Exterior Lighting Problems of Mercedes Benz C300 - part 1

Check right tail and brake lamps warning light will not go off for months. They are working fine but the light won't go off. Googling on mb world, it shows mercedes is aware of this problem and a recall is needed to get it corrected being safety issue with warning lights not working properly. See all info. Below from owners, conversations and work done by dealers, etc. People note it is a middle school education problem. Please alert me when the recall is confirmed to get this important problem fixed. [xxx] thank you, [xxx] [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

See all problems of the 2009 Mercedes Benz C300 🔎.

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.

See all problems of the 2011 Mercedes Benz C300 🔎.

The vehicle had a previous warranty repair for the taillight burning out repaired but the issue has happened per the recall but the dealer states that since they fixed it then they wont fix it again even tho its what the complaint for the recall was originally.

See all problems of the 2010 Mercedes Benz C300 🔎.

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.

Headlight harness on drivers and passenger side is melting and my lights are flickering. I was advised to night drive my vehicle at night, because it could start an electrical fire. This is caused by heat from the lights.

The contact owns a 2012 mercedes-benz C300. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the passenger’s side rear taillight was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired since the VIN nor the model year was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14v177000 (exterior lighting). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

See all problems of the 2012 Mercedes Benz C300 🔎.

I received a warning that my left front headlight was not working. I took the car to my dealer to have the light replaced. I was told that because this is an lcg assembly the entire assembly unit needed to be replaced and the cost would be $3,500.

See all problems of the 2016 Mercedes Benz C300 🔎.

The right rear tail light housing harness melted due to an electrical issue. Wire tends to heat up too much. This caused my right rear tail light, right break light and right side turn signal not to function.

We had notifications on our dashboard that rear driver side (left) lights were out while driving car. We thought the light bulbs just had to be replaced. We brought to mechanic to just fix lights & they discovered the light ground wire burned out & caused light holder to be damaged as well where ground wire was. It caused rear driver side tail lights to fail. We had light bulb holder with wires all replaced on 2/23/24. This issue was a recall back in 2014 & seems to be a reoccurring issue with this part of the mercedez 2011 c class.

The contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz C300. The contact stated after the vehicle was taken to the dealer for an unknown recall repair, the air bag warning light remained illuminated. Contact noticed that the driver side headlight was not working. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where is was diagnosed as drivers front head lamp and wiring were detaching. Dealer recommended that driver and passenger head lamp be replaced . No repair was recommended for the air bag warning light. Also while vehicle was shut off tail light remained on. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

See all problems of the 2008 Mercedes Benz C300 🔎.

The contact owns a 2018 mercedes-benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a message was displayed that there was a light bulb malfunction. The contact stated that the rear turn signal lights and brake lights were not operating properly. Additionally, the contact stated that the fuel door failed to operate properly, and occasionally opened independently while driving. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the cause of the electrical issues was water in the spare tire compartment. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 52,800.

See all problems of the 2018 Mercedes Benz C300 🔎.

1. A faint smell of fuel, occasionally, external of vehicle. 2. The headlights has a water fog mist inside of headlight lens. 3. The seats and car interior cracks easily. (seats, arm rest and dashboard) etc.

See all problems of the 2015 Mercedes Benz C300 🔎.

The contact owns a 2012 mercedes-benz C300. The contact stated stated while driving 35 mph, he smelled a rubber burning odor. A message indicating that the turn signal was inoperable was displayed. The contact stated that he pulled to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle. The contact noticed that there was smoke coming from the rear passenger's side taillight. The contact stated that he opened the taillight panel and noticed that the interior and the bolt had melted. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact related the failure to mercedes-benz campaign number: 2014050001; however, the dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the campaign. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the campaign. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

The contact owns a 2009 mercedes-benz C300. The contact stated that the coolant warning light was frequently illuminated due to low coolant. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the engine hose and other engine parts were replaced. Despite the repair, the coolant light returned soon after the initial repair. The contact then took the vehicle to a dealer where the failure was linked to NHTSA campaign number: 22v168000 (exterior lighting, electronic stability control, engine and engine cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

While driving and when parked the headlights flicker on and off. I have no headlights while driving at night, during adverse weather conditions and during dawn hours. I could crash into other drivers, or they could crash into me because they can’t see me. When a parking bulb blows it fuses and melts everything together causing the replacement of the entire headlight unit, this has happened twice.

