Mercedes-Benz C-Class Mercedes-Benz C-Class

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Mercedes-Benz C-Class repairs by problem area

Engine (30%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (7%)

Brakes and Traction Control (4%)

Suspension and Steering (10%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (31%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (12%)

Other (6%)

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Chart based on 1707 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class brake repair cost distribution

$2500+ (6%)

$1000 - $2499 (16%)

$500 - $999 (21%)

$100 - $499 (26%)

< $100 (31%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 68 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 503hp 4.0L V8 7-speed shiftable automatic RWD

50000 mi

US $3800
Replaced all four brake pads and rotors. AMG parts are expensive. 

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2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 241hp 2.0L I4 7-speed shiftable automatic RWD

30000 mi 2nd time we had to replace the front rotors and pads within 30,000 miles. Both times replaced under factory or parts warranty. 

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2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4dr Sedan

248-horsepower 3.5L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD

44000 mi

US $700
Had to replace rear pads and rotors due to rust. The pad no longer made sufficient contact with the rotors to pass inspection. 

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2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 201hp 1.8L I4 7-speed shiftable automatic RWD

24000 mi Parking brake was sticking. Pedal replaced. 

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2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 181hp 1.8L I4 6-speed manual RWD

4340 mi Run Flat Indicator Inoperative, ABS sensor was found faulty 
7564 mi

$300
ABS and Traction Control warning illuminated. Took car to dealer for diagnosis. Dealer found ABS sensor on right front wheel unserviceable. Part replaced and ailment cured. 
7440 mi During driving - Traction Control and ABS warning light illuminated. Sent car to dealer. Found right front wheel ABS sensor faulty (coincidentally this item was found faulty and replaced by dealer 2 months earlier i.e. Oct 2018 at owner's cost). On this occasion, the dealer honorably replaced the offending item under "specific" part warranty Free of Charge. Ailment cured. 
10540 mi

$1000
Warning lights - ABS, Traction control, stability control and check engine light. Found both front-wheels ABS sensors unserviceable. Parts replaced. 

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2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4dr Sedan

481-horsepower 6.2L V8 7-speed shiftable automatic RWD

49000 mi

US $1000
Steering Adjustment [angle] Sensor 

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2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4dr Sedan

248-horsepower 3.5L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD

24000 mi A wrong wheel speed sensor on the front right passenger side wheel was causing the check engine light to be on, and was causing ABS to be disabled. 
40300 mi

C $750
parking brake release mechanism malfunctioning. Need left foot help to release brake 
55800 mi

C $1500
rear brake caliper seized with dash warning light "check brake fluid level" on.  

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2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2dr Coupe

302-horsepower 3.5L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD

66960 mi

C $700
Car went in for maintenance, including a brake fluid replacement. Came back with a broken parking brake pedal (just the pedal. Was not broken last time it was used or when the car was detailed in the Fall). One service person and a mechanic said they had never seen this on a C-Class, the other said it was common. One said it might be because the parking brake wasn't used much, the other said it was because it was used a lot. Ultimately, Mercedes refused to cover some or all of the costs. 

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2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4dr Sedan

481-horsepower 6.2L V8 7-speed shiftable automatic RWD

17000 mi

US $600
One brake pad sensor replaced 

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2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4dr Sedan

302-horsepower 3.5L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic RWD

55000 mi

US $100
Brake caliper was stuck on one pin and caused the right front rotor to get a groove on the back. Replaced both front rotors. 

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2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4dr Sedan

228-horsepower 3.0L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD

29760 mi Noise from parking brake cable. Anti vibration noise clips installed 
130000 mi Bad caliper. 

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2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2dr Coupe

turbocharged 201hp 1.8L I4 7-speed shiftable automatic RWD

38180 mi

US $600
Electronic Steering Lock malfunction - would not allow engine start-up. Dealer replaced the motor/locking pin and related electronic elements. 

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2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4dr Sedan

228-horsepower 3.0L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD

88873 mi

US $200
Replaced rear pads and rotors. 

