VehicleVerdict

2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 lighting problems

The 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 has 109 lighting complaints filed with NHTSA — 12% of the year's total, and the first year with meaningful reports in this category.

109

Lighting complaints

12%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Lighting complaints by year

C300 lighting complaints by model year119 complaints2008: 109 complaints2009: 119 complaints2010: 48 complaints2011: 20 complaints2012: 4 complaints2013: 3 complaints2015: 1 complaints2016: 4 complaints
C300 lighting complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

14V177000LightingApril 11, 2014 · 252,867 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

What owners report

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR TAIL LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED AND A BURNING ODOR WAS EMITTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · January 31, 2014 · fire

Common questions

How many lighting complaints does the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 have?

NHTSA has 109 complaints about the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 lighting — 12% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 lighting?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the lighting: 14V177000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.