Mercedes-Benz C-Class Complaints (2012)

588 consumer complaints on file.

#11483675September 9, 2022
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken in for a routine service check at the dealer and the mechanic informed her that the rear subframe was rusted and the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The contact was informed that the part was on back order. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 119,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11483577September 8, 2022
SUSPENSION
I ran off the road and my rear suspension sub frame literally broke in half. Upon further research I’ve learned that these parts are faulty and several people have had theirs rust completely in two. Mine had lots of rust damage and that is likely what caused the damage to mine when I ran off the road (MINOR impact that should have never caused that much damage). Mercedes has recalled this part in several countries including Germany and Canada. When I drove home after running off the road my car was nearly impossible to drive. It was jerking all over the road and when I tapped the brakes the rear end of the car would come up off of the road (into the air)! This was in June. It’s now September and I still have not been able to obtain a part from Mercedes. So many people are having this issue with their vehicles that the part is on back order until Q1 of 2023. This is a part of the cars sub frame that is rusting in two! One would argue a broken sub frame is dangerous. And it’s such a prominent issue the part is on back order. Furthermore, Mercedes has changed the type of metal used in replacement parts, which is an acknowledgment of the parts defect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11483194September 7, 2022
STEERING
The esl/eis failed. Turned car off and after coming back to try and turn it on, it didn't work. Steering wheel was locked and car wouldn't engage with key. After checking with mechanics and checking online, I discovered that it is a frequent issue that happens with no warning whatsoever. Which is quite worrisome to think the Steering wheel could lock at anytime without notice. My car is a 2012 Mercedes c250 coupe.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11483036September 6, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
the Rear Subrame CRACKED while Driving, Almost causing a Major accident with my son in the car as well. This seems to be a MAJOR problem being overlooked and ignored by Mercedes Benz . This repair is going to Cost me $ 3000-$ 5000 Dollars. and the Replacement Subframe is Impossible to find and on Back order ! so Now I'm without a Vehicle for God knows How long ?? I Feel there is No Doubt this is a Defect and Should be Covered by Mercedes Benz and a Recall ! How is this not being investigated is Really Scary. How can a Frame or a Car just Crack ? That's Not safe for ANYBODY !
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11482722September 3, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
During a routine oil change Mercedes mechanic discovered our rear subframe is rusted on both sides and needs to be replaced. This is apparently a well known problem, and Mercedes will replace this for free in Germany, but has not recalled the subframes in the US. Mercedes created a new OEM part as the replacement part, proving the original part is faulty. However Mercedes does not have enough parts ane every mechanic we have spoken with has several subframes on order for months at a time. We have waited 9 weeks at this point. Many Mercedes drivers subframes have broken making the cars undrivable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11482359September 1, 2022
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:BODY, STEERING
Dealer states that the rear subframe has rusted and degraded to the point of requiring full replacement. The car is 10 years old with 98,000 miles on the odometer. This is premature degradation of an essential component.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11482411September 1, 2022
STEERING
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the vehicle was unable to start-up as needed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a faulty steering column sensor that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 104,692.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11481592August 28, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
Took my car in for inspection at the Mercedes dealership. They advised the rear subframe was rotted or rusted. This occurred from the inside. The vehicle is garage kept. They advised Mercedes has no re-call on the issue in the United States. They are covering the issue outside the US. This is a major safety issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11477748August 5, 2022
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for an airbag inspection. During the inspection, the dealer informed the contact that the rear subframe was corroded. The vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the brake lines and rear subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11477837August 5, 2022
SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2012 Mercedes Benz C300 4-Matic; Failure of rear subframe, significant crack of an important support member; very limited minor corrosion of the other parts of the frame, seems to be a manufacturing quality defect in a very specific part. Vehicle has been inspected by a highly qualified independent mechanic and by the closest manufacture's dealer in Massachusetts. Car cannot be driven because it is unsafe to do so. Both the dealer's service department and the independent repair shop have advised and confirmed this. Limited research online seems to indicate that this problem is well known by Mercedes Benz, and the manufacturer has issued recalls in other countries and has taken some responsibility for this defect. However, in the USA, Mercedes Benz has not issued a recall, to the best of my knowledge. It certainly seems that they should have done so. It is highly likely that many owners with this problem lack the knowledge or experience needed to report this problem to the appropriate authorities. I happen to have an above average knowledge regarding automobiles. I first became aware of this problem in Nov., 2021. The vehicle is available for inspection by your department if you deem appropriate.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11476904August 1, 2022
