klepZ OwnerReports
Mercedes Benz / C350 / 2008

2008 Mercedes Benz C350 problems

Owners have filed 196 complaints about the 2008 Mercedes Benz C350 with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 27.6% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of air bags at 26.5%.

Complaints196
Crashes3
Fires4
Injuries2
Deaths0

What owners report breaking

Electrical system 27.6% · 54
Air bags 26.5% · 52
Steering 16.3% · 32
Exterior lighting 15.8% · 31
Engine 3.6% · 7
Unknown or other 2.0% · 4
Power train 1.0% · 2
Visibility 1.0% · 2
Severity

Of those complaints, 3 describe a crash, 4 describe a fire and 2 report an injury.

Reading the numbers

Filings have fallen off, 9 in the last three years against 26 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.

The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 70,838 miles.

In owners' own words

On tuesday, june 9, 2015, I drove my car to work and parked at approximately 7:45 am. I did not get back into the car until 4:30 pm on the same day. When I attempted to start up my vehicle, it would not start. I called a mechanic friend, and he determined that it is a faulty eis which is the same problem that other people are describing here. As it stands right now, I will never buy another Mercedes Benz!!!! Electrical system · reported at 107,000 miles
I drove without problem to a local store, less than 4 miles away. I was in the store 5 minutes. When I came out and tried to start my car, the steering wheel was locked in place and the dash said "take key from ignition". The lights and radio worked, however the windows would not work and the car would not turn on. Also, the shift was stuck in "park" and could not be placed into neutral without an override. Electrical system · reported at 88,700 miles
Electronic steering lock- car was running fine no issues parked the car went back out to start less than an hour after parking and got nothing dash came on no radio,no windows,no release from park, and steering wheel is locked and will not unlock. Left stranded have to have a tow to closest Mercedes Benz dealer 45 miles away....Estimated cost after 310.80 Tow 1200 to 2000 Electrical system · reported at 96,077 miles

Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Safety recalls

Checking NHTSA for open recalls…