When starting car you can smell gasoline the smell stays while driving.

The contact owns a 2009 mercedes-benz C300. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 mph the instrument cluster had begun to flicker and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated he had power steering and brakes and pulled off of the highway and placed the vehicle into park (p). The vehicle would not restart and the contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed and had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched and related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 22v168000 (exterior lighting, electronic stability control, engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

The contact owns a 2009 mercedes-benz C300w. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, all the warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that all the lights on the left tail lamp connectors were melted into the bulk assembly mount and needed to be replaced. The contact was then informed by the dealer of the NHTSA campaign number: 14v177000 (exterior lighting) however, the dealer confirmed that the recall was previously completed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was promised a call back however, the contact has not received a response. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

Car not able to be driven rear subframe had completely rusted out and rear light housing is burn.

The driver side rear tail light wiring melted the tailight housing. This component was already replaced as part of a previous recall, but apparently mercedes is not properly fixing the issue. They refuse to fix it for free, because they already "addressed" the recall. Looks like they are putting cars back on the street that could catch fire.

Starting from the date I purchased the car, I realized dark shadows (always there) below the headlight line closer to the left and mid zone at the low beam. These shadows are actually formed within the illumination zone as if something is blocking them. I took it to the authorized mercedes service (hartford, new country mercedes-benz, CT) and they confirmed the shadows. They told me that there are dust and scratches within the headlights, and they replaced the headlights (repair invoice is attached). However, the shadows are still present, and the service is now telling me that these shadows are normal and part of the light pattern and "vehicle is operating as designed and properly". To get a second opinion, I took it to another authorized mercedes service at springfield, MA (see attached service record), they also acknowledged the shadows, but they keep telling me that it is operating normally. These shadows are formed within the field of view and making blind spots on the road and every time I see them it feels like there is something on the road on that spot. Shadows very distracting and I am very concerned about my and others' safety while driving at night. I have driven several cars before and never experienced anything like this. My attempts to communicate with the manufacturer (mercedes-benz USA) also have been unsuccessful. No response to e-mails, and the person I have talked on the phone was disinterested in my concern. I have attached real-life images, a diagram showing the shadows’ locations along with repair invoices from both hartford, CT and springfield, MA mercedes-benz services. The car is available for inspection if requested.

See all problems of the 2022 Mercedes Benz C300 🔎.

Headlight is out and there is no replacement; dealer says they are having significant issues with headlamps. Also, tire safety monitoring system is always on, even though there is a proper air pressure amount.

I noticed my right tail light has completely went out and related damage to the brown wire connected to the entire casing. Per recall campaign: 2014050001; NHTSA recall number: 14v177, "oxidation on the ground pin connector for the rear tail lamps of subject vehicles can result in a dimming of the tail lights or loss of tail lamp functions. The loss of a rear tail lamp reduces the rearward visibility of subject vehicles, especially with respect to turn signal illumination and may increase the likelihood of a rear end crash". I recently called a new certified Mercedes Benz dealership near me who states this recall has been closed, however, there is no specific indication on whether that was the right or left tail light. Regardless, a recall covers both whether it happens simultaneously or at different increments. My requested resolution: to simply acknowledge the recall to replace this time the right tail lamp. Especially since any wiring issues poses risk of shortage or fire.

