Broken doorhandle...
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
2010 C200
Oops...! It happened to me last week!!! Front passenger door handle just broke loose. Took the car to a local dealer yesterday and they told me the whole door panel needs replacing...and it's going to cost a lot! The dealer has sent an enquiry to MB SA to find out if they'd cover the cost.
I never thought one would get this kind of quality from a Benz...i'm really disappointed. If the cost is not covered by Mercedes Benz then my car would be up for sale and this would be my last Benz, i'll have to look for another brand.BMW, Audi,...
2010 C200
I never thought one would get this kind of quality from a Benz...i'm really disappointed. If the cost is not covered by Mercedes Benz then my car would be up for sale and this would be my last Benz, i'll have to look for another brand.BMW, Audi,...
2010 C200
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 344
Likes: 2
From: Berkley, MI
'09 C350
Oops...! It happened to me last week!!! Front passenger door handle just broke loose. Took the car to a local dealer yesterday and they told me the whole door panel needs replacing...and it's going to cost a lot! The dealer has sent an enquiry to MB SA to find out if they'd cover the cost.
I never thought one would get this kind of quality from a Benz...i'm really disappointed. If the cost is not covered by Mercedes Benz then my car would be up for sale and this would be my last Benz, i'll have to look for another brand.BMW, Audi,...
2010 C200
I never thought one would get this kind of quality from a Benz...i'm really disappointed. If the cost is not covered by Mercedes Benz then my car would be up for sale and this would be my last Benz, i'll have to look for another brand.BMW, Audi,...
2010 C200
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
2010 C200
After more than a week silence from Mercedes dealer, i decided to cal them and inquire about the replacement of the door panel. The good news is that, YES the replacement will be covered so i don't have to pay for it. I'm obviously happy about that but why did they not get back to me???!! Poor customer service. 
I just hope this will not happen ever again.
I just hope this will not happen ever again.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
2010 C200
My local Mercedes Dealer still continues with poor service!!! Again they've gone silent on me. The last time i called them they said they're placing an order for the door panel and once it arrives(which according to them takes 2-3days), they'll call me to let me know when to bring the car. It's been more than 1 1/2 weeks now...
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
2010 C200
Finally i got the door handle sorted out after i had to lodge a complaint! The door panel had to be replaced, the total cost(labour + parts) is around $1000!
I'm now happy that my passengers are able to open the door from the inside or i don't have to go round to open for them.
I'm hoping that this doesn't ever happen again...
I'm now happy that my passengers are able to open the door from the inside or i don't have to go round to open for them.
I'm hoping that this doesn't ever happen again...
Last edited by Biki; Mar 22, 2013 at 02:14 AM. Reason: typos!
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 46
Likes: 2
c55 amg
gordonian
After returning from lunch today my passenger (left rear) couldn't get out. The inside handle was "loose", there was no connection to the rod/device that actually unlocks the doors. using the outdoor handle worked fine.
Haven't read anything like it here before. Another one of those little issues that one would not expect.
Haven't read anything like it here before. Another one of those little issues that one would not expect.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
2010 C300 4matic sport
2010 MB 300 Interior Door Latch
Unfortunately, mine just broke and its not under warranty. I called the dealer, the door panel is over $700 plus labor for installation.
With nothing to lose, I started a repair of my own. Looking on youtube, i learned how to remove the door panel, the latch broke at the round area where the latch cable connects into a clip, there is not very much of an area of plastic for the cable and clip, thus why it broke. i went to Home Depot and bought a 1/2" clamp (in the electrical section). The hole in the clamp was already the correct size, I then trimmed the length of the clamp and formed it to fit on the remaining portion of the latch handle, then drilled two holes through the clamp and the handle, screwed them together and also placed some epoxy on them to ensure they stayed together and the nuts couldn't loosen on the screws, put the door back together and now I have a working door latch handle without any worries of it breaking again because the cable and clip connect to medal now instead of the cheap plastic.
I also recommend to put a zip tie on the cable so it can not pop out of the clip.
To remove the door panel, purchase a trim tool from Harbor Freight Tools or a place similar to get the plastic trim tool so you do not damage the door panel. But it just pops off, only screws are at the arm rest. 1.5 hours total work time. $2 clamp, $5 trim tool, $5 epoxy. Total repair $12!!!
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 442
Likes: 6
From: Long Island, NY
2013 GL450
This happened to me a month ago. I was about 80-90 miles away from home at a gas station and as I was getting out, I observed that same behavior. Luckily my car is still under warranty until the end of this month.