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2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4dr Sedan

228-horsepower 3.0L V6 6-speed manual RWD

64000 mi

US $780
I replaced all brake pads, rear rotors, left rear caliper and flushed the brake system. Repair sucessful. 

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2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 181hp 1.8L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD

52700 mi

$1200
speed sensor 

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2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4dr Sedan

228-horsepower 3.0L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic RWD

74000 mi Steering Lock servo froze and needing replacement. Would have been $1,400 without the extended warranty. 
69400 mi

US $750
Car wouldn't start, would not turn over. Electronic steering lock had failed and needed to be replaced. 

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2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4dr Sedan

228-horsepower 3.0L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD

16000 mi Faint hiss coming from area of brake pedal, that stopped with depression of the pedal. Problem was traced to the brake booster, which was replaced, and the noise is gone.  
26000 mi

US $433
Heard squealing noise when letting off brakes and turning left. Took it in to dealership. Tech verified it's coming from front right wheel. Tech found seized brake calipers. Front brake calipers replaced. 

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2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4-door

6-cylinder automatic AWD

78460 mi

C $886
Brake Booster internal valve malfunction causing engine vacuum leak, required replacement of entire booster. Brake booster and necessary seals between booster and master cylinder replaced, brake system required bleeding afterwards. 

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2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4dr Sedan

268-horsepower 3.5L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic RWD

91760 mi

$1300
Steering lock. 

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2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4dr Sedan

268-horsepower 3.5L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD

3100 mi Rubbing sound from brakes when not applied 

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2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4dr Sedan

228-horsepower 3.0L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic RWD

88000 mi

US $1100
Electronic steering lock failure, steering lock suddenly did not communicate with key, making car inoperable. 
55000 mi

US $1100
Steering Column Lock was replaced. Vehicle wouldn't start and locked steering wheel and gear shift. Went into theft mode as if someone was trying to steal it. 
85000 mi

US $1200
Steering lock failed 
58000 mi

US $2000
Replaced front pads, rotors, and calipers. One Caliper had an issue, which caused one of the two pads in the caliper to completely wear out, though, I went in because of a bearing type noise, and never noticed anything wrong with my breaks 

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2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4dr Sedan

228-horsepower 3.0L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD

53000 mi traction control/stability control would stop working, car would not accelerate 
56000 mi

US $268
Front pads and rotors replaced. 

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2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4dr Sedan

228-horsepower 3.0L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic RWD

96000 mi

US $1300
steering locking mechanism malfunction 

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2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4dr Sedan

228-horsepower 3.0L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD

20412 mi

US $460
Brake Pad Light On - R & R Right front brake sensor cable, was physically broken. 
82300 mi

US $450
Replaced all four rotors and pads 
600 mi Excessive right rear brake dust. Dealer replaced both rear calipers. Replaced both rear calipers due to excessive right rear brake dust. 

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2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4dr Sedan

228-horsepower 3.0L V6 6-speed manual RWD

49000 mi

US $795
ESL (Electronic Steering Lock) Failure 

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2007.5 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4dr Sedan

supercharged 181hp 1.8L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD

73360 mi Steering wheel interlock to the Start circuitry. A well-known problem on the 2007 W204. 

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2007 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4dr Sedan

228-horsepower 3.0L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic RWD

200 mi Car displayed an error message that indicated that the Stability Control was inoperative. Steering Angle Sensor needed replacing. 
47100 mi

US $550
Steering angle sensor went bad causing stability control system to fail. 

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2007 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4dr Sedan

201-horsepower 2.5L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic RWD

91000 mi

US $1400
as well as brake vacuum pump 

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2007 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4dr Sedan

201-horsepower 2.5L V6 6-speed manual RWD

132000 mi

US $300
Front pads and rotors 

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2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4dr Sedan

228-horsepower 3.0L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

37200 mi

C $300
Parking brake rubbing rotors when disengaged. Dealer/Mercedes Canada will pay 75% (good will). Owned car 3 months was MB certified. 

