I was driving down the highway and smelled an intense burning. I had been getting the taillight error codes and thought maybe it was a fuse. Decided to finally research online and discovered that it is a very common occurrence that Mercedes taillights/wiring spontaneously catch on fire. I removed the harnesses from the taillights and noticed the plug had almost been entirely destroyed/burned on the right rear, and was starting to burn on the left rear. I lost all power to my taillights at approximately 11:30 at night, and the headlights started shutting off and on randomly. The headlights are still turning off and on randomly, apparently this is a known defect with the auto dim setting. I have pictures of everything, even though I have now paid to fix the taillight harnesses (a cost of over $240 in parts) because Mercedes has not willingly recalled this fire hazard and known defect. To be honest, I am pissed. Please let me know where I can send the defective parts and/or pictures to.

- Marysville, WA, USA

All rear tail lights stop workingi replaced the lights. Mercedes dealership said the wires had fried and that they had seen many cases similar to the rear lights. $600 to correct the issue.

- Marietta, GA, USA

The tail light completely melted the circut board and stopped working.

- Nashua , NH, USA

The lamp connector on the rear right side of the light component went out, when I went to look at it, I noticed the connecter plug in as well as the light circuit board was burnt and would not be plugged back in.

- Aurora, CO, USA

For the third time in 6 months my car wouldn't start. Got of work getting ready to go home and the car wouldn't start. Towed to the dealership and they checked it and couldn't find a thing. They asked me to bring the spare key and the car started. Fast forward three weeks later...same issue. They kept the car for 5 days and couldn't find noting so they replaced the battery in November. Fast forward to yesterday Feb. 25th. 2014 same thing happened. Towed it to the dealership and they determined it was the steering lock: Ezl steering lock and programming key. I hope and pray my extended warranty covers this. I have a 2009 C300.

- Harvest, AL, USA

All rear tail lights stop working, some in the front not working, electrical wires were burnt I replaced the lights, the dashboard alert went away then came back on 10 minutes later. Also tire pressure monitor inoperative on dashboard alert as well. My friend with a 2008 C300 has the same issues with hers too.

- Dallas, TX, USA

Light warning lights came on dashboard for rear light and turn signal. After looking @ the connecter found it smoking and melted... immediately unplugged it. Mb does not have a recall even though you are investigating.

- Lewisville Tx, TX, USA

While driving home from work, I was receiving error messages on my instrument cluster asking me to check the rear passenger brake lights and turning signal bulbs. Once I was home, I opened my trunk and smelt burning plastic. I opened the access panel to the fuse box located near the passenger taillight and inspected the area for damage. I noticed some residual smoke coming from the connector attached to the taillight bulb assembly. I removed the bulb assembly and the brown ground wire had burned through the plastic assembly. I removed the wire harness from the assembly and the connector crumbled due to the damage.

- New Orleans, LA, USA

I received a warning that my left tail light was out. The light was not out and when the car was restarted the message no longer appeared. I went to the dealership and asked service to check the taillight. The service manager showed me the light panel which had melted plastic and burn marks on it near the grounding wire. He told me I needed to have it replaced as well as the circuit board. I told him I thought it was ridiculous to have electrical problems with a car with 85K miles. I just replaced an electrical panel in the front 2 months ago for $700. I asked if they had problems with the C and he said no but he had seen a few issues with the grounding wire. I just looked into it to discover it is under NHTSA investigation. Please advise.

- Chicago, IL, USA

Right rear taillight assembly completely went out as a result of a bad ground wire. On that side there was no brake light, no turn signal, no running lights, etc. After inspection the ground (brown outer most wire) where it connects to the plug/rear tail light assembly has burn marks and corrosion. I used electrical tape to tape up the exposed wire (due to heat/sparks the insulation on the wire was gone). Currently, all functions of the tail light are dim ( 75% dimmer than the other side) and at times it just completely doesn't work. I have stopped driving the car as a result of this as I do not feel safe driving as I fear it might lead to a small fire.

- Denver, CO, USA

Driver side rear lights dimmer than the other side than went out, when open the compartment, smelled melting plastic. Checked the plug that went into the lights has melted. Also burn mark left on light housing.