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
2010 C300 Sport
$5 Fix Broken Door Handle
I was able to put my fix in photo bucket, hope it will help someone out.
http://s794.photobucket.com/user/cjm...20Handle%20Fix
http://s794.photobucket.com/user/cjm...20Handle%20Fix
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
C 300
I fixed mine myself with a drill, a wire tie and some glue. Mercedes Should be ashamed of themselves making you order a 560.00 door panel to repair this. The wire tie was enough but I glued the plastic on the back of the handle together just so the latch stays in the same hole. However it's been a week now and no issues with the door handle at all.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: NOVA baby
2010 c300 sport 4matic
I've read about this happening fairly often. I wonder, if enough folks submitted written complaints, could a formal recall could be initiated, like with the tail lights? I suppose one could argue that it's a safety issue if you can't exit the car. Anyway, we have started to manually unlock the doors, with the unlock push button on the door, prior to our opening our doors with the latch, in hopes that in the unlocked mode the handle latch will be under less stress.
I love our MB for many reasons, but this door handle weakness, and the apparent fragility of the windshield and fog light lenses, are specific points of disappointment.
I love our MB for many reasons, but this door handle weakness, and the apparent fragility of the windshield and fog light lenses, are specific points of disappointment.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 584
Likes: 24
2026 GLC300 4Matic (X254)
It is 100% a safety issue, and should have been recalled after the first few instances. Unfortunately, it will take someone to die, trapped in their car, before MBUSA or the NHTSA does anything. This, the EIS/ESL, and 4MATIC issues really are ridiculous for such otherwise lovely cars.
I've read about this happening fairly often. I wonder, if enough folks submitted written complaints, could a formal recall could be initiated, like with the tail lights? I suppose one could argue that it's a safety issue if you can't exit the car.
I love our MB for many reasons, but this door handle weakness, and the apparent fragility of the windshield and fog light lenses, are specific points of disappointment.
I love our MB for many reasons, but this door handle weakness, and the apparent fragility of the windshield and fog light lenses, are specific points of disappointment.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 13
Likes: 3
E350 bluetec
Well, it happen to me as well. I think it was as I was letting my grandma out and she pulled on the handle at the same time. Very disappointing design. I had my car for not even a month. Will update this tread after I fix it.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1
Likes: 1
2009 Mercedes C300
Door Release Handle Broken
Happen to my Mercedes as well, Dealer and MB would not cover it, even after calling MB Headquarters, was told $900.00 to fix because you need to buy the complete door panel .... Fix myself 10 mins to remove the door panel, $5.00 for a tube of JB Weld from Lowes (used less than one drop of glue) let set for 24hrs. 10mins. to reassemble door panel. Works Like NEW
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2010 C300 4MATIC
This thread has been very helpful. I'm outside of warranty and this exact thing happened to me, passenger's side. Very disappointing. Thank you to the folks offering up instructions for fixes. Is anyone aware of a comprehensive youtube video of the fix? I couldn't find one... but I want to try this myself.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
C300 Sports Automatic, 2010
Design Flaw
I have a 2010 C300 Sports. The driver side latch broke a couple of years ago, while still under warranty. The dealer replaced the entire door panel.
The passenger side broke yesterday, exact same symptom.
I read a few other postings on the same issue. The engineer in me points to a defective material or design: the driver side is used more often and broke first, passenger side is less frequently used and fails later.
Surprised MB has not taken a more proactive steps to correct the problem. It is not a do-or-die safety issue, but an embarrassment for the poor car owner and brand image of MB.
The passenger side broke yesterday, exact same symptom.
I read a few other postings on the same issue. The engineer in me points to a defective material or design: the driver side is used more often and broke first, passenger side is less frequently used and fails later.
Surprised MB has not taken a more proactive steps to correct the problem. It is not a do-or-die safety issue, but an embarrassment for the poor car owner and brand image of MB.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
c220 sport
Mines is broken
This is the most expensive car I have ever bought and the worst. Door handle breaks and needs a whole door panel?? Also have an ongoing DPF problem. So disappointed with this car. My first and last Mercedes
Newbie
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2013 MB C-250
2013 C250 Sedan
The plastic inside flimsy door handle has become detached, and it is agonizing to let windows down & open from the outside. Lo' & behold if it's raining like HELL! Took it to the dealership today, May 10, 2016, and it's just $13 shy of a $1000.00 to replace the entire panel over a piece of plastic. This is robbery as my 50,000 mile warranty expired 6,600 miles ago. They knew about when ***** would start to fall apart; reason I don't keep vehicles past 100,000 miles. They (Mercedes Benz) need to recall this as it seems it has been an ongoing problem for several years now.
