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 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the rear lights became inoperable and failed to illuminate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that rear lighting wires were burned, causing an electrical failure within the rear light assemblies. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V177000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 100,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the messages to check the rear taillights and rear turn signals were displayed. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the rear taillight bulbs and connectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact informed the dealer that the vehicle had been previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V177000 (Exterior Lighting). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated when he started the vehicle, the driver side taillights were inoperable, and the taillight warning light was illuminated. The contact examined the taillights and noticed that the wires were melted, and the taillight assembly had melted as well. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V177000 (Exterior Lighting). The contact received no additional assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 90,000.
We had notifications on our dashboard that rear driver side (left) lights were out while driving car. We thought the light bulbs just had to be replaced. We brought to mechanic to just fix lights & they discovered the light ground wire burned out & caused light holder to be damaged as well where ground wire was. It caused rear driver side tail lights to fail. We had light bulb holder with wires all replaced on 2/23/24. This issue was a recall back in 2014 & seems to be a reoccurring issue with this part of the Mercedez 2011 C class.
The driver side rear tail light wiring melted the tailight housing. This component was already replaced as part of a previous recall, but apparently Mercedes is not properly fixing the issue. They refuse to fix it for free, because they already "addressed" the recall. Looks like they are putting cars back on the street that could catch fire.
The right rear tail light housing harness melted due to an electrical issue. Wire tends to heat up too much. This caused my right rear tail light, right break light and right side turn signal not to function.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, when the multiple "lights out" warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to her residence. The contact stated while inspecting the vehicle she noticed the brown wire was melted and burned. The vehicle was taken to local dealer Mercedes-Benz of cherry hill (2151 nj-70, cherry hill, nj 08002:[phone]), where it was diagnosed with needing the "light assembly unit" to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired as of yet. 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 and informed the recall was completed with prior owner of the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
My front passenger head lamp caught fire one of the parking bulbs. All tje wiring is exposed and my lights stopped working. My right tail light one of the bulbs got over heated and had to take off the bulb.
Vehicle was stationary. 1 of the 2 parking light bulbs in the front left headlamp assembly burnt out. When taken to dealer to replace the bulb, the service technician found that the bulb's harness had overheated and melted into the headlamp, requiring replacement of the entire headlamp assembly. The melted harness indicates that there was too much heat and could pose a fire threat in the headlamp, as well as reduce conspicuity due to dimmed or burnt out exterior lighting. This is very similar to the problem with the rear taillight issue in this year/model that resulted in a safety recall (NHTSA campaign number: 14V177000 tail lamp dimming or failure). The front exterior lights should also be recalled and replaced by mb for the same reasons as the rear.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14V177000 (exterior lighting). The dealer diagnosed that the vehicle's tail light bulb carrier was not part of the manufacturer recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was exhibiting symptoms described in the recall; however, the manufacturer's records indicated that the vehicle was repaired back in September of 2014. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000.
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 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the lights of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300, 4% of the model year's 480 complaints. The component named most often is tail lights (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 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 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 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.