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes -Benz C300. The contact stated that upon inspection of the vehicle, he was informed that corrosion had developed on the subframe. The dealer informed him that the subframe needed to be replaced to prevent a possible severe safety failure. The contact emailed the manufacturer about the failure and received a response informing him that they could not offer any assistance. The manufacturer referred him to the NHTSA for additional assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11475858July 26, 2022
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while her granddaughter was driving the vehicle, there was a rattling sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was later inspected by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear passenger’s side wheel well had sustained severe rust and corrosion and informed the contact that the vehicle was unsafe to be driven. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 115,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11475116July 21, 2022
SUSPENSION:REAR, STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving approximately 2 MPH over a speed bump, there was a loud cranking sound coming from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed with failure to the rear subframe due to severe rust. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 121,218.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11474194July 15, 2022
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My car smell like a gas leak. I had went to a car shop to have the car to looked at. The mechanic had told me that the fuel filter flange is leaking gas.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11473597July 12, 2022
SUSPENSION
So here I am - another "happy" driver with a rotten subframe. Started noticing instability on the highway speeds a few months ago. Cracking noises lately. Since I use this car my very honest mechanic immediately told me that my rear subframe is completely done and I should not be driving the car until it is replaced. He quoted me $4500 (OEM parts + labor), but suggested that I take my car to MB and insist on covering the repair costs as this issue did not seem typical to him at all. I started googling and ended up here. Seems like this is a common issue and sounds like MB will replace the subframe for free in some other countries (cananda and Germany, .The dealer said the repair will cost Over $5000.00 This is a safety issue, A real big one. And the fact it's covered in other countries is so not fair. I own another mercedes and now I feel the cars are not as safe as they used to be. Please let me know what I need to do next
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11472766July 7, 2022
SUSPENSION
The rear sub frame has rusted out and broken causing the car to veer suddenly to the left during braking. A quick search of the internet reveals that this is a common problem with this car. The dealership has quoted me $4,000 for the repairs.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11471965July 1, 2022
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C350. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the sunroof glass shattered and landed on the sunroof cover. There was no impact on the sunroof that could have caused the sunroof to shatter. The contact and his daughter did not sustain any injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11471671June 30, 2022
SUSPENSION
I was traveling at roughly 55mph when I had to make a sudden deceleration due to another vehicle pulling out in front of me. When I applied the brakes, the car unexpectedly pulled violently to the left nearly causing a head-on collision with an on coming vehicle. After Googling the symptoms/scenario, I found that this can be caused by a rusted and failed rear suspension subframe. The control arms for the rear wheels become detached from the subframe as a result. Based on my research, this seems to be an extremely common occurrence. So much so that Mercedes Canada and Mercedes Germany are replacing the defective subframes free of charge as they’ve concluded the cause to be “inadequate corrosion protection” applied to the inside of the subframe. It seems as though they’re rotting from the inside out. After learning everything about the issue, I pulled my car on to ramps in my garage and was able to confirm that my subframe had indeed failed. This is a serious safety issue which is being addressed elsewhere. During my research I was unable to find a recall or TSB related to this issue, only hundreds of people stating that Mercedes forcing customers to cover the cost to repair this extremely dangerous manufacturing defect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11470493June 22, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Rear Subframe Rot- this seems to be a common and known issue with Mercedes’ that should be a recall. Yet Mercedes is charging almost $6000 to get this fixed at the dealer. Plus the parts are on back order for months. This is causing cars to sway when stopping. This is definitely a hazard and should be addressed ASAP!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11468798June 11, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The rear subframe on my 2012 Mercedes Benz C300 was corroded and broke. This caused the car to lose control and easily could have been been life threatening at high speeds. Mercedes Benz is clearly aware of this issue and knows this is a part defect but has not been willing to do a recall in the US even though they have done so in other countries. The dealership has told me this needs to be repaired as the car can’t be driven, so I am not happy I need to pay $5,000 out of pocket for a part defect Mercedes knows about and refuses to issue a recall even though this problem can cause a fatal accident. There were no warning signs besides hearing thumping sounds and the instability caused by the part defect when it finally failed and broke.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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