Mercedes-Benz C-Class Complaints

3,817 consumer complaints on file.

#11483600September 8, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
Rear subframe of vehicle completely rotted/rusted out and destroyed. Was driving at around 60mph and all of the sudden, went to step on the brakes and the car swerved across the highway uncontrollably. Initially thought this was my brakes, but turns out, it is the rear subframe. Took it to a mechanic who said the car is not drivable and showed me how badly the subframe is destroyed. This is due to a Mercedes Benz manufacturing issue where they tried cost cutting which turned out very poor quality materials for this very important assembly. My car only has ~90,000 miles and is just about 10-11 years of age. This issue should never happen for a vehicle with such low miles and such a short life, especially from a prominent and distinguished automotive company. This is a MASSIVE SAFETY CONCERN, and I am lucky that I was not involved in a major accident where people were killed or seriously injured. I have research online about this problem, and turns out, it is VERY COMMON with this body style c300 ('08 - '14). There are hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals within the USA who are having this exact same issue with as little as 60,000 miles. Most are happening around the 90,000 mile mark however. It is astonishing how this subframe was not recalled by now and how Mercedes USA has not taken responsibility for this. In fact, this is a known issue by the manufacturer, and has actually been recalled in Canada (but not the USA?).. This issue needs to be addressed and recalled IMMEDIATELY before people are killed or seriously injured, and before more of these parts break. Please look into this very soon and contact me with any questions.
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
#11483285September 7, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
when braking the back of the car all of a sudden tried to break out to the right. After towing it to the dealer I was told that the subframe was broken due to corrosion. The car is otherwise in good condition without any visible sign of corrosion. When searching the internet for the problem I learned that a lot of these cars have the same issue and that there are recalls for it in Canada and Europe. I'm just glad that I didn't get into a bad accident, since this came without warning and the dealer didn't make me aware of the problem even though I did every service for the car with them for the last almost 12 years.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11482982September 6, 2022
SUSPENSION
I was driving down the road when a deer ran out into the roadway ahead of me. I applied the brake firmly and hear a "pop" and the car suddenly changed lanes. I was able to recover without much of an incident but applying the brakes from that point on caused the car to "steer" into a new direction. I took the vehicle out to a friends farm and jacked it up to find that on this car with zero other corrosion issues that the mounting point for one of the rear suspension arms had rusted at the weld and broken off the sub frame. I should note that the rest of the underbody was inspected and the rear subframe is the only place that has any corrosion. Research into this issue over the past few months has lead me to countless people being affected by the same issues. This is not an isolated case and it needs to be addressed by the manufacturer before it causes a fatal accident (if it has not already).
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
#11483061September 6, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
The interior driver side door handle broke and I was trapped inside my vehicle. Upon checking with the local Mercedes-Benz repair shop, this is a known problem with this type of vehicle and the design of the door handle is prone to this kind of a problem. As of now, the contact has stated that their current solution for the issue is to roll down the window and open the door with the exterior handle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11482884September 5, 2022
SUSPENSION
Rear subframe and rear wheel control arm separated and corroded. Car not safe to drive. 2013 model with 31,000 miles, always garaged and maintained.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11482918September 5, 2022
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
My car threw the check engine code P052E, the issue is the positive crankcase ventilation valve being faulty. Incredibly common on this model and now failed on my car too at 60K miles. All maintenance was done up to this point with the dealer and at or before recommended intervals.
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
#11482660September 2, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
I have a 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C300 Sport 4MATIC with roughly 90k miles. Car is in great condition, a well maintained vehicle that has been regularly serviced (receipts in hand). I recently sent it in for an oil change, air filter change, and to check out a slight rear noise that started a couple weeks ago. I was told the Rear Subframe is severely rotted, and hitting the gas tank. My car is completely un-driveable until this issue is resolved, and extremely expensive to repair. I also called multiple MBUSA dealers, and was told these parts are on back order WITH NO TIME FRAME. Therefore, leaving me with no car for weeks if not months. Based on my own research this is a wide-spread manufacturing failure, which was correct in newer models to prevent the corrosion. Not only is it crazy that the US does not offer free repair / a recall on this issue like OTHER COUNTRIES - Mercedes Benz is leaving people hanging due to the back orders. Curious if Canada / other countries also have this back order issue regardless of recall status. If not, MBUSA should most definitely be responsible to all its US customers whether its improving inventory or recalling the part. My plans were to sell the vehicle for a newer model BEFORE this problem arose. If the noise didn't start until after I sold it, the new owner could have easily been injured or killed. I service this vehicle 2-3 times a year for routine maintenance, and was never made aware of the issue. If I waited to take it in any longer I could have been severely injured as well. I am now without a car, because the frame was not properly protected during manufacturing. The fact this part is on back order for 2 months says it all. Strongly appreciate your assistance in resolving this safety concern.
