Mercedes-Benz C-Class Complaints

3,817 consumer complaints on file.

#11443417December 10, 2021
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:BODY, WHEELS
While driving at low speed, there was a sudden imbalance in the steering wheel and the car started to pull to the right. The problem was more exaggerated while breaking with significant fishtailing. I immediately took the vehicle to Mercedes-Benz dealership who diagnosed the problem as severely rusted subframe with corrosion and structural instability especially near the rear passenger side wheel. The car is Mercedes C300 4Matic 2013. The incident happened on November 24, 2021. Mileage is 77,000 miles. Should I have waited longer, there was a very high probability of complete breakdown of the subframe which would result in rollover posing high risk of injury and death to the driver and other people on the road.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11442465December 2, 2021
SUSPENSION
Rear subframe failure due to corrosion. Car has approximately 130k miles. Based on internet reasearch, this is a common issue with the c300 w204 Mercedes’ car. It’s a serious safety issue and warrants a recall before someone is killed. Failures have happened for this car at various miles on the odometer, without warning.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11442065November 30, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the rear of the vehicle started fishtailing with extreme vibration making the vehicle very unstable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who discovered the rear passenger’s side subframe was severely rusted causing a section near the rear passenger’s side wheel detaches. The cause of the corrosion was not determined. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11442155November 30, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
on 7/17/21 the piece of the top of the car right from the from window leading to sunroof came undone and flew off while on highway. vehicle was repaired a month later at body shop. this was out of pocket due to not wanting to claim on my insurance due to deductible. This piece flew off at a high velocity with no warning and couldve caused a accident. There was no indication of any issues no lights no warnings signs. There was a loud noise like a brick or large object falling on top which then I heard a lot of air. Recently again in October 5 I was driving on the highway and debris hit my sun roof, my window was shaking and I went to the body shop. in the brief drive there some 10 miles the same plastic part repaired was lifted and coming off. on this occasion I used my Insurance. On 03/2/22, another event in which the plastic portion between front window and rooftop flew off while driving 60mph on the highway.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11441801November 27, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
2019 Mercedes C300 sunroof exploded while driving 60 mph on highway.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11441743November 26, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
While driving on secondary road at 45 mph, braked for stoplight in 2012 Mercedes C300 4matic. Car veered left, rear swung right, and right front dove downward. Luckily regained control and prevented swerving into oncoming traffic. Took car to my regular mechanic and it was determined that the welds on the left rear portion of the rear subframe had rusted out from the inside of the subframe, severing the attachment to the left rear wheel control arms. The car had been inspected 6 months earlier and there was no sign of problem. The failure was catastrophic, not gradual. When the mechanic called the local Mercedes dealer, the service manager was not surprised and proceeded to outline what parts would be needed to carry out the repair. When I contacted the local Mercedes dealer, myself, they said this wasn’t an uncommon problem, but there was not recall or service bulletin on the problem. Was given a rough quote of $5000 to affect the repair. I also contacted Mercedes Benz USA and was told there were no recalls or service bulletins, but they might be able to provide some “Goodwill Assistance” to offset the expected cost if I had it towed to a MB dealer and got a quote from them. Benzworld.org, an owners forum with over 5 million participants world-wide https://www.benzworld.org/threads/w204-rear-subframes-deterioration.3048088/#post-17965564 has multiple postings about the problem as do other forums including CarProblemZoo.com https://www.carproblemzoo.com/mercedesbenz/c300/suspension-problems.php . This design/manufacturer defect has had recalls in both Europe and Canada. Why this is not being addressed in the US? This sudden failure is potentially life-threatening.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11441459November 23, 2021
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated her son was driving approximately 60 MPH and noticed that the steering wheel was crooked and vibrating. The driver was manually turning the steering wheel for the vehicle to drive straight. The driver also noticed that while depressing the brake pedal, the rear of the vehicle was shaking going from left to right while coming to a complete stop. The driver took the vehicle to an independent mechanic to be inspected and was informed that the rear driver’s side subframe had separated from the vehicle due to extreme rust. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11441504November 23, 2021
SUSPENSION
The rear subframe rusted so bad that one of the control arms detached from frame i think this is a risky and i seen lots of those complaints in YouTube I think there should be a recall from mercedes benz of usa .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11440771November 17, 2021
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the variable valve timing solenoid had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that he would be responsible for the cost of the diagnostic test. The manufacturer was notified of the failure through a voicemail message. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 52,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11440684November 16, 2021
SUSPENSION
