How many electrical complaints does the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 have?

NHTSA lists 58 Electrical System complaints for the 2011 C300, which is 12% of the 480 total complaints filed for that model year.

Is there a recall for the 2011 C300 electrical system?

Yes. Recall 14V177000 covers 2008-2011 C300 vehicles with poor electrical connections at the tail light bulb holders, and recall 17V177000 covers a software update for control units on related Mercedes-Benz models including 2008-2014 C300.

Did the electrical issues cause any fires?

NHTSA complaint records show 5 fires reported for the Electrical System on the 2011 C300, with no crashes or injuries reported.

At what mileage do electrical problems typically show up?

The median mileage at failure reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2011 C300 Electrical System is 78,000 miles.

2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 Electrical System Problems

NHTSA lists 58 Electrical System complaints for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300, 12% of all complaints for the year, including 5 fires and a median failure mileage of 78,000. Two related recalls (14V177000 and 17V177000) cover tail light bulb holder corrosion and control unit software.

Electrical System complaints: 58; 12% of 480
Crashes reported: 0
Fires reported: 5
Injuries reported: 0
Median mileage: 78,000 mi
Related recalls: 2

Typical electrical symptoms owners report

Tail light and headlight bulb holders corrode or melt, in some cases igniting the trunk or front end of the car.
The signal acquisition module melts and produces a smoke odor, sometimes while starting the vehicle.
Owners report the ignition system intermittently fails to start the car, requiring multiple attempts or a full key-off reset.
Interior lighting and sunroof controls suddenly lose power, leaving the cabin dark.
A 'multiple lights out' warning appears with a melted, burned wire found near the wiring harness.
The vehicle stalls or loses power suddenly while driving, with all lights shutting off, traced to alternator failure.

When 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 electrical complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 26, 2013, latest Aug 25, 2025.

58 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2013 to Aug 2025; peak Jun 2015 (2).

Electrical System recalls for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300

NHTSA 17V177000Mar 14, 2017Electrical System51 vehicles
Electrical system:software
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 AMG GT-S, GLC300, CLA250 and GLE300d 4Matic vehicles, 2013 C250, E350 BlueTec and G63 AMG vehicles, 2008-2014 C300 vehicles, 2013-2014 C300 4Matic and ML350 4Matic vehicles, 2009 C350 vehicles, 2014 CLS550, E350 4Matic, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Wagon 4Matic, GLK350 and SL550 vehicles, 2012 CLS550 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2016 E350 vehicles, 2016-2017 GL450 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2014 ML350 4Matic BlueTec vehicles, 2015 S550, S550 4Matic and C300 4Matic Sedan vehicles, 2015-2016 C300 Sedan vehicles, and 2017 SL63 AMG vehicles. Various control units on these vehicles may have been updated with incorrect software, potentially affecting the correct deployment of the air bags in the event of a crash.
Risk: If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA 14V177000Apr 11, 2014Electrical System252,867 vehicles
Exterior lighting:tail lights
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.

Electrical System complaints by C300 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

2010110 (24%)
201158 (12%)
201214 (5%)
201319 (7%)
20149 (10%)
201551 (13%)
201635 (12%)
201731 (14%)
201812 (12%)
201914 (20%)
20203 (9%)
20211 (7%)
20228 (32%)
20235 (23%)
20244 (36%)
20251 (25%)

Frequently asked questions

How many electrical complaints does the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 have?: NHTSA lists 58 Electrical System complaints for the 2011 C300, which is 12% of the 480 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2011 C300 electrical system?: Yes. Recall 14V177000 covers 2008-2011 C300 vehicles with poor electrical connections at the tail light bulb holders, and recall 17V177000 covers a software update for control units on related Mercedes-Benz models including 2008-2014 C300.
Did the electrical issues cause any fires?: NHTSA complaint records show 5 fires reported for the Electrical System on the 2011 C300, with no crashes or injuries reported.
At what mileage do electrical problems typically show up?: The median mileage at failure reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2011 C300 Electrical System is 78,000 miles.