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
#11482136August 31, 2022
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
My car leaked oil very fast while me & my wife were on a trip and it stopped on the highway and engine was stalling and misfiring due to a manufacture defect that is common with this model so it did put us in a very dangerous & risky situation. Now after i paid $1,740 the dealer is saying that my car needs a new engine due to cracked piston in cylinder 1 that damaged the engine which is a common problem with this model around the 50k miles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11482098August 30, 2022
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while having a routine brake service performed, the contact was informed that the driver’s side rear subframe was rusted. The contact was informed that the failure might puncture the fuel tank. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11482118August 30, 2022
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
While driving on the highway, I heard a noise. While still driving , I quickly looked around which included looking in my rear view mirror. I saw something in the air and saw it hit the road. It didn't occur to me that what I saw flying was from my car. I thought the noise was from some part of the object (maybe a screw) hitting my car.// When I got to where I was going, I walked from my driver's side around the back of the car looking to see if there were any noticeable issues. When I didn't see any issues, I decided to walk to the front of the car where I noticed the panel missing between the top of the front windshield and the sunroof. // I found the following article: https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2021/mercedes-benz-sunroof-problems-cause-recall.shtml The scenario described in the article happened to me on Saturday 27Aug2022: "And a 2015 Mercedes C300 driver heard loud wind noise coming from the top of the vehicle near the windshield while driving above 40 mph. ... while driving on the freeway the driver heard a loud ripping noise and realized the panel was missing. The sunroof panel that flew away wasn't found."
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
#11481664August 28, 2022
SUSPENSION
Manufactory defect on w204 Chassis Mercedes Benz rear sub frame rusting allowing control arm to brake free affecting safety and drivability control loss, which has or could lead to severe accident. There no recalls for this defect and is a common issue with materials on back order for the rear sub frame, vehicle Is not drivable until frame is replaced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11481491August 27, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have a 2018 C class. Purchased it with 32k mikes 12/21. April 2022 I started experiencing issues. When I put my car in drive/reverse the gears shift it’s self back to neutral. When I’m stopped at a light it will take me out of drive and shift it’s self in neutral. I’ve taken my car to the Mercedes dealer for a diagnostics paid out of pocket and they were unable to find the issue. This is a major safety concern and I would like to be contacted as it is unsafe to drive and no one seems to be able to locate the issue so it can be repaired.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11481341August 26, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, STEERING, SUSPENSION
THE REAR SUBFRAME ON THE CAR IS COMPLETELY RUSTED. I GET AN OIL CHANGE AND A INSPECTION OF THE CAR DONE AT THE DEALER EACH YEAR. NOBODY MENTIONED TO ME THAT THE REAR SUBFRAME IS RUSTED AND IS ABOUT TO CRACK AND FALL APART. WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN I SUDDENLY HAD TO STOP AND THE WHOLE CAR SHIFTED TO THE RIGHT ALMOST CAUSING ME TO CRASH. DROVE HOME AND NOTICED A NOISE EVERY TIME I HIT THE BRAKES. THE NEXT DAY TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE SHOWED ME THAT THE SUBFRAME CRACKED AND FELL APART. I KNOW THIS IS A BIG ISSUE IN EUROPE AND THE DEALERS CHANGE IT FREE OF CHARGE SINCE IT IS ON A RECALL, BUT NOTHING IN THE USA AFTER SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FROM DRIVERS. DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11481384August 26, 2022
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that upon purchasing the vehicle, the driver's side sunroof corner was slightly raised. The contact stated while driving at 40 MPH, she heard the panoramic sunroof glass sliding back and forth. The contact stated that she held the sunroof glass while driving. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring. Additionally, the contact stated while attempting to open the sunroof, it slightly opened and the force itself closed. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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