13 problems related to wiring have been reported for the 2008 Mercedes Benz C300. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
I took my C300 Mercedes Benz (with only 52,000 miles), to the Mercedes Benz of miami dealership to check the wiring in both head lamps, since the headlights were intermittently flickering on and off, while driving at night. This electrical problem was of serious concern for me as a 72 years' old senior, could be a dangerous safety issue, creating a life and death situation. Mercedes benz dealership assistant service manager, juan obando, told me that the wiring to the headlamps was corroded and could not be replaced. I would have to buy two (2) complete new headlamp assembly units costing $1,890. - plus tax and labor installation. While driving at nights and unpredictably and intermittently losing head and low beam lights, is of grave safety concern to me and creates a hazard to pedestrians and other drivers on the roadway and highways.
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact smelled a burning odor underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to have it repaired according to NHTSA campaign number: 14v177000 (exterior lighting). The technician informed the contact that the front passenger side headlight wires were frayed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.
The rear wiring for the tail light lighting sparked. While driving the car smelled strongly of burning plastic. After a quick look over I didn't see anything alarming. The very next day all of the lighting on the rear right tail lights went out, all indicators came on in the dash showing that all bulbs were malfunctioning. After pulling the housing unit out, I found that the wire was burned and so was the unit the wires attached to; melted and burned. Wiring should not catch on fire, this could have easily spread and when taken to the dealer to fix, they cut the wire to attach more but cannot guarantee that it won't happen again.
I began to get warnings that the left rear tail light brake light and turn signal was malfunctioning. The left rear signal indicator in the dash blinked rapidly, and the computer gave warning message. When I removed the bulb panel I noticed that the wiring harness pulg was burnt and the plastic housing that held the bulbs was burnt. The brown wire on the end of the harness connector was burnt and the metal tab that the connector connected to was melted along with the plastic plug.
Right & left rear tail light assembly wiring harness plugs have melted where attached to the tail lamp assembly, causing brake, turn signal, hazard, and running lamps to not work intermittently. Brown wires get too hot to touch. Safety issue with electrical connectors.
Rear light housing assembly wiring smelling like smoke, open the truck and plastics housing was melting and very hot.
Right side taillight wiring melting, lights not working.
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated that the passenger side tail light failed to illuminate. The contact stated that the bulbs were changed on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake wiring harness and the lighting board needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000 and the current mileage was 70,000.
The wiring harness to the tail lamp on the right side was fried & filled with smoke and now the tail lamp goes very dim & almost off, but replacing with new blub doesn't help.
I have had numerous messages on my 2008 C300 mercedes regarding tail light/ brake light out. I have noticed that my passenger side tail lights/ running lights are much dimmer than the driver side lights. I have inspected the wiring harness assembly on the passenger side and noticed significant discoloration with the "brown wire" and associated connector; the connector has also been "hot" to the touch. I have an appointment with my local mercedes dealer next week to have it inspected/ evaluated. I really became more cautious following the recent news article regarding 2008-2009 mercedes tail light issues. Something is not right and it needs to be addressed/ corrected.
The passenger side rear tail light harness caught fire and melted. There are countless complaints and reports on this issue, but mercedes refuses to correct the problem or do a recall. Most incidents occur between 50,000 and 60,000 miles and is not covered by warranty. You can google this issue and see the wide spread complaints on the melting wiring harness. There are also several discussions on mb forum. Below is another website with several complaints of melted tail light wiring and non-working tail/brake and turn signals. I've contacted reliable mercedes in springfield, mo and they acknowledge that their shop has repaired many mercedes C300's with melted tail light wiring, but said mercedes will not fix recall this problem. This is a tremendous safety issue and I respectfully request that your agency address this matter with mercedes. . Read more...
After taking my care to the dealer, I had a error message on my display stating that my right rear tail light is out. Then a message stating my right low beam is out. I replaced all the bulbs. . . . . Five days later I get another right rear tail light is out. Two weeks later my right low beam is out again. Seems there is a wiring short that keeps burning out the low beam and tail light. Oh by the way tail light/brake lights work. Still have error message.
The right rear tail lights stopped working. After examining the wiring and harness were melted. Had to bring in to fix. The back board were the lights are on was also burnt. Now having problems on the left side. I just saw on the national news were other people are having the same problem with this year car. It seems the wiring is not proper size to handle the electric load. This is very dangerous driving this vehicle with the rear lights going out. The lights are running way to hot. Seems to be a defect on this year 2008 vehicle. I heard that this is being investigated by you. My wife is afraid to drive the car because of getting hit from behind because the problem with lights burning out or maybe a fire from the wiring melting. Mercedes says they will not fix and that this is not a problem.