Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while at the car wash and attempting to wash the vehicle, there was popping sound coming from the vehicle, and the contact saw smoke coming from the speakers and called the Fire Department however, no damages were found. The vehicle was taken to the residence and an independent mechanic inspected the vehicle but found no issues with the vehicle. The trunk was opened, and the contact became aware of water inside the taillight housings. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the exterior headlights and taillights would independently illuminate while idle without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where a camera was placed on the vehicle for four days; however, the failure did not occur while in the mechanic's possession. While the contact stated that the failure was intermittent, the failure had become more frequent recently. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated after the vehicle was taken to the dealer for an unknown recall repair, the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The contact also became aware that the driver's side headlight was inoperable. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a detached headlamp wiring harness. The dealer recommended that driver's and passenger's side headlamps be replaced. Additionally, the taillights remained illuminated after turning off the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The vehicle has been loosing power during driving. Acceleration will die, then power will return. In addition exterior lighting will also malfunction or not work. As well ans other items associate with power or the unit that controls the power of those items After taking the vehicle in multiple times we had been told and looked up about the recall. Multiple are in place but the recall regarding the electrical/ power train / lighting r/t units in place and this recall sounds spot on with issues the vehicle is having .
Both headlights wiring harnesses (right and left ) wiring has melted and all wiring is now exposed and touching and causing all light bulbs ( headlights-tail lights-turn signals-brake lights-ect) to be shortage out due to the original wiring not being constructed to resist the heat from the engine and environment.We had MB of Maidland,fl and Elite motors of Ococee,fl to view this issue with the only fix is out-of-pocket repair in the thousands of dollars.i have a neighbor with a MB experiencing similar problems
The tail left bulb mount carrier part Number 204-820-15-00-64, one of the terminal in the back, is corroded. Also, one of the cable is burnt. In short, the tail lamp doesn't work. It is a hazard problem since it affects the brake signaling, turning signaling and all other tail lamps signaling. For many years, I have read many incidents like this reported from owners like me and Mercedes has done nothing. I cannot use the vehicle in this condition because it is is a safety hazard.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, when "the rear passenger brake and signal was failure" warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and had the rear passenger light plugs replaced. The contact stated a week later the rear passenger light plugs were melted again. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 14V177000 (exterior lighting), however the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 212,000.
The passenger side rear tail light harness caught fire and melted. There are countless complaints and reports on this issue, but Mercedes refuses to correct the problem or do a recall. Most incidents occur between 50,000 and 60,000 miles and is not covered by warranty. You can google this issue and see the wide spread complaints on the melting wiring harness. There are also several discussions on mb forum. Below is another website with several complaints of melted tail light wiring and non-working tail/brake and turn signals. I've contacted reliable Mercedes in springfield, mo and they acknowledge that their shop has repaired many Mercedes C300's with melted tail light wiring, but said Mercedes will not fix recall this problem. This is a tremendous safety issue and I respectfully request that your agency address this matter with Mercedes. …
As reported multiple times by others, tail light connector is insufficient to handle the heat emanating from the ground (brown) wire. Connector burns. Cable covering melts. All tail lights (including brakes, turning and reverse) stop functioning. - safety issue- (not to mention gas tank sitting not too far from source of fire) preliminary symptoms: random warning messages in dashboard about lights malfunctioning. One tail light dimmer than the other. Repairs required: new connector/new pins plus regrounding to avoid certain recurrence authorized dealers know well about the problem. "recall should be issued" "recall is surely coming" but will not replace if out of warranty references: prior report chain NHTSA id number: 10499828 pictures and multiple information http://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w204/465331-tail-light-connector-melted.html.
I took my C300 Mercedes Benz (with only 52,000 miles), to the Mercedes Benz of miami dealership to check the wiring in both head lamps, since the headlights were intermittently flickering on and off, while driving at night. This electrical problem was of serious concern for me as a 72 years' old senior, could be a dangerous safety issue, creating a life and death situation. Mercedes Benz dealership assistant service manager, juan obando, told me that the wiring to the headlamps was corroded and could not be replaced. I would have to buy two (2) complete new headlamp assembly units costing $1,890.- plus tax and labor installation. While driving at nights and unpredictably and intermittently losing head and low beam lights, is of grave safety concern to me and creates a hazard to pedestrians and other drivers on the roadway and highways. Updated 03/29/2017
Related recalls
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.
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.
Headlight complaints in other C300 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300?
NHTSA has 108 complaints about the lights of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300, 16% of the model year's 672 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-177 (tail lights, Apr 11, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles, and 1% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 10 fires and 0 injuries to lights problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.