Mercedes-Benz C-Class Complaints

3,817 consumer complaints on file.

#11456960March 16, 2022
SUSPENSION
I took my vehicle in for a state inspection and was informed the rear subframe was rusted/rotting and on the verge of detaching. Had this happened while driving, the results could have been catastrophic. The vehicle cannot be driven until this $4K dollar repair is completed. Upon speaking with the mechanic, this is a well known issue within Mercedes. Had I not asked for an alignment, this would have remained undiscovered until it inevitably broke off while driving the vehicle. This is a major safety issue and a safety recall should be issued.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11456741March 15, 2022
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle swerved. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the rear passenger's side sub-frame was corroded and the stabilizer arm had detached from the sub-frame due to corrosion. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the sub-frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11456581March 14, 2022
SUSPENSION
I bought my c300 Mercedes-Benz in 2013 from the Euro Motorcars dealership in Germantown, MD. On about February 15, I heard some clanking/banging in the rear of my car. I thought it was the rear driver side break. I took the car to my local mechanic and he indicated the rear sub-frame had rusted though and it was banging on the gas tank (see attachments). Very dangerous, I should not drive.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11456652March 14, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vehicle was in for state inspection at an authorized inspection station. It failed inspection due to severely rusted and deteriorated rear K-Frame which had to be replaced to pass inspection. This is a major defect I feel caused by manufacture negligence. There were no warnings, messages or any signals indicating a problem. This issue could have severely caused an injury or even death had it not been detected by the mechanic inspector. Mechanic stated to me that he had replaced several of the rear K-Frames in the last year on this make and model.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11456705March 14, 2022
SUSPENSION
The Rear subframe rusted and broke off, car was not stopping safely.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11456242March 10, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE
I keep getting a litany of warnings on the dash.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11456245March 10, 2022
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Looks like I am not the first one to complain about the strong smell of fuel on the driver side under the hood as well as inside of the vehicle. Upon further inspection it was determined that the fuel line at the pump is leaking fuel. My car has only 48k miles on it...How can such dangerous failure be ignored by MB for more than three-four years or longer?? Please note that this particular issie is leading the complaints chart. Based on the amount of identical complaints, it appears that this "manufacturer" is waiting for an injury or fatality before they do something about it. This fuel hose situation MUST be addressed IMIDIATELY. Please start the recall before it is too late!!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11455877March 9, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Car was parked in Garage with garage door open. Wife and I wanted to go biking and the bikes needed air in the tires. Pre-positioned one bike directly behind parked car and one parallel with the pneumatic air pump prepositioned to inflate the tires. Went to driver's side door and started car with foot on the brake and pushed the button. I then plugged in the adapter for the air pump into the cigarette lighter. The whole time the driver's side door was open and the car was not moving. I exited the car and walked backwards and knelt down abeam the left rear automobile tire to inflate the bike tire. I started the pump at the unit and started to connect the hose to the bike tire, I was then hit from behind by the car door which bent backwards as it passed over me in reverse at low speed. The bike may have saved me by creating a wedge to bend the door back and away from me. The car started down my driveway and dragged the bike parked behind it underneath wedged and sparking across the ground. I got some scrapes but jumped after the car and tried to stop it by trying to slow it with my weight and strength and it was not stopping or slowing. I was worried I may get run over a second time and let it continue to roll at low idle speed across the street and into the neighbor's car that was parked. I am positive the car was not moving after I started it and I didn't have my foot on the brake to engage the reverse function one I exited the vehicle. I believe that the car engaged in reverse once I started the air pump. Maybe it was a voltage or electrical spike. I have used this pump setup many times before to inflate the car's tires and my bike tires but never saw it do this before.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11455690March 8, 2022
ENGINE
This vehicle has a known issue of the timing chain needing replacement around 80,000 miles. When I hit approx. 78,000 miles i started hearing strange sounds and issues with my vehicle starting so I took my vehicle to a local mechanic and he said that the timing chain needs to be replaced. he also stated that there should be a recall on this issue as there has been a recall on the same vehicle for the same issue just a different year which has the same exact engine therefore this year of vehicle should also have the recall applied for the timing chain to be repaired. This issue is causing engine problems and will eventually lead to the engine completely blowing at any time now.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11455780March 8, 2022
ENGINE
I got a P052E code on my car which means a faulty crankcase or PCV valve. After doing some reading it seems to be a super common problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11455470March 7, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While parked and locked the cars trunk will randomly open on its own. It has happened at home, work, other parking lots. I will check and make sure it’s closed and I will come bs k to the trunk open.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11455497March 7, 2022
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while his wife was driving approximately 30-40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and the rear of the vehicle swerved. The driver pulled over to the side of the roadway. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the subframe was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 69,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11455505March 7, 2022
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Gas smell inside the car. Fuel leak when gas tank us full.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11455397March 6, 2022
ENGINE
