RecallRepo

2008 Mercedes-Benz C350 Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350 has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,453,834 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 196 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 22V168000 2022-03-18 22 affected
Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2010 E350, 2014 G550, 2008-2009 C300, 2008 C350, 2009 CLK550, 2007 SL550, SLK280, and 2008 SLK350 vehicles. Various control units may have been updated with incorrect software configuration during a service repair. This can result in various system failures, such…

Consequence

Various system failures, such as loss of drive power, reduced exterior lighting, or loss of dynamic control functions including stability and traction control, can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the software configuration on the affected control units, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 3, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022040003.

AIR BAGS 17V017000 2017-01-10 104,119 affected
Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012 C300 4Matic, C250, C250 Coupe, C350, C350 Coupe 4Matic, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, E550 Cabrio, E550 Coupe, GLK350 4Matic, GLK350, SLS AMG Cabrio, and SLS AMG Coupe vehicles originally sold, or ever…

Consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag modules, free of charge. Owners were sent an interim notification in March 2017. Second notices started going out in October 2018 and continue to be mailed as parts become available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at…

AIR BAGS 16V363000 2016-05-26 258,163 affected
Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 C300 Sedan, C300 4matic Sedan, C350 Sedan, C63 AMG Sedan vehicles, 2010-2011 GLK350, GLK350 4-Matic and E350 Coupe vehicles, 2011 SLS AMG, E350 Convertible, E550 Coupe and E550 Convertible vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in…

Consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag modules, free of charge. Owners were sent an interim notification October 2016. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

AIR BAGS 16V081000 2016-02-11 711,159 affected
Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic, E550 Coupe,…

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Mercedes-Benz owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372 and Chrysler…

AIR BAGS 15V711000 2015-10-27 127,504 affected
Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 C300 Sedan, C300 4Matic, C63 AMG, and C350 vehicles, and 2010 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the air bag control unit may corrode and cause the control unit to malfunction.

Consequence

The malfunctioning air bag control unit may cause the air bags to unexpectedly deploy increasing the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash. Alternatively, the air bag control unit malfunction may cause the air bags to not deploy in the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, increasing the…

Remedy

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bag control unit and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. Mercedes-Benz issued an interim notification to owners on December 23, 2015. The recall began on March 14, 2016. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 14V177000 2014-04-11 252,867 affected
Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS
52
2crashes2injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
51
2fires
STEERING
31
1crashes
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
29
2fires
ENGINE
7
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2
POWER TRAIN
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1
Total complaints196

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“The esl system malfunction causes either steering lock or ignition switch to fail resulting in a failure to start the vehicle creating safety issues and a failure to reach safe destination. This problem is reported to be an extremely common issue in the mercedes benz w204 c-class models.”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2025-02-03

“The esl system malfunction causes either steering lock or ignition switch to fail resulting in a failure to start the vehicle creating safety issues and a failure to reach safe destination. This problem is reported to be an extremely common issue in the mercedes benz w204 c-class models.”

STEERING · reported 2025-02-03

“All of a sudden, the car would not start and inserting the key and turning doesn't do anything. Turns out that like many other folks, the electronic steering lock module is faulty and preventing the car from starting. Found out that only the dealer can fix it and mercedes provides the replacement…”

STEERING · reported 2023-08-18

“All of a sudden, the car would not start and inserting the key and turning doesn't do anything. Turns out that like many other folks, the electronic steering lock module is faulty and preventing the car from starting. Found out that only the dealer can fix it and mercedes provides the replacement…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2023-08-18

“-the rear subframe rusted through and broke. This made the vehicle extremely unsafe to drive. Braking caused the vehicle to veer right and was unsafe to stop. -both a mercedes dealership service center and an independent service center confirmed and verified the issue. -the part was inspected by…”

STRUCTURE:BODY · reported 2022-12-04

“The contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz c350. The contact stated that after the vehicle was turned off, she attempted to restart the vehicle, but the engine failed to turn over. The contact stated that the next day the vehicle started; however, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle…”

ENGINE · reported 2022-11-16

“The contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz c350. The contact stated that after the vehicle was turned off, she attempted to restart the vehicle, but the engine failed to turn over. The contact stated that the next day the vehicle started; however, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2022-11-16

“The contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz c350. The contact attempted to start the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to start-up. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle electronic steering lock failure. The vehicle was…”

STEERING · reported 2022-08-19

Defect investigations

Investigation EA13008 Opened 2013-12-20 · closed 2014-05-12

Loss of rear lighting assembly

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of loss of rear lighting in model year (MY) 2008-2011 Mercedes Benz C-Class vehicles.Complainants alleged that one or both rear lighting assemblies fail to illuminate (i.e., all lights housed within the assembly…

