2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 216 of 475 complaints (45%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 656 in 2009 to 475 in 2010.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | vs. 2010 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,700–5,150 | 3,700–5,150 | 3,700–5,150 | 3,700–5,150 | 3,100–5,150 | |
| Combined MPG | 15–21 | 15–21 | 15–21 | 15–21 | 15–25 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 12–18 / 19–26 | 12–18 / 19–25 | 12–18 / 19–26 | 13–18 / 19–25 | 13–21 / 19–31 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 423–592 | 423–592 | 423–592 | 423–592 | 355–592 | |
| Complaints filed | 834 | 656 | 475 | 514 | 583 | |
| Recalls issued | 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 7 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 25 | 15 | 20 | 15 | 8 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 21 | 19 | 5 | 8 | 7 | |
| Injuries reported | 30 | 14 | 20 | 14 | 10 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 6 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class have?
6 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
Airbags & Restraints: 216 of 475 NHTSA complaints (45%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class get?
EPA rates it 15–21 MPG combined across 7 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
EPA estimates $3,700–$5,150 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (7)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 18 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $3,700 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 7-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium or E85 | Compact Cars | 18 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $3,700 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 7-spd | 6 | 3.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 18 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $3,700 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 7-spd | 6 | 3.0L | 4-Wheel Drive | Premium or E85 | Compact Cars | 18 mpg (high) | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 7-spd | 6 | 3.5L | 4-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic 7-spd | 6 | 3.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 17 mpg | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic 7-spd | 8 | 6.3L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 12 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | 15 mpg (low) | $5,150 (high) | 592 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 27 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 87 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 73 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 216 | 14 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 41 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 54 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 33 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (6)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 19V010000 · Jan 31, 2019
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014 C250, C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2014-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, GLK 350, GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, 2015-2017 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2014-2017 E550 Cabrio, and 2014-2016 E550 Coupe vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally, MBUSA is recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2011 C300, 2011-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2011-2016 E550 Cabrio, E550 Coupe, 2011-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." MBUSA is also recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2010-2011 C300, 2010-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Coupe, 2011-2014 E350 Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2016-2017 E550 Cabrio, 2010-2016 E550 Coupe, 2010-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 18V043000 · Jan 16, 2018
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013 C250, C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C350, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG, C63 Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, E550 Cabrio, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E550 Coupe, GLK350 4Matic, GLK250 Bluetec 4Matic, GLK350, SLS Coupe, SLS AMG GT Coupe, and SLS Roadster vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, MBUSA is recalling certain 2010 C300, C300 4Matic, C63 AMG, E350 Coupe, E550 Coupe, GLK350, and GLK350 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." MBUSA is also recalling certain 2009 C300, C300 4Matic, C63 AMG, and C350 vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI and WY or "Zone C." In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. Mercedes issued an interim notification to owners on February 23, 2018. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · Campaign 17V177000 · Mar 17, 2017
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 16V363000 · May 26, 2016
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 C300 Sedan, C300 4matic Sedan, C350 Sedan, C63 AMG Sedan vehicles, 2010-2011 GLK350, GLK350 4-Matic and E350 Coupe vehicles, 2011 SLS AMG, E350 Convertible, E550 Coupe and E550 Convertible vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, MBUSA is recalling certain model year 2008 C300 Sedan, C350 Sedan, C63 AMG Sedan and C300 4-Matic Sedan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag modules, free of charge. Owners were sent an interim notification October 2016. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 16V081000 · Feb 11, 2016
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic, E550 Coupe, E550 4Matic, and E63 AMG, 2011-2012 GL350 BlueTec 4Matic and R350 BlueTec 4Matic, 2009-2012 GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and R350 4Matic, 2007-2008 SLK280, SLK350, and SLK55 AMG, 2011-2014 SLS AMG Coupe, 2012 SLS AMG Cabriolet, 2013-2014 SLS AMG GT and SLS AMG GT Cabriolet, 2005 C230 Kompressor and C320, 2006-2007 C230, 2006-2011 C350, 2008-2011 C300 and C300 4Matic, 2010-2012 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic and 2007-2008 Chrysler Crossfire vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Mercedes-Benz owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372 and Chrysler owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS · Campaign 14V177000 · Apr 14, 2014
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.