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Model Year Problem Record

Mercedes-benz C300 2011 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2011 Mercedes-benz C300: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

480Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
6Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
11Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
26Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

For each system: what owners reported, matched against the recalls on file for this model year. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Air Bags250 complaints

250 complaints; 3 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 16V081000, 16V363000, 19V010000.

Suspension61 complaints

61 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure50 complaints

50 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System44 complaints

44 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 12V557000.

Electrical System43 complaints

43 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 17V177000.

Steering34 complaints

34 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other33 complaints

33 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting20 complaints

20 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 14V177000.

Brakes14 complaints

14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

12V557000Reported December 3, 2012 - 5,800 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on December 3, 2012. The campaign covers an estimated 5,800 vehicles across all affected models.

14V177000Reported April 11, 2014 - 252,867 vehicles potentially affected

Lighting. Recall covering the lighting system, reported to NHTSA on April 11, 2014. The campaign covers an estimated 252,867 vehicles across all affected models.

16V081000Reported February 11, 2016 - 711,159 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on February 11, 2016. The campaign covers an estimated 711,159 vehicles across all affected models.

16V363000Reported May 26, 2016 - 258,163 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on May 26, 2016. The campaign covers an estimated 258,163 vehicles across all affected models.

17V177000Reported March 14, 2017 - 51 vehicles potentially affected

Electrical System. Recall covering the electrical system system, reported to NHTSA on March 14, 2017. The campaign covers an estimated 51 vehicles across all affected models.

19V010000Reported January 9, 2019 - 288,779 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on January 9, 2019. The campaign covers an estimated 288,779 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA13008Opened December 20, 2013 - Closed May 12, 2014

Loss of rear lighting assembly. Resulted in recall campaign 14V177000.

EA13008Opened December 20, 2013 - Closed May 12, 2014

Loss of rear lighting assembly. Resulted in recall campaign 14V177000.

EA13008Opened December 20, 2013 - Closed May 12, 2014

Loss of rear lighting assembly. Resulted in recall campaign 14V177000.

EA13008Opened December 20, 2013 - Closed May 12, 2014

Loss of rear lighting assembly. Resulted in recall campaign 14V177000.

EA13008Opened December 20, 2013 - Closed May 12, 2014

Loss of rear lighting assembly. Resulted in recall campaign 14V177000.

EA13008Opened December 20, 2013 - Closed May 12, 2014

Loss of rear lighting assembly. Resulted in recall campaign 14V177000.

EA13008Opened December 20, 2013 - Closed May 12, 2014

Loss of rear lighting assembly. Resulted in recall campaign 14V177000.

EA13008Opened December 20, 2013 - Closed May 12, 2014

Loss of rear lighting assembly. Resulted in recall campaign 14V177000.

EA13008Opened December 20, 2013 - Closed May 12, 2014

Loss of rear lighting assembly. Resulted in recall campaign 14V177000.

EA21002Opened September 17, 2021 - Open

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA21002Opened September 17, 2021 - Open

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20111
20121
20135
20145
201510
201625
2017120
201865
201978
202020
202123
202262
202331
202427
20255
20262
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of November 1, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.