Mercedes-Benz C-Class Complaints (2013)

575 consumer complaints on file.

#11481119August 25, 2022
SUSPENSION:SUBFRAME/MOUNTING BRACKET, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the steering wheel started shaking. The contact then depressed the brake pedal causing the vehicle to drift. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that the rear-subframe was severely rusted causing a control link to fracture. The contact was informed that the control link and subframe needed to be replaced on the passenger’s side of the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired due to the parts being on backorder. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11481291August 25, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Recall
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11480886August 23, 2022
AIR BAGS, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE
Per the attached Repair Order 948486 dated May 13, 2020, when I brought in the car to Fletcher Jones in Newport Beach for the airbag recall, I thought both of the Takata airbags were replaced and not just the passenger airbag. In fact, Repair Bill Job A states: “Replace Driver and Front Passenger Airbag”. “No Charge” I did not notice that they only replaced the passenger airbag. I would not have known the driver’s side was not replaced if the airbag warning light did not come on. Please direct Fletcher Jones to finish this repair properly. Per the enclosed photos, my dash display now has an image of the airbag and it says “Front Left Malfunction Service Required”. I am very worried what will happen if we get into an accident. Per the highlighted text attached, on April 14, 2021, a driver reported: “Front drivers air bag malfunction light is illuminated and horn nor any controls on steering wheel work at all.” I checked the horn and the steering wheel controls on our C250 when I read this. I discovered they do not work on our car as well. This drivers report goes on to say: “…repairman states this is a common issue with this car. I believe this is a serious safety issue with this vehicle as the airbag malfunction can possibly cause serious injury to the driver and the horns inability to function prevents the driver from alerting any other drivers if they stray from lane, are backing out of parking space, or distracted at a red traffic signal.” On Repair Order 948486 Fletcher Jones tried to reset the headrest which popped open when I sat in the car and put my head against it to rest. It was not due to any accident, the car was stationary. Fletcher Jones could not reset the headrest and asked for $1200 for a new one. Clearly this is also a defect because it did not occur during an accident and the headrest should not have separated. An attached article shows the Takata airbag problems still exist as ticking time bombs. MB CEO did not reply to my letter.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11479375August 15, 2022
SUSPENSION
I had noticed that my car was starting to pull to the side when braking. I took it in to my authorized dealer, where I always have it serviced and maintained, and I was told that the rear sub-frame bracket was broken off at the left rear lower control arm attachment point. The rear sub-frame and left rear lower control arm needs to be replaced. I was told that the car was absolutely not safe to drive. I have always taken great care to maintain the vehicle, and it has always been stored in a garage. There were no warning signs prior to the failure, and I was very surprised to hear that the sub-frame had rusted out since there is no rust anywhere else on the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11478916August 12, 2022
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
The components of the engine being the camshaft adjusters, timing guide, timing chain, valves and pistons that all work to deliver power are faulty and have failed literally mid-drive. I was on a busy interstate during rush hour and nearly lost control of the vehicle as it just powered out while driving at 70 mph then forcing a semi to nearly terminate myself and family. The dependability and safety is abruptly ripped out from underneath you. Without even being able to control the vehicle and it coming to an abrupt, unsafe hault. There were no warning signs. The vehicle has since been looked at and informed me that an extended warranty is in place for half of all the parts and labor above.all should be covered and for safety.my nerves are a wreck and without a way to afford an entirely new engine I am left to contend with car payments for an unsafe undrivable vehicle. Since then the dealership recognized my concerns but has since stated that without a modification to the extended warranty or it being made a recall that there is nothing that can be done.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11478690August 10, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
The frame is literally rotting from the inside out. Apparently this is a very common problem with Toyota 4 runners. This should have been recalled and fixed by Toyota like they did with the Tacoma and sequoias.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11478705August 10, 2022
SUSPENSION
I noticed my 2013 MB C350 was making strange noises and vibrations. I could feel the car steering in a different direction when I let go of the wheel. I took it to my service dealer and was told the subframe was severely rusted which included the suspension, struts, and even brake line. I was told the car was dangerous to drive and had to keep it at the shop for 45 days while waiting for the parts to come in. Apparently this is a "common" issue with this generation of C-class. There should be nothing common or normal about a rotting subframe after only 8 years of use. This a manufacturer's defect and the manufacturer needs to be held responsible for using inferior parts for cost cutting measures. I had to pay several thousands of dollars for an issue that shouldn't be an issue for 20+ years.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11477996August 7, 2022
SUSPENSION
The left rear subframe is torn and severely rusted. The left rear arm also needs to be replaced because it is essentially not connected to anything which makes the car not safe to drive. I took the car to an independent shop and was told not to drive the car any longer. I had to have the car towed to my home. I was made aware that this is a common issue In Mercedes C300 and Mercedes US has refused to issue a recall although in Canada a recall has been issued on this particular part. I was driving on the highway with my 1 yr old in the backseat when my car started to pull side to side. The car felt out of control. There were no warning indicators about this issue so I wasn’t sure what was going on. Im happy I followed my instincts and had the car looked at. I am now faced with purchasing a new car or having the car repaired for several thousand dollars. I have had the car for six years without issue and I’m told that this is a manufacturer defect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11477297August 3, 2022
SUSPENSION:SUBFRAME/MOUNTING BRACKET
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while his wife was driving approximately 30 mph, she was depressing the brake pedal and the rear side of the vehicle shifted to the left independently, causing to impact with another vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated no one was injured nor sought medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was drivable and the driver was able to continue driving to her destination. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed the sub frame was corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11477256August 2, 2022
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
intermittently the idle will vibrate the car and acceleration will quit and sputter. Very dangerous in many conditions. cannot drive car safely.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11475655July 25, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
I noticed my Mercedes 2013 C300 (approx 89,000 miles) was acting peculiar when braking, it basically fishtailed like i was on ice, especially at a high speed on the interstate. It was very scary. It was also making clunking noises and did not handle on curves very well. Brought it to a local garage as the nearest dealer is over an hour away. Found out the rear subframe is broken on the rear passenger side and the other side very close to breaking. Not only that, but when I called a garage that specializes in German cars, he immediately guessed it was a C Class Mercedes, and when I googled it, this issue came up repeatedly. How this has not been addressed by Mercedes is beyond me, will it take a horrendous crash? Because I was almost a statistic. No warning lamps or messages. This design flaw needs addressed immediately. And now I have no vehicle as it is UNSAFE to drive and will cost me around $3,000 to fix IF they can get the part. Sent an email to Mercedes Benz, they advised recalls and service campaigns are VIN specific and to contact NHTSA. And the email closed with "Best wishes for safe and pleasant driving."
