Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, most recently filed October 2007. Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (1)

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 07V465000 Filed Oct 3, 2007

FMVSS 208/REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELTS

Seat belts · rear/other
Official NHTSA text
Summary
CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH SOME OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELTS DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE LAP-BELT LOCKABILITY REQUIREMENT WHICH ENABLES THE LAP BELT PORTION OF THE BELT TO BE LOCKED BY THE USER TO FACILITATE THE USE OF OLDER NON-LATCH DESIGN CHILD RESTRAINT DEVICES.
Consequence
UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, THIS SITUATION MAY CAUSE THE LOCKING MECHANISM NOT TO PERFORM AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD FOR USE WITH OLDER NON-LATCH CHILD RESTRAINTS.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL POTENTIALLY AFFECTED SEAT BELTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
Repair progress not yet reported5,823 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 07V465000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (13)

13 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.

2involved a crash
2involved a fire
1injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, by component (top 4). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 13.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2008 compares with other C-Class years

Best and worst C-Class years →
7 8 14 31 9 15 5 9 13 1
1999200020012002200320042005200620082012
This year (2008)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 20 mpg combined

20
mpg combined
17
city
25
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$4,100
CO₂ tailpipe
444 g/mi
EPA class
Compact Cars

What it costs you to run

$3,266per year
$272per month
750gallons a year

Miles ÷ 20 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
3 L 6-cyl · 7-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive17 / 25 / 20$4,100444
6.2 L 8-cyl · 7-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive12 / 19 / 15$5,500593

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2008 C-Class for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All C-Class years

Where to next

2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class FAQ

How many recalls does the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class have?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 07V465000 (seat belt). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class problems?

Owners filed 13 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (7), Exterior lighting (6), Tires (3) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class get?

EPA rates the 3 L 6-cyl · 7-speed automatic version at 17 city, 25 highway and 20 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2008 C-Class compare with other years?

Among the 1999–2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class model years at least five years old, the 2012 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2002 the most (31). The 2008 drew 13. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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