Approximately 1 year ago, the back (driver-side) tail lights were malfunctioning and I had to replace the bulb. I did mention this to the Mercedes dealership when I went to service another issue, but they stated there was no issues, just a bad bulb. Unfortunately this happened a few times before a service tech noticed that the back board was "fried" and suggested I go to a Mercedes dealership to get it repaired. Not only am I past the 5yr, 50,000 mile warranty, so Mercedes will not cover the costs, but the dealership has had my car for 3 days and cannot determine how to repair the issue. They replaced the board, but they are now stating that they may need to replace all of the wires. I called Mercedes to complain, but without a recall in place, they will not cover the costs to repair.

- Hillsboro, OR, USA

Tail light problems. We started receiving warning messages regarding a driver's tail light malfunction. We checked the lights but they were fine. Finally in November the light went out. We purchased new bulbs for the tail light but discovered it wasn't the bulbs. The tail light unit was damaged, burned, melted etc. We are now receiving the same warnings regarding the right tail light.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

EA13-008: During mid-summer the dash warning message stating "check center brake light" began to appear intermittently. Sometimes it would remain on;other times it would not. Over time, it happened with less frequency, then would be more frequent a week or two later. At some point in time I saw an item about a potential recall for Mercedes related to wiring in the trunk (which is where this light is located). I stopped by the Mercedes dealer and inquired about this. I am unsure of the date, but think it was in August 2013. I have entered a date in that time-frame and corresponding mileage on the car. (but both could be different.) the dealer's service advisor stated that he had seen nothing on this topic. He checked the car and, of course, at that time the message was not displaying on the dash and the center brake light was working when the brakes were applied. Over the intervening months, the message displayed sometimes and not others. Whenever it displayed and we were able to do so safely, we would check the brake light itself. Whenever the message displayed the light was not functioning. In December 2013, the frequency of the message appearing (and light not operating) increased. On December 30, 2013, I had an appointment with the Mercedes dealer and again reported the problem. Of course, again, the message was not displaying and the center brake light was working. Later that same date, the dealer reported that they had fully tested the light and the wiring and it was working okay. However, another issue we had raised with them needed additional time to resolve. So, we left the car with them for a few days (new year's week). When the dealer phoned (on 1/3/14) to report the car was ready to pick up we were told that when the car was test driven the message had displayed and the light did not work. Ever since, this is now a continuing problem.

- Rescue, 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

On 6/10/2013 I had error code and passenger side pins & carrier assembly failed and had to be replaced dealer charged me $393.90 for the job. On 6/10/2013. On 12/28/2013 I get an error message that the left side tail light is out.

- Longmeadow, MA, 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

The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while traveling various speeds, he heard a popping noise. Upon investigation, it was found that the passenger taillight bulb failed. The contact also mentioned that the driver's front interior door handle detached. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was confirmed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.

- Deerfield, IL, USA

The contact owns 2009 Mercedes C300. While driving 25 mph, the contact stated that the service warning lamp illuminated on the vehicle advising her to service the rear lighting. The contact discovered that the rear passenger light wiring was burned. The vehicle was not taken to dealer or an independent mechanic for inspection. The manufacturer was made aware of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 51400. Updated 2/11/14

- Fayetteville, GA, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, the check tail light warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or mechanic for diagnosis or repair. The manufacturer was not been made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 32,000.

- Plano, 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

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

Was driving home from work, then all the check light bulbs went on for the rear left side got home and noticed there was a burn mark on the light connector. Took it to the dealership on 11/02/2013 had left rear light connector and wiring replaced a week later, the right rear signal check light bulb came on. Got home checked the connector which had a brown burn spot also and loose wiring in the back of the connector so now I have to go have the right connector and wiring replaced.

- Los Angeles, CA, 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

Yesterday (10/27/2013) I had to change out my rear right side brake lamp, which I successfully did right after I saw the message pop up on my dashboard. Then today (10/28/2013) in the afternoon I turned on my car and all these messages popped up regarding my right side turn signal, right side reverse light, right side fog light and the other bulbs in the right side bulb housing. I then opened my trunk and checked it out, and noticed that the far left side wire of the connector connecting to the bulb housing was burned luckily it did not catch on fire. I tried to take it off but was not able to at the moment, but I was able to take it out after a couple of hours. There was a horrible smell coming from it and I tried to clean out all the gunk in the connector but was not able to. Please get this issue fixed and call out a recall before someone doesn't act fast enough and leaves the connector plugged in and causes it to catch on fire.

- Irving, TX, USA

Right rear tail light wiring harness plug burned and melted. Brown wire end of plug.

- Sunbury, OH, USA

Fourth occurrence of all right rear indicator lights going out all together in the past 2-3 months. Just did some research and it appears NHTSA is investigating this. I am taking this in to the dealer tomorrow however, several owners of the 2009 C class are complaining of the same problem due to a bad connection to the rear light unit which is causing shortages and fires. It is very evident that my vehicle has the same issue.

- Sumner, WA, USA

Right rear tail light was dim; strong smell of burning wiring in the trunk, wiring harness was hot to the touch, at least one wire on the harness was charred / burned. Dash warning light eventually came on. Brought to M-B dealer; not covered by any factory warranty, recall or the 3rd party extended warranty.

- New Brighton, MN, USA

Right rear light connector and lighting housing burned and is now inoperative. Prior to this the lights would dim in and out before completely burning out. When I opened the truck to look at it there was a bad burn smell and sparking coming from the fixture.

- Tampa, FL, USA