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11474672July 19, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION
So I took my car to get new tires and the tech told me that my rear subfram was rusted and cracked ,unsafe to drive . I called mercedes and they asked to take it to the dealership and get a quote. I did this and there response was to do nothing .this issue has been recalled in Germany and also Canada. But nothing done in United States. This is a serious safety issue .let's say I never got my tires and never found out and was traveling 70mph down the freeway and had to hit the brakes hard for whatever reason and this part fails and breaks. Everyone in my car and whoever else my car collides into life's would most definitely be in danger
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11473909July 14, 2022
STEERING
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to immediately respond while turning the steering wheel. After stopping the vehicle and attempting to reverse, it was discovered that the front wheels would no longer turn while turning the steering wheel in either direction. The vehicle was later towed to the residence. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V252000 (Steering). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 95,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11473314July 11, 2022
AIR BAGS
2013 MERCEDES BENZ C250. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TAKTA AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS DIFFICULT GETTING IN CONTACT WITH THE DEALER IN ORDER TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR COMPLETED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED OR, PICKED UP BY THE DEALER, DUE TO HAVING MEDICAL ISSUES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11473191July 10, 2022
SUSPENSION
The driver side suspension mount to the rear subframe has rusted through. While applying the brakes the car pulled radically to the left almost causing me to lose control. This is a known issue from what I can determine but Mercedes has refused to issue a recall. The car cannot be driven until this is fixed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11472951July 8, 2022
SUSPENSION
The item that has failed is the rear subframe of the vehicle. It is available to be viewed. It is still on my car, as it has not yet been replaced due to the cost. When braking, the front of the car will pull left and back feels like it is pulling to the right, as if you are spinning out. The problem is that the subframe is rusted out at under 100,000 miles. I just hit 100,000 and it has already broke completely. I was told by the dealership that this is a safety concern where the back of the vehicle could fall off, there words, not mine. I have been in contact with Mercedes Benz corporate and they said since I am past 50,000 miles, there is nothing they can do. There were no safety warnings, recalls or lights in the car that has given me any indication there was a problem until it broke and I felt it during breaking. This issue seems to have happened to many individuals driving the Mercedes C300, as it is not just a small number. Currently, MB has this backordered due to the number of cases. They should be responsible for a recall for the price paid for their vehicles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11472478July 6, 2022
SUSPENSION
Vehicle is 9 years old with 69825 miles and the Rear drivers side Subframe rusted out and broke off the vehicle. This is a common problem and is a recall in both Europe and Canada and needs to be recalled in America, this is very dangerous and life threatening as I googled and there are hundred similar stories.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11472173July 3, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The door handle on the driver side stopped opening. I believe it became broken on the inside. Upon researching it I found that this is a recurring problem in many cars of my same make and model. Additionally I took the car to a mechanic to be fixed and apparently the dealerships are keeping the part in stock because this is a common issue. The car will not open from the inside without purchasing an entire new panel to repair it. This seems like a recall issue as a present safety concerns. This cost over $1200 to repair.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11471813June 30, 2022
SUSPENSION:SUBFRAME/MOUNTING BRACKET
2013 MERCEDES BENZ C300. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO A HAZARDOUS DEFECT IN THE REAR SUBFRAME. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE'S AC COMPRESSOR WAS FAULTY. THE CONSUMER WAS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE SUBFRAME AND AC REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11471532June 29, 2022
SUSPENSION
My Mercedes C300, 2013, 46,123 miles has 2 holes in rear sun frame, rendering it unsafe to drive. Dealership and MB will not acknowledge this is a common problem with this make/model. Recall for very same problem in Canada & other nations has been issued but not in USA. Dangerous situation!!! $5,200 to repair! On a premium brand auto with less than 50,000 miles. Please help!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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