Investigation EA13008 Opened 2013-12-20 · closed 2014-05-12

Loss of rear lighting assembly

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of loss of rear lighting in model year (MY) 2008-2011 Mercedes Benz C-Class vehicles.Complainants alleged that one or both rear lighting assemblies fail to illuminate (i.e., all lights housed within the assembly…

Investigation EA13008 Opened 2013-12-20 · closed 2014-05-12

Loss of rear lighting assembly

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of loss of rear lighting in model year (MY) 2008-2011 Mercedes Benz C-Class vehicles.Complainants alleged that one or both rear lighting assemblies fail to illuminate (i.e., all lights housed within the assembly…

Investigation EA13008 Opened 2013-12-20 · closed 2014-05-12

Loss of rear lighting assembly

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of loss of rear lighting in model year (MY) 2008-2011 Mercedes Benz C-Class vehicles.Complainants alleged that one or both rear lighting assemblies fail to illuminate (i.e., all lights housed within the assembly…

Investigation EA13008 Opened 2013-12-20 · closed 2014-05-12

Loss of rear lighting assembly

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of loss of rear lighting in model year (MY) 2008-2011 Mercedes Benz C-Class vehicles.Complainants alleged that one or both rear lighting assemblies fail to illuminate (i.e., all lights housed within the assembly…

Investigation EA13008 Opened 2013-12-20 · closed 2014-05-12

Loss of rear lighting assembly

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of loss of rear lighting in model year (MY) 2008-2011 Mercedes Benz C-Class vehicles.Complainants alleged that one or both rear lighting assemblies fail to illuminate (i.e., all lights housed within the assembly…

Investigation EA13008 Opened 2013-12-20 · closed 2014-05-12

Loss of rear lighting assembly

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of loss of rear lighting in model year (MY) 2008-2011 Mercedes Benz C-Class vehicles.Complainants alleged that one or both rear lighting assemblies fail to illuminate (i.e., all lights housed within the assembly…

Investigation EA13008 Opened 2013-12-20 · closed 2014-05-12

Loss of rear lighting assembly

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of loss of rear lighting in model year (MY) 2008-2011 Mercedes Benz C-Class vehicles.Complainants alleged that one or both rear lighting assemblies fail to illuminate (i.e., all lights housed within the assembly…

Investigation EA13008 Opened 2013-12-20 · closed 2014-05-12

Loss of rear lighting assembly

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of loss of rear lighting in model year (MY) 2008-2011 Mercedes Benz C-Class vehicles.Complainants alleged that one or both rear lighting assemblies fail to illuminate (i.e., all lights housed within the assembly…

Investigation EA21002 Opened 2021-09-17 · open

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant…

Investigation EA21002 Opened 2021-09-17 · open

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant…

Investigation PE13026 Opened 2013-07-11 · closed 2013-12-30

Loss of rear tail light functionality

ODI initially received 21 reports of rear light assembly failure due to a melted electrical connector or housing.Since opening the initial , ODI has received a total of 114 complaints reflecting an ongoing and increasing trend.In each report, one or both rear light assemblies fail completely (i.e., all lights housed…

Investigation PE13026 Opened 2013-07-11 · closed 2013-12-30

Loss of rear tail light functionality

ODI initially received 21 reports of rear light assembly failure due to a melted electrical connector or housing.Since opening the initial , ODI has received a total of 114 complaints reflecting an ongoing and increasing trend.In each report, one or both rear light assemblies fail completely (i.e., all lights housed…

Investigation PE13026 Opened 2013-07-11 · closed 2013-12-30

Loss of rear tail light functionality

ODI initially received 21 reports of rear light assembly failure due to a melted electrical connector or housing.Since opening the initial , ODI has received a total of 114 complaints reflecting an ongoing and increasing trend.In each report, one or both rear light assemblies fail completely (i.e., all lights housed…

Investigation PE13026 Opened 2013-07-11 · closed 2013-12-30

Loss of rear tail light functionality

ODI initially received 21 reports of rear light assembly failure due to a melted electrical connector or housing.Since opening the initial , ODI has received a total of 114 complaints reflecting an ongoing and increasing trend.In each report, one or both rear light assemblies fail completely (i.e., all lights housed…

Investigation PE13026 Opened 2013-07-11 · closed 2013-12-30

Loss of rear tail light functionality

ODI initially received 21 reports of rear light assembly failure due to a melted electrical connector or housing.Since opening the initial , ODI has received a total of 114 complaints reflecting an ongoing and increasing trend.In each report, one or both rear light assemblies fail completely (i.e., all lights housed…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350 as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.