Mercedes-Benz C Class Common Problems and Solutions
Vibration When Driving
Problem:
You can feel excessive vibrations in the car while you're driving.
Solution:
The driving seniors in your C-Class are very clever, but they will fail on occasion. If you can feel excessive vibrations while driving, then there's a good chance that your active driving sensors have failed. You will need to buy replacement sensors from our store and install them.
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Vibration When Driving
Problem:
You can feel excessive vibrations in the car while you're driving.
Solution:
The driving seniors in your C-Class are very clever, but they will fail on occasion. If you can feel excessive vibrations while driving, then there's a good chance that your active driving sensors have failed. You will need to buy replacement sensors from our store and install them.
Difficulty level
MAF sensor failure
Problem:
The MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor failing can cause insufficient power and lack of acceleration. It is recommended that you replace the MAF sensor on this vehicle every 50,000 miles. The MAF sensor is able to sense how much air passes as well as the temperature of that air. This allows the fuel injection system to control the fuel mixture to compensate for cold weather and high altitude driving.
Solution:
Although it is recommended that you replace the MAF sensor every 50,000 miles, this issue can sometimes be resolved by cleaning the MAF sensor with some MAF sensor cleaner. If this does not work, you will need to purchase a replacement sensor. Watch the video below to see how to clean the MAF sensor:
Difficulty level
Mass Airflow Sensor
Squeaky boot
Problem:
If you are hearing a squeaking noise when opening and closing the boot then this is caused by the boot hinges not being lubricated enough.
Solution:
You will need to lubricate the boot hinges to resolve this issue. You can simply use some WD40 to do this.
Difficulty level
Headlight bulb failure
Problem:
The headlights on the third generation of the C-Class are gas discharge headlights. The bulbs on these headlights are known for letting in moisture, which can result in the bulb becoming defective.
Solution:
Fitting a replacement bulb will fix the headlights, but even with the replacement bulb fitted it can still be susceptible to moisture.
Difficulty level
Folding mirror problems
Problem:
The electric folding mirrors on the C-Class are prone to problems. They are especially known for a loud creaking noise when folding away, but can also have issues with not folding away at all. The creaking noise is caused by a problem with mirror wheels.
Solution:
You will need to fit a replacement wheel to resolve the issue, but if the mirror is not folding at all then you may need to purchase a replacement folding mirror mechanism. We can help you find this part at a very low price.
Difficulty level
Clunking Noise From Gearbox
Problem:
You can hear a deep clunking sound coming from your gearbox.
Solution:
This is only common in those Mercedes with the optional seven-speed automatic, and the sound is being caused by a faulty transmission valve. You'll want to order that as soon as possible, as it will be wearing out and damaging the entire gearbox. Replacing the valve is quick and easy, as you can get the parts you need from us. However, the process of replacing the entire gearbox is a lot more problematic.
Difficulty level
Hesitant Acceleration
Problem:
The car runs unevenly with hesitant acceleration.
Solution:
This tends to affect BlueEFFICIENCY diesel models only and is caused by a degraded fuel injector. Replacing a fuel injector can take a little time, but it's a lot easier than you might think. It's considerably more cost-effective to buy a low-cost replacement from us and install it yourself than take the C-Class to a mechanic.
Difficulty level
Fuel Injector
Clunking Noise From Gearbox
Problem:
You can hear a deep clunking sound coming from your gearbox.
Solution:
This is only common in those Mercedes with the optional seven-speed automatic, and the sound is being caused by a faulty transmission valve. You'll want to order that as soon as possible, as it will be wearing out and damaging the entire gearbox. Replacing the valve is quick and easy, as you can get the parts you need from us. However, the process of replacing the entire gearbox is a lot more problematic.
Difficulty level
Hesitant Acceleration
Problem:
The car runs unevenly with hesitant acceleration.
Solution:
This tends to affect BlueEFFICIENCY diesel models only and is caused by a degraded fuel injector. Replacing a fuel injector can take a little time, but it's a lot easier than you might think. It's considerably more cost-effective to buy a low-cost replacement from us and install it yourself than take the C-Class to a mechanic.
Difficulty level
Fuel Injector
Reduced Power
Problem:
You are getting reduced power from the engine, and it may even shut down completely.
Solution:
You will most likely have a cracked, frayed, or split air hose. This is a particular fault with the 2010 C-Class, and you will need to replace the air hoses. Due to how common this problem is, we always have C-Class air hoses in stock and will deliver them straight to you.
Difficulty level
Air Hose
Reduced Power
Problem:
You are getting reduced power from the engine, and it may even shut down completely.
Solution:
You will most likely have a cracked, frayed, or split air hose. This is a particular fault with the 2010 C-Class, and you will need to replace the air hoses. Due to how common this problem is, we always have C-Class air hoses in stock and will deliver them straight to you.
Difficulty level
Air Hose
Difficulty Steering
Problem:
The steering wheel is increasingly unresponsive and may even be making an unusual noise.
Solution:
The 2011 C-Class has a well-known and highly publicised problem with its steering system. The unresponsiveness and the strange noise are being caused by a problem with your power steering pump and the fluid line. This will usually manifest as a leak. You're going to need to replace both parts to rectify the issue, but these are easy to find on our parts list.
Difficulty level
Power Steering Pump
Difficulty Steering
Problem:
The steering wheel is increasingly unresponsive and may even be making an unusual noise.
Solution:
The 2011 C-Class has a well-known and highly publicised problem with its steering system. The unresponsiveness and the strange noise are being caused by a problem with your power steering pump and the fluid line. This will usually manifest as a leak. You're going to need to replace both parts to rectify the issue, but these are easy to find on our parts list.
Difficulty level
Loose Seat Belt Lock
Problem:
The locking mechanisms for your seatbelts are not reliable, with the seatbelts occasionally just coming undone.
Solution:
You need to replace the locking mechanism entirely. This is a very common problem for C-Classes built in 2018. Fitting new buckles is very straightforward, and they are very wallet-friendly prices in our store. You may also find that the pre-tensioners are not working so that the seat belts aren't locking into place when you move forwards quickly. If you've noticed that issue, then you will need to buy and install replacement seatbelt pre-tensioners.
Difficulty level
Seatbelt Pretensioner
Loose Seat Belt Lock
Problem:
The locking mechanisms for your seatbelts are not reliable, with the seatbelts occasionally just coming undone.
Solution:
You need to replace the locking mechanism entirely. This is a very common problem for C-Classes built in 2018. Fitting new buckles is very straightforward, and they are very wallet-friendly prices in our store. You may also find that the pre-tensioners are not working so that the seat belts aren't locking into place when you move forwards quickly. If you've noticed that issue, then you will need to buy and install replacement seatbelt pre-tensioners.
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