEN CONTACTING MECEDES-BENZ OF SOUTH BAY AT 3311 PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY, TORRANCE, CA 90505. TEL: (855)457-2275 FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS REGARDING THE TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL. 1) THE RESPONSE IS ALWAYS: "WE WILL CONTACT YOU TO SCHEDULE SERVICE WHEN THE PARTS ARRIVE". THEY NEVER CONTACT. 2) I KEEP GETTING POSTCARDS FROM MERCEDES BENZ THAT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE, HOWEVER, I HAVE LEFT MESSAGES FOR THEIR ASSIGNED RECALL PERSON WHO NEVER HAS TIME TO CALL BACK THEY ARE DRAGGING THEIR FEET ON THIS MATTER HOPING I'LL GO AWAY AND FORGET ABOUT IT

NHTSA ODI 11231466

Jul 9, 2019AirbagsSeats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE DRIVING, THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADREST AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11230531

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Working with the data? Download all 516 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 21, 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 Phev verdict →