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2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4dr Sedan

201-horsepower 2.5L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic RWD

65000 mi

US $850
Cruise control and electronic skid prevention not working. 
64000 mi Steering Angle Sensor replace after message indicator "ESP malfunction visit workshop". 

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2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4dr Sedan

supercharged 189hp 1.8L I4 6-speed manual RWD

32000 mi

US $280
Steering angle sensor failed and was replaced. Independent shop reset resulting airbag warning light due to disconnected power/battery. 
88000 mi

US $300
Replaced front rotors, pads and brake fluid. Rotors and pads worn after approx 50K miles. 

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2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4dr Sedan

supercharged 189hp 1.8L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD

60000 mi Front Brakes fixed 

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2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4dr Sedan

168-horsepower 2.6L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

248 mi

US $900
Replace rusted brake lines 

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2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2dr Hatch

supercharged 189hp 1.8L I4 6-speed manual RWD

5500 mi replace brake pads under warranty -- squeaking, early wear 

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2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4dr Sedan

supercharged 189hp 1.8L I4 6-speed manual RWD

70680 mi

C $700
had to replace rear rotors and pads completely rusted on inside, parking brake mechanism failed and caused damage to rotor and splash shield as lining material separated from the shoes for the p-brake. parking brake is an drum brake system 

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2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4dr Sedan

supercharged 189hp 1.8L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD

37500 mi

US $43
Took car in to shop because malfunction light on for brake maintenance. Checked out and found front brake sensor misplaced from earlier pad change.(was a dealer pad change!) Sensor replaced, brakes in excellent shape. 
67980 mi

C $500
pads+rotors and 1 caliper was change. 
71300 mi

C $250
Brake caliper seize. 

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2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4dr Sedan

supercharged 349hp 3.2L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD

83000 mi

US $400
Replaced brake pads and rotors. Front and back. 

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2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2dr Hatch

supercharged 189hp 1.8L I4 6-speed manual RWD

74400 mi Brake assist / stability control warning light on intermittently. New sensor on order  
94860 mi

C $3147
Parking Brake stuck on 
100440 mi

C $420
Seized Brake Caliper - left front. 
120360 mi

C $788
Brake Caliper in driver front replaced, Brake caliper driver rear kit installed, new brake fluid 

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2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2dr Hatch

215-horsepower 3.2L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD

102000 mi Parking brake release doesn't clear parking brake indicator; have to pull up on parking brake pedal to clear. 

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2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4dr Sedan

215-horsepower 3.2L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD

63000 mi When driving at low speeds and the road is not completely flat (worn pavement, bumps...) you can hear clunks coming front the front. It turns out to be the sway bar end links are worn out. This is another know issue on all these cars. 

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2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4dr Sedan

88240 mi The ABS light was constantly on. Removed the front wheels and just cleaned out the ABS contacts with Carb-cleaner and reinstalled them and now the problem is solved. Thank you 

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2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2dr Hatch

supercharged 192hp 2.3L I4 6-speed manual RWD

90000 mi

US $300
Measured brake pads and rotors thickness. Pads were within specification, rotors were not 
70060 mi

C $15
Sticky and weak parking brake. Adjust, fix handle ,lube to repair 
14000 mi Traction Control System-- replaced electrical connector 
71000 mi

US $400
P-brake pedal return spring replaced. Minor, old problem. Prior adjustments did not correct. P-brake pedal return spring replaced. Minor, old problem. Prior adjustments did not correct. 

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2001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Engine not specified

161200 mi

$6000
And sensor 
67580 mi

R 14700
The car did not want to start, the dealer said it is a steering lock that must be replaced 

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2000 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4-door

6-cylinder automatic 2WD

99200 mi

$260
Replaced 2 wheel sensors. Worn parking brake shoes. 

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Mercedes-Benz C-Class Brake Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently Mercedes-Benz C-Class problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.