2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 Complaints

View complaints related to 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. The complaints found here are submitted by actual consumers with first hand experience. There are more than 450 complaints submitted for the 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. You can submit your own complaint to the NHTSA or call the Hotline, Monday-Friday 8am to 8pm at (888) 327-4236, TTY: (800) 424-9153.

  • 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300
    - Somerset, NJ

    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

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300
    - Gahanna, OH

    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.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300
    - Hopkinton, MA

    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.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300
    - Houston, TX

    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????

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300
    - Nashville, TN

    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.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300
    - Orlando, FL

    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.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300
    - JBER, AK

    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

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300
    - Charlotte, NC

    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.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300
    - Romulus, NY

    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

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300
    - West Newbury, MA

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

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE