2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 17 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 26, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about lights, it has 1 recall, and it gets 20 to 21 mpg combined. The best Mercedes-Benz C-Class year is 2011.

26Lemon Index · 100 = average car

One of the most reliable. 3.8× fewer complaints than average.

Best year 2011 · Worst year 2015

Photo shows a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Charles from Port Chester, New York, Wikimedia Commons · CC0 · background removed

Before you buy. What matters most for this car.

Most common problemLights41% of owner complaints Recalls1Free fix at any dealer Better year to buy20116.7× fewer complaints than average Government investigation1 openOwners reported enough to trigger one

Owner complaints17first 3 years

Fuel economy20–21 mpgcombined, EPA

Crash testnot ratedNHTSA

How serious. Out of 475 owner complaints, owners reported:

20crashes

14injuries

5fires

17tows

Under government investigation 120 repair notes from Mercedes-Benz

Every Mercedes-Benz C-Class year. 2010 is highlighted. Lower is better.

2001402.5× fewer complaints 2002771.3× fewer complaints 2003452.2× fewer complaints 2004–few complaints 2005521.9× fewer complaints 2006–few complaints 2007–few complaints 2008402.5× fewer complaints 2009452.2× fewer complaints 2010263.8× fewer complaints 2011156.7× fewer complaints 2012195.3× fewer complaints 2013392.6× fewer complaints 2014442.3× fewer complaints 201597about average 2016541.9× fewer complaints 2017781.3× fewer complaints 2018541.9× fewer complaints

What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.

lights41%

electrical24%

transmission & drivetrain18%

speed control12%

doors, locks & latches6%

Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.

Transmission problems in every Mercedes-Benz C-Class year →

When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.

half by 66K

0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 46K to 94K miles on the car (220 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.

airbags complaints mostly came at 50K–105K miles
electrical complaints mostly came at 49K–97K miles
steering complaints mostly came at 60K–95K miles

Recalls 1

airbags 2019
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Problems Mercedes-Benz told dealers about

Mercedes-Benz sent dealers 120 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

Grinding noises from area of front axle-wheel bearing corroded
Seat belts, emergency tensioning retractors
Water and dirt can enter the wheel hub causing a grinding noise of the front axle

Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.

Government investigations

OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
ClosedLoss of rear lighting assembly2013–2014

NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.

Safety

Stability controlStandard

Collision warningNot offered

Lane departure warningNot offered

Crash stars (older test): front — · side — · rollover ★★★★☆

Fuel cost and engines

About $3800–4000 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.

In owners' words

2010 c300 mercedes benz. Consumer states the fog light is defective
2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class owner · NHTSA complaint 10406697

Quick answers

Is the 2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class reliable?

Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 3.8× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 26; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Mercedes-Benz C-Class year by this measure is 2011.

What are the most common 2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are lights (41%), electrical (24%) and transmission & drivetrain (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class have?

1 safety recall (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class get?

20 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

At what mileage do 2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class problems start?

Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 46,000 and 94,200 miles. The middle report was at 66,500 miles, from 220 complaints.

Does the 2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 18% of its owner complaints.

How much does the 2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class cost in fuel a year?

About $3800 to $4000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class have?

3.0L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.

What Mercedes-Benz C-Class year is better than the 2010?

By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2011, 2012 and 2010.

Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works