I was leaving a gas station after pumping gas, and as I began to turn onto the road my car failed to respond in any way. It would not accelerate or break, the wipers suddenly came on and the headlights and emergency lights began blinking off and on. I was 1/2 second from being t-boned in the driver-side door by an oncoming Ford F350. The Ford F350 driver lost control of their vehicle trying to swerve to avoid hitting my car and did a 360-degree turn in the middle of the road, almost being hit multiple times by other vehicles because the Ford F350 ended up in the lane of oncoming traffic. Only by the Grace of God no one was seriously injured or killed. The SC State Trooper coincidently witnessed the incident and said I should contact the federal safety agency, to report what happened when I understood what would cause the car to become incapacitated mid-operation. My car would not turn off and NONE of the controls to anything in the car would work. It took the tow truck driver over 2 hours to figure out what fuse to pull to force the car to turn off before it could be towed. It was towed to the Mercedes dealership on Laurens Road, Greenville SC. 9 weeks later, last week, I got a call from the service tech, he explained to me the drain tubes in my sunroof were clogged, which caused water to flood the front seat floor subcompartments. He said so much water had flooded the subfloor that even 9 weeks later over 3 gallons of water were vacuumed out. The water had caused major damage to the electrical junction boxes in the subfloor and caused them to short out, incapacitating my car while driving. The tech explained there was no way I could have prevented the damage or even known the tubes were clogged, or the subfloor was becoming flooded. There are no maintenance requirements listed for the drain tubes that could have made me aware that the car could become incapacitated while in drive causing serious risk to myself and other drivers. This should be looked into ASAP.
Mercedes-Benz C300 headlights problems
20 of the 2,727 owner complaints about the Mercedes-Benz C300 describe headlights failing or too dim, most of them for the 2010 model year.
- owner complaints
- 20
- worst model year
- 2010
- typical mileage
- 55,000
By model year
Often reported together
What owners say
The electronic system, specifically the battery, failed and it is available for inspection upon request. The persistent battery drain caused the vehicle to become inoperable multiple times, including an incident where I was stranded 200 miles from home with my wife and dog, posing significant safety risks. Yes, the defect has been confirmed by the dealership’s service center multiple times. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership’s service technicians. Yes, the first malfunction message appeared on [XXX] at 2:22 PM, a week after purchase. Multiple warning messages have appeared since then, including transmission malfunction, running lights malfunction, high beams malfunction, and additional battery malfunction. Defect Description: - Description of the Defect: Persistent battery drain and related electronic system issues. - Date First Appeared: [XXX], a week after purchase. - Subsequent Occurrences: Multiple instances including being stranded 200 miles from home due to a dead battery and transmission error. Repair Attempts: I have taken my vehicle to [Dealership Name] for repairs on multiple occasions. Despite these efforts, the defect persists. Below are the details of each repair attempt: - Repair Attempt 1: [XXX], 2023, Battery replaced. - Repair Attempt 2: [XXX], 2024, Dealer refused to replace battery and simply charged it. Issue persisted the next day. - Repair Attempt 3: [XXX] 2024, Dealer didn't get back to me yet. Roadside Assistance Calls: - [XXX] 2022: First roadside assistance call for a dead battery. - [XXX], 2024: Roadside assistance called again. - [XXX], 2024: Roadside assistance called again. - [XXX], 2024: Roadside assistance called again. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mercedes benz c300w light bulbs are constantly blowing out. Primarily due to the heat accumulation in the headlights. The plastic parts are melting, dry and very brittle which causes bulbs to overheat and blow out. Left & right parking lights(4), side lamps(2) and license plate lamp(2) have been changed out at least 15 times per lamp. The dealership suggest I change out the head lamp casing costins approx. $2k with labor. Aftermarket $700 plus labor. The service department at three seperate shops have stated this is a common problem with the mb c300.
The parking lights on both front head light assemblies have melted the plastic of the housing and had to be broken out which seems to indicate an excessive generation of heat and potential fire hazard when bulbs are replaced they keep burning out which is a potential safety hazard.. I have seen several other complaints regarding this same issue and as well an issue very similar to the tail light recall. I was wondering if this has been or will be addressed my the manufacturer
My car sound like the power steering has gone it's very loud. Also secondary air flow just replaced and now it's going to need another one at 2000 a pop. Finally the electrics is very weird. Lights will go out then come back on. My day time running lights stay on day and night no matter where I turn the light switch. The day time running light is on even when I turn on high beams. No matter if it's moving or not all these things are happening.
My front passenger head lamp caught fire one of the parking bulbs. All tje wiring is exposed and my lights stopped working. My right tail light one of the bulbs got over heated and had to take off the bulb.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting: headlights
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2020 C300, 2019-2020 A220, AMG C43, AMG C63, 2020 GLE580, GLB250, 2020-2021 GLE450, GLE350, 2021 AMG GLE63, and AMG GLE53 vehicles. The LED headlights may have been incorrectly adjusted during a vehicle repair. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- Incorrectly adjusted headlights may reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the LED headlights, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed August 13, 2021. A second notice will be sent once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed January 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372.
Recall number 21V509000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: headlights
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 Mercedes-Benz C300 and C300 4MATIC vehicles. The headlights on these vehicles may not be properly adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- If the low beam headlight is not properly adjusted, the driver may have reduced visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- MBUSA has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the setting of the headlights and adjust them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019020008.
Recall number 18V906000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: headlights
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015 C300 and C400 vehicles manufactured from June 18, 2014, through September 5, 2014, that fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." The affected vehicles were assembled with horizontal adjustment mechanisms that allow the owner to change the horizontal adjustment used during the manufacturing process, instead of the proper sealing caps.
- Risk
- If the original horizontal adjustment is used to alter the low beam aim, the misaimed headlamp may not properly illuminated the road or cause increased glare to oncoming drivers, which increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the horizontal adjustment mechanisms on the headlamps with sealing caps on the affected vehicles. The recall began May 23, 2016. Owners may contact Mercedes at 1‑800‑367‑6372.
Recall number 15V087000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: tail lights
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 C300, C300 4Matic, C350, and C63 AMG vehicles manufactured January 26, 2007, through July 13, 2011. In the affected vehicles, a poor electrical ground connection may result in the dimming or failure of the tail lights.
- Risk
- Dimming or failure of the tail lights reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions of stopping or turning, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Mercedes will notify owners, and dealers will replace the bulb holders if not previously updated and replace any corroded connectors, free of charge. The recall began on August, 18, 2014. Owners may contact Mercedes at 1‑800‑367‑6372.
Recall number 14V177000 · Recall details
Questions about the Mercedes-Benz C300 headlights
Which Mercedes-Benz C300 years have headlights failing or too dim problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2010 (8 complaints), 2011 (5 complaints) and 2019 (2 complaints).
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