- Bellevue, WA, USA

Tail light problems. I started receiving warning messages regarding the tail light malfunction. We checked the lights but they were fine. In January the light went out. I took my car in for an oil change and was told that the bulbs were not only out but the cause was due to a circuit issue. After picking up my car, there was an additional warning for my sidemark light.

- Ceres, CA, USA

Warning indicator came up on instrument panel to "check rear tail and brake lamps" the rear tail, turn, and brake lamps have failed in my car. The wiring harness has burned and emits excessive heat to the touch. I'm unsure of how long I was driving with my taillights out.

- Astoria, NY, USA

I currently own a 2009 Mercedes C300 that has ongoing problems with the brake light malfunctioning. This first happened in 2011 when the dummy light told me that the brake light was out. I brought my car to a local auto shop to have the light repaired and was told by the shop that they weren't able to change the bulb because the panel with the light was melted and smoking ' they suspected that the bulb was shorted out. They recommended taking it to the dealer to have it repaired, as the car was still under warranty. I did this and was told by Mercedes Benz of St. Charles il that the electrical wires were melted'and that the panel needed to be replaced. This work was done at the St. Charles il dealer around November of 2011 and was covered under warranty. I brought my car to the naperville il Mercedes dealer about a month ago because the brake light was out. I was expecting to have a quick light change and pay around $20. I was instead told that the electrical wires leading to the brake light had malfunctioned and that the wires were melted. I was told that if a new bulb were put it, it would just short out again. I was then given an estimate for over $500 for this repair, as my car had run off the warranty a week earlier. I have not yet had this repair done, as it is costly. I understand that the brake light is a concern with the 2009 Mercedes C300. This problem, which has now occurred two times in my Mercedes, is under investigation by the NHTSA (NHTSA action number: EA13008).

- Oswego, IL, USA

Tail light passenger side - ground wire issues - plate melted - tail light errors - not working - no turn signal or brake signal due to faulty tail light assembly (heating issues) 1 204-820-09-77 lamp carrier 1 211-545-03-28 plug 1 014-545-82-26 pin bushing.

- Frisco, TX, USA

Driving on the highway going 55 mph my panel alerted me to check my right rear tail lamp, turn signal, fog lamp and parking light. I check the right tail lamp and all of the right rear tail light were not working. I went to replace all of the right rear light bulbs and found that the plastic connector at the end of the wiring was completely melted to the lamp carrier. This is a safety hazard I am very concerned this could happen to both rear tail lamps at same time while on the highway it can create a accident because the tail lamps are not working. It also can be a fire hazard. This issue needs to be fixed by Mercedes-Benz before there is death.

- Plainfield, IL, USA

Brake light, turn signal, & parking lamp all not working. The plastic connector at the end of the wiring was completely melted and black when the mechanic took it out. Could be a fire hazard.

- Farmers Branch, TX, USA

I was getting my car detailed. While waiting on another customer had car vacuumed out. After about 30 mins, tried starting the car and the key would turn with out starting the car. Had it towed to Mercedes shop. There I was told it was an electrical problem with the steering column. Steering lock has electric fault is what was stated to me for a price of $1700.+ to be repaired. This is the third electrical problem since purchasing the car. I've had the left and right wiring repaired, the left one was still under warranty, the right one wasn't. the wiring was actually burnt. I feel as though this electrical problem is definitely something Mercedes Benz need to have a recall on.

- Laurinburg, NC, USA

The ground wire for both rear taillight bulb plates gets so hot, that it melts the connector which then causes a failure of all tail lights and brake lights and indicator lights.

- Long Beach, NY, USA

Driving on highway, noticed that when I use my left turn signal it was flickering fast on the dash board, then warning message appeared on dash, check turn signal, check brake light, check fog lamp. When I got home, check all bulbs on the left rear light assembly, all bulbs are intact. Noticed the brown wire was a little corroded and like a burnt contact on the light assembly. Started the car again, everything is working okay. Now exact same messages appears more than often when im driving the car. Concerned on what may have caused the burnt plastic contact point on the light holder. I researched through the internet and a lot of people are having the same issue.

- Streamwood, IL, USA