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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 1995–2010

Mercedes-Benz C recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 21 owner complaints for the Mercedes-Benz C, covering model years 1995 to 2010. The 2009 model year drew the most complaints (14), and Exterior Lighting is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Mercedes-Benz C VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 2 recall campaigns on file
  • 21 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 5 model years with data (1995–2010)
  • most complaints: 2009 (14 for that model year)
  • top component: Exterior Lighting (7 complaints)
  • latest recall 10V459000 (reported Oct 4, 2010)
  • 3 complaints reporting a crash (14.3%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a fire (0.0%)
  • 2 complaints reporting an injury (9.5%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Mercedes-Benz C complaints by model year

5 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2009 model year has the most complaints: 14 of 21, or 66.7%. Next come 2007 (3) and 2008 (2). The fewest are for 2010, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Mercedes-Benz C owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 1995–2010Column chart of 21 complaints across 16 model years. The highest is 2009 with 14. The full figures are in the table below the chart.1995: 1 complaint119951996: 0 complaints19961997: 0 complaints19971998: 0 complaints19981999: 0 complaints19992000: 0 complaints20002001: 0 complaints20012002: 0 complaints20022003: 0 complaints20032004: 0 complaints20042005: 0 complaints20052006: 0 complaints20062007: 3 complaints320072008: 2 complaints220082009: 14 complaints1420092010: 1 complaint12010
Mercedes-Benz C complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Mercedes-Benz C complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
199510000
200731000
200820000
2009142020
201010000
All model years213020

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Mercedes-Benz C components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Exterior Lighting is the component named most often, in 7 complaints (33.3% of all 21), followed by Electrical System (5) and Power Train (5).

Components named most often in Mercedes-Benz C complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Mercedes-Benz C complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Exterior Lighting733.3%
Electrical System523.8%
Power Train523.8%
Steering29.5%
Air Bags14.8%
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)14.8%
Engine14.8%
Engine and Engine Cooling14.8%
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility14.8%
Fuel System, Gasoline14.8%
Fuel/Propulsion System14.8%
Seat Belts14.8%
Service Brakes14.8%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic14.8%
Structure14.8%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Mercedes-Benz C recalls

2 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name C, newest first. The 2 campaigns cover model years 2007 to 2010. The 2007, 2008 and 2010 model years appear in the most campaigns (1 each).

  • 2 recall campaigns
Mercedes-Benz C recall campaigns covering each model year
2007: 1 campaign2008: 1 campaign2009: no campaigns2010: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model years with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 10V459000

    Reported

    Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Pump

    Model year 2010

    Mercedes Benz is recalling certain model year 2010 c-class, model 204, e-class, model 212, and model year 2010-2011 e-class coupe/cabriolet model 207 vehicles. The power steering system in the subject vehicles may fail due to the loss of power steering fluid.

    Consequence:
    Owners may not have sufficient control of the vehicle in areas, such as parking lots, where maximum power steering is required, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will check and retorque the connection fitting free of charge. The safety recall began on October 31, 2010. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

    Filed by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

  2. NHTSA campaign 08V303000

    Reported

    Electrical System

    Model years 2007–2008

    Mercedes-Benz is recalling MY 2006-2008 m-class, r-class, MY 2005-2009 SLK-class, MY 2005-2008 c-class, MY 2003-2004 and 2006-2008 CLK-class, MY 2003-2008 e-class, MY 2004 and 2008 CL-class, MY 2008 CLS-class, MY 2004 and 2007-2008 s-class, MY 2003 g-class, and MY 2003-2004, 2006 and 2009 SL-class vehicles. A software calibration number (SCN) coding received on the affected vehicles during a recent workshop visit was incorrect. Depending on the model year and model affected, the results of an incorrect SCN coding can affect a number of vehicle safety and emission functions including the following types of functions: (1) the fuel gauge readings may be incorrect; (2) a stuck fuel-level sensor may not be displayed in the instrument cluster; (3) the OBD system may cause the check engine light to illuminate incorrectly; and, (4) the speedometer may be out of tolerance.

    Consequence:
    In the event of a vehicle crash, the electrical fuel pump may not receive a crash signal that is required for the fuel pump to disconnect and prevent future fuel delivery as designed.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will recode the SCN free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 2008. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

    Filed by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Mercedes-Benz C questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Mercedes-Benz C have?

NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recall campaigns for the Mercedes-Benz C, covering model years 1995 to 2010. The most recent, 10V459000, was reported on October 4, 2010 and is filed under “Steering”. The 2007, 2008 and 2010 model years are covered by the most campaigns (1 each).

Which Mercedes-Benz C model year has the most complaints?

The 2009 model year, with 14 of the 21 complaints in NHTSA’s file (66.7%). The next are 2007 (3) and 2008 (2). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Mercedes-Benz C complaint?

Exterior Lighting is the component named most often: 7 complaints, or 33.3% of all 21. Electrical System (5) and Power Train (5) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Mercedes-Benz C?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Mercedes-Benz dealer.

How many Mercedes-Benz C complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 21 complaints, 3 report a crash, 0 a fire, 2 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Mercedes-Benz models

8 models · most complaints first

The Mercedes-Benz models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Mercedes-Benz VIN decoder with every Mercedes-Benz model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Mercedes-Benz models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.