Lost control of vehicle while driving on highway. Brought vehicle to have brakes done at Pep Boys who identify the sub frame was corroded and that vehicle was not drivable, after many attempts with Mercedes Benz, from emails to phone calls also following up with customer service line and not been able to even have them look at the vehicle I’ve decided to follow up with a complaint. My car was earlier this year at Mercedes-Benz for another reason and I was never made aware of this issue. I brought vehicle to another European auto shop they just told me that they just did another vehicle same model with same problem. I’ve also read online many complaints. I’m aware that many individuals have no idea on how to file a complaint at this level to hold MBenz responsible. Is time for a recall. My extended warranty company would not take care of the bill which is over $2000 since there is corrosion on the vehicle. Thank you for your assistance
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11440386November 14, 2021
ENGINE
MB have 51 000 miles at 1300 rpm acceleration getting rattling noise, just started two week.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11440301November 13, 2021
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
When accelerating to pass a vehicle the check engine light comes on and there is loss power. When this happens there is a huge potential of a crash. The car has to be shut off to try and reset this. When you are on the frwy this puts life at danger. The code is a p002 and if you research it Mercedes is aware of this and is most likely a defective high pressure fuel pump problem that needs replacing but there have been no recalls. I have looked it up on you tube and has been on ongoing issue with no recalls as of yet. I am taking my car to dealer on 11/15/2021 for this issue which they will charge me for even though its a safety issue
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11440327November 13, 2021
STEERING, WHEELS, STRUCTURE:BODY
The subframe rotted out causing the lower control arm bracket to detach from the frame. This has caused loss of control of the back left wheel and causes the car to shake and swerve when braking. This exact issue has led to recall in Canada. First noticed due to a squeaking and clunking sound. Later on the same day, I pressed the brakes on the highway and felt the described shaking/swerving. My mechanic has let me know that the car is now un-drivable due to the safety issue this causes. One of the rear subframe’s main purposes is to absorb and disperse impact. Not only have I entirely lost control of the rear left, but any crash that this could have led to could have been significantly more dangerous due to the failed subframe. As stated prior, this exact issue has led to recall in Canada and I believe that it should lead to recall in the USA as well.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11440097November 11, 2021
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
over the last week I noticed a strong gas smell outside the car as I walk around in the back I check the gas cap and it seals normally and stronger than the smell that comes out of the gas cap
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11440058November 10, 2021
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:BODY, STEERING
Vehicle subframe has rusted through and parts of left rear suspension components are free, and one is about to poke a hole in the fuel tank. The right side is about to do the same. Everyone’s safety is at high risk with this problem. The car abruptly pulls to the left when applying the brakes as well as causing the car to shimmy on the interstate. I took it to my mechanic who to.d me what has happened, and I had it towed to the Mercedes dealership who confirmed the problem. When you search the internet you find a highly alarming number of people who have this same problem on 2009-2014 C300 models please do something before someone gets killed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439685November 8, 2021
ENGINE
Car lost all throtle on the highway, and when pressed on gas pedal nothing would happen. A death trap. it was very dangerous and car behind me almost hit me. Happened many times and the dealer could not fix it. Car just went out of warranty couple months ago
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439564November 6, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
I was told by the Service Department at the Fredericksburg, Va Mercedes Dealership/Service Department on October 29, 2021 that the Rear Sub Frame had rusted out and needed to be replaced. This apparently affects the basic functioning/stability of the car, handling, alignment and breaking. This is apparently an "known" issue with this car and was recalled in Canada, but not the USA. The car was inspected for Virginia registration/etc. in July 2021, so I am not sure when this defect became "obvious". However, I was told in April/May 2021 during basic maintenance that the breaks were wearing unevenly. I cannot provide a specific date of exactly when the car was not "handling properly".
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439577November 6, 2021
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Strong gas smell when car is idling and miles to empty goes down very quickly, approximately a mile or more a minute. There is no recall for this problem and Mercedes is very aware of this problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439364November 4, 2021
SUSPENSION
Mercedes C300 2013, bought used in 2014 at approximately 7300 miles on the odometer, have always done the repairs and maintenances at Mercedes dealerships. In either late 2019 or early 2020 at around $50,000 miles on the odometer, the dealer informed me that the "rear sub frame is rusted and has hole in it" and recommend for the replacement of the rear sub frame, they even refused to pass my state safety inspection because of it. In October 2021 at approximately 67,000 miles on the odometer, it was determined that it was the time for the sub frame to get replaced at a price tag of more than $8000. Upon calling Mercedes corporate customer service and complaining to the dealership, Mercedes is willing to offer so called "Good Will Assistance" but I am still responsible for more than 50% of the cost. Mercedes dealership advised me this is a common issue for this type of vehicle and my case is not a single case. This is a great safety concern and driving this vehicle has been a uncomfortable experience. I strongly believe the sub frame issue is a manufacturer defect and there should be recall issued on it. Thanks.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439298November 4, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
Rear subframe broke off.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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