Around the 58,000 mile mark my check engine light on my 2016 Mercedes C300 4MATIC came on . I checked the gas cap, as that can set off the check engine light, and the check engine light went off the next day. 3 days later the check engine light comes on again, so I repeated the steps of taking the gas cap off and putting back on. The light did not go off the next day. 5 days later the light goes off again. This happened several times over a span of 2-3 weeks. I then take my car to be checked with an OBD-II Scanner. It read off every time the check engine light had been on, which was several times. The error code the scanner displayed was "P052E" and a description of "Positive Crankcase Ventilation Regulator Valve Performance". It was the same code multiple times. At this point I did a little research to see if this was something I could repair. While researching the issue, I found that case after case of the very same issue was being reported by owners of cars like mine. I then came across a post that said they had reported the issue to NHTSA and was told that it was such a widespread issue that if "A few more cars are reported to have this issue then a recall would potentially be issued because of the amount of cars that are having the exact same issue at very similar mileages, and it is a very expensive repair. I just feel that this is too common of a problem by the same cars, at the same mileages from the same Manufacturer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11455428March 6, 2022
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
While driving, heard loud flapping noise and when stopped discovered the tread on driver side rear tire had separated from the tire and was hitting wheel well, and passenger door. Road was clear and smooth prior to the incident Happened Saturday, March 5, 2022 at about 1:30 pm. Consumer stated Pirelli Risk Management wanted to make arrangements to have the tire shipped to them for inspection.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11455453March 6, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
While driving recently we noticed that the vehicle pulled to one side while braking, and very hard under quick stop tests. Vehicle handling felt extremely dangerous when performing a hard brake test. An inspection was performed, and the service center found a rotted out rear subframe, and cracking around the suspension mounting brackets. After researching this repair, we found this to be a common problem in this and similar model Mercedes-Benz (MB) vehicles of that vintage. I understand that a recall may have been issued in Canada regarding this issue, but not in the U.S. Mercedes-Benz and their service stations have acknowledged this issue is common but they have not taken action to rectify this serious problem, or to compensate owners for the repair costs, which range from $3500 to $6000 depending on where the vehicle is serviced. We are the first owners of this car. It is barely 10 years old, is regularly maintained, and thoroughly washed during the winter months to remove road salt. A well maintained vehicle should not deteriorate this rapidly from rust, especially a Mercedes-Benz. We feel that it is unacceptable for MB to remain unaccountable for this problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11455271March 4, 2022
ENGINE
Long story short, I own a 2015 C300 Mercedes with 59,500 miles I was driving on the street when my engine started shaking so rough and my car lost power. I panicked and pulled over and drove 10mph all the way home. My vehicle would shake rough, couldn’t exceed 10mph and would make loud noises. I take it to the Keyes Mercedes dealership and they tell me it’s a cracked piston. I couldn’t believe it because I only have 59k miles. I have my vehicle records so I have been up to date on my maintenance. They dissembled my engine and couldn’t find the cause to the failure but found the cracked piston in cylinder #1 and damage to the cylinder walls. They recommended to replace complete engine and it will cost me about more than $18,000!! The piston falls under Mercedes 7 year/70k miles emissions warranty and yet they deny coverage. After doing lots of research I come to find out that I’m not the only victim that has suffered the exact damage. People that also own a Mercedes c300 and other models are now without a vehicle and looking at a repair of $18k+ and making a car payment for nothing. This has caused us stress, inconvenience, and damage to our mental health. Keyes Mercedes located in Van Nuys is also aware of the common cracked piston issues on their vehicles. In 2 days I mark 4 months without my car. Please help!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11454975March 3, 2022
POWER TRAIN
PVC Pipe to turbo. I am very concerned because this is a reoccurring issue with many owners of C300s. Also, I think it is related to recall number 20V364000 Engine and engine cooling: Engine: Gasoline: Turbo/supercharger. The issue was confirmed by a dealer Check engine light illuminated.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11454766March 1, 2022
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
When I got my Mercedes 2.5 years ago I would always notice a very strong gas smell that would come very randomly. I would have to open my windows for the smell of fuel to go away. I presented this to the Greenway Mercedes Dealership 2X VERBALLY and they told me that it is just a "Mercedes thing" and everything is ok because it is not "VISIBILLY" leaking fuel. Which it was not. However, the smell of the fuel is EXTREME, It would happen to me through out the year (in the summer and winter, regardless of temperature) randomlly. I would have to leave the garage ASAP when I turn on my car just in case the smell of fuel was extreme because my parents would tell me that it would even COME INTO THE HOUSE. I thought I was crazy to think this was normal and just a "Mercedes thing". But then I got a letter on August 2021 and did some research and saw I was not the only one and there is a class action lawsuit -Mercedes sent a letter on August 21 announcing they will extended the limited warranty of the "Fuel hose connected to high pressure fuel pump" from the original warranty of 4 years/50,000 miles to 10 years/120,000 miles. HOWEVER, This does NOT HELP, they are still saying it is a wear and tear and REFUSE to replace the defected MANUFACTORER part and INSIST it is not "seeping fuel" from the connection at the fuel pump, so it is NOT under warranty. I am confused as to why this is not a recall? Extending the warranty did nothing to help Mercedes Owners at all. They continued to claim it is "wear and tear so that is why the fuel is sweeping at a different location" AS WELL, two dealerships told me it would take them 24-48 hours for them to JUST INSPECT my car to see if it is covered. This extension did resolve anything, but made sure the dealerships deny even more. Now, I have to continue to leave my garage within 30 sec. so I don't suffocate the cats that sleep in the garage or have my family smell the fuel as I leave. And to open my windows so I can breath fresh air.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11454330February 27, 2022
ENGINE
P052e positive crankcase ventilation
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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