My husband drove my car home from work on April 18th 2022 and it was a bad rain storm that everyone. He had to drive through a couple of big rain storms. Soon afterwards he got around the corner from the house and the electric system failed lights started going off everywhere in the car, he lost steering and couldn’t see and almost crashed and got the car home safely but it wouldn’t shut off so he had to disconnect the battery for the car to shut off. On April 22 nd the car was towed to the dealership because it wasn’t driveable and they check out the car and discovered water under the carpeting of the drivers seat near the wiring of the car. I submitted an insurance claim and an adjuster went out to see the damage and his thought is that it’s due to a known problem for this car that’s been reported by many people with this same vehicle. The Mercedes Benz C300- 2010-2014 years. I checked online and apparently many people have reported this same issue water underneath the car due to bad firewall manufacturered not sealed correctly which could be a manufacturers/ safety issue. My husband was almost killed thank goodness he made it home safe that night. I believe there are many people that have had this issue and someone needs to be done for safety purposes, and I believe the insurance doesn’t want to cover the repairs because they are blaming mercedes’ benz. My cars been in the shop a month and I still have no answer from state farm or the shop Mercedes Benz.

Both headlights wiring harnesses (right and left ) wiring has melted and all wiring is now exposed and touching and causing all light bulbs ( headlights-tail lights-turn signals-brake lights-ect) to be shortage out due to the original wiring not being constructed to resist the heat from the engine and environment. We had mb of maidland,FL and elite motors of ococee,FL to view this issue with the only fix is out-of-pocket repair in the thousands of dollars. I have a neighbor with a mb experiencing similar problems.

Rear taillight ground wire melting. Dealer said that this recall was performed previously, so now I had to pay for the repair parts. Nhtsa campaign number: 14v177000.

The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated that the wiring in the left tail light had melted without warning. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA campaign number: 14v177000(exterior lighting) which he linked to his failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and both informed him that the recall had been serviced prior to the contact owning the vehicle. The vehicle had been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

The contact owns a 2009 mercedes-benz C300. The contact stated while driving and activating the turn signals, the taillights were inoperable. Additionally, the contact stated while driving and depressing the brake pedal to come to a stop, the brake lights were significantly dimmed except for the third brake light. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with electrical failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 14v177000 (exterior lighting); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist because the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

The rear tail light housing harness melted due to an electrical issue. This caused my rear tail light & break lights not to function.

The contact owns a 2009 mercedes-benz C300. The contact stated that she had experienced several electrical failures with the vehicle which include the power seat and windows, the parking brake, the exterior lighting, and the air bag warning lights. She also stated that the vehicle would shut off while driving at various speeds as several warning lights would appear on the instrument panel. The dealer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. Upon investigation, the contact linked that failure to NHTSA campaign number: 22v168000( exterior lighting, electronic stability control, engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated while driving 25 mph, when the multiple "lights out" warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to her residence. The contact stated while inspecting the vehicle she noticed the brown wire was melted and burned. The vehicle was taken to local dealer mercedes-benz of cherry hill (2151 NJ-70, cherry hill, NJ 08002:(856) 663-3200), where it was diagnosed with needing the "light assembly unit" to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired as of yet. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 14v177000 (exterior lighting), however the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and informed the recall was completed with prior owner of the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

I have a mb C300 2008 the car never had an issue until I brought it in for a airbag recall 2 weeks later I get an srs malfunction, esp and abs failure car doesn't turn on next day the car turns on and engine light goes on, then lights stayed on even after car was off next day lights went off while driving in dark making for hazardous and quite scary situation mb is doing these recalls but jeopardizing the overall integrity of car I even replaced battery but this still occurred car was rendered undrivable and stuck in my driveway and had to have it towed and pay $380 just to look at it even though I told them they caused damage there is no way a perfectly running car coincidentally has major electrical issues post recall (they replaced entire stash board and steering wheel cover).

Parking bulbs melted into the light casing unit. This was confirmed by Mercedes Benz of sacramento dealership.

Tl the contact owns a 2010 mercedes-benz C300. While operating the vehicle, the passenger side rear parking light was very dim. The cause of the failure was not determined. Mercedes-benz of huntington (1103 e. Jericho tpky, huntington, NY) and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 90,000.

Tl- the contact owns a 2018 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18v850000 (steering) and 18v906000 (interior lighting) 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. The house of imports 6862 auto center dr, buena park, CA 90621 (714) 627-5553 was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The contact had not experienced a failure. . Dr.